Good Unknown PS3/360 Games

[EzraPound]

Alright, so I own:

-- Assassin's Creed II (so-so)
-- Batman: Arkham Asylum (like)
-- Bayonetta (need to play more)
-- BioShock (so-so)
-- Borderlands (like)
-- Civilization: Revolution (like)
-- Dragon Age: Origins (need to play more)
-- Duke Nukem Forever (like)
-- Fallout 3 (need to play more)
-- Far Cry 2 (like)
-- Fuel (dislike)
-- God of War Collection (so-so)
-- GTA IV: Episodes Standalone (dislike)
-- Heavy Rain (dislike)
-- inFamous (need to play more)
-- L.A. Noire (like)
-- LittleBigPlanet (like)
-- Metal Gear Solid 4 (dislike)
-- MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (like)
-- Portal 2 (like)
-- Red Dead Redemption (like)
-- Resident Evil 5 (so-so)
-- Soul Calibur IV (so-so)

Of course, most of these--barring a few--are AA titles. So my question is this: what PS3 exclusives, or multi-platform games for PS3, do you feel are underrated? I'm looking for games that maybe were bypassed critically or commercially, but are still just fun as hell to play.

I should add a few notes about my taste:

I like FPS games, but never really got into either CoD or Halo. More GoldenEye 007, Half-Life, Deus Ex, DOOM, etc.

I like sandbox games, but don't really want to play anything that feels remotely derivative of GTA.

I like turn-based strategy games, like Worms, HOMM, Civ, etc.

I like RPGs, but have found generally that JRPGs have lost energy (my favourites are FF7, Pokémon R/B, and Harvest Moon) and that a lot of WRPGs--while good--are either incredibly platitudinous (those by BioWare) or just sandbox games in which the decreasing novelty of freeform exploration has led to diminishing gameplay returns (those by Bethesda).

I'm not large into sports, racing, or fighting games, but flirt with all three genres (MotorStorm: PR or Mario Kart 64; NHL '94; and Soul Calibur I/II or Super Smash Bros. respectively).

I like games with diverse colour palettes.

I think all games should have a high gameplay to cutscene ratio.

 

[Sp3ratus]

The number one title I'd recommend for you, is Demon's Souls. I'm sure you've heard of it before, but in case you haven't, it's an action RPG, with fantastic gameplay. The combat is really deep and rich, the world, while bleak and somewhat grey is beautifully crafted and the game itself has a ton of replayability value. THe game is notorious for it's difficulty, but it's not so much hard as it is unforgiving. Don't rush and explore all your options and the game will be much easier. It's my third favourite game overall and my favourite title on the PS3, if that's anything to go by.

As for other titles, 3D dot game heroes is a lot of fun. It's a Zelda homage, but with blocky graphics and a great sense of humour. I had a lot of fun with it, it's a great little title that has been severely overlooked.

Valkyria Chronicles is an Strategy RPG(or so I've read), which takes place in an alternate 1940's. The gameplay is selecting and controlling units, telling them where to move, what to shoot and all that. It's great fun and the I personally find the waterpaint graphics absolutely gorgeous. The story can be a bit "eh" at times, but the gameplay is fun.

I'll also recommend Killzone 3, it's the game I'm playing the most for the time being. Now, I haven't played the singleplayer, but from what I've heard it's a bit so-so. The reason I'm recommending it is because of the multiplayer, one of the best and some of the most fun I've had online for quite a while. It's pretty well balanced and the different game modes are great. The game looks fantastic and with a surround sound setup, the sound wall is absolutely massive.

And last but not least, the Ratchet and Clank games. The games are quite colourful, has a great sense of humour and are generally very wacky. The games are a lot of fun to play, there are lots to do and lots of weird weapons to have fun with. If you're into platformers at all, definitely go check them out.

While some of them aren't underrated, I still thought I'd throw them in there, just to give you some more recommendations and because they weren't already on your list. I don't know if you can use any of what I wrote, but there you have it, some of my favourites for the PS3.

 

[KjellKanon]

I second Demon's Souls.
It's the single handedly best RPG I've ever played.
The atmosphere in that game did what no other game has done since Diablo 1 back in the good olden days.

Also, if you're a fan of turn based RTS-like games, give Valkyria Chronicles a try.
Amazing game, one of my favourites of all time!

 

[Truly-A-Lie]

The similarity in our games collections took me by surprise. I have 11 of those games.

It isn't exactly underrated or unknown, but have you tried the two Uncharted games? They have strong gameplay:cutscene ratio, they're colourful and I think they're great fun. Uncharted 2 has better pacing than the first one, but I'd say they're both worth a playthrough.
If you have the necessary means to get digital games, I'd highly recommend Super Stardust HD. It's like the pinnacle of what Asteroids originally established. It's gorgeous, retro, and can get really addictive once you get into to the flow of it.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Valkyria Chronicles has been mentioned and it's one of the PS3's best exclusives. It's a strategy JRPG but it's not like Disgaea, it's hard to explain but easy to understand once you try it. It's actually kinda similar to Worms in the sense that one soldier goes at a time. Try the demo, which is a super simple battle but you will at least understand how the game plays.

I really enjoyed Eternal Sonata. It's not really a great game (just a good game) as I would rate it like a 7 to a 8 as a game but I really enjoyed my time with it. I would say it's a game that is better than the sum of its parts.

Last JRPG mention would be Nier, I bought it but I haven't played it yet. Lots of people really to love it though.

