Post by: neomang5 on 13 Sep 2005, 10:10
Robot Alchemic Drive Is awesome, if you have a PS2, and love giant robots, BUY IT. The voices are horrible, but you control a robot realistically, and fight giant robot aliens!
Discuss this and other games of obscure awesomeness.
Post by: jhocking on 13 Sep 2005, 10:29
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim, Dark Cloud 2, Ghost Master, Okami, .hack, Bombastic, Mojo, Flipnic, Culdcept, Disgaea, Bard's Tale, Shining Force/Tears, Stella Deus, Freaky Flyers, Robot Alchemic Drive, Jade Cocoon 2, Samurai Jack, Shadow Hearts, Grandia, Okage, Dog's Life, Finny the Fish, Ecco the Dolphin, Escape from Monkey Island, Aqua Aqua, Chulip, Mojib-Ribbon, Magic Pengel, TransWorld Surf, Seaman, Super Farm, Mr. Mosquito, Jak3, Rachet and Clank3, Sly2, Tak, Psychonauts, Zapper, Amplitude, Gitaroo-Man, Kinetica, Yanya Caballista, Red Dead Revolver, Marvel vs Capcom, Zone of the Enders, God of War, Mark of Kri, Rise to Honor, Goblin Commander, Army Men RTS, La Pucelle, Twerps, Battlestar Galactica, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, Spy vs Spy, Powerpuff Girls, Piglet's Big Game, Asterix and Obelix, Theme Park Roller Coaster, Metropolismania, Super Monkey Ball, Viewtiful Joe, Under the Skin, Ribbit King, Crazi Taxi, Cel Damage, Simpsons: Hit and Run, Fatal Frame, Lego Star Wars, War of the Monsters, Destroy All Humans!
Note that, while most are, not all of of those are obscure. Also, I'll buy any obscure game if it's cheap, even if it sucks. Thus, a number of those titles are crappy games. Oh, and this is a PS2-centric list.
Post by: neomang5 on 13 Sep 2005, 10:42
Quote from: jhocking
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim, Dark Cloud 2, Ghost Master, Okami, .hack, Bombastic, Mojo, Flipnic, Culdcept, Disgaea, Bard's Tale, Shining Force/Tears, Stella Deus, Freaky Flyers, Robot Alchemic Drive, Jade Cocoon 2, Samurai Jack, Shadow Hearts, Grandia, Okage, Dog's Life, Finny the Fish, Ecco the Dolphin, Escape from Monkey Island, Aqua Aqua, Chulip, Mojib-Ribbon, Magic Pengel, TransWorld Surf, Seaman, Super Farm, Mr. Mosquito, Jak3, Rachet and Clank3, Sly2, Tak, Psychonauts, Zapper, Amplitude, Gitaroo-Man, Kinetica, Yanya Caballista, Red Dead Revolver, Marvel vs Capcom, Zone of the Enders, God of War, Mark of Kri, Rise to Honor, Goblin Commander, Army Men RTS, La Pucelle, Twerps, Battlestar Galactica, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, Spy vs Spy, Powerpuff Girls, Piglet's Big Game, Asterix and Obelix, Theme Park Roller Coaster, Metropolismania, Super Monkey Ball, Viewtiful Joe, Under the Skin, Ribbit King, Crazi Taxi, Cel Damage, Simpsons: Hit and Run, Fatal Frame, Lego Star Wars, War of the Monsters, Destroy All Humans!
Bold = WTF
Italics = <3 to the MAX!
Post by: jhocking on 13 Sep 2005, 11:21
Quote from: neomang5
Bold = WTF
Quote from: jhocking
I'll buy any obscure game if it's cheap, even if it sucks. Thus, a number of those titles are crappy games.
Incidentally, while I agree that "Piglet's Big Game" is no winner, the Powerpuff Girls RAWK. Or, at least they did back in the day; I haven't watched TV in years so I don't know what Cartoon Network has done to them recently.
Your going through the list and rating games makes me curious: are there games on the list you haven't even heard of?
Post by: Switchblade on 13 Sep 2005, 15:16
Uplink.
Startopia.
Darwinians.
Not quite genuine indie, as damn near everybody who's a serious gamer has heard of them, but I defy you to find all three games in anybody's collection. All three are a bit like rocking out in a thunderstorm on a dead unicorn's crucified corpse during the apocalypse, too.
Post by: jhocking on 13 Sep 2005, 17:24
Quote from: Switchblade
Uplink.
