It's not hard to have missed a few games back in the early 2000s. The PlayStation 2 had spent the majority of the early aughts absolutely dominating the competition, and to this day remains the best-selling console ever. Between then and our current generation, however, was an interesting time in gaming, which was laden with juggernauts such as Halo, Mass Effect and some solid Batman games. But for every Red Dead Redemption, there was a game that slipped through the cracks, particularly on the PlayStation 3.
Here are five underrated gems in the PS3's back catalog that are still worth checking out.
Spec Ops: The Line
Many readers would scratch their noggins as to the reasoning behind the placement of Spec Ops: The Line on this list -- and not without good reason; the title garnered quite a bit of praise for its narrative structure and Heart of Darkness-esque appeal. However, this is a list of underrated games and the reception to the game wasn't always glowing. For example, the game isn't available in the United Arab Emirates, where it was banned due to its depiction of Dubai in shambles. It also received flack for being an un-enjoyable cover shooter in the same vein as Gears of War ii but therein lies the rub; considering the narrative structure and themes of the title, Spec Ops: The Line was never supposed to be a glorification of combat, but instead a scathing examination of war.
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
Not every game can be Spider-Man 2, but Spider-Man: Web of Shadows never intended to be, and moreover, it succeeded in creating a game wherein players took on the role of a symbioted Peter Parker running around an increasingly zombified New York. The game also featured branching pathways. While that itself isn't particularly new, this isn't something that's been tried in Marvel properties outside of some Ultimate Alliance titles. Throughout the campaign, Peter bumps into the likes of Luke Cage, Wolverine and an assortment of rogues and allies as a symbiote army rips through New York -- culminating with an ending tailored to the player’s decisions. While Web of Shadows didn’t succeed on every level, it was an ambitious attempt worthy of praise and of course, making it on this list.
Vanquish
Vanquish wasn't particularly well-received by most players and with good reason: It favoured style over substance and did nothing to hide it. Unfortunately, in a year that also featured Red Dead Redemption, Halo: Reach, Mass Effect 2 and even Super Mario Galaxy 2, style wasn’t going to cut it. However, Vanquish is worth a second look for those seeking a fast-paced futuristic shooter with sliding, cover mechanics and an unrelenting pace.
WET
As this cheeky title featuring Eliza Dushku implies, WET features bodily fluids sprayed from floor to ceiling as player character Rubi Malone, slices, dices and guns her way through the bloody campaign. Players who pick up WET will enjoy a Max Payne/Matrix-esque bullet time shooter with all the stylistic violence of a John Woo -- all while dual wielding pistols, and yes, busting out a katana. While the story was light and the graphics passable, the title shined in both its set pieces and presentation, which were unapologetic in their grindhouse influences.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Co-written by Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Ex Machina) and starring Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes, Star Wars), it's shocked Enslaved: Odyssey to the West has become obscure. While rehashing the fabled tale of the Journey to the West, the game is often cited as a lackluster platformer with occasionally clunky controls. That, however, pales in comparison to the beautiful graphics and gorgeous worldbuilding of a post apocalyptic Earth, which was no small task considering how underpowered the PS3 was by today's standards. The music, both soundtrack and ambient, is a pleasure, and while yes, there were better platformer/adventure titles on the market, Enslaved deserved a lot more recognition than it got.