What are some of the awesome but low-key games you've ever played?

[saisymbolic]

In which "low-key" means obscure or unheard of. I don't mean unpopular because that would imply people know of the game, but they believe it to have numerous qualities that make it undesirable or just terrible or what have you.

To elaborate, I'm sure that, over the years, all of us has played a game or games that have been wonderful—action-packed, creative, vibrant world and graphics, good story—but they have been forgotten or undiscovered due any such reasons, such as being obscured by more popular or mainstream titles or being on a console that was on its way out of usage.

In this topic, I would like to talk about these games that were awesome, but low key so that we may all benefit and possibly get the urge to play and/or check out these games.

I have two (technically three) games to talk about.

My first game to talk about would be Radiata Stories for the PS2.

I really think this game is a hidden gem that really did get drowned out by the numerous other titles in the PS2 library. It's an action/adventure game produced by the company Level 5 that is unique in the fact that is has over 160+ characters that are all able to be recruited into your party.

Now, you're probably thinking, "Over 160+ characters? Ew, I bet some of them are copy-paste." Well, I can assure you as someone who has played the game many times, there are no copy-paste characters. Every character has their own unique model, voice, attack animations, lines said in battle, requirements to recruit them and they all have their own schedule they follow throughout each day. I have never encountered a character in this game that was like another and, by the end of playing, it'll be easy to know exactly who is who.

I will admit that the vibe this game gives off is sort of cartoon-like, easygoing feel, mostly due to the sarcastic, silly dialogue said throughout but I do believe it works in the game's favor; there is always a moment when a tiny chuckle is given off. That said, there are solemn, serious moments of this game and I appreciate that these moments are not wrongfully made light of. The game overall does not take itself too seriously, which is one of its stronger points.

The game play is interesting. It is not turn-based, which is all I can say without puzzling my brain over how to better explain. It might be better to look up a quick game play video, or read a guide about it.

The story is also interesting for what it is. It actually has a split path mechanic that I think works as, no matter what side you choose, you will have some reservations and doubts over just who is the right answer because neither side is in the right. I won't bring up Fates on this note.

My next (two) game(s) is (are) Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Last Window: The Mystery of Cape West for the Nintendo DS.

Now, I actually can't say much about these game, because I actually haven't gotten very far in them. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is the first game of the series, while Last Window is the sequel that was only released in Japan and Europe due the publishing company for the US when went out of business.

The games are a mystery drama, in which you take the role of an ex-cop going to the titular hotel in order to follow a job (in the first game). More than that, I'll be giving away the story, but I will say that, if you have an interest in the Ace Attorney series, then I think these two games might interest you.

Two things I want to note, however, are these: the art style of the game, which is one that is very unique and one of my favorites to date. The black-and-white with only slight smudges of color here and there really serve to help set the overall tone of the game. Another interesting feature is that to properly play, you have to hold your DS system as you would hold a book; the game makes usage of both screens.

On a side note, if you want a taste of the writer, there is a new game in the 3DS E shop created by the same man who wrote these games and it is called Chase: Cold Case Investigations ~Distant Memories~. It's a short game for only USD5.99, which leads me to believe it will be episodic in nature. Regardless, it was still fun to pass the time with.

So, please, let's discuss the games that are awesome but totally low-key.

Edited October 31, 2016 by saisymbolic

[Lethakitty]

besides symphonia I would count the whole tales series.

Xillia 2 is my favorite game ever. the combat is great. The characters are really good though that's one of tales' good things. great soundtrack. Ludger would be better if he was less mute and you didn't have to beat the game to make him speak his dialogue. other than that I would recommend it to people easily.

[sirmola]

Are we counting things like Atlus games? Those have a habit of being obscure with cult followings, but not THAT obscure. (Radient historia, for example, is exelent and well known in DS rpg playing circles, but obscure outside of them)

If you are looking for odd and obscure recommendations, I suggest extra credit's "games you might not have tried" (although they tend to go for the "not really that obscure" catagory.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhyKYa0YJ_5CBRVhUoAvuJ66aSvb8Gd0L

Edited October 31, 2016 by sirmola

[Alex95]

Glory of Heracles is a good Nintendo DS RPG. Not too difficult and has plenty of humor, as well as interesting mechanics. Really enjoy playing it.