Startopia.
Darwinians.
Is that last one a typo? If not, never heard of it. The developers of the first one did a game called "Darwinia." I rate them both "meh."
Startopia was a lot of fun. My list was only PS2 games. Indie gaming on PC is literally thousands of games; I wouldn't even attempt listing them.
Post by: Inlander on 13 Sep 2005, 17:53
System Shock. The first one.
Post by: jhocking on 13 Sep 2005, 18:10
Post by: Eldirial on 13 Sep 2005, 18:13
Post by: happybirthdaygelatin on 14 Sep 2005, 08:24
Post by: ASturge on 14 Sep 2005, 10:13
Seriously, what a fucking good game.
MAKE
A
SEQUAL
Post by: tetsuotheironboy on 14 Sep 2005, 10:19
Post by: dinosrawr on 14 Sep 2005, 11:10
what a hard game
Post by: ramenXnoodles on 14 Sep 2005, 11:11
Post by: Inanimate Object on 14 Sep 2005, 11:56
Post by: will: wanton sex god on 14 Sep 2005, 19:59
in terms of the post topic, not overall quality.
Post by: La Creme on 14 Sep 2005, 21:40
Quote from: jhocking
Asterix and Obelix
jhocking > win
My top three not so-so-heard-of games are definately:
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000A1VEQ.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
(http://www.bestsitez.com/aoh/ap/arbbirdy.jpg)
(http://www.cdaccess.com/jpg/shared/front/large/heartdk.jpg)
Post by: Inlander on 14 Sep 2005, 23:57
Post by: procto on 15 Sep 2005, 06:19
I really didn't like the second one (maybe cause I played it waaay after it came out and it seemed pretty old?).
But the original system shock is STILL awesome. And in its time it was just PANTS CREAM PANTS CREAM PANTS CREAM. Although for me, those days, none of that. Too young. Still.
Post by: Abattur on 15 Sep 2005, 07:04
Check that one out.
Post by: jhocking on 15 Sep 2005, 07:14
Quote from: La Creme
image of Beyond Good and Evil
YESSSSSssssss....
(I still haven't beaten it, because I find the final boss quite impossible. Everything up until that point was smooth sailing.)
By the way, I almost forgot about this: click on my name and read my interests. Yeah, this thread is for me.
Post by: thepayne on 15 Sep 2005, 07:36
Post by: Switchblade on 16 Sep 2005, 16:34
Post by: jokermatt999 on 16 Sep 2005, 20:22
Excellent 3 person shooter.
Nipon Ichi's games
Strategy games rarely become big anyway though...
Time Pilot
lol Atari. In all seriousness, a pretty cool game, I remember wasting a few hours on it on a retro-arcade machine in Florida.
And then there's sleeper games that should be left sleeping, such as Future Tactics. It was great concept...but the execution...ugh.
Post by: Sythe on 16 Sep 2005, 21:38
Post by: KharBevNor on 17 Sep 2005, 07:08
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004TOGI.03._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
and of course:
(http://
http://static.oninogames.co.uk/pix/120/20/209683.jpg
)
The best Games Workshop computer game made before Dawn of War, and still the best original warhammer one. Look how tiny the only pic I could find of the box is! It hurts me this game isn't better known, it just has such awesome levels of bad-ass. Who could ever forget the intro
"And it shall be a time of great strife...when the moons are united in darkness, AND THE DEAD SHALL WALK THE EARTH ONCE MORE!"
Post by: jhocking on 18 Sep 2005, 11:56
Quote from: Switchblade
BGaE suffers from being one of those games that people keep thinking "I really should buy that" and then forget. I know I do.
I love gamenikki's assessment:
"Let's see. Prince of Persia was the best game nobody played, Beyond Good & Evil was the best game nobody wanted to play, and Far Cry is the best game nobody can play. Smooth, Ubi."
http://www.gamenikki.com/Pages/Reviews/PC/
Quote from: Sythe
Oddworld and Heart of Darkness were my games growing up.
You played those while growing up? I think I better get a cane, maybe move to Florida.
Post by: Merkava on 20 Sep 2005, 13:46
Post by: Gryff on 20 Sep 2005, 15:49
Also, going back to 8-bit days, nobody seems to remember Asterix on the Master System. That was a really great game!
Post by: jhocking on 20 Sep 2005, 18:05
Quote from: jhocking
Some of my faves are Space Channel 5, Katamari Damacy, Ico, Tenchu, Soccer Slam, and Phantom Brave. My crown jewel at the moment is Rez, while...
