Now, i'm all for hating on celebrating mediocrity in games, i'm the first to get out there and voice my opinion when something full priced isn't to my liking. But, once you've played the top 10 or so games of the year, what's left? There's something to be said for a lazy afternoon enjoying an 'ok' game, especially when those games can be picked up horrendously cheaply, thanks to the recession you can pick up things like Mirror's Edge and Prince of Persia for under 20 quid. Bargain right? I mean sure, I paid full price for Mirror's Edge and regretted doing so, but for half price, I wholeheartedly reccomend it to anyone.

But what about games that just fly under the radar? Or older games? Those are deserving of your attention too, especially when you consider this entire list can probably be picked up for less than the cost of a full priced retail game. So here we go, 5 games you either never heard of, or thought/were told was shite, but actually deserve a look even if it's just for a lazy afternoon. In no particular order, and as always the disclaimer: This is just my opinion, feel free to disagree completely.

5. Robocop VS The Terminator (Genesis/Mega Drive):

Again, another game I expected very little from, I got it simply because I was buying Warcraft III and it's expansion, and both were in the "Buy 2 Get One Free" section (although it's easy to find super cheap now, I believe it's even up on GoG.com EDIT: It is)

Immidietely I was struck with how much this game pays homage to Resident Evil, and how well it does so. Large, creepy setting, strange creatures, very limited tools and ammo for what few weapons you have. I was right at home, the puzzles are in the very same style, at one point for example you have to fill a paper cup with acid and get it to the door that is chained shut before it eats through the paper cup. But the game isn't just a ripoff, it has some unique distinguishing features of its own. You play as a whole team of high school students searching for their missing buddy, and each one has different skills (lockpicking, brute force, the ability to search out hidden items etc) and it's up to you to guide these students in groups of two through the twisted halls of this creepy old school. Needless to say there are secrets, and horrors hidden throughout and they all come to an abrupt close with a rather large boss encounter. The plot itself is a little disjointed in places, but it does the job, and the game certainly manages to make you feel uneasy quite effectively, often you'll hear knocking or banging on wat sounds like the wall to te next room, and occasionally, blood curdling screams. I didn't even play Warcraft after trying this one out, I couldn't put it down until i'd finished, and it was a goddamned freebie. I reccomend this to anyone who enjoys survival horror it's a great little game. And to anyone it matters to, the game features music from Sum 41.

I don't reccomend playing this with a keyboard though, especially not on a laptop haha. It's doable but, damn am I glad I bought the PS2 version a year later. Again, this one spawned a sequel which is also worth playing, (Obscure: The Aftermath stateside and Obscure II in Europe) Also, theres something that reminds me a lot of The Faculty in this game. It probably takes a fair few cues from that as well as Resident Evil.

1. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2):

The gameplay is much faster paced, and bigger in scale, you'll see a lot more of the typical anime style huge enemies and bosses, and can rack up combos with regular enemies in a similar way to that of Devil May Cry. As well as this, you have a variety of characters that you can switch between at will, all of whom have different fighting styles.

I hadn't expected the game to be bad, like some others on the list, but you can certainly pick it up very cheaply now, and I'm not sure if that many people actually know it exists, let alone have played it. It seemed to fly right under the radar and simply vanish into thin air, but I say if you see it go for it! You won't regret it.

There we have it, five games that you might not have heard of, or thought weren't worth the time of day to look at. All games that I am happy to play despite also having apprehensions about playing them for the first time.

What about you guys, do you have any similar experiences to share? Or opinions? Would you rather buy this lot, or go out and get a full priced, recently released game? I want to hear your thoughts.

Next time, I review stupid things part 3, game manuals.