I'm actually not a big fan of Bioware because I hate standard D&D style fantasy games like Dragon Age and I hate, hate, hate Star Wars. So, the only Bioware game I've played is Mass Effect 2, and I really loved it. Maybe give it a shot if you see it for cheap sometime.

For FPSs, I would say give MAG (my favorite only FPS this gen) a try since I think it's actually free to download and play but you have a level cap. It's rather different from COD style play but it's only online.

For sandbox games, definitely keep playing inFamous as it's one of the better sandbox games. I rarely like sandbox games but I'm really enjoying inFamous right now as it's free. Someone else mentioned, Just Cause 2, I haven't played it but the demo alone was pretty fun.

Since you like diverse color palettes, give Mirror's Edge a shot. It's the best 3D platformer I've played this gen. I really went into Mirror's Edge thinking 1st-person platforming wouldn't work, but I was sold after playing the demo.

I really thought Heavenly Sword was a great game, a bit too short but it's really cheap now. The fighting system was better the God of War and to me, it was a much better game than GOW3. After the 1st God of War, the storyline has been absolute shit IMO. Heavenly Sword has a good story with weird but good characters, and the game has a lot of heart.

Vanquish is the best shooter this current console gen has seen, the gameplay is beyond anything you'll find in COD, Uncharted, Gears, etc. Vanquish was made by the same dev that made Bayonetta to give you a sense of the type of action to expect. It's a cover shooter that gives you the tools to NOT use cover, it allows you to stay out in the action instead of playing whack-a-mole like you do in Uncharted or Gears.

I'll throw out one racing game and that is Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. The game is just completely a pure arcade racer, it's all about getting away from the cops or chasing racers as a cop and both sides get weapons. It's just pure fun.

 

[KafkaOffTheBeach]

Go for Folklore OP - it has to be the most under appreciated game of this generation.
PS3 exclusive.
Fucking cool plot.
Cool mechanics.

 

[krazykidd]

I say Lost oddesey , Alpha Protocol ( last game in a LONG while that i played through twice back to back ) , resonance of fate ( if your like a challenge ) , and NIER ( but to play nier you have to start it on hard or it'll be too easy )

 

[Jak LesStrange]

You should try RTS for console if you are looking for something different. A lot of people disagree on whether or not they work on console, but I have most of the ones on xbox and they are all really great. Ones you should avoid howver are: Raven Squad, Supreme Commander 1 and Stormrise. They all suck

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I recommend Deadly Premonition.

It's dirt cheap AND 20-25 hours long, to boot.

It's a really funny game, with competent shooting mechanics.

Think...an open world Twin Peaks.

 

[Katana314]

Argh, I hear recommendations for Demon's Souls so often, but I've never known what to think about hard games. Certain difficulty is awesome; after playing through on Normal, I loved Batman: Arkham Asylum's hard mode, where the enemies no longer have that lightning indicator on their attacks. But I absolutely DESPISED Super Meat Boy because of all the twitch-reflexes required and the insane amounts of repetition. It wasn't even that I was bad at it; I got all the way to Rapture, and decided I just wasn't having fun.

That rant over, would I still like Demon's Souls? Is there no way of trying it out before I buy it? (at least it's only around $20 now)

 

[Zeema]

Go Demon's Soul and Folklore

there Really HARD Demon's Soul more so

 

[Sp3ratus]

Argh, I hear recommendations for Demon's Souls so often, but I've never known what to think about hard games. Certain difficulty is awesome; after playing through on Normal, I loved Batman: Arkham Asylum's hard mode, where the enemies no longer have that lightning indicator on their attacks. But I absolutely DESPISED Super Meat Boy because of all the twitch-reflexes required and the insane amounts of repetition. It wasn't even that I was bad at it; I got all the way to Rapture, and decided I just wasn't having fun.

That rant over, would I still like Demon's Souls? Is there no way of trying it out before I buy it? (at least it's only around $20 now)

Well, Demon's Souls and SMB are two different kind of difficulties. SMB requires, as you said, twitch-reflexes and really leaves no time to think, especially if you're going for acing the leves.

Demon's Souls, on the other hand, encourages a lot of thinking about the encounters. There's no point in rushing, because if you do that, you'll die. It's as simple as that. When you face a new boss, you'll most likely die, but in dying, you've hopefully learned something you can use for your next attempt. Demon's Souls is unforgiving, sure, but it's not unfair. Every death is your own fault. If you don't like challenges, then it's not for you. As I've mentioned before, it's one of my favourite games of all time and not only because it's a challenge. It has a beautifully crafted world with one of the deepest combat systems I've ever seen.

Every boss is unique and the only grinding there really is, is if you want to gain some extra levels, before going up against a particularly hard boss. No matter what, I'd recommend checking it out, rent it, if you don't want to shell out the money for it, even though it should be quite cheap right now.

If you decide to buy or rent it, I'll be happy to give some starter advice to make your game a bit easier. Just don't give up, if you die.

 

[redrefugee]

Earth Defense Force 2017 on the XBOX360.

Heavily armed soldiers are under attack from giant insects from space.

 

[desaaron777]

Earth Defense Force 2017 on the XBOX360.

Heavily armed soldiers are under attack from giant insects from space.

damn i was going to say this. but yeah if you want a good fun game then this is it.

EDF! EDF! EDF!

 

[desaaron777]

Go Demon's Soul and Folklore

there Really HARD Demon's Soul more so

not to bash any ones opinion on a game but folklore was boring as hell I made it like 5 hours in and couldnt play any more. Sad to cause that and MGS4 was the first two games I bought for the ps3