10 "Zero Expectation" Video Games That Blew Everyone Away

In the fast-paced and highly competitive world of gaming, publishers have their work cut out if they want to make something stand out from the crowd.

Thanks to the pedigree behind big names like Rockstar and FromSoftware, mentioning these studios is often all it takes to spark excitement for the next release, with the final product all but guaranteed to be as outstanding.

However, if a game fails to capture the public's attention, it's in danger of being quickly forgotten about, with the gap filled by scores of other titles waiting their turn. While many of these unimpressive games are just as uninspired as they look, there are those that defy all expectations and become must-plays for anyone interested in gaming.

From kickstarting critically acclaimed franchises to revolutionising entire genres, there was no way that anyone could predict these games would be as phenomenal as they now are, based on first impressions.

It just goes to show that you can't always judge a game based on its trailers. Instead, it might become one of the best things you've ever played.

Superhero video games can be incredibly hit and miss. For every outstanding success like 2018's Spider-Man, there's a glorified disaster such as 2004's Catwoman or the notorious Superman 64.

Batman, especially, has seen his share of video game duds. The 2000s seeing the spectacularly terrible Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker and Batman: Dark Tomorrow, which have been recognised as the caped crusader's worst video game outings to date.

Consequently, expectations weren't high for Batman: Arkham Asylum when the announcement dropped. While the now iconic combat and stealth systems that were shown in pre-release footage looked interesting, Batman's stiff animations alongside the vagueness surrounding the plot caused many to take a wait and see approach.

Fuelling the uncertainty that little bit further was the game was being developed by then-unknown British developers Rocksteady, whose only other game was generic shooter Urban Chaos: Riot Response.

After Arkham Asylum was released, though, sceptics were proved pleasantly wrong. Not only was the plot a gripping comic-book thrill ride that put players up against a memorable rogues' gallery of villains, but the gameplay was revolutionary.

Now recognised as a modern masterpiece, the blueprints of this title's satisfying combat can still be seen in games today.