Last week I hit on the three most overrated games of this console generation. It only seemed fair to come back with those titles I thought have been far too overlooked. To be fair, the level of quality in games today is higher than it has ever been. With more games in the top tier, occasionally some great ones get overshadowed and slip through the cracks. Below I have an awesome party game, a crime epic, and an open-world RPG whose greatest sin was releasing too soon after Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
You Don’t Know Jack
This is one of those games that every player needs to have on their shelves. The return of one of the greatest party games of all time with its iconic host, raunchy humor, and, of course, player versus player trivia battles is one that seemed to go with but a whimper. This is one of THE most entertaining games around, built around playing through a game show in about 10 minutes. Sure, it being trivia, you do need to know a thing or two before you come to play, but don’t let that stop you. This is an easy game to get into, and Cookie Matterson provides the perfect environment of hilariousness, whether you’re in the lead or way behind. This game will warp your mind, but in such a good way.
Mafia II
I think Mafia II biggest mistake was releasing into the world post-GTA IV. Mafia II featured a massive world, beautifully designed to represent 1940’s America. The storyline was perfectly Mafioso, portraying the descent of World War II veteran into the criminal underworld. It was very well told, a narrative that combined with some excellent third-person shooting to offer a playable, entertaining game. Perhaps it was trapped in the height of third person shooter fatigue, but this was an excellent game that not nearly enough people played. It wasn’t perfect- its linear nature left most of its “open” world unexplored, and in the wake of GTA IV, there was not nearly enough to do out there. But the campaign was intense and captivating, with beautiful environments and entertaining characters.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
It was a huge mistake for 38 Studios to wager their entire company on needing an awesome commercial success from one title, and a new IP at that. Yet, it’s hard to blame them if you’ve played Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. This was a game whose only real imperfection was a really unfortunate name. This game’s entire world was weaved around the theme of fate, carrying it through every questline in a unique way. It was also a hallmark of game design, with the best inventory system of any RPG ever created, a wide-open character creation and leveling system that would allow you to completely respec your character in any way you could imagine, satisfying, weighty combat and a world stocked with lore, terrifying creatures and massive battles. This was a fantastic effort that not nearly enough people played.
About Author
