Friday, 1 January 2021

Top 10 Xbox Original Hidden Gems


10. The Punisher


One of the most underrated comic book games on the Xbox, The Punisher puts you into the shoes of the titular vigilante for a violent journey of justice. Using a combination of physical force and interrogation as you terrorize criminals for information, this exciting action romp tools you up with an arsenal of fierce weapons and lets you loose. With a compelling story and visceral, exciting combat, The Punisher is a truly exciting game that lives up to its title character’s legacy. 


9. XIII


This stunningly stylised mystery thrusts the player into an evil world of assassination, conspiracy, and intrigue. With gorgeous cel-shaded graphics and unique flashback visuals, this engrossing mystery puts you in the shoes of a man who lost his memory and may or may not have killed the President of the US. As the plot thickens, expect one of the most richly-detailed narratives on the Xbox and some truly unforgettable visuals. This one is a must.


8. OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast


Celebrated as the daddy of all arcade racers, SEGA’s OutRun series hit its absolute peak with the 2006 Coast 2 Coast release. With a new game engine and modern graphics, the game features the most cars ever seen in an OutRun game and is rammed with challenges and modes to test your mettle. This is a thrilling and nostalgic reminder of the good old days of the arcade and is a truly underrated modern classic.


7. Simpsons Hit & Run


This charming spoof of the Grand Theft Auto series puts players in control of the Simpson family as mysterious events plague Springfield. With seven lengthy levels – each with their own missions, subplot and playable character – the game is packed with the TV series’ beloved humour along with surprisingly effective gameplay and a staggering amount of content. This one is an absolute must, whether you’re a fan of The Simpsons or not. 


6. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath


This action-adventure title in the beloved Oddworld series has players controlling Stranger, a fearsome bounty hunter, as he pursues and captures outlaws to earn ‘moolah’. As you’d expect from the series, Stranger’s arsenal of weapons is rather less than conventional. Instead of darts, his double-barrel crossbow fires live animals at his enemies. Yeah, you read that right. Wonderfully quirky, Stranger’s Wrath is a must.


5. Voodoo Vince


Voodoo Vince is a charming and outrageous adventure through a crazy world filled with quirky monsters. In true voodoo style, players defeat enemies by inflicting damage to the voodoo doll hero, either by jumping into blenders of leaping under falling rubble. With more than 30 voodoo attacks with increasingly insane results, this is a downright bizarre game but one full of great ideas and unique gameplay.


4. Beyond Good & Evil


A truly beloved and critically-acclaimed game, Beyond Good & Evil is a game truly packed with atmosphere. Combining one of the most compelling adventures in gaming alongside unique characters, gorgeous visuals, and an elegantly realised game world, this modern classic still holds up today as one of the finest titles of its era. It is a masterful piece of work that reminds us why we love gaming so much.


3. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth


Set in the 1920s, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is a first-person horror game that combines frightening horror with intense action and adventure. With puzzles to solve, monsters to fight and a horrifying world to explore, this underrated title will surely delight fans of HP Lovecraft’s work while entertaining fans of the survival horror genre. 


2. Hunter: The Reckoning


This hack-and-slash horror puts you in control of hunters as you fight hordes of demonic enemies with weapons and magic. With support for up to four players, Hunter: The Reckoning lets you choose between four hunters with different abilities and skills and unleash hell on armies of the undead across 23 levels – so get your friends and get ready to fight. The fate of the world rests in your hands…


1.  Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic


Taking place almost 4,000 years before the formation of the Galactic Empire, Knights of the Old Republic is an epic RPG set in the world of Star Wars. Immersive and action-packed, this unforgettable adventure spans ten different worlds as your choices and actions determine the outcome of the war – and your destiny as a Jedi. An absolute treat for fans and newcomers to the Star Wars universe alike.