2009's best under-the-radar games

It's a rare occurrence nowadays, but every once in a while, a game you've never even heard of comes along and absolutely blows you away. Sometimes it's a little indie gem that didn't get enough promotion. Other times, what appears to be a quick cash-in turns out to be an awesome game. These games don't normally sell that well, but those who play them love them. They're like a breath of fresh air in an industry packed with over-hyped blockbusters, and 2009 has seen more than its share of them. Here are some of GamesRadar's favorite surprises so far.

[callahan09]

Decent list, but needs more FLOWER.

[callahan09]

2 disagrees right now? Really? How could anyone not agree that Flower is one of the best under-the-radar games of 2009? It's so serene and beautiful, it was the most pleasant surprise game I think I've ever played, actually. Never expected something so simple to be so beautiful and moving. And it's fun, too. It qualifies as under-the-radar more than a lot of games on that list (DJ Hero, really? I must have seen 100 commercials for it on TV), AND it qualifies as highly quality more so than some of those games, too, and it has the Metacritic score to prove it (if you're into that sort of thing... it sits at 87% on Meta: Demon's Souls, Shadow Complex & Chinatown Wars are the only games on their list that scored higher). Flower definitely should have been on their list.

[Saaking]

Demon's Soul and Torchlight are awesome.

[Double07]

"How could anyone not agree that Flower is one of the best under-the-radar games of 2009?"

Because its not on their console ;)

But Flower should be on there for sure, as should Shatter. I barely knew anything about it, had little media coverage yet I bought it and loved it. Got very good reviews too (on 86 or something on Meta). Anyone that hasnt got it yet I highly recommend it.

[ColdFire]

Shattered Horizon is a great game, but too many people have missed it.

[Aquarius]

Demon's Souls trumps every game on that list.

[JoySticksFTW]

And to be actually considered by some to be overall Game of the Year -- in a year that Modern Warfare 2 and Uncharted 2 are released -- speaks volumes to Demon's souls greatness.

[DRUDOG]

@Saaking

Torchlight is addicting as hell. Demon's Souls does top the list though...

[ico92]

holy sh!t i forgot about flower thanks for reminding me thats the one game i've yet to play

[callahan09]

No problem. I think it's still on sale for 4.99 on the PSN right now if you're in North America. Go get it!

[Highatus]

Completely agree Flower should be on this list as well as Shatter.

Glad to see Trine and Torchlight on there though.

[wxer]

that list just fails

[AKNAA]

NFS:shift, Brutal legend, NHL'10 and Dragon age were all under my rader, but since their all on sale for $39 this week, I'm probably gonna pick up at least 2 of the 4 for my pS3:)

[Shotgun_Roamer]

still not convinced i want to play little king's story, but i can't disagree with an 87 at metacritic (refrence: Borderlands pulled a 83 and Dragon Age: origins an 88)

[MEsoJD]

I hope it wins best RPG at the VGAs the game needs more exposure.

[edhe]

Flower was anything *but* under the radar. Was on podcasts everywhere.

[SolidAhmed]

is the best Action RPG in this current generation

hell, i do have 2 characters 30 and 93 soul level still i want to finish the game in both.

i do think that this game has beaten Zelda in the action RPG genera, and i learned a good lesson about this game
Action RPG's does not have to be in a cute world like zelda's but rather a dark yet a fresh world to explore.

who likes Zelda, must try this game because if u did not

my friend u will be missing a lot

PSN: SolidAhmed

[Jamescagney]

Machinarium is a fantastic little game if you've ever been a fan of point and clickers. Great art style as well.

[Setekh]

Agreed, Machinarium is a gem.

[Gen0ne]

That game's excellent and yeah, Flower should be up there too. Still love that game.

[edhe]

Need to finish that...

[Cajun Chicken]

I have a special place for The Maw in my heart. Sequel/enhanced remake please, Twisted Pixel.

[Anorexorcist]

Demon's Souls needs more exposure and higher sales revenue, just for the fact that developers may be inclined to not take certain chances with hardcore games like Demon's Souls and may be more inclined to develop copy-and-paste FPS's if games like Demon's Souls underperform commercially.

