With such an expansive library and some heavy-hitters, it's easy for certain Xbox One software to get lost in the shuffle. This is especially true now as much of the hype has shifted towards the upcoming Series X. It's a shame, as there are quite a few hidden gems for the console spanning various genres, which, for whatever reason, failed to make much noise.
Perhaps they didn't receive much marketing or had a limited appeal. Maybe they struggled to stand out amongst similar games, or just couldn't find an audience. Whatever the issue, there are plenty of games that never got the recognition they deserved.
On the flip side, we have some games that grew a bit too inflated for one reason or another. This doesn't mean that they're "bad" by any means, but rather, that they fell somewhat short of expectations or marketing hype.
With this list, we'll take a look at 5 of the most underrated games to hit the Xbox One, along with 5 of the most overrated.
10 Underrated: Superhot
It's not easy to stand out on a console so populated with first-person shooters. Yet, Superhot manages to pull this off with its obscure gameplay and basic polygonal visuals – at least to those who know it exists.
The game essentially blends FPS gameplay with puzzles, as players will be relying on angles and precision rather than reaction time. What truly makes this indie shooter shine is its unique time-manipulating mechanics. Being trapped in a wonky computer program, players are able to freeze, slow down, and speed up time with simple joystick movements. This interesting feature adds a fun new dynamic and puts a cool little twist on the typical FPS formula.
9 Overrated: Red Dead Redemption 2
Whoa, there, cowboy; before reaching for that pitchfork, we should make it clear that we certainly find plenty of merit in this open-world epic, especially on a cinematic level.
In terms of its detail, craftsmanship, and flashy visuals, there's much to love about Rockstar's sequel to the 2010 hit Red Dead Redemption. Yet, upon further examination, it's tough to look past its somewhat slow-moving gameplay and convoluted controls.
The notion that this is a "sandbox" experience is a tad overexaggerated, as well. Missions will typically lock players into a designated route towards a designated zone, which is bloated with cutscenes and arduous traveling. The GTA-meets-Old-West premise has its charm, though it feels a bit dated at this point.
8 Underrated: Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
It's easy to overlook this hidden JRPG gem for a number of reasons. For one, the Xbox One audience that doesn't tend to gravitate towards this type of game as a whole. There's also the fact that this is a remaster of a decade-old game, which may turn some gamers off. Still, at the end of the day, Namco's Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is simply the best way to play one of the best titles of the renowned Tales series.
In typical Tales form, Vesperia offers some majestic settings and an epic fantasy-laced plot, with exciting real-time combat and solid co-op support. This remastered version, along with more vibrant, spruced-up visuals, also sports new content and added characters. This is really one of the best JRPGs on the console.
7 Overrated: Forza Horizon 3
On its own merits, there's plenty this robust racer does right, as it expands upon the solid formula of the previous two FH games in many ways. But ultimately, Playground Games' third entry in the Horizon series is a bit more tepid than its sky-high scores let on. It certainly doesn't help that it's been so eclipsed by the renowned FH4, which truly dazzles on a technical and mechanical level.
Put simply, there's not much this sequel does that the other games in the series do not also do to some degree. The Australian setting has its fun moments, though its emptier scenes and emphasis on Outback off-roading won't be for everyone.
6 Underrated: Dragon's Dogma
It's odd that a game from a big name like Capcom managed to really fall under the radar. Still, it's perhaps easy for Dragon's Dogma to get lost amidst a sea of fantasy ARPGs on the Xbox One and elsewhere.
Though it's not flawless, there's much to enjoy about this adventure, with its balancing of action and strategy, lavish settings, and some epic, large-scale battles. The combat is particularly thrilling, with its array of skills/weapons and in-depth class system to keep things interesting. The game blends a bit of Dark Souls, Monster Hunter, and The Witcher, making for a majestic, gripping RPG.
5 Overrated: Gears Of War 4
Much like FH3, this 4th entry in the critically acclaimed Gears franchise looks even more tepid now, as it's been outdone by both its successor and predecessors in various ways.
Gears 4 changes things up to a degree, but not to the extent of Gears 5, which fleshes out the campaign with semi-sandbox areas and hosts fun new multiplayer options. At the same time, the areas that are tweaked tend to be a lateral move or even a step back from the Gears games on 360. The multiplayer feels like "more of the same," while the campaign is uninspired, even with the addition of the robotic "DeeBees" which fail to add much.
It a relatively solid shooter overall, but it's a low point in this otherwise grand series; Judgment notwithstanding.
4 Underrated: Halo Wars 2
The fact this is an RTS on a home console is enough to turn off large swaths of the gaming population. It's understandable, as the micromanaging and detail in these games usually demand a keyboard and mouse setup. And though the interface isn't perfect, Halo Wars 2 really is a console strategy romp done right.
The game truly seems to do its best to make the interface as sharp and intuitive as possible, with convenient button shortcuts and clearly outlined controls. The content itself is robust and addictive, even when opting for the enthralling campaign. The multiplayer brings near-endless replayability with a slew of unique modes and customizable options.
3 Overrated: Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War
We should first address the elephant in the room, which is the overabundance of microtransactions that this Lord of the Rings romp is notorious for. And yes, that certainly doesn't help matters.
Still, even when disregarding those, this is a mixed bag, which doesn't do much to stand out from its 2014 predecessor. The game injects a few changes like additional ARPG elements and an expanded Nemesis System. Overall though, Shadow of War feels like a lukewarm retreading, with a familiar system of Assassin's Creed-style combat among barren open-worlds. It doesn't exactly live up to the majesty the Lord of the Rings name implies.
2 Underrated: Sunset Overdrive
It's tough to pin down why this title was somewhat brushed aside, other than the fact that, being an early release for the Xbox One, it was quickly buried by various other big games down the line. Whatever the reason, Sunset Overdrive is an imaginative and fun action romp made by a studio that has the chops and name recognition, Insomniac Games.
The game fuses arcade-action and shooter mechanics with Tony Hawk-style movement. You'll be bouncing and grinding around a lively, vibrant world while blasting mutated fizzy-drink monsters with everything from freeze bombs to Teddy Bear launchers. Yes, this is just as enjoyably insane as it sounds.
1 Overrated: Fallout 4
While it may look a bit more appealing when compared to the vacant wasteland that is Fallout 76, the Xbox One's debut of the mainline Fallout series tends to fall flat more often than not. Fallout 4 does have the inventive new ability to construct settlements and build robots, but these feel chore-like compared to the typical action-laced combat.
At the same time, the areas where this sequel does ring similar to its predecessors fail to really impress and lack the "wow" factor they possessed 10 or 15 years ago. With the prominent grey hues, bombed-out landscapes, and endless shooting, Fallout 4 tends to feel more like a gaming cliche these days than anything else.