10 Underhyped Video Games That Blew Everyone Away
These masterpieces came totally outta nowhere.
Given that video games often end up releasing years and years after their first trailer drops, it's fair to say that the industry as a whole is incredibly reliant on the hype machine.
Nothing parts people with their money quite like the promise that an upcoming game will be bigger and better than what came before, even if this often results in tremendous disappointment when a title doesn't meet expectations.
Conversely, it's always a pleasant surprise when a game is actually underhyped on its way to market, most often because the publisher themselves has no idea quite what kind of solid gold masterpiece they'd been sitting on.
These 10 games were all released with average expectations at best - and in some cases, much lower than that - but each ultimately received rave reviews, Game of the Year plaudits, and perhaps even commercial success beyond the wildest predictions.
They all stand as proof perfect that mediocre marketing and a lack of industry buzz aren't always indicators that a game is in trouble or the publisher is embarrassed of it...
10. Batman: Arkham Asylum
The Non-Hype
As much as a Batman video game was always going to stir up some level of interest among gamers, there wasn't much reason to believe that Batman: Arkham Asylum would be anything more than an also-ran addition to the Dark Knight's video game canon.
After all, back in 2009, how many great - or, hell, genuinely good - Batman video games could anyone name?
When you factor in that Arkham Asylum was being developed by Rocksteady Studios, who at the time had only the mediocre FPS Urban Chaos: Riot Response to their name, there wasn't much reason to expect a quality product.
The Big Reaction
But as soon as the reviews landed, it was clear that a surprise hit had arrived.
Arkham Asylum received rave reviews for its fluid combat, strong voice acting, and unexpectedly involved story, causing many prominent outlets - including the famously harsh Edge Magazine - to call it the greatest superhero video game of all time.
Were it not for the fact that Rocksteady thoroughly one-upped the game with its sequel, the excellent Arkham City, Arkham Asylum would probably still be the king of the genre.
Despite most fans expecting another bland licensed superhero game, it ultimately won numerous Game of the Year awards and posted gangbusters sales to boot.