[Deltre]

This one might be a little old school for some, but on the Sega Genesis I had this awesome game called Comix Zone, and I've honestly never met anyone else who had played it. It's this classic style beat-em up game (think Streets of Rage) where instead of wandering through a city or whatever you get sucked into this comic book world that the main character Sketch Turner created, where shenanigary ensues.

I loved this one so much as a kid, because it's one of those games that just oozes style. You're not going from screen to screen, you're hopping through panels. Enemies don't just appear on screen, the main villain (a character that Sketch created, no less) will pencil in bad guys into the scene for you to fight. The combat is fast paced and feels really good when you hit things because of over the top comicbook style effects that play. The soundtrack is rockin' in that really 90's Sega Genesis kind of way. You can collect various power-ups along the way, including a rat sidekick, which is just awesome. If you even casually like these kind of games, it's one of those games where you wonder how you could've missed out for so long; I still had my copy until it finally died on me about a year ago and everyone I convinced to try it absolutely loved it, even new school gamers. The only thing I can really say against it is that it's short, but most games were back then. It's pretty hard too, since that was pretty much the go-to way to get more gameplay time back in the day, but it's not the unfair kind of difficult, if that makes sense.

[Rend Keaven]

Wallace and Gromit in Project Zoo.

Solid platforming, good amount of collectibles, very large levels, fun weapons, decent soundtrack and great lines from Peter Sallis himself. The only things that would put people off is the terrible snow level, repetitive objectives and Wallace having to be escorted (at least you get to punch him if you're bored).

[Jedi]

2nding Radiata Stories as its one of my favorite PS2 RPGs alongside Star Ocean Till the End of Time.

But Low-key? I'll not mention the Trails in the Sky games as i'm sure someone will cover that down the line and better than me.

My favorite game of all time, Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Calibur.

Ogre Battle, unlike its younger and more popular brother, is more akin to managing a battalion and the movement on the map is more like an RTS, you have to think on your feet, as well as using all the various classes, alignments and stuff given to you, choices you make through the game also effect your special characters you can get, and possibly your ending as well, depending on it goes. I could go on for hours about this game.

The Legend of Dragoon

a PS1 RPG with a very unique battle system, that being "additions" where you have to string together timed button presses for maximum damage and effectiveness, you can't just mash attack and hope to win, you actually have to learn the timing of your party of choice and their various moves, alongside their Dragoon transformations. Its music is also quite nice, and the characters while a tad corny are quite nice.

Muramasa the Demon Blade

Vanillaware is known for some of the most gorgeous 2D art for good reason, and this game for the Wii (later ported to the Vita), would masterfully use their very painting like artstyle super well in a Feudal Japan setting, absolutely amazing visuals, fast paced and amazing action adventure combat, a beautiful soundtrack all make this my favorite game on the Wii.

Seiken Densetsu 3

A Japanese only SNES rpg, connected to the Secret of Mana series, with 6 characters to pick as your main character and 2 to be their companions, the amount of replay value is insane with that alone, but wait it gets better, all 6 characters have their own plotline as the MC, while sharing a general overarcing plot, the villian and general elements of the plot will drastically change depending on your main character, add to that, 2 class change points where you have a tree'd promotion like that of FE but wait, it changes even the 2nd set of classes depending on what you pick! So thats tons just for ONE character let alone 6, not to mention, gorgeous visuals, fun action rpg combat (kinda Zelda like actually), great music and loveable characters make this another massive favorite of mine.

Live-A-Live

A Japanese only SNES rpg, made by Squaresoft and scored by Yoko Shimomura, this tells the tales of 7 seemingly unconnected stories, in different time periods with different rpg based gimmicks and feels, with the same general battle system (which is a weird grid/turn based system where you can free move before an action).

The Wrestler Chapter where you must fight in a boss gauntlet in a Megaman style stage select and learn their moves by being hit by them to get stronger

The Western chapter where you must prepare a town for a bandit invasion, via discovery & puzzle solving

The Ninja Chapter where you need to be stealthy or just slay all in your path to reach your goal

The Kung Fu chapter where you must help an Old Master choose the inheritor of his Martial Art before he dies.