I certainly think it counts.
Post by: Stranger Dan on 20 Sep 2005, 18:35
Post by: Inanimate Object on 20 Sep 2005, 19:32
Quote from: jokermatt999
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
Excellent 3 person shooter.
Man, I completely forgot about Metal Arms! That game was awesome.
There was a game that came out in Japan a few years back called Chaindive that was one of the most fun games I have ever played. They were going to bring it to the US, but it got canceled... :(
Post by: jhocking on 21 Sep 2005, 04:14
Post by: neomang5 on 21 Sep 2005, 05:34
Also TNMT 4 in arcades is my god. Turtles in Time has devoured my money. Good ol' emulators have saved me though.
Post by: jhocking on 21 Sep 2005, 07:17
Post by: happybirthdaygelatin on 21 Sep 2005, 08:56
Post by: neomang5 on 21 Sep 2005, 10:41
the trick is to build a shitfuck reserve of evo points up before you fight him and then evolve the cheapest damn thing when your health is low.
Ontopic:
Im looking forward to Shadow of the Colossus, from the makers of Ico. Imagine you're the kid from Ico with a sword and bow and arrow set. Now imagine you have to kill 7 (i think) HOLYSHITHUGE titans of earth and doom. Looks fun in the fuck-theres-no-way-i-can-never-do-this sort of way.
Post by: Sythe on 21 Sep 2005, 15:34
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Sep 2005, 16:28
Quote from: Merkava
Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant >>>>>> you
Shadow Hearts: Covenant is GODLY. I never played the original though.
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Gladius, LucasArts' arena combat game that never really got any press because it wasn't Star Wars-related.
Also, as far as Nippon Ichi games go, Disgaea, Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom are awesome. I didn't much care for La Pucelle: Tactics, and I haven't played Atelier Iris yet.
Post by: Tedd on 21 Sep 2005, 16:42
Jesus fuck, guys.
Chrono Trigger.
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Sep 2005, 16:49
Quote from: Tedd
Chrono Trigger.
Jesus fuck, guys.
Chrono Trigger.
Since when has Chrono Trigger been a sleeper?
Post by: Merkava on 21 Sep 2005, 17:41
Post by: Gryff on 21 Sep 2005, 17:59
Quote from: neomang5
Shadow of the Colossus, from the makers of Ico
I totally forgot about this game! Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy! I think it might just be totally sweet.
Post by: Merkava on 21 Sep 2005, 19:28
This year is SO FUCKING GLORIOUS it's not even funny.
Post by: La Creme on 21 Sep 2005, 21:49
Holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.
Post by: jhocking on 21 Sep 2005, 23:22
Speaking of which, I like Scorched Earth.
Post by: happybirthdaygelatin on 22 Sep 2005, 09:23
Does anyone remember Secret of Evermore for the SNES? That was a fun.
Post by: neomang5 on 22 Sep 2005, 13:10
Also, Armed and Dangerous for the XBOX, Funny, Awesome, and you get a shark gun. That's right, a gun that LAUNCHES SHARKS.
Post by: Tedd on 22 Sep 2005, 13:15
Quote from: Storm Rider
Quote from: TeddChrono Trigger.
Jesus fuck, guys.
Chrono Trigger.
Since when has Chrono Trigger been a sleeper?
It's not a sleeper. It's the best game evar, in evary category, in evary way.
Post by: will: wanton sex god on 22 Sep 2005, 14:24
Quote from: Stranger Dan
I'm tired of hearing about Ico. It might not have had a big television advertising campaign or anything but few games do. Any gaming publication for about a year after its release hailed it as the most wonderful revolutionary game ever made in every issue, on what seemed like every page. I rented it and instead what I ended up playing was an uninspired platformer with simple puzzles and button mashing combat. I then beat it in the time of the rental and had no reason to buy it.
you missed the point of the game.
Post by: Merkava on 22 Sep 2005, 15:24
Quote from: Tedd
Quote from: Storm RiderQuote from: TeddChrono Trigger.
Jesus fuck, guys.
Chrono Trigger.
Since when has Chrono Trigger been a sleeper?
It's not a sleeper. It's the best game evar, in evary category, in evary way.
Yeah, but this topic is about sleeper hits. Chrono Trigger is not a sleeper. Therefore, it is an invalid suggestion.
