Recommendations for strange/unusual games?

[masteroftheclaw]

I've not been very interested in gaming lately because so much of the new titles feel the same and are unable to surprise me really... Last weekend I popped in Doshin the Giant and found that tremendously fun and hours passed by without me even realizing. Since that, I think I've found that games that aren't cookie-cutter versions of their respective genres are just what I need to kickstart my gaming habit again.

So, what are some weird games that I should check out? I'm mostly interested in anything from the current gen to PS1 era, but I'm willing to go before that too if something good fits the bill.

For reference I enjoy things like Katamari Damacy, LSD Dream Emulator, Lack of Love, Cubivore, Killer7, Rez, Parodius, Disaster Report, Deadly Premonition, and Deception....

[Pulsar_t]

viewtopic.php?t=7363 << Possibly merger-time?

Alan Wake.. maybe.

[Jrecee]

I thought i-ninja had a wide variety of stuff to do. It's sort of a platform/beatemup. But you'll be rolling around a ball marble madness style one minute, fighting in a first person robot boxing match another, shooting boats the next, and using a grapple and running down skateboardish ramps the next.

[terrin707]

How about some Chibi Robo, Space Station Silicon Valley, We Love Katamari, Mr. Mosquito, Dungeon Keeper, or American McGee's Alice? All were quirky (to me) in their own ways, and very fun to play.

BTW, quirky/strange games are one of my favorite "genres".

[masteroftheclaw]

Alan Wake.. maybe.

Alan Wake is something I've had on my list... I'm a big survival horror fan so I'm sure I'll get around to it eventually. Just waiting for a good enough price drop.

I thought i-ninja had a wide variety of stuff to do. It's sort of a platform/beatemup. But you'll be rolling around a ball marble madness style one minute, fighting in a first person robot boxing match another, shooting boats the next, and using a grapple and running down skateboardish ramps the next.

Hmm, I remember seeing an ad for that game but just passed it right up. It sounds strangely interesting though, and hopefully it's pretty cheap so I can pick it up!

How about some Chibi Robo, Space Station Silicon Valley, We Love Katamari, Mr. Mosquito, Dungeon Keeper, or American McGee's Alice? All were quirky (to me) in their own ways, and very fun to play.

BTW, quirky/strange games are one of my favorite "genres".

Chibi Robo is a great game as is Space Station Silicon Valley! I love the latter so damn much, but have never beat it. Maybe I'll try to sometime soon. I do enjoy Katamari games but I never bought any beyond the first because I get a headache after playing it for more than half an hour. This doesn't happen to me with anything but Katamari...

Mr. Mosquito is a game I've wanted since I first got my PS2 but have never been able to get my hands on it (through bargain bin sifting and thrift shopping). It looks like fun though so hopefully eventually! I had no clue Dungeon Keeper was quirky... aside from the cover lol. As for Alice, I definitely love that as well as most other American McGee things (disregarding Bad Day LA).

We seem to have similar tastes, so thanks for your input! Do you have more titles you could share?

[CRTGAMER]

R.A.D.
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=303538#p303538

ICO
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=221298#p221298

[flojocabron]

one quirky game that I like is for the psp. Its called

WTF work time fun!

it has lots of mini games- you play a drunk guy, a bouncer, pen sorter, waitress and much more weird stuff.

there are a few crappy games in it, but give it some time and it will grow on you.

also if you are a completist, you may never finish this game!

[emwearz]

When I think of unusual games I always think of The Neverhood, it also has one of the best soundtracks ever created, which is also very unusual.

[GSZX1337]

Toy Commander - You control a kid who plays with his planes/cars.
Since terrin707 mentioned American McGee, I'll drop a recommendation for American McGee's ScrapLand. I'm not sure if it would count as quirky, but it's a good game.

...No one's mentioned Psychonauts or Grimm Fandango?

[Dylan]

...No one's mentioned Psychonauts or Grimm Fandango?

Funny you should say that, I was just about to.

You might consider giving Psychonauts a go, while the gameplay is that of a relatively standard platformer, the level design and atmosphere are incredible. They range from fantastic at best and bizzare at weirdest (see Meat Circus). It's the kind of game that I absolutely love, but if you reskinned it in a bland manner, I wouldn't hardly enjoy it. That's how interesting the presentation is.