Underappreciated Games

[Bison]

I know we all have games that we love, but seem to be underappreciated either by critics and or gamers. 

Titan Quest - Hack and Slash RPG
I really enjoy the game, but to many it was just another Diablo clone.  There are a few ligitimate flaws in the game, but it hits so many of the hack and slash grind elements that to me are just plain addictive.

Cons:
1. It's a Diablo clone, but aren't all hack and slash games to some extent?
2. No randomization.  This is what ultimately poopooed the game for many I think and is the most glaring flaw.  The maps are the same.  Dungeons.  Bosses.  If Ironlore and THQ would have added this small element to the game, I think it would have been much better received and it would have competed much better with Diablo 2.  Diablo 2 is the same story.  Every single time.  However you get random bosses in locations where you never saw them before and that was key to making Diablo and Diablo 2 seem less linear and more dynamic.  Is it really?  No.  It's still a grind for loot and experience.  But add in some random bosses and dungeons and it seems much less so. 
3. Character models.  A warrior, a ranger and mage all basically look the same.  Not a huge deal to me, but important to many.

Pros:
1. Character customation.  The game's greatest attribute.  You can play a dozen characters and none of them will ever be built the same.  Frankly TQ's character building system beats Diablo's hands down IMO.  For example, my latest character started with the Hunter skill.  So I've got points that benefit spears and bows and the added plus of the nature forage skill to regen hit points and energy points.  I'm thinking of going with lightning and having a Bow/spear Thane, but there are 5 other skill trees I could pick from to build a character.  You don't get this in Diablo.  The Paladin has that same skill tree every single game.
2.  Gear customation.  You can pick up relics and runes to make that great piece of gear even better by added your relics.  Each relic set can be built up to 5 pieces for a progression of attributes.  The downside is you better be prepared to grind if you want 5 of the same relic.
3. Hellenistic mythology.  I love greek mythology, so fighting monsters based on it is just awesome in my book.
4. Graphically the game still looks great. 

Anyway for those who love a good hack and slash to pass the hours away, I recommend you keep an eye out for this one on the next Steam sale. 

[Nefaro]

I like TQ.  Still play it on occasion.  LONG game.

Din's Curse is another hack & slasher that's fun, as is Dungeons of Dredmor for a more turn-based roguelike that has similarities.

For wargames, it's Hannibal: Rome & Carthage.

[gabeeg]

Since most all my games are wargames, I think the most underappreciated recent PC wargames are:

Combat Command - Simple (in the good sense), playable, enjoyable system with great PBEM potential and a dead easy editor.

Decisive Campaigns: Warsaw to Paris:  It seems this has slowly gotten more in the consciousness of PC wargamers but still very underappreciated.   This game deserved more accolades but I think its release between the release of Panthers BftB and GG WitE was a problem for it.   I love both of those other titles but DC hits a sweet spot.

[LongBlade]

Well, I'm going to break with tradition and say the most recent, underappreciated game I've played was Orks Must Die!

Excellent production value, fun...you don't hear much about it. I loved it.

[MIGMaster]

The first System Shock was brilliant, yet it didn't get much hype. 

[spelk]

Well, I'm going to break with tradition and say the most recent, underappreciated game I've played was Orks Must Die!

Excellent production value, fun...you don't hear much about it. I loved it.

+1. I loved it! One of the better, third person Defense style games.

Also try Trenched.

[spelk]

One of the most underappreciated First Person Strategic/Tactical shooters there is, is Section 8 by Timegate Studios (the folks who developed the very under-appreciated Kohan series of RTS'es).

Apart from bland dropship armour suited marines, Section 8 had a lot of good strategic mechanics melded into this shooter. They even had a second stab at it, with the XBLA downloadable version Section 8: Prejudice. Knocks most sci-fi shooters into a cocked hat, but it doesn't get much of a following, or appreciation. It has placeable turrets, defensible capture points, interlocking classes, speedy land movement, jetpacks, vehicles - with multi-person controls/weapons, free-form dynamic objectives that can be invoked by building up successes, dropship custom spawn points, bot matches that are a challenge. It's the dogs bollocks. It really is. Tribes incarnations just won't get close, and it has more functionality than any flavour of Halo.

http://youtu.be/7E6dyf7YCQc

http://youtu.be/hcUhyTv4uFc

[TheCommandTent]

I think Scourge of War - Gettysburg should be added to this list.  Its the best RTS ACW game out, that is until Sid Meiers remakes his Civil War game :)

[Bison]

I was gifted Section 8 during the Steam Christmas sales.  I really need to give it a go later.

[LongBlade]

Also try Trenched.

Never heard of it. Don't see it on Steam. Got a link?

[spelk]

Also try Trenched.

Never heard of it. Don't see it on Steam. Got a link?

Oh, I forgot, I think it was called Iron Brigade in the States.

http://www.ironbrigadegame.com/

Over here in blighty, the name was changed for some reason to Trenched.

[Sigma One]

Redneck Rampage.

[Anguille]

There are some:

- Armada 2526 Supernova

- Takeda 3

- Conquest: Frontier Wars

- Celtic Kings: Punic Wars

[Tpek]

Also try Trenched.

Never heard of it. Don't see it on Steam. Got a link?

Oh, I forgot, I think it was called Iron Brigade in the States.

http://www.ironbrigadegame.com/

Over here in blighty, the name was changed for some reason to Trenched.

It's XBOX only right?

[Ubercat]

Since most all my games are wargames, I think the most underappreciated recent PC wargames are:

Combat Command - Simple (in the good sense), playable, enjoyable system with great PBEM potential and a dead easy editor.

Decisive Campaigns: Warsaw to Paris:  It seems this has slowly gotten more in the consciousness of PC wargamers but still very underappreciated.   This game deserved more accolades but I think its release between the release of Panthers BftB and GG WitE was a problem for it.   I love both of those other titles but DC hits a sweet spot.

I bought DC:WtP. I really wanted to but I just can't get into it. The interface method for allocating artillery and air strikes is just too whacked.

Maybe the one who designed it that way thought he was being clever but he just made it needlessly complex. We should be able to select an artillery unit and see what it can attack, not select a target and then see what can reach it. Other games do it that way, and for a good reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's much more convoluted to figure out the optimal use of available strikes this way. I hope they change that in Case Blue. I really do.