Post by: jhocking on 22 Sep 2005, 16:48
Post by: Tedd on 22 Sep 2005, 17:24
WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
Post by: Freezey on 22 Sep 2005, 22:22
Post by: will: wanton sex god on 23 Sep 2005, 03:01
Post by: Merkava on 23 Sep 2005, 18:43
Post by: Marslo on 03 Oct 2005, 08:36
http://www.gametap.com
Post by: jhocking on 03 Oct 2005, 08:37
Post by: neomang5 on 03 Oct 2005, 10:13
They dont have a perfect collection, but i was sold the minute is saw one thing.
Streets of Rage.
1 and 2.
<3
Post by: Marslo on 04 Oct 2005, 12:50
Still, sucks that nintendo will be saving all his titles for the Nintendo: revolution.
Post by: The Mighty Mopdecai on 07 Oct 2005, 17:42
So does anyone want teh copy I might put it on ebay as long as some one will look after it. heck I'll sell it for a penny.
Post by: neomang5 on 07 Oct 2005, 19:42
that game is awesome, buy it.
Its a fucking penny, come on.
Post by: The Mighty Mopdecai on 11 Oct 2005, 05:05
Look under the name themightymopdecai DUH!
Post by: DustyLens on 11 Oct 2005, 17:53
Quote from: will: wanton sex god
rez is the best game mentioned so far, followed closely by gitaroo man.
in terms of the post topic, not overall quality.
A friend of mine managed to get me hooked on gitaroo man only to lose it a week later. Nowadays it costs around 100$ for a direct buy, he got it for 15 in a circuit city clearance sale. [><]
Quote from: ramenXnoodles
I have a feeling Indigo Prophecy is gonna be a sleeper hit.
I played the demo, was at first a little complex. But if the game can maintain the delinearity that it promises, it will defintely be on my list.
Post by: =T-rex= on 11 Oct 2005, 21:00
Post by: teh evilninja on 14 Oct 2005, 11:06
Post by: Paulbot on 16 Oct 2005, 23:48
I recently managed to acquire the soundtrack, and dear God, it is great.
Also, the Mexican folklore elements are brilliantly done, and placed within the game ingeniously. Lucasarts' finest moment? I think so.
Post by: Bunnyman on 19 Oct 2005, 00:14
Best indie-sleeper hit ever...Syndicate. Finest mayhem simulator created by man, and oozing Cyberpunk flare to boot. Too bad it's a bastard to get running in XP.
Post by: Darius of Tresserhorn on 26 Oct 2005, 01:03
PC- Quest for Glory IV
PC- Masters of Orion II
PC- Escape Velocity: Nova
SEGA GENESIS- Shining Force 1
SEGA GENESIS- Shining Force II
SEGA GENESIS- Gunstar Heroes
SEGA CD- Shining Force: Sword of Hayja
SEGA SATURN- Shining Force III: Scenario 1
SUPER NINTENDO- Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
SUPER NINTENDO- Front Mission I
PLAYSTATION- Suikoden
PLAYSTATION- Suikoden II
PLAYSTATION- Ogre Tactics
PLAYSTATION- Front Mission 3
PLAYSTATION 2- Front Mission 4
All I can think of at the moment, I know I have dozens more.
Post by: jhocking on 26 Oct 2005, 04:53
Quote from: Darius of Tresserhorn
SEGA SATURN- Shining Force III: Scenario 1
whoa Whoa WHOAH, there was a Shining Force 3?! How am I just now finding out about this?
incidentally, moo > moo2
Post by: ambassador on 26 Oct 2005, 05:05
The Last Express
...easily two of the best, albeit highly under-rated, games I've ever played.
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 26 Oct 2005, 07:01
Some others I thoguht of, not necessarily obscure: Albion, Anacreon, MDK, Emperor of the Fading Suns, Dark Reign, The Operational Art of War.
Also, roguelike games ftw. Check out ADOM or some such.
Post by: Inlander on 26 Oct 2005, 07:09
Quote from: Bunnyman
Best indie-sleeper hit ever...Syndicate. Finest mayhem simulator created by man, and oozing Cyberpunk flare to boot. Too bad it's a bastard to get running in XP.
Man, I only wish I had it to try and run in X.P.! I never finished it, I played it when I was a kid and for some reason I could never figure out how to select different weapons ('cause I'd, ahem, "lost" the manual . . . Yeah, suuuuure . . . And this was in pre-internet days, kiddies, so I couldn't just Google it) so I had to do every mission using just uzis. Doable, until the final mission.
