Underrated Games Vol. 1

Added 06/20/2004 by Barnolde

In every form of entertainment, there are always underrated and unknown gems missed out on by the general public for one reason or another. So, in order to help inform people about great games that they missed and should’ve bought, I will tell you about three games, in each editorial that you need to buy. I will do my best to cover all the best Xbox games that slipped under the radar, and hopefully inform you and influence a purchase on your part. The bad things about underrated games is that most times they will not get a sequel, developers can go out of business, and the general public just missed out on a great experience, and sometimes hard to find. The good things about these underrated games is that they’re cheap! You can find pretty much every game in these editorials for around $20 or less. This is a continuing series of editorials that will be done every ten days, so keep checking Talk Xbox to stay informed. Everything written here, from the game choices to my personal opinions and scores are all my opinion and have not been influenced by any outside sources. Each editorial will contain three games I felt were underrated, a summary on them, my opinion on why it didn’t sell, along with some pictures of it. If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to email me, but please, no recommendations, as these editorials are my personal views only.
*The above note will not appear in future editorials*


Summary: The first Shenmue game was not only a record-breaking game, but a groundbreaking one as well. Since the moment I played that game, I knew it was something special, which still remains one of Sega’s best and most unique titles. Shenmue II was a phenomenal sequel, that completely lived up to the first one, as well as improve upon it and continued the superb story of revenge that the main character, Ryo Hazuki sought. Shenmue in general is a massive game, there is so much going on, and everybody is going somewhere, and not just walking aimlessly. The game takes place in a real living, breathing world, with very little fantasy elements, and Shenmue even has it's own genre, called F.R.E.E. (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment). The gameplay consists of exploration, fighting, talking, collecting, learning, gaming (old school Sega games!), and is completely unique. It's an unfortunate fact that not everyone can appreciate the masterpiece known as Shenmue, but for those who can, you're in for an experience like no other. Shenmue II for the Xbox also includes the former Japan only DVD movie, "Shenmue: The Movie", which is a 90 minute movie made from clips and cutscenes of the first game, which is great for those who haven't played the first game. The graphics are pretty good, and the detail is pretty much unparalleled. Another thing that made Shenmue famous were the poor English voiceovers, which I view as comic relief. Most people classify Shenmue II as an RPG, which works to a point, but even that would be incorrect, as Shenmue II is more than a game, it’s an experience, and an amazing one at that.

Why it didn’t sell: Niche game, poor marketing, few improvements from PAL Dreamcast version.


My personal Shenmue II score: 9.7



Summary: I’ve never been a big sports gamer, mainly because them boring, expect for hockey. I always found hockey to be the most fun sports game, whether it be the realistic Sega ESPN version or the arcade style Midway NHL Hitz version. I think the reason I like hockey games so much is because the sport itself is more extreme than the others, and it’s just so fast, which brings me to Deathrow. I heard of this title by word of mouth, and everyone loved it. Figuring that I had nothing to lose, I picked it up for less than $15 and was instantly hooked. Deathrow is basically an ultimate frisbee type game in which you must throw a disc through a ring in order to score, similar to basketball, hockey, and soccer. One of the things that sets Deathrow apart is the fighting aspect of the game. Now, Deathrow has something in it, I’m not sure if the disc is part crack, but it must be, because Deathrow is one of the most addictive games ever. I've gone through the conquest mode at least 10 times, and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. If this game was given proper marketing it would’ve sold the way it should’ve. Deathrow does everything right: excellent graphics, great sound, good controls, custom soundtracks, system link, and it’s fun! One of the most amazing aspects of the game is that it was made by a team of only seven people! Deathrow did everything right, and it clearly shows SouthEnd’s potential and talent, but unfortunately the best sports game ever didn’t sell very well.

Why it didn’t sell: Very poor marketing


My personal Deathrow score: 9.5



Summary: Like Deathrow, Metal Arms is a brand new developer’s first game, and also like Deathrow, it’s a great one as well. Metal Arms would be Halo if the Master Chief was a cute, little robot instead of a big, badass killing machine, but looks can be deceiving, as Glitch is basically a Master Chief Jr. Metal Arms doesn’t do anything special or innovative, but it’s just a blast to play all the way through, plus the game is two to three times longer than your average action game. Metal Arms is a solid action game that’s a blast to play. Metal Arms could’ve used Xbox Live play, co-op play, and even a better story, but not having those things does not put a damper on the excellent and lengthy gaming experience that Metal Arms offers. Metal Arms' length is very impressive, especially for an action game as it has 42 levels! The levels are not all just shooting as some are driving and some have you playing as different robots. From the plentiful amount of weapons, including unique ones like the control tether (which allows you to control some enemies) to the inclusion of vehicles and teamwork, Metal Arms is a must for any action fan (or Halo fan). This game looks good, sounds good, and controls even better. The voice talent in Metal Arms is impressive, as it includes Dan Castellaneta (voice of Homer Simpson) and Patrick Warburton (voice of Joe Swanson on Family Guy) as well as other acclaimed and experienced voice actors. Swingin’ Ape Studios delivered a superb product that would easily please any Halo fan waiting for Halo 2, and any action gaming fan owes it to themselves to pick this game up.

Why it didn’t sell: Came out during crowded holiday season, just overlooked.


My personal Metal Arms score: 9.4