I like topics like this haha. I'll try to keep my list away from games that are older as there are a lot of titles that are older that deserve a lot more attention but hard to make that argument considering time is more than likely the more dominant variable there. So here's mine:
Condemned: Criminal Origins- this is one of the best games I have played on the 360 and I was really angry that more survival horror games didn't follow up with its style, but it got lost later on with Dead Space. Condemned really did provide a compromise to the more action oriented style of survival horror brought out by Resident Evil 4 and the old-school approach of a desperate feeling of helplessness that was boosted by the terrible controls. It provided a first person game that gave yo limited view but solid controls, limited weaponry (guns but hardly any ammo), and some creepy places to investigate with scary moments. I was always hoping this would bring about more like it, but after the 2nd Condemned game kinda disappointed and Dead Space continued the more action oriented survival horror, it has kinda been lost. Still for anyone with a 360, it is really cheap and I would definitely suggest trying it out.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West- actually just p layed and beat this title and was surprised how fantastic it was. Great characters, great story and setting, and fantastic gameplay progression. Actually if it wasn't for the open-ended ending I probably would have considered this one of the best of 2010. Namco and Ninja Theory really built a fantastic game that needs to be turned into a franchise. Has easy gameplay to setup, but also plenty of variation to keep it difficult and interesting. But it is the world and characters that will draw you into this one. Like Condemned, you can find this for $20 on 360 and PS3 and I would really suggest trying it out.
Transformers: War for Cybertron- it is always hard to rally gamers around games that are based on existing properties (aside from Star Wars or Lord of the Rings) generally due to most of the games being pretty terrible. However, War for Cybertrong was a fantastic creation. Has a gears of war style gameplay setup which works really well. The story is well told and the multiplayer is fantastic. Just a good game that people overlooked.
Red Faction: Guerrilla- not going to find many other open-world shooter games better than this... mainly because many don't exist haha. However, this game didn't get the credit it deserved back in 2009 mainly due to all the other games that came out around it and overshadowed it. Provided a large world with plenty of things to do and destroy along with an engaging story that made fighting for Mars more than just a game mission.
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena- Continuing on overlooked 2009 shooters, this is one is the most tragic. I will say without a doubt, this was the BEST SHOOTER released in 2009. Not only did it have a remake of one of the best shooters ever on the disc (Escape from Butcher's Bay), but it also had a sequel to it that was just as amazing. The series provides a great mixture of shooting, stealth, and problem-solving to obtain your goal and all in classic Riddick fashion. Do yourself a favor and enjoy one of the best shooters ever created. Like the Transformers game, just because it is based on an existing property doesn't mean it isn't good.
Red Steel 2- a rather tragic story for the game. Missed its holiday release in 2009 where it most surely would have seen a large explosion in sales. And it would have deserved every last sale as still it is the only motion based game I've played that I think shows how good of an idea it is. Now there are motion based games I've played that are fun, but the game's implementation of motionplus wii remote controls was outstanding. One did really get that gratification of pulling off those cool moves along with having the ability to switch to a gun in an instant. Just had a good mix of using the wii remote to accurately represent the moves along with knowing when doing a full motion to represent the move would be a hassle. Rather unfortunate sales weren't that great as I would love to see a continuation of the implementation of controls like that such as in a Star Wars or Lord of the Rings game.
Guess those are the main ones. There are a few games I'd put up there, but those games I think could use some work as well. Could understand the complaints.