The Mecha chapter where you must travel through a distopian town and play a very Earthbound like experience.

The Sci Fi chapter where you are mostly following a creepy narrative in a survival horror/visual novel like deal

The Caveman chapter, where you must craft materials from beasts you find, and get stronger as you go (this is the most traditional of the lot)

The game truly feels unique and each scenario will be sure to make you smile, cry, go RIGHT ON, etc about. There is a bit of replay value here as well, and is there more to the game then I'm actually letting on? Maybe, maybe not.

Terranigma

A Japanese/Europe SNES game, Terranigma is the final game in the loosely connected Dark Gaia trilogy by Quinet (the others being Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia).

You live in a desolate underground, however a chance arises for Ark (The MC) to revive the world above, its an overhead action rpg, with tons of cool movement and spear stuff, not to mention a very unique plot for an SNES game, and a wonderful OST, thats sure to give you chills. The various dungeons will challenge you, the bosses will give you a run for your money, but its never unfair, unless you're underleveled, but you have powerful techniques on your side at least, also you must solve puzzles and rebuild civilization they knew it.

I could say more, but i'll leave it there for now.

Edited October 31, 2016 by Jedi

[Locke087]

Amplitude PS4

It only has 30 songs but everyone of those songs that happens to be techno is really really good ( this game has like three or two songs of any different genre and they're all bad). If you're cool with music games ( it's rock band of a controller and some interesting additions that make it's own thing) still and like techno music I highly recommend this one (or at least it's soundtrack though it's really hard to track down it is not on official sale so good luck with that.)

Dyad

It's interesting game revolving around traveling down the tunnel really fast while also having to click things that speed you up that can also kill you if you hit them. All with super trippy visuals, check it out if you just want something kind of different.

Super Brothers: Sword and Sorcery EP

Best phone game, great soundtrack plays like a point to click adventure game (also available on PC).

Device 6

This is a interactive novel with puzzle elements (this is not a visual novel in the Japanese style it is very different), but it's a really cool interactive novel.

Age of Empires for the DS

Turn-based strategy game that that feels like age of empires it was turn base and had a marriage to advance wars it is surprisingly good.

There's more but that's all I can think of for now.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Locke087

[Ken Masters]

Pirate Galaxy.

A wonderful, gorgeous free to play browser-based MMORPG set in Space!

It has one of the nicest Free 2 Play models I've seen, where it's impossible for someone to pay to win it's way to the top. Grinding is kept to a minimum, and the gameplay itself is pretty okay.

Have I said that the graphics are amazing for a browser-based game? There are some astonishingly beautiful landscapes on some planets.

So if you're dissapointed with No Man's Sky lack of variety and false multiplayer, go for Pirate Galaxy! It's tons of fun.

[The Draco Knight]

Klonoa: Door To Phantomille:

This game is a 2.5 Platform that is able to offer many interesting puzzles, tough they won't be really that difficult, but It's rather understandable since It was made mainly for children and It does not leave a single bit of enjoyment that this game is able to give.

The story, while being very "childish" and simple in Its nature, can be also very entertaining and the ending may give you...unexptected emotions.

Live-A-Live

A Japanese only SNES rpg, made by Squaresoft and scored by Yoko Shimomura, this tells the tales of 7 seemingly unconnected stories, in different time periods with different rpg based gimmicks and feels, with the same general battle system (which is a weird grid/turn based system where you can free move before an action).

The Wrestler Chapter where you must fight in a boss gauntlet in a Megaman style stage select and learn their moves by being hit by them to get stronger

The Western chapter where you must prepare a town for a bandit invasion, via discovery & puzzle solving

The Ninja Chapter where you need to be stealthy or just slay all in your path to reach your goal

The Kung Fu chapter where you must help an Old Master choose the inheritor of his Martial Art before he dies.

The Mecha chapter where you must travel through a distopian town and play a very Earthbound like experience.

