But at the time, they simply failed to make an impact, either critically or commercially.
Lets take a look at 50 such titles.
Manhunt
Were going to start with a controversial entry.Manhuntwasnt underappreciated in the classic sense of the word.
It sold fairly well, and certainly got plenty of attention.
Underneath all of the controversy lay some truly great, often overlooked gameplay.
Ad content continues below
49.
If only a game based on a 70s movie would have excited the gaming crowd more.
As Rygar, players journeyed around the island of Argus engaging all sorts of mythological threats.
The weapon of choice was the Diskarmor, essentially a shield on a chain.
It could also summon powerful deities.
Were all familiar with the likes ofSilent Hill,but wed wager you may have missed out onExtermination.
The game made use of traditionalResident Evil-style combat and exploration, but featured some great additions.
The modular weapon you carried could be fully customized, and various environmental puzzles were put into play.
Alongside this, ammo was very scarce, and so running from combat was often advisable.
Dennis, the protagonist, could become infected with enough exposure to enemies.
DoCmoved the series from turn-based RPG to third-person action shooting.
The game mixed shooting with RPG elements to create a mash-up of the genres.
It didnt yo manyFFVIIfans, who disliked the action approach, but this is a shame.
And, we got to play as Vincent Valentine, which was always a bonus.
However, the PS2 also dabbled with voice control, andLifelinewas a very interesting experiment.
It put players in the role of a stranded man stuck in the hotels control room.
Deus Ex
Deus Exis widely considered to be one of the greatest games ever made.
It sold well on PC and won masses of awards.
It went on to spawn two sequels, and is now very much back in the public eye.
So, why did the PS2 port ofDeus Exfall so flat?
Sucking blood isnt as simple as it sounds, though.
You had to find the right spot on the body that would let you go unnoticed.
If your target started to become aware, you needed to retreat, lest you be squashed into mush.
With typical Japanese style, and some surprisingly well-handled gameplay,Mister Mosquitois a title you should check out.
It was a cartoon-themed combat title played in the third person, and it was actually very good.
A good, well presented game.
It was a refreshingly different take on survival horror, and one that not enough people discovered.
All weapons featured primary and secondary modes, and Nathan could hack enemy security with his Icepick gun.
To do well you needed to keep every track going by hitting the corresponding buttons at the right time.
It was the gestation of the inevitable plastic guitar series.
You could even equip a hang-glider power that allowed limited flight.
You controlled Joseph, a Summoner who could call into battle various powerful creatures.
The game featured a myriad of side quests, and combat was real time.
There was also a healthy amount ofDiablo-style loot finding to be done.
There was even a choice of companion, with each opening up different areas to explore.
It was a great little game that came out of nowhere, and disappeared just as fast.
More games using this eye-catching style would follow, such as the Wiis excellentMurumasa: The Demon Blade.
This game was a classic one more try title.
The game was a traditional FPS, based on an 80s comic book of the same name.
Its anime style was complemented by some unique combat and exploration.
Each character had his/her own ARM, which was basically a unique weapon with various special attacks.
Protagonist Jericho Cross was an outlaw on the verge of one of his biggest train robberies.
This was achieved using a negotiation system in which you had to persuade a demon to fight for you.
Some demons were easy to recruit, while others were far more difficult.
These demons could also be fused together to create more powerful creatures.
Dante fromDevil May Cryeven made a cameo appearance.
Oh, good lord).
Racing through the streets of London instead of the usual American cities was a breath of fresh air.
Oh, and ignore the sequel, it was rubbish.
Primalstarred Jennifer Tate, a girl who finds herself involved in a battle of chaos and order.
As she entered each realm, Jen gained the ability to transform into a demon representing that realm.
Each creature personified a method of execution used on the prisoners of Abbot State over the years.
Well worth seeking out if you havent played it, which is likely.
You probably have, but withoutKill Switch, you may not have had the chance.
Its worth playing simply to see where the genre as we know it today came from.
He also fought foes face to face, but this was a noisy option.
Despite this, it still failed to make major waves, and was never heard from again.
You played as a young school girl armed only with the Camera Obscura.
This was a magical camera that could exorcise spirits, and it was your only defense against the supernatural.
Killer 7
Weve talked about Suda 51s surrealKiller 7before and made no bones about our love for it.
Its a genuine work of art, pure and simple.
If youve never played it, we urge you to do so.
Instead of focusing on the actual events of the movie, the game took place a few days afterwards.
The game used an AI teammate system, giving player character Blake plenty of allies.
It was a great, team-based adventure, and one that is considered to be a canonical sequel.
Octavianus, Agrippas friend gets involved in events, and tries to uncover the truth.
Shadow of Romewas a game of two halves.
There were also sections for Agrippa outside of the arena.
These needed repairing after a lot of use, and custom weapons could be created.
Now, this was noMario,and Christopher didnt eat mushrooms or jump on peoples heads.
Instead, he packed assault rifles and Molotovs, and used guerilla tactics to take down the Red machine.
All of this took place within an occupied New York.
As you succeeded in your goals, you gained charisma.
The more charisma you had, the more followers you could lead.
Urban Chaos: Riot Response
Youve heard of theBatman: Arkhamseries, right?
Of course you have.
Were willing to bet youve not heard ofUrban Chaos: Riot Response, though.
You played the role of Nick Mason, an officer in the T-Zero riot response division of the police.
Special challenge missions also let you unlock better weapons.
Urban Chaoslooked great for a PS2 FPS, and it featured some of the most satisfying gunplay around.
The levels were varied, and there was no cheating or shortcuts taken.
Each chapter of the game had its own mini-story, keeping things interesting.
This was a brilliant fighter that really you should dig out.
Behind the very Pixar-like aesthetics lies a violent, but well-crafted stealth adventure.
Rau also got a bow and special abilities, all of which were used tactically to achieve his objectives.
A music shooter,Rezis a trip for the eyes and the ears.
Its an on-rails shooter that ties the onscreen action and your success to the music.
As you fight, you add music and sound effects to the soundtrack, and your onscreen avatar transforms.
Its a game thats often used in the argument of games being art.
One of the most stylish and addictive shooters around.
Monster Hunter
Its crazy to think that a series as popular asMonster Hunterwas once overlooked by most.
God Hand
Clover Studios was one of Capcoms most promising divisions before it was closed down.
God Hand, likeKiller 7, is a very divisive title.
You played as Gene, a fighter who lost his arm in a gang attack.
The games quality isnt all that surprising, asResident Evildesigner Shinji Mikami directed it.
Its a title that demands your attention.
This was all delivered in a truly charming and beautiful manner, and it played brilliantly.
Its striking art style and mixture of puzzles and enemy confrontations were superbly designed.
Its a very challenging and often emotional journey of a game.
Its simply stunning that such a great game could be ignored by so many.
This race kidnaps Hillyans to use as energy sources or slaves.
She does this by infiltrating various facilities to acquire photographic evidence of the collaboration.
You really wont regret it.
