What games surprised you in terms of their quality?

[Mersadeon]

Ironclad Tactics. I didn't expect that. I thought it would be a fun little diversion, but instead it's this incredibly tactical game that manages to occupy my thoughts a lot even when I'm not playing it.

 

[FPLOON]

Child of Eden - My glob, the colors... the enemies... the music... the story... As someone who just flat out sucked at Rez, I was like a god playing that game with 100% completion under my belt... until I lost the save data... (I have yet to replay that game again... But, when I have the time to play it nonstop from start to finish, I will do that in a heartbeat...)

Hyperdimension Neptunia - Bought it for the moe... stayed for the satire... and the artwork... and the girls... and was eagerly waiting for its sequel, that came out just a few months afterwards...

I can't think of any others right now... But, those are the two that stand out to me, in terms of this question...

 

[Kungfu_Teddybear]

Sleeping Dogs. I thought it would be an enjoyable romp through Hong Kong with serviceable gameplay. Instead I got perhaps one of the best open world games of this gen. It may not look like much, but Sleeping Dogs is nothing but quality.

I'm seconding this. I originally bought Sleeping Dogs as a time sink while waiting for another game and I ended up loving it and continued to play it well after the game I was waiting for was out.

 

[Someone Depressing]

Haunting Ground,

What I thought was going to be a crappy, annoying game as solid as liquidised horse shit full of fanservice that forgets its place was actually a fun, creepy, disturbing and interesting take on survival horror that closely folowed the Clock Tower series, with an extra dose of RPG elements mixed in.

Still didn't like the jiggle physics.

Also, Skyrim. I was expecting it to be Bestheda becoming cocky, arrogant bastards. Oblivion could be mistaken for a low-budget but well-intended indie game by 2 people in a basement, yet it was best-selling and huge.

So, Skyrim was washed-down. Simplified. And definitely still expansive and huge.

Really, it just could've been worse.

 

[Darren Carrigan]

Definitely Katawa Shoujo. I mean the basic premise of the game sounds so distasteful and weird. You date a variety of disabled chicks using flags and routes like a standard VN. If I had to explain it, their disabilities never define their character, it's never "Lily the blind chick" it's more "Lily is a chick who just so happens to be blind" if you get what I mean. It's always there but never the focus.

Seriously I was so, so cynical going in but it really is well made. It's a five year project made by some scrapped together collaborators on fucking 4Chan and it beats almost every game out there in terms of writing and quality, not to mention the soundtrack and art style. Bioware writing looks fuckin' shite compared to this masterpiece. Admittedly some people would say that doesn't mean much of late (Mass Effect 3 lol)

Their use of Hisao as a main character and framing device is genius, instead of ignoring all the awkwardness that comes with dealing with disabled people they have Hisao blundering in being tactless as fuck and eventually stop making a fuss over everything. The genius being since the main character gets over it then the player follows suit.

I was getting ready to say an 800 word spiel about Katawa but then you stepped in and did it all the spave of about 100.

I shall defend that game to my death and recall the many tearful stories with fondness. Katawa Soujo is amazing, play it now you fools!

 

[dl_wraith]

Wow, good question (and a lot of great answers here).

I have so many to list I'll save you the boredom and hit a few that haven't yet been mentioned here:

Ninja Theory's DmC - I know DMC3 was mentioned but after all the fanboy mewling that went with the reboot I ignored it and wrote it off as a departure of what I liked in the franchise. I almost smashed my head against a wall in disgust at my own stupidity when I actually played it. IT. WAS. AWESOME. Lesson learned: Never listen to fanboy rage.

In a similar vein, Bayonetta. I din't expect it to be as polished or the combo system to be as deep as it was. Colour me pleasantly surprised.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. You know, we had more fun playing the one-level demo for 2 months than we were having with BF3? This made me wish the devs had produced the Transformers films in pure game cut-scene view rather than the abortion we got from Mr Bay.

