A look back at some older, obscure, or passed over next gen games

[BioMechanic]

I highly enjoyed Downhill Domination, Kya, Bombastic, Metal Arms, and Sphinx.

Crimson Sea (XB) - Deserves mention because it's so damn kooky. Anime-bizarre storyline & constant alien-bashing might turn some off, but there are some fantastic moments here. One level has you hunting invisible creatures on an alien desert world, and you can only see them by their tracks in the dust. Another has you using your radar and controller vibration to separate the shape-shifting creatures from the rest of the crowd in which they're trying to hide. There's lots of bashing through waves of enemies - not surprising since it's by Koei - but it's certainly a great stress reliever.

Put the inventive levels together with an incredible graphics engine, memorable soundtrack, and crazy art direction, and you've got one of the best action-RPGs this gen.

Otogi series (XB) - Beautiful, surreal, and challenging, From Software dropped a couple of overlooked gems here. Maybe too Japanese for many, and there isn't a whole lot to the story or gameplay, but there's nothing in modern gaming like smashing demons through buildings. The sequel adds more characters and mini-games, but I think the original is slightly better in terms of atmosphere and creativity.

Vexx (GC/XB - it's on the PS2 as well, but runs and looks pretty shoddy) This is the best 3D platformer of this generation. Vexx is a horrid-looking character, the camera's a little twitchy, and the combat is forgettable, and it's not really that original, but the gameplay is nothing less than sublime, tough-as-nails old-school obstacle courses, set in beautiful Dark Crystal-style levels. Yes, it's by Acclaim, but it's their best game in years.

kill.switch (PS2/XB) - Not very deep, and not very long, but definitely worth the $15 or so it's going for now. It's a modern military 3D shooter with a surprisingly interesting storyline, strategic yet intuitive duck-&-fire gameplay, and nicely designed levels. Woulda been nice there were unlockables or multiplayer, but what's there is pretty darn cool. Play it on Hard to experience some of the most enjoyably crafty AI around.

[kingoffighters]

I'd have to give a nod to Shox (PS2). It's a fun, reasonably straightforward arcade-style rally racer, and shucks-howdy does it absorb my time when I fire it up. It's really too bad the game didn't really catch on in a big way, but still worth checking out if you stumble across it. I don't know how easy it'll be to track down. I got my copy just after EA dropped the price on the thing, and even then the game was getting scarce, but still well worth grabbing if you're lucky enough to find it.

Interesting! I have always wanted to check it out, and it is so cheap used now that I should just buy it. Maybe someday.

[Diff-chan]

Im a racing game slut, and Downhill Domination was really really good. I would say its the best arcade-style racing game on the PS2. Itll definitely be in my top 10 of 2004.

[Bacon McShig]

Itll definitely be in my top 10 of 2004.

You played (and liked) 10 games in 2004?

I'm pretty sure it released in fall '03, actually.

[Diff-chan]

You played (and liked) 10 games in 2004?

Uhh...


no.

I'm pretty sure it released in fall '03, actually.

Youre correct.

Oh well.

[Jeremy]

Shox is pretty decent, and it moves at a great clip. It's got some weird controlling issues with it though. I need to try Downhill Domination, and yeah, Vexx rules, it makes me sad that Acclaim died, so I hope someone buys the property, or at least the game engine.

[Shin Johnpv]

Wow. The first RE and MGS joind the first TR to form the holy trinity of action/adventure games. Sphinx was a forgettable Zelda clone. The two should not even be mentioned in the same thread.

I'll give you RE and MGS but TR has always been garbage to me, I remember how nuts everyone was going about the first one and when I finally got to play it at a friends house, and the feeling of wanting to jab a large metal spike into my skull it gave me

[Compass]

I'll give you RE and MGS but TR has always been garbage to me, I remember how nuts everyone was going about the first one and when I finally got to play it at a friends house, and the feeling of wanting to jab a large metal spike into my skull it gave me

TR isn't a pick-up-and-play-at-a-friend's-house-and-instantly-fall-in-love kind of game. Much like real-life girls, you gotta spend some quality one-on-one time with Lara before she starts opening up the hidden crevasses of delight.

[Glass Joe]

I love both Sphinx and TR 1(and TR 4 to a lesser extent). For that reason I think you are both wrong. Shin for his TR 1 hate and Yoshi for bashing Sphinx.

It may have been a "Zelda clone" but I think it was better than both Zelda WW and Zelda MM. Just because it didn't sell well doesn't mean shit.

[Tyler_Durden]

Saying that Sphinx is better than Marjora's Mask is kind of like saying "Yeah, I'm actually really fucking gay."

Shox is pretty horrible. Don't expect SSX-level quality.

Rygar is amazing - it's one of the best games of the generation. Otogi is great as well (haven't played 2). Wave Race: Blue Storm is another awesome game, but I don't know if it qualifies for this thread.