Shacknews' Guide to Underhyped Holiday Titles
With the coming juggernaut of November's mega-hyped releases, plenty of under-the-radar titles could be forgotten. Shacknews has come to their aid.
We're not making concessions, either--all these games are worthy of your time based on their own merits. These titles span all platforms and were chosen by members of the Shack staff, with at least one staff member having hands-on time with each title. The bulk of these games have already retailed, so you can enjoy them as soon as you want.
PC Games
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance (PC) from Gas Powered Games
Release date: November 6
Shack coverage: Preview
While so much about the large-scale real-time strategy title Supreme Commander seemed promising in theory, several glaring issues made the title from Total Annihilation creator Chris Taylor far less exciting than most had anticipated. But don't cross the series off your list just yet--Forged Alliance is a standalone expansion to the title that's basically what the original game should have been. The game's dumb-as-rocks computer AI has been scrapped and rewritten from the ground up. The Seraphim, a new alien race, and more than 110 new units have been added to give the races some much-needed distinction. The game's user interface has been overhauled as well, with a distinct look for each race. And perhaps most importantly, Gas Powered Games has given the game engine some much-needed optimization to make the expansion run more smoothly than the original. Owning the first title isn't necessary to play the new six-mission campaign for human races, but only the new Seraphim race is playable in multiplayer matches without the original Supreme Commander installed.
The Witcher (PC) from CD Projekt
Release date: October 30
Shacknews coverage: Review, Preview
Polish developer CD Projekt has made one of the most impressive PC RPGs to come along in some time, with The Witcher's mature themes and decidedly European overtones straddling the line between awesome and absurd through its entire 60-80 hour storyline. The game's gorgeous visuals enhance the immersiveness of the title's overly violent and sex-filled quests. Players take the role of the game's titular immortal--a hardass if there ever was one--who differs from Highlander's Duncan MacLeod in that he's figured out what living forever and being sterile is all about: You don't take shit from anybody, and casual sex has no adverse consequences. The title actually follows through on integrating long-term ramifications of in-game choices, reminding you of the decisions leading up to a consequence with a quick flashback sequence. You won't find stuff like this in any of the much-hyped PC releases coming up, guaranteed.
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World in Conflict (PC) from Massive Entertainment
Release date: September 18
Shack coverage: Single-player preview, Multiplayer preview
Grab the demo from FileShack
Massive Entertainment's real-time tactical game World in Conflict eschews the base-building and unit production of most real-time strategy titles in favor of instantly gratifying action, highlighted by the incorporation of fully realized nuclear war. A spiritual successor of sorts to the studio's Ground Control series, the title takes on a more realistic premise, with the Cold War era Soviet Union on the march. World in Conflict borrows both the frantic gameplay and character-centric narrative of War-based first person shooters in its single player campaign, which has players undertaking missions from both sides of the conflict. The abilities to drop in more units at any time and call in air strikes or even spectacularly displayed nukes keep multiplayer matches fast-paced and as addictive as Counter-Strike. Fans of RTS games or even those intimidated by them should have no problem waging a third world war with this title.
Turn the page for our picks of this year's underhyped multiplatform, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Wii titles.
_PAGE_BREAK_Multiplatform, Xbox 360 Games
Stuntman: Ignition (PS2, PS3, X360) from Paradigm Entertainment
Release date: August 28
Shacknews coverage: Preview
Paradigm took over the reins of the Stuntman franchise after Reflection Entertainment's first title on the PlayStation 2, and this followup brings the series crashing gloriously onto current-gen consoles. Stuntman pits players as Hollywood stunt drivers, taking orders from a film director to knock out crazy crashes, jumps, and other scenes from fictional movies. The gameplay provides a unique marriage of frantic arcade driving a la Crazy Taxi and bonus-rewarding trick gameplay from games like Tony Hawk. Diverse movie scene locations, a variety of vehicles including hovercraft, and increasingly challenging stunts keep things interesting. And the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions include online multiplayer for challenging stunt-loving friends. To top it off, THQ is selling the title at a budget price on all platforms, making it an easy one to pick up.