Dust: An Elysian Tale. I has MS points to burn. I'd just finished Bastion. The art style looked nice so why not? So I played it and OH MY GOD - Anime Furry Castlevania with a sense of fantasy AND humour?? Was so impressed I e-mailed the dev to thank him. Such a nice chap, too. Really looking forward to his next one.

Dark Void - Best Fiver I spent on a physical game this gen

Biggest surprise though? Something already mentioned, I'm afraid - Bioshock infinite. I loved #1, HATED #2 and was expecting another mess of a game. Wasn't the best game I've played this year but a nice surprise nonetheless.

I have more but the forum is only so big.

 

[laggyteabag]

Telltale's The Walking Dead - Telltale's game library prior to the release of this game was, well, shaky at best. When I first heard about the game in development I thought that It was just Telltale just about to ruin another good IP and franchise. I didnt really hear anything about the game after it released, so it pretty much just dropped off my radar.

Then episode 5 happened.

Hype was everywhere, people were talking about it pretty much everywhere I went, so I caved in and bought it. I had no idea that the game was going to end up being my favourite game of 2012.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Definitely Katawa Shoujo. I mean the basic premise of the game sounds so distasteful and weird. You date a variety of disabled chicks using flags and routes like a standard VN. If I had to explain it, their disabilities never define their character, it's never "Lily the blind chick" it's more "Lily is a chick who just so happens to be blind" if you get what I mean. It's always there but never the focus.

Seriously I was so, so cynical going in but it really is well made. It's a five year project made by some scrapped together collaborators on fucking 4Chan and it beats almost every game out there in terms of writing and quality, not to mention the soundtrack and art style. Bioware writing looks fuckin' shite compared to this masterpiece. Admittedly some people would say that doesn't mean much of late (Mass Effect 3 lol)

Their use of Hisao as a main character and framing device is genius, instead of ignoring all the awkwardness that comes with dealing with disabled people they have Hisao blundering in being tactless as fuck and eventually stop making a fuss over everything. The genius being since the main character gets over it then the player follows suit.

I was getting ready to say an 800 word spiel about Katawa but then you stepped in and did it all the spave of about 100.

I shall defend that game to my death and recall the many tearful stories with fondness. Katawa Soujo is amazing, play it now you fools!

Well i've had to explain why Katawa Shoujo isn't the distasteful, exploitative mess of a game the premise makes it sound like a few times before. Nice to see my skills at literature have been somehow increased by years on Internet forums XD

Now the real question I have for all people who have played this game comes up. Who is the best girl in the cast?

Take your time, there is only one correct answer...

 

[Icehearted]

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.

I didn't really care for these types of games before, though when I was a kid we had California Games and 720○, the former just pathetic and the latter only less pathetic. I got it cheap, expected to ho-hum around through it, but it turned out not be one of the best games I've ever played. Nothing like it since really. It just does what it does flawlessly, and in split-screen is unbeatable in re-playability.

 

[Darren Carrigan]

Definitely Katawa Shoujo. I mean the basic premise of the game sounds so distasteful and weird. You date a variety of disabled chicks using flags and routes like a standard VN. If I had to explain it, their disabilities never define their character, it's never "Lily the blind chick" it's more "Lily is a chick who just so happens to be blind" if you get what I mean. It's always there but never the focus.

Seriously I was so, so cynical going in but it really is well made. It's a five year project made by some scrapped together collaborators on fucking 4Chan and it beats almost every game out there in terms of writing and quality, not to mention the soundtrack and art style. Bioware writing looks fuckin' shite compared to this masterpiece. Admittedly some people would say that doesn't mean much of late (Mass Effect 3 lol)

Their use of Hisao as a main character and framing device is genius, instead of ignoring all the awkwardness that comes with dealing with disabled people they have Hisao blundering in being tactless as fuck and eventually stop making a fuss over everything. The genius being since the main character gets over it then the player follows suit.

I was getting ready to say an 800 word spiel about Katawa but then you stepped in and did it all the spave of about 100.

