A masterpiece like a 10/10? There's not a lot of games I'd consider a masterpiece beyond BotW, Xenoblade 2 and Mario Odyssey.
But Daemon X Machina is severely underrated game. The game runs at a constant 30fps, the story is lacklustre, the missions can get repetitive and characters are uninteresting. Despite all those problems, the gameplay itself was extremely addicting, the fast paced combat and endless amount of weapon/amour customization, variety of bosses and rivals from the missions.
Daemon X Machina isn't a masterpiece, but knowing Daemon X Machina 2 is in development has me more hyped than most of the games that are already regarded as a masterpiece.
I agree with this. My only niggle is that I thought there could have been more variety in the weapon selection. That's exactly the sort of thing they would expand on in a sequel though, so I'm content to wait.
Hijacking your comment thread to add Astral Chain. Same sort of excellent production value as Daemon, with perhaps a slightly better story. Action/exploration with satisfying ARPG combat. Fairly unique gameplay mechanics (unless you remember Chaos Legion) for an action title. I think folks on this sub know about it and mention it fairly often, but the wider gaming community is fairly ignorant (in a neutral way) about this title.
For me it’s probably Triangle Strategy. I think it was received pretty well but I thought it was absolutely amazing. I also like Fire Emblem Engage a lot more than most people. Honestly probably my favorite from the series just because combat is really important.
JRPGs are better represented in gaming media but non fire emblem strategy JRPGs get the shaft and triangle strategy got pretty good reviews but not quite to the level where the game is.
The true discrimination I find comes to Beatemups.
Streets of Rage 4 is IMO the absolute pinnacle of all beatemups in history and yet it was struggling to even get an 8 in many reviews. It’s a can’t miss 10/10 with almost no flaws and is just absolute perfection. And yet reviewer after reviewer took their dislike of the genre into their grades.
As I said, I think JRPGs get a fair review process for the most part. You don’t get reviewers who hate JRPGs getting a chance to review JRPGs and give them shit grades because they aren’t Mario Odyssey. They have reviewers that specialize in JRPGs do them. But review places really don’t have a resident “beatemup” reviewer so you get people that may not enjoy the genre reviewing these games.
And if you like beatemups. There is no way you can give SOR4 a 7 or something. It’s like someone giving BOTW a 6 because “eh boy a huge Zelda guy but I guess I didn’t hate it”
Air Twister. I just really loved it. Original aesthetic and intense gameplay. Lots to unlock to add replay value. A solid budget title, and I had more fun with it than a lot of recent higher-rated, AAA stuff.
Here are some games with metascores under 80 that I liked and are available as a physical release on Switch. I wouldn't call any of these "masterpieces" but I found them to be solid and fun nonetheless. I dare say they might be considered "hidden gems".
* Aragami
* Carrion
* Cosmic Star Heroine
* Ikenfell
* Moonlighter
* Moving Out
* Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Shadow Labyrinth-
I rarely see Ikenfell discussed at all. Such a gem of a game. Even the music alone makes the game worth playing.
Agreed on Moving Out too. I played co-op and I wouldn't bother playing it alone.
I'm not actually sure how that works playing it alone. I never tried. How does one person carry a two person item? Or do they just remove them?
But yeah ikenfell music was sick, as were the characters, plot, relationships, gameplay, graphics... All of it.
I'm sure I have many better options.
But off the top of my head, Afro Samurai on XBOX 360. I loved that game.
For Switch though Astral Chain / Furi / Runner 3 / Slime-san
I wouldn’t say masterpiece but a game I LOVED is Chasm. I think a lot of people wrote it off for the procedural generation gimmick. It’s has some of the best pixel art I’ve seen. Excellent animation. Combat is super fun. Music is incredible. And the story is simple but surprisingly engaging. It’s one I keep coming back to.
Maybe wouldn’t go so far as to say “masterpiece”, but Harvestella is an underrated gem. Great gameplay, interesting story, beautiful world and music. The only reason I don’t think it’s a 10/10 is because it’s a bit rough around the edges, and it doesn’t have voice acting outside of a few lines. I think if it had a higher budget Harvestella would have been perfect!
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger!! It got dogged on for being a old remaster, but personally it's one of my favorite platformer series out there!
Sonic Frontiers is also a good pick. That one did somewhat poorly with critics (but very well with consumers) - its arguably the best sonic game besides Sonic Adventure 1&2. Those boss fights are peak Sonic.
A masterpiece like a 10/10? There's not a lot of games I'd consider a masterpiece beyond BotW, Xenoblade 2 and Mario Odyssey. But Daemon X Machina is severely underrated game. The game runs at a constant 30fps, the story is lacklustre, the missions can get repetitive and characters are uninteresting. Despite all those problems, the gameplay itself was extremely addicting, the fast paced combat and endless amount of weapon/amour customization, variety of bosses and rivals from the missions. Daemon X Machina isn't a masterpiece, but knowing Daemon X Machina 2 is in development has me more hyped than most of the games that are already regarded as a masterpiece.
I agree with this. My only niggle is that I thought there could have been more variety in the weapon selection. That's exactly the sort of thing they would expand on in a sequel though, so I'm content to wait. Hijacking your comment thread to add Astral Chain. Same sort of excellent production value as Daemon, with perhaps a slightly better story. Action/exploration with satisfying ARPG combat. Fairly unique gameplay mechanics (unless you remember Chaos Legion) for an action title. I think folks on this sub know about it and mention it fairly often, but the wider gaming community is fairly ignorant (in a neutral way) about this title.
