What games have vastly surpassed your expectations?

[Everlong]

We often have "most disappointing" game topics, but I can't remember any where we've talked about games that really went above and beyond what we expected out of them. So, are there any you can think of that have been way better than you were expecting?

A couple for me:

Just Cause 2 -- The story sounded dull and generic to me, so I figured it wouldn't be worth my time. Well, I was right on the first part of that sentence, but not on the second part. You don't even need to play through the story mode to have a blast with this game. I think I have put a couple days into playing the game, and am only like 10% of the way through the actual story because I just have so much fun with causing mayhem and all the side stuff there is to do. It's a blast.

Mario Tennis for N64 - You wouldn't think that this game would be as great as it is. It's an extremely simple concept... Super Mario characters playing tennis. Not exactly the most exciting pitch for a game, to be sure. But this is probably one of my top five favorite games to play with friends, it's a blast. I don't even want to know how many hours I've put into this game.

[HFX]

I had never played an Elder Scrolls game before Skyrim and only got it because you guys kept talking about it. I didn't think it could be anywhere near as good as people said but now I can't stop getting a chubby while thinking about that game. After Red Dead Redemption and the original Assassin's Creed it's probably my favorite game I've ever bought for my 360.

[Str8Shooter]

Just picked up Max Payne 3 a couple weeks ago, mainly because I wanted a new game and it was cheap. Heard it was decent, but it exceeded my expectations. The story was really good, pulled me in, and the gameplay was fast paced and fun and kept me engaged.

[SortaCreative]

Just picked up Max Payne 3 a couple weeks ago, mainly because I wanted a new game and it was cheap. Heard it was decent, but it exceeded my expectations. The story was really good, pulled me in, and the gameplay was fast paced and fun and kept me engaged.

I fucking love Max Payne 3

[AkydefGoldberg]

^I loved the first two games. Nostalgic thinking back to play Max Payne on my first laptop, ahh, good days.

[Kirbi]

Skies of Arcadia (on the Gamecube) - it looks like just another generic japan-style rpg, and it kind of is - but it has the charm and the humour of a really good 90s cartoon, really fun sidequests, absolutely no need to grind, ship battles as well as people-fights*, a nice solid story, likable characters, and DISCOVERIES!

It's way more fun than it has a right to be, for a game that bugger all people have played.


* Do I call them this?

[War Daddy]

Just picked up Max Payne 3 a couple weeks ago, mainly because I wanted a new game and it was cheap. Heard it was decent, but it exceeded my expectations. The story was really good, pulled me in, and the gameplay was fast paced and fun and kept me engaged.

I fucking love Max Payne 3

I second this. Played the whole series and is easily one of my favorites. The airport level was a bit of a bitch though.