Post by: happybirthdaygelatin on 26 Oct 2005, 08:11
Post by: Bunnyman on 26 Oct 2005, 12:56
I had the good fortune of stumbling into the Gold Edition at an (get this) Egghead software back in the day, and picked it up on an impulse, rememebing playing the demo at a friend's house. Best $20 of my parents' money I ever spent.
One must research the new toys. getting stuck with Uzis isn't the *worst* thing that could happen, but you'll be hard pressed in the later missions without your miniguns and a gauss gun or two for good measure.
Post by: Darius of Tresserhorn on 26 Oct 2005, 16:05
Quote
Master of Orion II has been anythig but overlooked. Same for Chrono Trigger.
Masters of Orion II is under the radar.
9/10 people I meet who like video games and PC gaming do not know what it is. This is the internet, of course you know what MoOII is. Most people don't, while they would know what Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger was. That is the difference.
Quote
Front Mission is a bit iffy in my eyes
How so? The game was innovative in every regard from the beggining. The latter ones in the series are even better, although I must admit... Front Mission IV, while good, dissapointed me in comparison to Front Mission III.
Quote
whoa Whoa WHOAH, there was a Shining Force 3?! How am I just now finding out about this?
Because you obviously didn't own a Saturn. :p
I used to own a copy of SHFIII:SC1, it was going for over $100 on ebay at the time. Too bad I was young and stupid.
Some other keepers...
SEGA GENESIS: Warsong
SEGA GENESIS: Home Alone
SUPER NINTENDO: Zombies Ate My Neighbors
PLAYSTATION: Persona
PLAYSTATION: Azure Dreams
PLAYSTATION: Destrega
Post by: Gryff on 26 Oct 2005, 16:56
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 27 Oct 2005, 02:05
Quote from: Darius of Tresserhorn
9/10 people I meet who like video games and PC gaming do not know what it is. This is the internet, of course you know what MoOII is. Most people don't, while they would know what Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger was. That is the difference.
Are you serious? I'm sure most people who have heard of Chrono Trigger are into Final Fantasy, manga and such; only they have all heard about it - I doubt many people not into these things have. I found out about CT by pure chance, and I haven't played any Final Fantasy game or saw any manga except for Ninja Scroll. While MoOII is one of THE games of the 90's, for god's sake. Not that there are many games worthy of note from the 00's. The early 90's, then. Jesus, kids these days... next thing you know they'll be saying DooM orCivilization is obscure.
Post by: Darius of Tresserhorn on 27 Oct 2005, 05:49
Also, Chrono Trigger... I did not play or even hear more than the name until I was 17. It was released when I was 12. I played Final Fantasy and many similar games from age 10.
So don't act like not knowing about it was comparable to not realizing we had a sun because you happened to only look north and south every day. :p
Post by: McTaggart on 27 Oct 2005, 06:09
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 27 Oct 2005, 07:00
Basically you're talking about how popular something is among this general cathegory thing you have you call "geeks", I'm talking about how popular it is among people that are actually interested in PC and video games. Obviously anythign that's not related to other stuff that is popular among other groups will be obscure among to other people, with one or two exceptions for something that really big right now. Any definition of popularity based on how widely know something is to people that don't have a specialised interet in the area is prone to be volatile and unreliable.
Post by: jhocking on 27 Oct 2005, 07:26
For what it's worth, I consider myself pretty well-versed in videogame lore and the main reason I know about moo2 is because I loved the original, and the only reason I knew about the original is because of one friend in highschool. I think I also saw a mention of moo3 at Penny Arcade, but certainly nothing else.
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 27 Oct 2005, 07:30
Post by: jhocking on 27 Oct 2005, 07:34
Quote from: zmeiat_joro
learning about which games are well-known among gamers is not that hard to find out on your own.
You mean like, say, a thread on the internet?
Post by: Darius of Tresserhorn on 28 Oct 2005, 03:10
This thread should be about spreading the love of unknown games. So lets get with the spreading again.
