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[VGEsoterica]

If you know me at all from these threads you know I love obscure AF games. The types of games 99/100 have just straight up never heard of. I especially love when I mention one and someone goes and plays it and finds a new game to enjoy. Like a weird gaming sommelier lol

I also legit LOVE Metroidvania games...so when a game hits that "obscure as hell" category while also being a GOOD game in a genre I love...it's even better

So let me introduce Rurula Ra Rura; hard to pronounce but super fun to play and enjoy! Yes it's a bit of an ugly game but once you get past the less than stellar graphics its a legit intriguing Metroidvania game on a console barely anyone has ever played. It's got some shades of Castlevania III with new character discovery / switching an a fully open map that lets you go in pretty much any direction you want...until you hit an obstacle you CANT bypass until you obtain the right character / power up to move forward. Classic Metroidvania formula on a console you'd NEVER expect it to appear on. Plus it emulates perfectly so you DONT have to be like me an own an original console lol

Plus its been translated to english which means you literally have zero obstructions to play it, which is a LOT more than you can say for most obscure and rare Japanese exclusive games.

But I'd love to hear some other DEEP CUT Metroidvania recommendations as I am always looking for more. What do you have for me GAF?

 

[VGEsoterica]

Since I am sure 99/100 people will have NO idea what I am talking about lol

 

[Genesis Knight]

VGEsoterica template:

[GAME TITLE] - A rare and obscure [GAME TYPE] ... but what are other [GAME TYPE]?

First post: modified YT video description

Second post: YT link

I like your content, I just don't get how these threads are not a violation E. Self-Promotion and Spam? Especially when they are so clearly templates designed to drive traffic to your (I assume monetized) YT videos?

EDIT: Below, VGEsoterica focuses on the fact that he's not making much money. It's still self-promotion. Why does he get an exemption from the rules?

 

[VGEsoterica]

VGEsoterica template:

[GAME TITLE] - A rare and obscure [GAME TYPE] ... but what are other [GAME TYPE]?

First post: modified YT video description

Second post: YT link

I like your content, I just don't get how these threads are not a violation E. Self-Promotion and Spam? Especially when they are so clearly templates designed to drive traffic to your (I assume monetized) YT videos?

Lol I just genuinely enjoy talking about rare / obscure stuff and people seem to enjoy it. I also try to actively participate here

if you think I am making money off these lolol...time/hardware/software vs revenue? I LOSE a fortune showing off rare and obscure stuff. Like on the order of 10X minimum per video usually.

I'll make $7-10 dollars off a video that took at least a few hours AND in a lot of instances some $$ to make. Worst business model ever

but seriously I love bringing new/obscure/weird etc games to new people and giving some love to the unloved stuff out there. That's really it. Oh and preservation and beta dumping...I do that too. Hence the "lose tons of money" part....buy a rare undumped beta, make a video, make $10...spend $500 to make that ten spot !

 

[TintoConCasera]

I really enjoyed my time with Gato Roboto:



It's short but sweet.

 

[VGEsoterica]

I really enjoyed my time with Gato Roboto:



It's short but sweet.

you had me at Gato. But seriously def never seen that one before...will check it out later!

 

[TintoConCasera]

you had me at Gato. But seriously def never seen that one before...will check it out later!

You should! It plays great at least on the Switch, and the game has it's fair share of both charm and challenge.

 

[The Cockatrice]

enjoy

 

[jaysius]

enjoy

Ender Lililes is criminally underrated! What an amazing and wacky game.

I haven't played Grime though.

I wasn't a huge fan of Gato, I forget why, but it was completely meh for me.

Also OP, you can EDIT your posts AND you can PUT VIDEOS into your FIRST POST, especially when the thread YOU MADE is about said content.

 

[VGEsoterica]

enjoy

another two I don't know. If I was to buy one of the two which would you suggest I play first?

 

[Portugeezer]

Escape from Tethys



Old school and difficult at times. Surprised by how much I enjoyed it and it's quite obscure.

