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More loot in Broken's vault of sleeper gems!


On 02/28/2014 at 06:24 PM by BrokenH

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Continuing the tradition of underrated gems (Or simply flops I happened to like!) Here are a few more games on that questionably esteemed list!

Binary Domain

A lot of people will write off Binary Domain as a “Gears Of War clone” but that’s not entirely fair. Most of the guns actually “feel different” and the eclectic cast of characters is not anything close to what you’d find in The typical GOW universe.

This time around you are in the “rust crew”, an international group of mercenaries that hunt down robots that have fallen into the hands of terrorists to be used as weapons or sentient android “hollow children” who look all too human. There’s a lot of espionage and politics involved and the game poses the question where does humanity end and where does the machine begin.

Frankly, this game did not remind me much of Gears at all. Sure, you take cover and have big guns. The camera is very “gearsy” too. But beyond that there’s a sort of relationship meta-game where you literally have to improve your friendship rating with everyone to get the best performance out of them. How fond your team-mates are of you can actually change key points in the story-line too. Additionally, you issue commands to your crew (While complimenting or reprimanding them) and the AI tends to be rather top notch all around.

While you could argue some games I'm fond of are indeed complete crap, I don’t think that’s a fair criticism for Binary Domain. This is a really good game and it does enough differently to set itself apart from other 3rd person shooters.

Brutal Legend

I’m not really a fan of open-world sand-box games. Sure, I liked Arkham City but I never liked most of Rock star’s stuff. San Andreas and Bully were the only Rockstar games I got some enjoyment out of yet GTA4 and GTA5 simply look boring as fuck to me.

Brutal Legend made me realize what sand-box games could be like if developers threw in some actual “imagination”. Eddie Riggs gets transported to a land of Heavey-Metal-fantasy . You recognize the music genre clichés yet Brutal Legend does still manage to tell a touching heartfelt story with memorable characters all the while giving a tongue and cheek homage to many of my favorite Metal bands.

Though most of the game plays like GTA as you maneuver your roadster druid-plough through the games many twisted yet beautiful landscapes, “boss battles” are epic Rts fare as you construct a stage to spawn a plethora of unit types. You can effortlessly control each ally on the field and even drive around (or fly around) the battlefield yourself!

When encountering enemies on the open road Eddie can dispatch them with his element charged battle axe, riffs from his electric guitar, or even weapons mounted on his roadster. You’ll encounter and battle all sorts of strange types that include emo ghost brides, hell-billies driving coffin carrying hearses, hooded cultists, saber-tooth tigers, and spiders made out of cold steel.

The only terrible thing about Brutal Legend is that there was no sequel. (A shame considering the game is steeped in its' own deep and fascinating mythology) EA did not move as many copies as it would have liked and that is enough to kill off most potential franchises these days.

Alan Wake

I don’t know why Alan Wake did not do better. Part of the reason might stem from the fact Remedy originally promised AW would have an open-world. Early footage showed off a small plane giving us the allusion the troubled writer Alan would be able to go anywhere at any time.

Maybe people were disappointed when the actual game turned out to be linear but honestly I did not care. At the time I was pretty impressed by the game’s story and mechanics. The fact there was a metaphorical darkness possessing people in a small town that could be fought with Alan’s flashlight added something a bit new to the survival horror genre. Suddenly “light flares” were like throwing hand grenades. Furthermore, this “evil pressence” could also manipulate inanimate objects such as idle farming equipment. There was a sense of tension because you never knew where the next attack would come from.

Alan Wake’s biggest crime was it was not really “scary”. There were parts I felt anxious but I never truly felt pure dread. The game never made me jump in my chair either.

Criticisms aside, the game had great spoken narrative and a decent yarn to spin. If you got something out of the early Silent Hill games and Deadly premonition then Alan Wake will certainly delight you in the same morose way! It’s for those of us who can appreciate both the paranormal and the psychological. (And the soundtrack for the game is phenomenal! Poets Of The Fall do good work!)

Splatterhouse

Splatter-house is a okay game but out of the ones listed here it was probably the least remarkable for me personally. Having said that, it pleasantly surprised me overall. The presentation was better than I thought it would be and there are many neat referencial tributes to the original games. (You can even unlock Splatterhouse 1-3 eventually)

Splatterhouse for all intents and purposes is a beat em up with lotsa gore. As Rick you must save your girlfriend Jennifer from the diabolical Doctor West. (He makes monsters, rises the undead, and summons demons by the way) To prepare yourself you make an unholy pact with a cursed mask that transforms you into a brutish hulk who is good at smashing things or ripping them in half! Though mostly in 3D, there are a few 2D segments where Rick has to carefully navigate some pretty nasty trap filled linear corridors while also dealing with the usual nasty customers. 

