The original Xbox marked Microsoft’s entry into the world of video games. Thanks to Halo, Xbox Live, and other classic Xbox games, gaming would never be the same. But what about the title that flew under the radar? Today, we look at some of the most underrated Xbox games you need to check out.
15. ObsCure
ObsCure (Obscure) is a survival horror gams available on Xbox. Explore a high school late at night to try and find your missing friends while avoiding the attacks of infected students. You can play five characters and swap between them as you explore Leafmore High.
In a sea of many great survival horror games, Obscure didn’t quite hit the mark with critics and audiences, receiving mixed reviews. That being said, those who are fans of the genre may enjoy the unique tactics and abilities you can use throughout the game.
14. Sniper Elite
For those who enjoy shooters, Sniper Elite is a great original Xbox Game that you can play. It is jam-packed with action and violence, with a juicy campaign that utilizes a third-person shooter play style.
If you want to experience a World War II shooter game that isn’t Call of Duty. The unique selling point of the game is that you can also see where the bullet hits the enemy, and it can lead to some gory scenes. For Sniper Elite, the kill cam is a unique feature that improves the game.
13. Puyo Pop Fever
Puyo Pop Fever is a fun and cute puzzle game that is fun for all ages and comes with a great soundtrack to boot. It can be a fun and competitive game as you fight to send “trash” over to your opponent on the 6×12 board.
You can play this game in single-player or multiplayer mode if you have friends or family you want to play against in some friendly competition.
This is a very fun and simple party game that is worth giving a shot if you’re looking for a new one to try out.
12. Outrun 2
Outrun 2 is a fast-paced racing game; as you take your seat at the Ferrari wheel, you have a friend to keep you company through 5 of the 15 stages. Some fantastic songs accompany each drive, from ballads to instrumental rock.
There are many different game modes that you can try out if you want a single-player experience, from extended time limits to time trials that test how fast you can drive.
11. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
For horror fans, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is a fantastic game you can pick up. Heavy with atmosphere and scares around every corner, it is your mission to survive in Minikami Village, a loved spot by the game’s two protagonists.
Like the first game, you have to take pictures using your Camera Obscura prototype and ward off spirits by taking pictures of them. The more ghosts you encounter, the more you’ll learn about the village; some will even give you clues and hints to progress the story.
While the game was received positively by critics and general audiences alike, this one is often forgotten out of all of the Fatal Frame games. If you’re looking for a new survival horror to jump into, let it be this one.
10. Thief: Deadly Shadows
Another stealth game that sneaks onto this list, Thief: Deadly Shadows, is a heavily underrated Xbox game. This game utilizes both first and third-person perspectives. Take control of Garrett, a master thief, and work through the town, pickpocketing and lockpicking, and choose whether you play passively or violence is the route you want.
There are plenty of missions to make your way through, all with different objectives. You can then sell your loot on the black market to profit from your thieving. Thief: Deadly Shadows is a very fun game and worth playing if you like stealth in your games.
9. Jet Set Radio Future
A sequel to the iconic Jet Set Radio, this game comes as both a sequel and a re-imagining of the first game. You play as a group of inline skaters who are trying to take control of a futuristic Tokyo.
Skate around the city and tag over other graffiti tags created by other gangs in the city. This game is a fun, open-world experience with much less pressure than the original. Not only that, but the game comes with a fantastic soundtrack that it is well known for and is worth playing just for that alone!
8. Oddworld: Strangers Wrath
Oddworld: Strangers Wrath is often one of the most overlooked games in the franchise. You get to play as Stranger, a bounty hunter. Out of all of the Oddworld games, this is one of the most unique, as you can shoot live creatures at your enemies.
Not only this, but the game utilizes both first and third-person perspectives, and with the post-apocalyptic type world, it feels almost like Fallout. While it is up to you to capture wanted Outlaws, you have to fight for your own survival as you battle them to capture them dead or alive.
7. Beyond Good and Evil
Beyond Good and Evil is a stealth action-adventure game from Ubisoft where you play as Jade, trying to uncover the secrets of an alien invasion. While the game now has a cult following, it was considered a commercial failure on release.
That being said, it has some great gameplay elements, especially if you’re a fan of stealth missions in games. There are plenty of fun creatures to learn about, including how to dispatch them in combat. There are other computer-controlled characters you’ll get to know along the way.
Overall, Beyond Good and Evil is a game everyone should play, especially since it is more widely accessible now and has been remastered for modern consoles.
6. Psychonauts
Psychonauts has become a cult classic over the years, but has received a lot of criticism over the years for how the game is structured. This game is quite bizarre, as you follow a character called Raz to try and uncover the mysteries at the Psychonauts training camp. There are a lot of bizarre graphics, as they revolve around psychic powers, astral projections, and more.
This game may not be for everyone, but it’s still worth trying to see if you like the weird and wacky world of Psychonauts.
5. The Punisher
Based on Marvel’s antihero, the Punisher, this third-person shooter action-adventure game was created by Volition and published by Ubisoft. If you’re a superhero fan, there are plenty of cameos from many of the other Marvel characters, including Black Widow, Kingpin, and Bullseye.
The game has some great combat, including the option for quick kills and some rather aggressive attacks, including torture scenes.
4. Enter the Matrix
Enter the Matrix is an incredibly fun game, as it includes a lot of intense combat, ranging from melee options to various guns that you can use. Throughout the game, you can take control of either Ghost or Niobe. The game utilizes a third-person perspective, and you can use bullet time to slow down time, giving you some more leeway with your combat to try to take your enemies out without getting harmed.
While this game didn’t receive much praise, it can be a lot of fun if you don’t go into the game with high expectations.
3. True Crimes: Streets of LA
Like GTA and Saints Row, True Crimes: Streets of LA is an incredibly violent open-world action adventure with missions that revolve around stealth, fighting, shooting, and driving. Surprisingly, this game is a lot more graphic and violent than the old GTA games, so keep that in mind when going into this, as some triggering scenes may be uncomfortable to watch.
2. Phantom Dust
Phantom Dust is a unique Xbox game and is quite the underrated one at that. This game includes real-time strategy elements and takes elements from digital collectible card games. Taking control of an unnamed protagonist, there are multiple missions with both combat and non-combat as you take control of the Dust that can be utilized in combat.
The game can get complex, as there are many different elements to keep track of. There is also a multiplayer option if you want to face off against a friend (or foe).
1. DOOM 3
While DOOM is a much-loved series, DOOM 3 is an underrated Xbox game. Another survival horror is to be added to this list, but this time, it is a first-person shooter that you get to experience. Set on Mars in 2145, this game ignores the events of the previous games and takes you on a brand-new, horrific adventure.
If you’re looking for an intense shooter to play, DOOM 3 is perfect for that and will easily fill the void. DOOM 3 has a single-player campaign mode and a split-screen multiplayer mode for up to four players, introducing four different game modes.
That concludes our list of underrated Xbox games. There are truly some fantastic games on this list that are worth a second look. Many of these games are accessible on today’s market and available on modern consoles. Which underrated Xbox game is your favorite?