Actual Metroidvania BTW.

 

[Spukc]

you had me at Gato. But seriously def never seen that one before...will check it out later!

You better be playing this game right meow.

it’s AMAZING.

also eeeh

the mummy demake
Timespinners

 

[The Cockatrice]

another two I don't know. If I was to buy one of the two which would you suggest I play first?

They're both overall equally good. Grime has a very parry focused souls-like combat while Ender Lilies is more like Hollow Knight. Since Grime is on sale, go with that.

 

[VGEsoterica]

Escape from Tethys



Old school and difficult at times. Surprised by how much I enjoyed it and it's quite obscure.

Actual Metroidvania BTW.

looks legit. Like a modern NES version of the OG Metroid

 

[Deerock71]

The title sounds like it was concocted by Scooby Doo.

 

[VGEsoterica]

The title sounds like it was concocted by Scooby Doo.

Not gonna lie you got me to actually audibly laugh for a second when I read this

 

[lachesis]

I mean you probably know more about all the classics - but here are my few favorite ones from MSX.



Knightmare II: The Maze of Gallius by Konami (1987)
(NES also had this game, but different and tbh, inferior)




Dragon Slayer IV - Drasley Family by Falcom (1987)
(Legacy of the wizard for NES)




USAS by Konami (1987)
(This game really really looked good for its time... plus that sound! SCC Chip!)

Well, as you can tell, 1987 was a very transformative year for me in terms of gaming.

 

[Deft Beck]

VGEsoterica template:

[GAME TITLE] - A rare and obscure [GAME TYPE] ... but what are other [GAME TYPE]?

First post: modified YT video description

Second post: YT link

I like your content, I just don't get how these threads are not a violation E. Self-Promotion and Spam? Especially when they are so clearly templates designed to drive traffic to your (I assume monetized) YT videos?

EDIT: Below, VGEsoterica focuses on the fact that he's not making much money. It's still self-promotion. Why does he get an exemption from the rules?

I think it brings some life into an otherwise slow forum, dude.

 

[VGEsoterica]

I mean you probably know more about all the classics - but here are my few favorite ones from MSX.



Knightmare II: The Maze of Gallius by Konami (1987)
(NES also had this game, but different and tbh, inferior)




Dragon Slayer IV - Drasley Family by Falcom (1987)
(Legacy of the wizard for NES)




USAS by Konami (1987)
(This game really really looked good for its time... plus that sound! SCC Chip!)

Well, as you can tell, 1987 was a very transformative year for me in terms of gaming.

Glad I am not the only one who loves MSX!

 

[VGEsoterica]

They're both overall equally good. Grime has a very parry focused souls-like combat while Ender Lilies is more like Hollow Knight. Since Grime is on sale, go with that.

I’ll have to try em both then

 

[Cattlyst]

Is Salt and Sanctuary considered unusual? Is it even a vania? I dunno. But that.

 

[MrA]

how about the just the vania part?
check out rusty, totally not a sprite hack of castlevania 4

 

[Pejo]

If you can get used to the artstyle, it's a fantastic game in this genre that has multiple characters for alternate playthroughs and satisfying combat.

 

[DeepSpace5D]

Have you checked out the La-Mulana series? Very challenging Metroidvanias but well made with a ton of exploration and boss fights.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

I really enjoyed my time with Gato Roboto:



It's short but sweet.

YES!

It’s basically Baby’s First Metroidvania (I think I finished it in less than 3 hours), but it’s just so nice and it plays very well.

 

[ClanOfNone]

I've been playing Carrion since it dropped on psn and I find it to be a very unique, and excellent, take on the genre.

 

[Sethbacca]

Nobody has mentioned the Guacamelee games yet, those are a ton of fun. Not sure they're rare or unusual though.

 

[TintoConCasera]

A few more:

Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth



Shin Megami Tensei Synchronicity



Both are from short to very short, and have that Ikaruga like mechanic of switching polarities to avoid getting hit.