I shall defend that game to my death and recall the many tearful stories with fondness. Katawa Soujo is amazing, play it now you fools!

Well i've had to explain why Katawa Shoujo isn't the distasteful, exploitative mess of a game the premise makes it sound like a few times before. Nice to see my skills at literature have been somehow increased by years on Internet forums XD

Now the real question I have for all people who have played this game comes up. Who is the best girl in the cast?

Take your time, there is only one correct answer...

I am torn forever between Lily and Hanako.

In terms of personality Lily.

In terms of story Hanako.

 

[Mikejames]

Deadly Premonition kind of?

I mean, objectively speaking it still has its issues, but I just picked it up for a laugh after seeing a few videos on it, and ended up enjoying its quirks more than I thought I would.

Haunting Ground,

What I thought was going to be a crappy, annoying game as solid as liquidised horse shit full of fanservice that forgets its place was actually a fun, creepy, disturbing and interesting take on survival horror that closely folowed the Clock Tower series, with an extra dose of RPG elements mixed in.

Lord that game made me uncomfortable. Never finished it.

Does it pick up further in?

 

[The Wykydtron]

Definitely Katawa Shoujo. I mean the basic premise of the game sounds so distasteful and weird. You date a variety of disabled chicks using flags and routes like a standard VN. If I had to explain it, their disabilities never define their character, it's never "Lily the blind chick" it's more "Lily is a chick who just so happens to be blind" if you get what I mean. It's always there but never the focus.

Seriously I was so, so cynical going in but it really is well made. It's a five year project made by some scrapped together collaborators on fucking 4Chan and it beats almost every game out there in terms of writing and quality, not to mention the soundtrack and art style. Bioware writing looks fuckin' shite compared to this masterpiece. Admittedly some people would say that doesn't mean much of late (Mass Effect 3 lol)

Their use of Hisao as a main character and framing device is genius, instead of ignoring all the awkwardness that comes with dealing with disabled people they have Hisao blundering in being tactless as fuck and eventually stop making a fuss over everything. The genius being since the main character gets over it then the player follows suit.

I was getting ready to say an 800 word spiel about Katawa but then you stepped in and did it all the spave of about 100.

I shall defend that game to my death and recall the many tearful stories with fondness. Katawa Soujo is amazing, play it now you fools!

Well i've had to explain why Katawa Shoujo isn't the distasteful, exploitative mess of a game the premise makes it sound like a few times before. Nice to see my skills at literature have been somehow increased by years on Internet forums XD

Now the real question I have for all people who have played this game comes up. Who is the best girl in the cast?

Take your time, there is only one correct answer...

I am torn forever between Lily and Hanako.

In terms of personality Lily.

In terms of story Hanako.

I'll take that as a Hanako. Good man, Hanako is best.

I've only ever finished Shizune and Hanako's routes, I was halfway through Emi's one until my friend told me to drop everything and do Hanako. I fell into the bullshit Emi route lock trap you see, I was going for Hanako first anyway. Multiple flags and routes? Lol how about we just give them a single choice that looks innocent enough but instalocks them onto Emi regardless of everything else. Grate gaem design.

I physically cannot tear myself away from Hanako, I intend to do another one, her intro scene comes past and there I go again... Far too cute to not lock onto.

 

[Darren Carrigan]

Definitely Katawa Shoujo. I mean the basic premise of the game sounds so distasteful and weird. You date a variety of disabled chicks using flags and routes like a standard VN. If I had to explain it, their disabilities never define their character, it's never "Lily the blind chick" it's more "Lily is a chick who just so happens to be blind" if you get what I mean. It's always there but never the focus.

Seriously I was so, so cynical going in but it really is well made. It's a five year project made by some scrapped together collaborators on fucking 4Chan and it beats almost every game out there in terms of writing and quality, not to mention the soundtrack and art style. Bioware writing looks fuckin' shite compared to this masterpiece. Admittedly some people would say that doesn't mean much of late (Mass Effect 3 lol)

Their use of Hisao as a main character and framing device is genius, instead of ignoring all the awkwardness that comes with dealing with disabled people they have Hisao blundering in being tactless as fuck and eventually stop making a fuss over everything. The genius being since the main character gets over it then the player follows suit.