Whereas the fighting in Splatterhouse is a guilty pleasure, the plat forming has gaping cracks in its‘ design. It’s a bit too easy to miscalculate a jump and it is a pain in the ass when your view is suddenly obstructed when you need to execute your next move with painstaking precision. (There are some gamers who I imagine will not have the patience for this bullshit.) Even worse, certain segments time you. When you finally win against the clock there are only a few seconds to spare. I died countless times because I did not kill everything or make it to the next check-point fast enough. 

Splatterhouse is alright but it needed more time in development. Still, I like the crude humor, like Jim Cummings’ voice as the terror mask, and even got some satisfaction out of finding Jennifer’s “naughty pictures” strewn about the game’s many twisted levels. I’m glad the designers of this remake knew that Splatterhouse and political correctness just do not mix! The soundtrack fit’s the game like a glove as well!

Divinity II:Dragonknight saga

When I say “Dragon’s Dogma” most people get me but when I say “Divinity II Dragon-knight saga” several puzzled expressions stare back at me across the void that is the world-wide web! Divinity II: Dragon-Knight saga is the re-mastered “Ego Draconus” brought to us by those wonderful folks at Atlus publishing. However, Larian studios was responsible for actually creating this obscure delight!

Dragon-knight saga is a pretty damn awesome open-world action rpg. Side quests are interesting and as decreed by fate, you can eventually turn into a flying dragon and participate in epic sky battles right before infiltrating sky citadels filled with all manner of nasty badness.

The npcs and story-line are surprisingly good. There are several twists that are truly difficult to see coming. Eventually you even have your own command center populated by mercenaries who can bring you materials for your forge, a freakish golem you construct out of monster parts who helps you in battle, and a totally sexy scantily clad concubine who serves as your chancellor and on hand stewardess. There is even a crafty illusionist who allows you to change your gender and appearance at any time in the story. (You can even rearrange skill points and change up your abilities if you really want to.)

Honestly I’d recommend this to any friend who loves rpgs. The only small qualm I can pick at with this one is that some of those aforementioned “dragon sky-battles” get really difficult, especially the one waged against the game’s final villain in the dlc expansion packaged with the main game.

 




 

Comments

mothman

02/28/2014 at 06:37 PM

I wanted to play Alan Wake but I kept running out of bullets and getting killed so I quit in frustration.

BrokenH

02/28/2014 at 06:47 PM

Really? I thought the ammo was rather plentiful in AW. That and light flares are friggin devastating to the enemy! However, I might have beat it on a lower difficulty setting,Peter. I admit I have no shame playing certain games on "easy mode". Wink

Ranger1

02/28/2014 at 06:55 PM

I have two of he games on your list and I'm ashamed to say that I have yet to play either of them. And Divinity II does look intriguing.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 01:18 AM

Divinity II is awesome,Tam! The only part that got me frustrated was the last Dragon-sky battle before the last boss fight. Everything else was really well balanced and very enjoyable though!

Aboboisdaman

02/28/2014 at 07:17 PM

I never did finish Brutal Legend. I liked that game, but couldn't get used to the battle system. I don't know if it was because I wanted a mouse and keyboard or just suck at RTS games lol. That game had an awesome soundtrack though, and I thought Jack Black was great.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 01:20 AM

It was kind of weird an RTS system was just thrown in there. Normally I'm not big on RTSes either but I suppose I got the gyst well enough to win each band battle.

Cary Woodham

02/28/2014 at 07:57 PM

Splatterhouse was a bit juvenile but I did like the fact that Jim Cummings was the voice of the Terror Mask.  The main character's girlfriend should've put on the Terror Mask and kicked butt instead of him.

Now go read my new blog or else I'll come to your house, roll you up like a basketball, and dribble you around the place.  You know I can do that. :)  Sorry that you have to put up with my silliness every now and then.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 01:21 AM

Someone made a beat em up called "Jennifer" that is sort of a take on a reverse role with the terror mask. I actually think Jennifer is more disturbing than Splatterhouse,Cary. If you ever find it don't play it in the dark!

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/28/2014 at 09:50 PM

My brother likes those Divinity games.  I don't really.. indulge in them, but I like that they get made as they fill a niche. 

I've been working on my game.  You really inspired me, you should know that. 

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 01:24 AM

They're good,Matt. Eventually I want to get Dragon Commander too but I don't know what its' system requirements are. Rivellion is a fascinating world because each Divinity game essentially tries something totally new. No two Divinity games play exactly alike.

I'm also glad I inspired you to go through with your rpg. Forgetter deserves better than to languish in obscurity. It's a very interesting concept!

Chunopo

02/28/2014 at 09:55 PM

Dude you ve been busy! Alan Wake seemed pretty cool though I never played past the demo, really should pick it up.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 01:26 AM

If you loved the first 3 Silent Hill games definitely pick up Alan Wake,Adam. It's more about a "mind fuck" than jump scares but that's what makes it so good,really.