The Sci Fi chapter where you are mostly following a creepy narrative in a survival horror/visual novel like deal

The Caveman chapter, where you must craft materials from beasts you find, and get stronger as you go (this is the most traditional of the lot)

The game truly feels unique and each scenario will be sure to make you smile, cry, go RIGHT ON, etc about. There is a bit of replay value here as well, and is there more to the game then I'm actually letting on? Maybe, maybe not.

Going to agree a lot with this, especially since it's my favorite game of all time.

Edited November 1, 2016 by The Draco Knight

[Serpent of Sheol]

i'm gonna go ahead and recommend luminous arc 2 because it's hella fun (despite fitting into the atlus category of obscure but not too obscure)

it plays a lot like stella glow except the voice acting is way less horrendous and there are much fewer bad anime tropes

@comix zone guy i own a genesis and a copy of the game and it's probably one of the most fantastic games i've ever played

i also agree with anything said abour live a live

[Soledai]

Vanguard Bandits. PSX, mecha srpg with multiple routes, endings, etc.

This one might be a little old school for some, but on the Sega Genesis I had this awesome game called Comix Zone, and I've honestly never met anyone else who had played it.

Well then, allow me to change that. Hi, I've played Comix Zone.(I actually own it, but details)

Have you played The Ooze?

Edited November 1, 2016 by Soledai

[Magical CC]

Total Extreme Wrestling 2016. You get to manage your own wrestling promotion. Train wrestler, create show, push super star or destroy his reputation, sign contract, open child company..v..v.. It's really fun and deep.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Magical CC

[eclipse]

I've mentioned Mercenaries Saga 2 before, and I'll do so again. The characters are bland. The story is bland. The gameplay is interesting, and gets even more interesting once New Game+ is unlocked. Imagine Final Fantasy Tactics maps/battle system (except magic is insta-cast) with Awakening's promotion/reclass system.

[Thane]

Mandatory Thane recommending Ghost Trick! Hyaa!

Want to know what separates Ghost Trick from a lot of games? It's right there in the trailer: "the fate of a few" - not the world or the universe, you won't be battling gods and demons and then pick up hot anime studs, you simply sort out tragedies as you uncover the truth behind your death, which makes it a much more personal story than the vast majority of games out there. It's so humble in its approach. Edited November 1, 2016 by Thane

[blah the Prussian]

Well, Thane beat me to Ghost Trick. My favorite game of all time is The World Ends With You, which is sort of obscure but not really. I really like the game Sturmovik, which is a WWII flight simulator game that has some of the most realistic combat ever. Really recommend it if you like history.

[Topaz Light]

Although it's a lot shorter and simpler than its much better known younger sibling, Ikachan is a really cool and unique... platformer? Metroidvania? 2D sidescrolling... game... made by none other than Daisuke Amaya/Pixel, of Cave Story fame. The way the main character moves is pretty unique; instead of a standard "d-pad to move, A to jump" setup, you aim yourself with the d-pad and pressing A gives you a little burst of propulsion in that direction (and yes, you can go faster by pressing it repeatedly). The main character has a sense of momentum and weight that makes moving around actually really fun, and it's a great game if you're looking for something bite-sized to keep you occupied. There's a PC version as well, but the game is available for $5.00 on the 3DS eShop, and I'd say it's definitely worth the price.

Jedi already beat me to Live-A-Live, so I'm gonna just echo what he said about it.

I don't really know if this counts as "low-key" since the series it's from does have a fan following, but I really liked the GameBoy version of Bionic Commando. It has an '80s~'90s anime art style that I gather is very different from the "main" series, and I'm... not actually sure if the level design is different compared to the NES version, but it's pretty good, and makes great use of the game's unique gameplay features, which are really neat. While it's not unique to this specific entry, it's really cool to see how changing one simple thing (replacing jumping with using your bionic arm as a grappling hook) totally changes how you have to think about and approach the game's platforming. This one's also available on the 3DS eShop.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Topaz Light

[Tamanoir]

Oh yeah, Live a Live, obviously. One of my favourite game ever

On the SNES ones, let me add the Magical World of Wozz. It's kinda tongue in ship, with 3 teenagers from China, Japan and America being thrown in a magical world to save them for the demon King. There seems to be more to this to the plot, but I haven't finished it so I can't say.