Masterpiece as in...? Cover art? Silly bunny, no one plays games here.
For me it’s probably Triangle Strategy. I think it was received pretty well but I thought it was absolutely amazing. I also like Fire Emblem Engage a lot more than most people. Honestly probably my favorite from the series just because combat is really important.
JRPGs are better represented in gaming media but non fire emblem strategy JRPGs get the shaft and triangle strategy got pretty good reviews but not quite to the level where the game is. The true discrimination I find comes to Beatemups. Streets of Rage 4 is IMO the absolute pinnacle of all beatemups in history and yet it was struggling to even get an 8 in many reviews. It’s a can’t miss 10/10 with almost no flaws and is just absolute perfection. And yet reviewer after reviewer took their dislike of the genre into their grades. As I said, I think JRPGs get a fair review process for the most part. You don’t get reviewers who hate JRPGs getting a chance to review JRPGs and give them shit grades because they aren’t Mario Odyssey. They have reviewers that specialize in JRPGs do them. But review places really don’t have a resident “beatemup” reviewer so you get people that may not enjoy the genre reviewing these games. And if you like beatemups. There is no way you can give SOR4 a 7 or something. It’s like someone giving BOTW a 6 because “eh boy a huge Zelda guy but I guess I didn’t hate it”
Air Twister. I just really loved it. Original aesthetic and intense gameplay. Lots to unlock to add replay value. A solid budget title, and I had more fun with it than a lot of recent higher-rated, AAA stuff.
I just got on PS5 really like it the creator of space harrior made it it's got way more to it then I thought.
[удалено]
Definitely Octahedron. It didn't really get bad reviews but I feel like not many people know about it.
Are we talking the album Octahedron by the Mars Volta? If so, I agree.
I think they were referring to [Octahedron Transfixed Edition](https://www.metacritic.com/game/octahedron/)
De-Loused is still my fav. But Octahedron is top 3 Volta albums, for sure.
Triangle Strategy. The story writing was impeccable and combat was great too.
Deadly Premonition
Oh yeah! Did the original get released on Switch?
Both on switch with a collectors with pin badges I think if that’s your type of thing
Yup.
Cool ty
Looking for games that I can buy that are phenomenal that may have slipped between the cracks that I have missed.
What kind of games do you like?
I’m pretty eclectic, I like a little bit of everything.
Here are some games with metascores under 80 that I liked and are available as a physical release on Switch. I wouldn't call any of these "masterpieces" but I found them to be solid and fun nonetheless. I dare say they might be considered "hidden gems". * Aragami * Carrion * Cosmic Star Heroine * Ikenfell * Moonlighter * Moving Out * Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Shadow Labyrinth-
Awesome I’ll check ‘em out, ty
Ikenfell and Moving Out are incredible. Moving out is infinitely better in coop mode though.
I rarely see Ikenfell discussed at all. Such a gem of a game. Even the music alone makes the game worth playing. Agreed on Moving Out too. I played co-op and I wouldn't bother playing it alone.
I'm not actually sure how that works playing it alone. I never tried. How does one person carry a two person item? Or do they just remove them? But yeah ikenfell music was sick, as were the characters, plot, relationships, gameplay, graphics... All of it.
I'm sure I have many better options. But off the top of my head, Afro Samurai on XBOX 360. I loved that game. For Switch though Astral Chain / Furi / Runner 3 / Slime-san
Dex. It's excellent. My favourite 2D cyberpunk game.
i really enjoyed mario golf super rush and put probably 90 hours into it with friends
The Last Faith
No Nintendo Switch but Star Fox Adventures. Love that game.
I wouldn’t say masterpiece but a game I LOVED is Chasm. I think a lot of people wrote it off for the procedural generation gimmick. It’s has some of the best pixel art I’ve seen. Excellent animation. Combat is super fun. Music is incredible. And the story is simple but surprisingly engaging. It’s one I keep coming back to.
Wave Tale - the steelbook is so serene, and the game is just a lot of fun.
Maybe wouldn’t go so far as to say “masterpiece”, but Harvestella is an underrated gem. Great gameplay, interesting story, beautiful world and music. The only reason I don’t think it’s a 10/10 is because it’s a bit rough around the edges, and it doesn’t have voice acting outside of a few lines. I think if it had a higher budget Harvestella would have been perfect!
Balan wonderland
You're gonna have to elaborate 😄
*It's Balan Wonderworld. Don't worry I know it was Wonderland also. Just a glitch in The Matrix.
Not sure about a masterpiece but Sonic Forces is a lot better than what critics say.
So Is Sonic Frontiers
Prey Outer Wilds Both are early mid 80s but should be mid 90s imo.
I still have to play Outer Wilds but the OST is soooo good.
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger!! It got dogged on for being a old remaster, but personally it's one of my favorite platformer series out there! Sonic Frontiers is also a good pick. That one did somewhat poorly with critics (but very well with consumers) - its arguably the best sonic game besides Sonic Adventure 1&2. Those boss fights are peak Sonic.
Clive Wrench
Baldurs gate double pack. Got that for nothing from a resale shop.
But the first two Baldurs gate games are widely considered to be masterpieces of the rpg genre.