SEGA SATURN: Panzer Dragoon
SEGA SATURN: Panzer Dragoon 2: Zwei
SEGA SATURN: Panzer Dragoon Saga
SEGA SATURN: Virtua Cop 2
SEGA SATURN: Dragon Force
SEGA SATURN: Guardian Heroes
SEGA SATURN: Golden Axe: The Duel
SEGA SATURN: Shining the Holy Ark
PC/SEGA CD: Heimdall
SEGA CD: The Secret of Monkey Island
SEGA GENESIS: Burning Force
SEGA GENESIS: Warriors of the Eternal Sun
SEGA GENESIS: Shining in the Darkness
PLAYSTATION: Legend of Mana*
PLAYSTATION: Kartia: World of Fate
SUPER NINTENDO: Dungeon
PC: Fallout
PC: Fallout 2
* - Despite what some people say, there is a love/hate relationship from this game. Play it and decide for yourself. It's an extremely fun, customizable, replayable, side scrolling action/RPG for me. Others find it repetitive, boring, etc.
Post by: Bunnyman on 28 Oct 2005, 03:37
PC: Vietcong (surprisingly awesome tactical shooter with really good graphic design, white-knuckle gunfights, let down only by a budget-game aesthetic for marketing and some dodgy voice acting)
Post by: neomang5 on 31 Oct 2005, 15:35
Quote from: Gryff
Does anyone remember Mr Domino?
Nobody can stop Mr. Domino.
NOBODY[/i]
Post by: AdamIsConceited on 01 Nov 2005, 04:07
Some of my favorites are Beyond Good and Evil, Scorched Earth, some old school RPG's on the SNES, Fallout 1 and so on.
Post by: stupendousbadass on 08 Nov 2005, 06:49
I can't get enough superhero humour, and they managed to make a game that was both a parody and an awesome tribute and superhero game in its own right.
Startopia was great, but kind of felt like a very long tutorial.
Trackmania Sunrise is fantastic, just pure fun, feature packed, insane driving game. If you're old enough, think "Stunts" in gorgeous 3d with excellent multiplay. Great price too ($50 AUD)
Ragdoll Kung Fu, recently released on steam, is pretty cool. Insane multiplayer.
Post by: Sideways on 08 Nov 2005, 08:43
Totally slipped under the radar, a few years ago. EGM reviewed it two months after it's release, stating that even they had missed it's debut.
One of the most fun games I've ever played. Here's a random review I found:
Quote from: GameRankings.com
Score: 92%
The name of Sony's newest first party gem is "The Mark of Kri". But they could have just as soon called it "Metal Gear Ico 2: Sons of Tenchu". And that, my fellow gamers, is not a bad thing by any means of the imagination.
You are Rau, a mighty, youthful islander. Your heart longs for adventure, but more importantly, your blade thirsts for blood. Needless to say, you find both. By the end of the game, you will have graduated from performing trival quests such as clearing the forest of bandits for the local innkeeper, to tasks more fitting for a hero of Rau's calibur. I'll avoid any spoilers, but let's just say you'll be giving a new toy a workout, and the limbs will hit the floor.
However, hack-n-slash this ain't. The combat system in MOK is deep and intricate, allowing you to target and defend (and defending is a must, believe you me!) against 3-9 enemies at a time without a break in the action. Oftentimes though, it is in your best interests to avoid head-on-combat altogether. This is where MOK truly shines, as you sneak along walls and roofs using a stealth element that is reminiscent of MGS and Tenchu. In later levels, these tactics are vital to success against the numerous archers lined on every wall.
Also vital to your success is Kuzo, who can best be described as a mix between a seeing-eye bird and the princess from ICO (only here, its main purpose in life isn't to annoy you.). Kuzo scouts ahead for you and is useful as a portable surveillance camera, distraction, retrieval device, and much more. Rau and Kuzo are a team, and the game design represents that.
Visually, the game has a charm all its own, but not in the traditional sense. The graphics are clean, if a bit undetailed in certain spots, but very reminiscent of a Disney animated feature film…until you start attacking. Then, when the heads start flying, the necks start crunching, and the impalings start to rack up, you start to get a feel for what MOK is all about. And I liked it. Very few games not developed by a man with the last name "Miyamoto" can claim they are unique, even in visual presentation. MOK can do so, and it does it with pride.
Audio is much like the visuals, with a few exceptions: the narrator tells the story fabulously and should look for work with a feature animated film, Rau's sister sounded like something in a Disney film, everything sounded authentic. About the only complaint I have is with Rau's mentor, who just seemed overacted with every line he spoke.
Aside from the audio, the only other problem you may have with MOK is the length: I beat it in just under 7 hours. It may take you longer to beat all the challenges and unlock the various secrets, and there are special arenas to prolong the game, but they tend to be tedious. Nevertheless, The Mark of Kri is one of the best, if not THE best in its genre, and is destined to become one of the all time great cult classics, much like ICO…only with more action. It's Tenchu + Metal Gear + ICO, and only 40 bucks! How can you resist?!