The more interresting aspect of the games is its crafting system that allows you to build Robots and Vehicles (you still fight, but you have one OP unit instead of the three usual ones.

FEDA : The Emblem of Justice(SNES) : It's a dark, edgy take on the Shining Force series, with a rudimentary good/bad path with different characters in each. In short, each map have some special objectives (liek protect all the villagers),a dn if you accomplish it, you get BExp for everyoen and advance in the "good" path. Grinding, or having character being captured (AKA "dies") have you follow the "dark" path.

Glory of Heracles is a good Nintendo DS RPG. Not too difficult and has plenty of humor, as well as interesting mechanics. Really enjoy playing it.

On this note, the 3rd game of the series (the DS one is the 5th I think.) is also available, and while I haven't go so far due to the fact it's quite hard, it have some crazy ideas over there (you can control army of up to 9 persons that takes a single slot, ad puzzles involves dressing as a girl.). Glory of Herakes is at the start a copy of DQ with Greek Mythology (not bad in itself, 99% of the JRPG Nes Library is DQ clone anyway.).

[Zera]

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor. While the N64 original was good, the sequel not only blows it out of the water but is the best action game I've played. Despite this, it's one of the most obscure Nintendo game to get an international release. If anyone can find me a better arcade-style shooter, I will give them a $20 eShop code so they can play this.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Zera

[Augestein]

Bleach 3rd phantom. Seriously. It's kinda sluggish, but it's good.

Puyo puyo. It's not mentioned much. But I love it.

[DragonFlames]

I have some games that are kinda obscure and at least one that I know is obscure since I haven't seen anyone mention it on here besides me.

As a person above has already said, the Tales series, except for Symphonia (Xillia 2 is actually my favourite Tales game, too).

Then, of course, the Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel (can't wait for Cold Steel 2 *giddy*), but this game seems to be quite well known here, but not anywhere else.

Then, there's Stella Glow, which is basically 'What if modern Fire Emblem had a chibi-anime artstyle and a very good story?' A strategy RPG with dating sim elements (which facture into gameplay, no less!) and an incredibly likable cast and mind-blowingly awesome music? Sign me up! <- This is actually my favourite game on the 3DS, next to Bravely Second: End Layer.

I always sing along to Levia. Badly, I might add. That song is so awesome, I get goosebumps, everytime I hear it! Also, Hilda is best girl.

And lastly we have Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars, which is a Dungeon Crawler with dating sim elements (which also factor in to gameplay, in fact, the game would be impossible to beat without them). If you have a 3DS or a Vita and are looking for some solid alternatives to Etrian Odyssey or Shin Megami Tensei (and don't mind fanservice too much, although it is rather tame), definitely give this game a try.

Then, there's Bravely Default and its sequel, but I don't think these games are exactly obscure, per say.

[Lethakitty]

Most people know symphonia because it was on the gamecube and one of the few 3rd party games the gamecube had that can be said is good. So really its hit game is on a system that was considered dead at launch and the rest are on ps3. Abyss is on 3ds though at least and I find Symphonia 2 dawn of the new world underrated and its on wii

[Jedi]

Most people know symphonia because it was on the gamecube and one of the few 3rd party games the gamecube had that can be said is good. So really its hit game is on a system that was considered dead at launch and the rest are on ps3. Abyss is on 3ds though at least and I find Symphonia 2 dawn of the new world underrated and its on wii

>Has some of the more inventive Nintendo exclusives

>Has some really great 3rd party games, like a good set of Star Wars games among a vareity of others

>Has a fighting game that's still played massively at the competitive level

-> Thought Dead at launch? No lmao

Also people thinking Tales is Niche really need to play actual Niche games.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Jedi

[Lethakitty]

um newer tales games can be considered niche honestly. Tales's mainstream popularity died after abyss. i agree its not as niche as other games, but Tales is only really talked about for symphonia most of the time

[Ema Skye]

Guacamelee, Severed, Runbow, Shantae