I was getting ready to say an 800 word spiel about Katawa but then you stepped in and did it all the spave of about 100.

I shall defend that game to my death and recall the many tearful stories with fondness. Katawa Soujo is amazing, play it now you fools!

Well i've had to explain why Katawa Shoujo isn't the distasteful, exploitative mess of a game the premise makes it sound like a few times before. Nice to see my skills at literature have been somehow increased by years on Internet forums XD

Now the real question I have for all people who have played this game comes up. Who is the best girl in the cast?

Take your time, there is only one correct answer...

I am torn forever between Lily and Hanako.

In terms of personality Lily.

In terms of story Hanako.

I'll take that as a Hanako. Good man, Hanako is best.

I've only ever finished Shizune and Hanako's routes, I was halfway through Emi's one until my friend told me to drop everything and do Hanako. I fell into the bullshit Emi route lock trap you see, I was going for Hanako first anyway. Multiple flags and routes? Lol how about we just give them a single choice that looks innocent enough but instalocks them onto Emi regardless of everything else. Grate gaem design.

I physically cannot tear myself away from Hanako, I intend to do another one, her intro scene comes past and there I go again... Far too cute to not lock onto.

Shizune's is great. 10/10 would do again. It's a strange and challenging look at power dynamics within society and that a good friend can tone down the most insane qualities of anyone.

Also Emi's is pretty good.

I still need to do Rin which I think is my final one.

 

[EyeReaper]

Really, a lot of Visual Novels for me, if just for the ridiculous premises they can have. Such as, Katawa Shoujo (Dating cripple girls) Hatoful Boyfriend (Dating pigeons) and the only english Sakura Wars, in which you are a Samurai living in New york who works with a theatre troupe to fight ancient Japanese Ghosts in steam powered transformer bots.)
Not going to lie, I love all three of them so very muxh

 

[Arslan Aladeen]

Valkryia Chronicles. The demo was kinda fun and interesting, but I had no idea how much I would fall in love with pretty much everything once I started playing the game.

Was that the WW2 jrpg turn based game? Played the demo on the 360, was awesome and then it became a PS3 only title. The demo was excellent, may have to get a PS3 to play its back catalog. Im a sucker for WW2 inspired games.

It had a WW2 theme (though set in it's own world). Has a cel-shaded art style, and would highly recommend picking it up.

 

[SuperfastJellyfish]

All the Mount and Blade games look like absolute shit from a surface value standpoint, but once you get into the game. Oh my. (Except for Fire & Sword, fuck that one)

 

[SilverLion]

I got Sonic Generations as a gift from my brother on my birthday, and I didn't enter it with low expectations per se, but I did not expect it to be the game that's the closest to perfect I have ever played. I am dead fucking serious, I cannot find any criticism for this game! I didn't even think the Time Eater fight was that bad. It is literally the only game in the world I would ever give a perfect 10 out of 10. No game breaking bugs, no poor controls, no shoddy level design, it's just perfect!
Still doesn't top out Red Dead Redemption though. That game is GODLY.

 

[Denamic]

Disgaea.
I picked it up from some bargain bin, not expecting it to be any good since it was a new game that's already in the bin. Now, 10 years later, it's the franchise I've spent the most hours on, easily clicking in over 5000 hours total over all Disgaea games. At least 1000 hours more if you count Makai Kingdom, La Pucelle, Phantom Brave, and other NIS games.

Sometimes, we trip over treasures. Makes you wonder just how many treasures pass unnoticed.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Morrowind was a huge surprise. I first played it on the xbox and bought an xbox just to play that game after watching my cousin play it. So i knew it was good, but playing it myself i just love every second of it. The depth of the game is amazing that no other elder scrolls game has come close.

The loading times though...gah.