5 Xbox 360 Games You Forgot Were Awesome

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Twenty years after its release, many great games from the Xbox 360 still haven’t gotten the praise they deserve. The Xbox 360 launched on November 22, 2005, kicking off the seventh generation of video game consoles. Though it didn’t sell as many units as the Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360 established itself as a strong rival to the PlayStation 3.

The Xbox 360 was home to many popular games, including blockbusters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, as well as exclusive series like Halo and Gears of War that drew players in. But beyond the big names, the console also had some lesser-known gems. These hidden titles, ranging from music-based role-playing games to surprising action adventures, remain impressive examples of their genres and deserve to be remembered alongside the consoleā€™s most famous games.

Blue Dragon

As an Xbox fan, it’s always been tough seeing the PlayStation get all the best RPGs. But Blue Dragon was a really cool surprise! It was special because Hironobu Sakaguchi, the guy who made Final Fantasy, was heavily involved. Plus, Akira Toriyama, the artist behind Dragon Ball, did the character designs, giving the game a really unique and amazing look. Honestly, Blue Dragon felt like Xbox’s attempt to make its own classic RPG, something like the original Dragon Warrior.

In a fantastical world plagued by a spreading curse, three friends leave their small village on a journey to become heroes. While the game didnā€™t drastically change the classic JRPG formula, its strong presentation and artistic style made it memorable. Though critics had a mixed reaction, Blue Dragon was a surprisingly popular title for the Xbox 360 in Japan, demonstrating the consoleā€™s potential in that market.

Lost Odyssey

Lost Odyssey, created by Mistwalker and Feelplus, is a standout RPG for the Xbox 360. While it uses traditional turn-based battles, the game truly shines with its detailed world. Set in a unique universe where magic and industry have collided, the story follows various groups fighting for power and grappling with the presence of enigmatic immortals.

When it first came out, reviewers found the gameplay in Lost Odyssey to be somewhat standard, but they praised its story, detailed world, and overall presentation. The game created a captivating world that drew inspiration from classic RPGs while still feeling fresh and unique on the Xbox 360. Though it offered a different experience than the popular Final Fantasy games, Lost Odyssey didnā€™t quite receive the recognition it needed to become a major rival.

Tenchu Z

Tenchu Z, a game for the Xbox 360, offered players a lot of ways to play, much like popular action-adventure and stealth games such as Ninja Gaiden and Assassinā€™s Creed. The story centers on the Azuma Ninja Clan as they fight against the Ogawara nationā€™s plans to take over the House of Gohda. Players create their own ninja character and complete missions throughout the game.

While some reviewers felt the game’s graphics weren’t the best they could be on the Xbox 360, Tenchu Z offered a lot of different ways to play and tough missions that made it unique. It was a hidden gem, especially for fans of Ninja Gaiden who wanted a fresh take on ninja-style action.

Eternal Sonata

Drawing inspiration from the music of FrĆ©dĆ©ric Chopin, Eternal Sonata was a unique game developed by tri-Crescendo and published by Bandai Namco Games. While it largely plays like a classic anime-style JRPG, Eternal Sonata distinguished itself with its cel-shaded visuals and innovative combat system that revolved around music ā€“ a direct reflection of the gameā€™s story.

Eternal Sonata is a uniquely artistic RPG that blends familiar Japanese role-playing game storytelling with thoughtful introspection. It stood out for its creative approach to the genre and received positive reviews when it first launched on Xbox 360, followed by a release on PlayStation 3. The game is remembered as a standout title in a niche sub-genre that cleverly incorporates music into its gameplay.

BrĆ¼tal Legend

Originally released for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and later on Steam, BrĆ¼tal Legend is often considered a hidden gem from the Xbox 360 era. Created by Tim Schafer and Double Fine Productions, the game blends storytelling with action-adventure and real-time strategy gameplay. This unusual combination of genres actually enhances the game’s immersive world and exciting action sequences.

Okay, so this game, BrĆ¼tal Legend, was seriously awesome. It had a ton of cameos from real rock legends, and you play as this roadie, Eddie Riggs, who basically becomes a hero. What really grabbed me was how self-aware the story was ā€“ it knew it was over the top and just went with it, which made it a really fun follow-up to Psychonauts. It was super ambitious and had this crazy cartoon style, but it wasn’t just looks. There was a lot to figure out with how you played, letting you try different strategies. Critics loved it, and honestly, itā€™s still one of my favorite games from that time.

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2025-11-24 01:12