10 Critically-Acclaimed Video Games NO ONE Played

Though now better known for its Middle-Earth series, developers Monolith Productions were once an FPS powerhouse, producing acclaimed classics like Blood, Aliens Versus Predator 2 and the seminal F.E.A.R.. Appropriately their most highly-rated title is also an FPS, the criminally overlooked The Operative: No One Lives Forever.

A blend of first-person shooter and stealth game, The Operative is a delightfully inventive riff on the spy film genre. Praised for its graphics, clever AI, a fantastic sense of style perfectly on point with its Bond inspiration and truly witty humour, it was hailed as one of the best and most original shooters since Half-Life.

Unfortunately, while The Operative was not a flop, selling 350 000 copes in two years and doing well enough to merit an equally high scoring sequel, the numbers were disappointing for such a highly-rated game and critics found it difficult to explain why. Possibly the campy boxart and comedic tone invited inevitable comparisons to Austin Powers, or perhaps it was simply overshadowed by a little competitor called Perfect Dark, but either way few players picked it up.

To add insult to injury the game is no longer on sale, being mired in licensing issues, but untangle the mess and this game, and its sequel, are destined to become mega hits.