For the sake of a non-fps dominated future gaming market, everyone please buy Demon's Souls.

[-Alpha]

You are over exaggerating.

Not only has Demon's Souls succeeded beyond expectations both in sales and reviews here in America, but it has also been noted to be pretty popular in its motherland.

[ico92]

actually to your suprise demon souls would have sold alot better if the devs had..
A. printed more copies
B.given it an EU release

[mijkil]

more REDICULOUS BIAS from this site.

What about UNCHARTED 2, GRAN TURISMO, 5 GOD OF WAR 3, KILLZONE 2 & 3. AGENT?

[kikicub]

Under the radar.....Do you know what that means?

EDIT: I agree that the site is biased most of the time. TFA is actually pretty good. Though, as callahan09 said, it needs more Flower.

[skip2mylou]

dude go and learn what under the radar is. Uncharted 2 has been high up on peoples radar GT5 yet to be released and it is high on a lot of peoples radar too, God of War 3 yet to be released and it has a lot of hype and on a lot of peoples radars, Killzone 2 has sold a lot and it was shown how many times on websites, e3, tgs? agent hasnt been released either

[-Alpha]

Sure it's a great game but I think it achieved a great amount of popularity. It's not MW2-popular but who knew that a game like DS would become so popular today?

And it truly is a talked-about game. I don't consider it under-the-radar as much as I do consider it the total surprise hit of the year.

Now games like Flower, Shatter, 'Splosion Man, and that motorcycle stunt game on XBLA are the real under-the-radar titles that will be forever overlooked. But I think considering that they are online-only titles, it's expected.

I suppose DS is the real winner then, but even still, it's managed to be a great success. The biggest Under-The-Radar game is probably still Valkyria Chronicles though.

[BabyStomper5000]

Valkyria Chronicles is such a great game, it's hard to find though. I had to go to 3 different stores to get it a couple of months ago.

[XxBarretxX]

Shadow Complex wasn't "under the radar" at all

[edhe]

Agreed, quite a lot of the list i know about just from listening to podcasts so hardly relevant.

[zagibu]

Yeah, and Aion? This one got a lot of hype, actually.

[micro_invader]

I think Shattered Horizon should have at least been mentioned. That game rocks.

[Digitaldude]

Demons souls is under appreciated for a good reason, cause it involves skill and patience and games do not encourage that these days xD

[BrianC6234]

I wouldn't put Demon's Souls on this list. The list is for games under the radar. Real gamers have heard of the game. It isn't under the radar at all and has even sold great.

[Tex117]

Demon's Souls is my game of the year.

Easy.

[Synex]

I've been looking at Dragon Age and Demon's Souls...I'm not sure which one I want. How many hours is Demon's Souls? I want a long lasting in depth RPG with an amazing story. It's hard to find a RPG with an amazing story these days.

[BabyStomper5000]

I haven't played Dragon Age, but Demon's Souls is a fantastic RPG. The only thing that some might find wrong with it is the difficulty... which can only be classified as: BRUTAL. I love it though.

[04soldier]

Demon's souls is your game.. It is so deep and rewarding You cant let yourself go from it.. Much like a thirst hungry demon whom wants more souls...

[table]

Trials HD and Shadow Complex were great. So was flower even though it didn't make the list. I'd prefer it if they focused on full game releases however.

[Handhelds_FTW]

Several of these games aren't "under-the-radar".

[Tyler_XMB]

inFamous. It was a great game that deserves more sales. It hit a million but needs more. I'm hoping for inFamous 2

[RockmanII7]

1 million sales is a lot for 6 months, especially for a new IP.

[Tyler_XMB]

@ BaseballFan15
You're right but I think it deserves more sales, because it's an awesome game.

[streety519a]

I'd say Batman AA was under the radar, there hasn't been a good batman game for over 20 years and this game just came out and sucker punched everyone. Possibly one of the best licensed games of all time, I can't even remember the last licensed game that was any good. Also big props to Demon Souls, that games been getting good word of mouth and hopefully its sales pick up over the festive period.