-George
It has a sequel out, which I've not had a chance to play much of. It's called "Rise of the Kasai".
Post by: jhocking on 08 Nov 2005, 08:52
Post by: elcapitan on 09 Nov 2005, 04:39
OK, here's an indie-ish game I'm sure some of you will have played. Betrayal at Krondor (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=116).
Post by: Jenno on 09 Nov 2005, 07:22
Also, does Seiken Densetsu 3 count as a sleeper hit?
![]("http://rpg.rpg-no-sekai.de/dat/sd3/info_pics/info_03.jpg")
Post by: stupendousbadass on 09 Nov 2005, 15:41
Post by: SailorPunk on 10 Nov 2005, 20:39
Post by: AdamIsConceited on 18 Nov 2005, 11:52
Post by: greenMonkey on 26 Nov 2005, 16:12
Post by: drpepper_phd on 26 Nov 2005, 20:01
Also, how many people remember Smash TV? That was a freaking great game. And you can't forget Bubsy and Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day.
And of course:
!["Image]("http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/drpepper_phd/ss_ta-snes_t.gif")
Dude. Yes.
Post by: Bunnyman on 27 Nov 2005, 02:26
Quote from: elcapitan
OK, here's an indie-ish game I'm sure some of you will have played. Betrayal at Krondor (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=116).
An unequaled achievement in the RPG scene, Krondor is. And I love how they released the stunning first game as freeware as marketing for the vastly inferior sequel game. The powers that be did the exact same thing with the ground control franchise.
They made a Rocko game? Sweet Jesus.
Post by: drpepper_phd on 27 Nov 2005, 17:52
Quote from: Bunnyman
Quote from: elcapitanOK, here's an indie-ish game I'm sure some of you will have played. Betrayal at Krondor (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=116).
An unequaled achievement in the RPG scene, Krondor is. And I love how they released the stunning first game as freeware as marketing for the vastly inferior sequel game. The powers that be did the exact same thing with the ground control franchise.
They made a Rocko game? Sweet Jesus.
Yeah, they made a Rocko game, It's pretty much like Lemmings, except with one Spunky rather than, you know, a plethera of lemmings.
Post by: McTaggart on 27 Nov 2005, 19:44
Quote from: greenMonkey
...ending of the storyline of Freelancer was pretty funny and kind of hard.
How did it end? I think I've finished it but theres a lot left unexplored and undiscovered. On second thoughts, (SPOILERZLOLZ) is there much after you leave Alaska? I think that's the last thing I did, there was that bit in Rhineland where you take out the alien capital ships but I think that was before. There was also a bit with a great big metal wall thing, I forget what you had to do but I've done it.
That game had great multiplayer. Many an hour of my life has gone to that.
Post by: greenMonkey on 29 Nov 2005, 20:11
I love the multiplayer though. I've wasted so many weekends on that.[/quote]
Post by: McTaggart on 29 Nov 2005, 22:04
Post by: ramenXnoodles on 03 Dec 2005, 11:28
Post by: Ugly Sperm on 24 Dec 2005, 10:14
5 Days a Stranger
http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/5days/
and its direct sequel
7 Days a Skeptic
http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/7days/
Both are free for download and are great little adventure/horror games in the old school sense.
Post by: casull on 09 Jan 2006, 22:27
Post by: Bunnyman on 10 Jan 2006, 00:51
In an alternate history, the Russians nuke Berlin, setting off a chain of events that sees our hero, a thirtysomething plumber, caught in the middle of a Soviet invasion of New York City, circa 2003.
Over the course of the game, our hero raises and leads a ragtag resistance army, watches criminally hilarious Soviet newscasts, beats people senseless with a monkey wrench, and causes all-out mayhem.
Did I mention that it's surprisingly open-ended for a third-person shooter? Or that it's one of hte best squad-level games since Full Spectrum Warrior or, for that matter, Syndicate?
Post by: crazybritishsteve on 10 Jan 2006, 03:59
That's it, i'm getting my 3do out of my mothers loft..........
Post by: ASturge on 10 Jan 2006, 13:09
Post by: Houn on 11 Jan 2006, 23:29
Others I've played recently are Prince of Perisa: The Sands of Time, which is the essential sleeper hit platform game. Period. Dunno if you can call Katamari Damacy Indie or Sleeper anymore, most people I know have at least heard of it, if not played it. Zone of the Enders 1 and 2, though I find 2 far more entertaining to play. Dark Cloud 2 as well, but there's so much to do in that game I often find myself overwhelmed as to what I should be doing at any given moment, heh.
