Less known games... Worth your time?

[TheReasoner]

Do you recognize:

Realmz
Avernum
Escape Velocity

??

These games are all ShareWare. I myself find them to be good. The graphics are what they lack though, compared to the big fancy DVD-sized games.
What do you think? Are games like these worth one's time, or have I wasted mine?

 

[seebs]

I think a lot of such games are excellent.

 

[OhhJim]

I've played a few games that didn't get nearly the hype of the big boys, but still were fun. Pharaoh, Stronghold, Space Colony, Serious Sam, etc. They aren't exactly the shareware you're talking about, I know. I think it depends on your gaming mentality. Some people just want a newer, prettier, cooler FPS, and probably wouldn't be happy with anything else.

 

[TheReasoner]

Serious Sam rocks though!

 

[The-Doctor]

I played Project Eden a few times lesser known game but enjoyable 1st or third person shooter with a bit of thinking involved to solve the puzzles.

 

[Salubri]

Valkyrie proflie, litle know and underrated, but really great game, worthy of snaging if you can ever find it.

 

[Aya-kun]

As long as you're having fun, no game is a waste of time ^^

Some lesser known games that I play (and love) are:

Harvest Moon 64
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
and
Threads of Fate

All of these are not so popular, but are great games.

 

[Novasonic]

Serious Sam rocks though!

I want the next serious sam game to come out

 

[silentpoet]

Is it underdogs.org that has alot of lesser known and older RPGs? I think it is dot org anyway. There are a lot of lost or hidden gems on that website if it is still up.

 

[Kekkaku Ryuu]

I don't play computer games, but there are some console games that not many people have played, like the Samurai Shodown series. I got a Japanese Neo-Geo CD just so I could play them. I also got Samurai Shodown RPG, a game that wasn't released outside of Japan.

 

[JCMLR]

Blinx: The Time Sweeper

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Best "sleeper" game I've ever played was Earth 2150. It's a great RTS game with lot of great features. The only problem with it is the learning curve is a little steep and the manual stinks. Once you learn the interface and nuances of the game, it's amazing, though.

 

[TheReasoner]

I don't play computer games, but there are some console games that not many people have played, like the Samurai Shodown series. I got a Japanese Neo-Geo CD just so I could play them. I also got Samurai Shodown RPG, a game that wasn't released outside of Japan.

Console games?
I don't want to be caught dead a mile close to a console.
But that's me. I prefer the control of a PC. Knowing what's in there. The feel of a keyboard and mouse. Give me any FPS, any day - give me a mouse and keyboard, and any console player with console controls - and he's dead meat.
Ofcourse, some games are better on consoles. I just think some games should remain strictly PC/Mac games.