Few things in the video game industry are as wonderful as the pleasant surprise.
Sure, hyped-to-the-moon titles that live up to their promise deserve all the praise in the world.
Perhaps that feeling stems from societys love of the underdog; we all enjoy a good Rocky story.
via: gamespot.com, youtube.com
Especially when we get to interact with said movie analogy.
Below are 15 titles that managed to defy expectations of disaster.
Conquered obstacles include development hell, rough-sounding premises, or the immense baggage of previous failures.
via: def-jam-wrestling.wikia.com
15Hip Hop And Wrestling… A Good Mix?
TheWWF No Mercy-esque grappling performed exceptionally well.
Those seeking narrative explanations as to why theyre punching N.O.R.E.
via: ubisoft.com
in the face could fight through a solid (and ridiculous) story mode.
Not only that, but in anXCOM-style strategy game?
What twisted dimension of Hell spawned this idea?
via: videogamer.com
Evidently, it was the dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cover dimension.
Battles are breezy compared to their hardcore brethren, yet retain plenty of challenge.
The Rabbids dont stink up the joint the way many people feared.
via: amazon.com
Even Rabbid Peach and her selfie-obsession garners more smiles than it probably has any right to.
WhereMarioandZeldaflourished,Castlevaniafaltered with debacles like the two Nintendo 64 titles and the ill-conceivedCastlevania: Judgementfor Wii.
The PlayStation 2sLament of Innocenceshowed promise, but not enough to maintain momentum.
via: nintendolife.com
But like a Belmont storming Dracula’s castle, MercurySteam faced the challenge head-on withCastlevania: Lords of Shadow.
It seemed like the series was selling out in favor of popular trendsexcept it worked.
Personally, I considerLords of Shadowthe last greatCastlevaniagame.
via youtube.com
Just dont bring up the sequel.
From a gameplay standpoint,Wolverineisnt much different from other hack-n-slash action games.
And that’s fine, because it did everything with razor-sharp precision.
via: nintendolife.com
Frankly, anything that dilutes the not-great movie script is fine by me.
By the way, Raven, it’s never too late to give us a similar take on Logan.
11This Series Has Come A Long Way
Wii versions of PlayStation/Xbox games were almost universally inferior.
Via YouTube.com (BLUME)
The result was quality a Wii counterpart that in some aspects surpassed the primary version.
10This Game Should Have Been Doomed
The march to the newDoomfelt like a march towards impending doom.
First revealed asDoom 4way back in 2007, the project suffered through nearly a decade of development missteps.
via: moddb.com
Along the way it was restarted from scratch due to unclear visions on the final product.
Other long-stewing titles likeToo HumanandDuke Nukem Foreverwere critical bombs upon release, so most expectedDoomto follow suit.
Exacerbating matters was a pre-release multiplayer beta that many deemed a disappointment.
via: twinfinite.net
9From The Maker Of Jurassic Park And ET… Conversely, players can also play a Jenga-like game of removing blocks to prevent the tower from falling.
Sporting impressively realistic physics and a variety of block types, it required a strategic approach to demolition.
Id say he pulled it off and then some.
The Linetook heavy cues from sources likeApocalypse Now.
To be blunt, yep.
The Line,thestory in particular, was critically lauded.
Turns out the answer was to maintain that retro gameplay with a highly polished finish.
The fact that approached worked out brilliantly is one thing, but the story is another matter altogether.
6Remember When Sonic Was Good?
That doesn’t mean enthusiasts won’t enjoy it too.
Combat sports neat hooks like team maneuvers and special attacks performed by tapping the stylus in rhythm.
Collectible Chaos grant special bonuses to characters, which could be traded between players online.
Like his rivalMario,Sonic Chroniclesdemonstrated the Blue Blur could find new life within the role-playing space.
