sand4fish wrote:
Vagrant Story (PS1)
Most likely the best looking 3D game of the system due to the fantastic art direction but it could use a HD treatment for modern systems. A shout out as well to the possibly best localization of a Japanese game to the West, arguably surpassing the original.
Breakdown (Xbox)
This game was the inspiration for Mirror's Edge. The first FPS to focus on hand-to-hand combat with chain attacks, cartwheel shooting a la The Matrix and backflips. Probably it's the first one as well to give you a competent AI companion. Shenmue fans should appreciate the level of immersion given to the game as your avatar goes through the animation of searching a body, picking up an health item and examining it before finally consuming it.
God Hand (PS2)
Here is likely where PlatinumGames cemented their great taste for action focused games, back then known as Clover Studios.
Nier (PS3, Xbox360)
If Automata proves to be a successful game, this would be a great title to be reworked on as the mechanics could use a bit of ironing and the visuals were not up to standards even back in 2010 when it was released.
^ absolutely yes Vagrant Story. I have a love/hate relationship with that game. It's such an interesting combat system/world/etc, but it is just WAY too slow and tedious to be fun (imo). So many things about the game could be streamlined to make it much more enjoyable -- plus the visuals (while good looking for the era) certainly could use an update.
EDIT: added quote because of page change