Every Extend Extra Extreme (X360) from Q Entertainment
Release date: October 17
A revitalization of PC freeware title Every Extend, Q Entertainment's Every Extend Extra Extreme easily lives up to its name. An audio-visual synesthetic overload from rhythmic game-master Tetsuya Mizuguchi of Lumines and Rez fame, the title has gamers pilot a suicide ship amidst droves of enemies, setting off an explosion to start chain reactions. Players lend to the entrancing electronic soundtrack with the percussive detonations of enemy craft, with more points awarded for timing explosions with the beat of the song. Trippy visuals, online multiplayer, and the ability to play the game using custom songs from your Xbox 360 hard drive make this package a steal at 800 Microsoft Points ($10).
PS2/PS3 Games
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (PS2) from Atlus
Release date: August 14
Shacknews coverage: ShackCast Episode 2
While Japanese RPGs haven't evolved much for the most part, Persona 3 manages to provide a fresh take on the genre--and not just because your characters attack by appearing to discharge a gun into their temples. You take the role of a high school student, with gameplay split up into discrete day-night segments. Daytime is devoted to studying and socializing, while nighttime brings on the monster battles once your school transforms into a goon-filled dungeon--a nightly occurrence. Don't let its connection to the Megami Tensei series or its sequel status deter you, as no knowledge of the prior installments are necessary. With most of the other high-profile Japanese RPGs released this year being more of the same 20-year-old formula, gamers looking for something different from the genre shouldn't overlook this unique title.
Folklore (PS3) from Game Republic
Release date: October 9
Though it's a Sony-published title, Folklore has received considerably less hype than other PS3 games like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune or Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. But it's a considerably more unique offering than either of those titles--a mashup of murder mystery adventure gameplay and action-RPG elements. The title from Genji developer Game Republic makes use of an interesting fairy tale aesthetic, with the whodunit narrative of the two protagonists presented in a pleasing storybook fashion. Solving the mystery in the mystical village of Doolin also requires traveling to a spirit world of dream-like beasts, where new powers can be gained from defeated enemies a la Mega Man by sucking out their souls. It's the type of unique game Sony needs more of on its platform, and any PS3-owning gamer would do well to check it out.
Everyday Shooter (PS3) from Queasy Games
Release date: October 11
Shacknews coverage: Preview, Interview
Indie developer Jonathan Mak spent all summer porting his originally PC-only title to the PlayStation 3. Now in full HD and available for download on the PlayStation Network, the rhythmic dual-joystick shooter's striking visuals and riff-tastic guitar-only soundtrack give the title a singular mesmerizing magic. The eight-level game plays like an eight-song album, with each level offering a unique visual aesthetic with a different set of enemies. Destroying foes and setting off chain reactions unleashes a harmony of axe riffs to accompany the chaos, giving gamers a unique experience with each playthrough. And it's all yours for just ten bucks.
Wii Games
Battalion Wars 2 (Wii) from Kuju Interactive
Release date: October 29
Shacknews coverage: Preview
This is the first title on the Wii to have online co-op play, but almost nobody knows it. Nintendo hasn't done all it could lately in marketing some of its lesser-known first-party titles, so it's not surprising a second-party title like Kuju's Battalion Wars 2 could be so easily overlooked. But it's a shame, as this followup to the first Battalion Wars on the GameCube adds just about everything the original needed. A real-time tactical game with on-the-ground third-person shooter controls, the title bolsters the original game's offering with a lengthy campaign, the aforementioned online cooperative play as well as online competitive battles, Wii remote-based aiming, and relatively impressive visuals in 480p. Naval units join land-based and air-based vehicles, and players can take control of any friendly unit at any time. Did we mention online co-op?
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Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Wii) from Capcom
Release date: October 23
Shacknews coverage: Preview
Despite its terrible title and lack of mainstream hype, Zack & Wiki is the perfect Wii game, arguably making the best use of the platform's capabilities out of any third party title thus far. You take the role of Zack, a wannabe pirate on a quest for treasure in a pretty goofy but nice-looking cel-shaded world. Though it lacks the compelling narrative of PC adventure classics, it's essentially a point-and-click adventure game broken up into superbly designed puzzle-filled stages. The title has players using the Wii remote's motion-sensing controls almost exclusively to solve increasingly challenging puzzles, making it universally accessible and appealing to gamers of every persuasion. And its budget price makes it an even easier purchase.