Also, if you havent, run over to http://scummvm.org/ and pick up ScummVM and the now-freeware Beneath a Steel Sky. It's a Cyberpunk Adventure-Game with a large heaping of dry British humor, and absolutely awesome. I came by it via my PSP, oddly enough, as someone has ported ScummVM to PSP, and you can play BASS on it (1.5 firmware only, possibly 2.0).
Post by: crazybritishsteve on 12 Jan 2006, 02:49
Beneath a Steel Sky however, was deffinately a fantastic indie game. I'd forgotten that. -1 for sands of time, but +100 for BASS. I'll have to go download that..........
Post by: Chesire Cat on 12 Jan 2006, 05:54
Post by: jhocking on 12 Jan 2006, 07:34
http://www.stubbsthezombie.com/
Post by: Houn on 12 Jan 2006, 13:31
Quote from: crazybritishsteve
How in the world is Sands of time a sleeper hit!? It was HUGE!
Beneath a Steel Sky however, was deffinately a fantastic indie game. I'd forgotten that. -1 for sands of time, but +100 for BASS. I'll have to go download that..........
*shrug*
All I know is that no one I know has played it, and it went from full retail to $19.99 pretty fast. And I hang with other gamers. Maybe it just didn't get much play in my circles, but whatever. It's still a damn fine game, and not to hard on the wallet these days. =D
And yeah, BASS was awesome.
Post by: Bunnyman on 13 Jan 2006, 02:06
Ancient gaming history aside...a good jeep vs. helicopter chase, Wagner bumping, with missiles thick in the air, buildings exploding in clouds of dust, and the odd soldier getting run over, was a great gaming experience. Especially since the person you were playing was invariably right next to you and many, many profane words were exchanged.
Anyone here ever play Castles 2? Awesome boardgame-style pseudo-realtime strategy for DOS. You played a pretender to the French throne, battling it out with other pretenders through fair means or foul. Resource gathering, diplomacy, warfare, and brown-nosing the Pope all play important parts.
Post by: TheCourtJester on 13 Jan 2006, 04:14
"Spectre" - looks like old vector graphics. Before PC-gaming ITSELF was mainstream. Also one of the first games to even have a network play option.
"G-Nome" - Kind of complex gameplay. One of the first mech-based games in which you ALSO had the ability to get OUT of the mech and get into various other ships/buildings to get through a mission. WAY ahead of it's time.
"Krondor" series is second'd.
"Dues Ex" - also second'd.
Don't know if it qualifies as "indie" or "sleeper-hit," but I liked "Battle Tanks" a lot.
Post by: crazybritishsteve on 13 Jan 2006, 07:33
How about Chaos League for a modern indie game? Or is that too big?
Post by: Houn on 13 Jan 2006, 07:48
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cs8k-cyu/windows/rr_e.html
Free online, developed by one guy, ported to Windows/Linux/PSP/probably many, many more.
You're a ship, and you destroy bosses whil avoiding getting hit. 4 game modes. My fingers still ache when I think about the marathon sessions spent on this. Very Simple, Highly-Addictive.
Check the rest of the site out, there are other good ones up there, too.
Post by: Bunnyman on 17 Jan 2006, 19:48
I cracked up so hardcore when I flew too far out with the Return Fire chopper and was suddenly blown up by the submarine that suddenly surfaced. Awesome!
I have Spectre on an old Mac Classic that really can't support it. Made for great AppleTalk deathmatches with that and an SE/30 though.
G-Nome was too ambitious for the technology and the dev cycle it had. But it'd make for a great remake game. The thought of Battlefield:Mechs is happy, to say the least. Though in the FASA universe.
Post by: lost_vicuña on 18 Jan 2006, 04:27
Post by: Scandanavian War Machine on 13 Feb 2006, 10:38
also..who could forget kinetica? i believe it was one of the first games that was released when the ps2 first came out. its just cheesy futuristic racing with stunts. fun though.
i saw up above that someone mentioned Krondor. i have return to krondor and its one of my favorites. although its pretty simple and was still alot of fun and was relatively unique.
Post by: AdamIsConceited on 14 Feb 2006, 04:38
Post by: The_Shifty on 16 Feb 2006, 12:16
Post by: Bunnyman on 16 Feb 2006, 20:00