Super Step Contributing Writer

03/01/2014 at 01:50 AM

I'd love to play Brutal Legend, but the RTS combat is a turn-off for me. I wish it were a full-on action game, instead. That honestly fits the metal vibe better to me anyway. I imagine Schafer may be one of the few RTS-loving metalheads. I could be wrong. 

Alan Wake just never seemed interesting to me, and I only learned of it through tons of hyped previews that talked of how long it was in development. I just never cared, though, to be honest. 

Splatterhouse looked awesome and I'd like to go back and play the older games like I wanted to when I first heard of the series via an EGM preview of this game. I don't like what you have to say about the platforming, but I'm willing to try it. 

I forgot about Binary Domain, but now that you bring it up, it looks awesome and I like the actually-futuristic-looking aesthetic soooo much better than the "rubble future" in everything these days. 

I haven't heard of Divinity until now (surprised? lol), but while no fan of JRPGs, a good open-world action RPG might be more my style. 

Great list! I love being reminded of cool games that may have fell by the wayside. I don't know if my being the station manager of an alternative rock radio station gives it away or not, but I love media outside the norm, or at least trying it. If you've got more lists like these in you, I'd love to see them!

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 03:48 AM

I agree with your sentiments about Brutal Legend,Joe. It's weird because overall it really is a straight up sand-box action game but then "blam", the RTS segments are thrown in there sloppily.  

I guess in a way it's befitting. Maybe fights with "Metal Gods" should entail erecting fan-booths and fighting whole armies but it's a jarring shift between radically different genres. Luckily, I was able to get into the RTS battles but I totally understand why it was a huge turn-off to others.

I'm glad I could shed some light on good games that got discouteously shoved to the way-side! If you can at least rent Binary Domain. It's a great game!

Alex-C25

03/01/2014 at 06:48 AM

I always wanted to play Brutal Legend back when it was only on the 360 and PS3, since it was released at my Metalhead years. Even if i'm not a metalhead anymore, I still love the music and I hope to pick up Brutal Legend on Steam soon.

Binary Domain and Alan Wake also look interesting.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 12:11 PM

I'd definitely recommend Brutal Legend. It was much better than I thought it would be. I thought it was just going to be a cheap cash-in to get money out of Metal-fans but the story and the characters were all really well done. I even liked the RTS band battles but your mileage may vary!

GeminiMan78

03/01/2014 at 10:15 AM

Brutal Legend  really is underated. Almost picked up Binary Domain but the cat at Gamestop actually talked me out of it,lol. I think I will have to add it to my gamefly Q and just give it a shot. A previous reveiw you did on it was what made me want to check it out in the first place.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 12:13 PM

THe only thing Binary Domain dropped the ball with is a lack of co-op in the main story campaign. Beyond that it's totally great from head to toe,though! I also love how dogged the robot soldiers are. You can blow their legs off and they will still crawl after you and try grabbing you.

C.S.3590SquadLeader

03/01/2014 at 08:03 PM

Wanted to play Brutal Legend but never got around to actually getting it. Didn't help that I didn't and still don't own a PS3 or 360. Maybe I'll try getting the PC version.

BrokenH

03/01/2014 at 09:39 PM

Yup,Brutal Legend is coming to Steam! And probably at a much better price!

jgusw

03/02/2014 at 08:26 AM

Brtutal Legend is a pretty good game.  The music is even better.  It got a bit frustrating during the last battle, but I was able to finish it.

I got Alan Wake for free a few years ago.  I started it and then stopped.  One day I'll get back to it.

BrokenH

03/02/2014 at 03:25 PM

I was lucky when I picked up Alan Wake because there was nothing else to distract me at the time,James.

I also see where Brutal Legend could have been better but I extended the game by looking for all the secrets! As such I came away from it with a huge appreciation for the story and the characters. I'm glad I did not take the easy road by simply rushing through it. I've read from certain reviews BL can be beaten really quickly. By contrast I clocked a good 15-20 hours into it.

jgusw

03/03/2014 at 06:56 AM

Yeah, I got about 20hrs out of Brutal Legend too.  I spent a lot of time driving around listening to the radio. Cool  While riding, I did many of the side missions.

daftman

03/03/2014 at 05:10 PM

I have those first three games you mentioned but I haven't played any of them. Splatterhouse looks...messy lol

KnightDriver

03/04/2014 at 02:05 AM

There was a really cool interview with Tim Shaffer on RadioRadar last week. He mentioned Brutal Legend and how he was thinking of Genesis game Herzog Zwei for the RTS parts. He also mentioned that those parts weren't explained well enough for players. That's what stopped me playing it. I want to go back and figure it out though.

NSonic79

04/20/2014 at 04:13 AM

Want to get the first and fourth games but never seem to find them when i'm in the mood to buy them. I'm thinking about adding the fourth game as this year's octoberween top 11 list but we'll have to see how it all comes together.

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