Echoes in the Code: Old Games We Lost
Have you ever played a game, or just saw a bit of one, that stayed in your mind for years, then just went away? No more news, no next parts, no talk of it it just went away. This made me go look for these lost gems.
The Cool Art of Fumito Ueda
Some games stick with you not as big hits, but as odd ones. Fumito Ueda, who made Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, is good at this.
When you play Ueda's games, don’t look for a fast fight like in Call of Duty. His games are quiet, deep, and pull you in. No HUD to mess up your view. No maps or hints. You just look around and find things on your own.
His games often show a young boy who gets close to a big, odd creature. In Ico, you guard a girl in a big castle. In Shadow of the Colossus, it's your horse. And in The Last Guardian, it's a huge bird-cat thing called Trico.
Ico (2001)
Playing Ico first was wild. It was a piece of art, a live painting from 2001. A fun thing: Hidetaka Miyazaki, who made the Souls games, said Ico gave him ideas. That's why Souls games focus more on feel than looks and let players find the story.
Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
In one word, this game is "wow." I loved that it had no map; only light from your sword led you. It was all about finding your way. The bosses the colossi were huge, from a bird to a sea snake. But the camera was a pain!
The Last Guardian (2016)
To be real: this game was too slow. I couldn't end it. I get Ueda's games are slow, but this was too much. The whole game, it’s just you and this big animal getting out of some old place. And yes, the camera trouble stayed.
Why Were They Lost?
Ueda made just three games over 20 years. The long gaps (2001, 2005, 2016) broke any flow. Also, their slow, find-your-way style isn't for all. When I first tried Shadow of the Colossus, I was lost. "Where to go? What's the tale?" But when you get used to the tough controls and odd pace, it’s a rare find.
Lost and Gone: The BioShock Tale
Think of a whole city under the sea, or one up in the clouds, with mad folks and deep thoughts on free will, belief, and power. This is BioShock. So what happened to it?
The first BioShock (2007) took us to Rapture, a messed up undersea place. It was a shooter, but not a normal one. Aside from guns, you had "Plasmids" cool powers. The feel was deep, both amazing and scary. Big Daddies keeping Little Sisters safe made things tense. The story, place, and folks like the big name Andrew Ryan were well done. It still looks and plays well today.
The set never stayed put. In BioShock 2, you are a Big Daddy. In BioShock Infinite, you go up to Columbia, a city in the sky, looking at big themes like faith extremes and race, and bringing in one of the best game pals ever, Elizabeth.
The Lost Middle One
While not all forgot the series, talk on it has gone low. BioShock 2 is often seen as the "lost middle one," not as new as the first or as big as Infinite. The last one came out in 2013, and the first team, Irrational Games, has closed. Though a new team from its makers is making a new game called Judas, BioShock's next steps aren't clear.
Games of Fear in the Dark
When you hear about old fear games, big names like Silent Hill and Resident Evil pop up. Yet, some true gems are often missed.
Haunted Ground (2005)
Made by Capcom, the same guys behind Resident Evil, this game did not get the love it needed. In Haunted Ground, you are Fiona, a young woman who finds herself stuck in a weird castle. You have no way to fight off the ugly things chasing you. Your one friend is a white dog named Hewie. He's not just there for looks; he's key to stay alive. If you treat him right, he helps you fight back and fix puzzles. If you don't, he will leave you when you need him most.
So why did folks forget it? Capcom did not push it much. Worse, it came out in April 2005, just three months after a giant hit, Resident Evil 4. The game never got a chance to shine, and now it's hard and pricey to find.
Rule of Rose (2006)
This game wasn't skipped because it was bad, but because it hit too close to home for many. Banned in places, Rule of Rose has you as Jennifer, stuck in a scary orphanage where the mean kids are the real monsters. It talks about bad bullying. The story and feel are very dark, like Silent Hill. But, bad fight and camera moves hold it back. Its tough themes and awkward play have kept many away.
Rockstar's Hidden Hits
Rockstar Games is known for big hits, but some games did not get the same lasting fame as Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption.
Bully (2006)
Fans recall Bully, but Rockstar seems to have dropped it. For over 15 years, there's been no talk of a next one, redo, or even a proper update. The game had a fresh angle: GTA at a school. You were Jimmy Hopkins, trying to get by in a place with groups like jocks and nerds. It was all about jokes and fights, not car races and fights. It was fun, smart, and should not be left behind.
L.A. Noire (2011)
A shift for Rockstar, L.A. Noire put you as a cop in 1940s L.A. It was all about searching, asking questions, and thinking. Its big new thing was face tech that showed real looks. You had to read faces to see who lied. Sadly, the group that made it shut down after release, killing any hope for continuing it.
Worth Mentioning
Midnight Club Series, Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, Prince of Persia, Metal Gear, Mad Max, Sleeping Dogs, tomb raider, MDK, Days Gone, Syphon Filter, tom clancy's splinter cell and lot more you can mention them in comment
I hope this dive into forgotten places grabbed you as it did me. These games, each great in its own way, should be known, played, and loved. Maybe one day, some will be new again or get the next part they truly deserve.
