What The Reviewers Totally Missed
Critics don't always get it right. Sometimes, a game gets slammed with mediocre reviews, only to become a beloved classic among players who saw something truly special hidden behind the lackluster response. It's the classic tale of critical consensus versus public adoration, where some games defy their initial scores and build passionate communities through unique gameplay or stories. Let's look at 20 underrated gems that earned a permanent spot in players' hearts.
1. Deadly Premonition
The bizarre Twin Peaks vibe and a fascinating story won a cult following for this game. Though its clunky gameplay earned it a Metacritic score of around 50, it also won "Most Polarizing Game" and became a meme-worthy horror classic.
Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary by The Game Archivist
2. Alpha Protocol
Critics couldn't look past its bugs and clunky mechanics, but players discovered a gem. Its branching narrative and advanced dialogue system had many fans arguing that it surpassed Mass Effect in meaningful player choice.
Alpha Protocol Full Walkthrough Gameplay - No Commentary (PS3 Longplay) by Lacry
3. Binary Domain
Players found a surprisingly deep shooter that critics had dismissed as generic. The innovative voice command system and strong character development won over a dedicated fanbase, who still recommend its creative and large-scale boss battles on underrated shooter lists.
Binary Domain - ALL BOSSES by Global Gaming
4. Nier (2010)
This RPG's legacy is its emotional storytelling and haunting music, which fans adored. Initial mixed reviews cited dated visuals, yet it became a cult classic and inspired a successful remaster and the critically acclaimed sequel, Nier: Automata, years later.
NIER - Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Prologue (Full Game) by Shirrako
5. Sonic Unleashed
Exhilarating daytime speed levels made Sonic fans fall in love with this game, looking past the Werehog segments that critics disliked. Players embraced the game’s technical challenge and stunning visuals, further cementing its status as a beloved favorite within the community.
Sonic Unleashed (1080p) Full Game Playthrough (All Medals) by Sonic Destiny
6. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
A short campaign and repetitive combat drew ire from critics. Fans eager for more Star Wars lore, however, embraced the game and enjoyed its over-the-top Force powers and cinematic flair. This enthusiasm led to strong sales in spite of uneven reviews.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II - Gameplay Trailer by IGN
7. Mad Max (2015)
This game is considered a true hidden gem, with players making it a sleeper hit despite critics calling it repetitive. The experience is kept alive by its brutal vehicular combat and a dedicated modding community exploring its desolate open-world wasteland.
Was Mad Max(2015) As Good As I Remember? by MrHammers
8. Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2
Heavily debated among Castlevania fans, this sequel received mixed reviews for its frustrating stealth sections. Many players stood by its visceral combat and compelling Dracula storyline, and over time, patches improved the overall gameplay experience for a new audience.
Castlevania Lords of Shadow 2 Gameplay (XBOX 360 PS3 PC) by theRadBrad
9. Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line became a case study in video game narrative design by subverting shooter tropes with its profound psychological depth and moral ambiguity. Fans lauded this achievement, while reviews focused on its conventional gameplay, completely missing the point of the experience.
Spec Ops The Line｜Full Game Playthrough｜4K by DraKulis
10. The Saboteur
Technical issues at launch prevented this game from getting the critical acclaim it deserved. Players were fascinated by its open-world occupied Paris and unique noir aesthetic. Plus, its black-and-white visual mechanics made it a memorable classic long after the studio sadly closed.
THE SABOTEUR Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [4K 60FPS PC] - No Commentary by MKIceAndFire
11. Lollipop Chainsaw
Cult director Suda51's signature style shines in this game, which fans adore for its campy humor. Critics may have dismissed it as shallow, but players embraced its vibrant aesthetic, turning the zombie-slaying cheerleader into a cosplay favorite at conventions worldwide.
12. Homefront
A compelling alternate history premise and engaging multiplayer modes drew gamers to Homefront. This happened despite reviewers widely criticizing its surprisingly short campaign length. Strong initial sales proved the concept resonated, eventually leading to a sequel and continued fan interest.
HOMEFRONT Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
13. Bulletstorm
Players adored its chaotic gameplay and incredibly fun skillshot system. Bulletstorm's intentionally juvenile tone didn't land with every critic, though, which resulted in mixed reviews. This word-of-mouth success still secured a re-release with a Duke Nukem cameo.
Bulletstorm | Full Gameplay Walkthrough (PC HD60FPS) No Commentary by Full Playthroughs
14. Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
The game's documentary-style presentation was a hit with fans of crime games, even as critics were turned off by its gritty visuals and short runtime. A fiercely loyal following also grew around the unique multiplayer modes.
Kane & Lynch 2 Dog Days Multiplayer Gameplay in 2023 Fragile Alliance! by Revised Games
15. Remember Me
The innovative "memory remix" mechanic was the real star, earning praise from fans. While reviews cited lackluster combat, the game's brilliant concept, stunning art direction, and acclaimed soundtrack helped it gain traction on underrated sci-fi lists.
Remember Me Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Rebirth by theRadBrad
16. Dragon's Dogma
A massive fanbase in Japan grew around this game's revolutionary combat and unique "pawn" system. Mixed initial reviews cited a weak story, yet its popularity led to a re-release that boosted its western audience, even inspiring a Netflix adaptation.
DRAGON'S DOGMA 1 Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
17. The Order: 1886
Criticized heavily for its very short length and limited gameplay, this title still found an audience. Players praised its cinematic visuals and intriguing lore, which showcased the PS4's power, successfully earning a cult following.
18. Rogue Warrior
Becoming a legendary meme, Rogue Warrior gained notoriety for all the wrong reasons. Overwhelmingly negative reviews couldn't stop fans from ironically enjoying its over-the-top protagonist and profanity-laced dialogue.
Best Rogue Warrior Quotes by zen
19. Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
With its beautiful world and fantastic voice work, the game rightfully earned its cult status after a well-received digital re-release. The incredible dynamic between the two leads fascinated players, who then forgot all about the pacing issues critics had cited.
Enslaved Odyssey to the West - FULL GAME Walkthrough Gameplay No Commentary by Gamer Max Channel
20. God Hand
Fans remember its quirky humor and surprisingly deep combat, not the infamous 3/10 IGN score. This PS2 sleeper hit, praised for wild boss fights, became a legend and a fixture on "best underrated games" lists for good reason.