Sin and Punishment (Wii) from Treasure
Release date: October 1
Shacknews coverage: ShackCast Episode 12
Though Nintendo has yet to push any original content onto its WiiWare service, newly translated import games have thankfully begun appearing on the Virtual Console. The best of these so far is Treasure's classic rail shooter Sin & Punishment, its 1200 Wii Point ($12) price a steal compared to buying an import version of the hard-to-find original. The Nintendo 64 title from the acclaimed developer of games like Gunstar Heroes and Ikaruga features enormous bosses, environmental destruction and surprisingly good visuals. Now sporting translated menus and an English tutorial to complement the title's already English voice acting, the game has been rescued from obscurity--now you just need to download it.
What about handhelds? The next page has our picks for underhyped DS and PSP games.
_PAGE_BREAK_Nintendo DS Games
Contra 4 (NDS) from WayForward Technologies
Release date: November 13
Shacknews coverage: Preview
The original video game badasses are back for a completely new title in the hardest of hardcore franchises. Contra 4 from WayForward Technologies picks up the series where Contra III: The Alien Wars left off in 1992, with awesome-looking sprites and glorious 2D visuals. The game makes use of the DS's dual screens for vertically designed levels and huge boss battles, with the new grappling hook making vertical ascent a necessary tactic. Even better, a two-player cooperative mode will let players emulate the glory days of buddy gaming through the entirety of the game. Add on 40 challenge modes and the NES versions of the original Contra and Super C as unlockable bonuses, and this rad package becomes a must buy for any gamer. But be warned: like the Contra games of yesteryear, there's no save feature.
Dementium: The Ward (NDS) from Renegade Kid
Release date: October 31
Shacknews coverage: ShackCast Episode 12
Though it's the studio's first offering on any platform, Dementium: The Ward impresses on almost every level, while utilizing the DS's hardware in a way most larger developers haven't been able to. It's a first-person 3D adventure horror title, with your character awakening in a darkened hospital and promptly embarking on a freakout-filled quest. The touch-screen controls feel incredibly natural as you explore the pitch-black corridors of the psychotic sanitarium, cutting through the shadow of the ill-lit infirmary with your handy flashlight. And the superb sound effects and haunting audio work lend greatly to the eeriness of the experience. The mix of puzzle-solving adventure gaming and first person combat, highlighted by strikingly impressive 3D visuals and gory ghouls, make this DS title one that shouldn't be overlooked.
PSP Games
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (PSP) from Nippon Ichi Software
Release date: October 30
Arguably one of the greatest strategy RPG's ever designed, Nippon Ichi's PSP port of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (PS2) brings the title fittingly to Sony's portable device, with tons of extra features. The original title's essentially infinite gameplay remains intact, with hours upon hours of optional quests and the ability to carry over characters and items from previous playthroughs to new campaigns with different endings. Now in 16x9 widescreen on the PSP, Afternoon of Darkness adds an entirely new campaign as well as ad-hoc multiplayer for local wireless battles. Considering the amount of time you can spend with this package, it's one of the best values you'll find this holiday season.
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike (PSP) from Slant Six Games
Release date: November 6
Shacknews coverage: Preview, Interview
Don't mistake Tactical Strike for yet another iteration in the SOCOM series. Slant Six has taken the franchise in a drastically different direction, rebooting the gameplay with markedly admirable results. Now a real-time tactical/strategy title rather than a third-person squad shooter, Tactical Strike sidesteps the issue of awkwardly controlling a shooter on the PSP through having players issue commands rather than directly controlling squad members. The title still presents the strategic situations in full 3D like the SOCOM shooter titles, with the action playing out in real-time on the battlefield. It should appeal to fans of both the SOCOM series and games like Advance Wars, and fully featured online multiplayer gives even more reason to pick up the title.
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Agree or disgaree with our picks? Think we overlooked some noteworthy title? Let us know in the comments below.
