The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling video game console of all time. There are plenty of things that contributed to the PS2’s success. As far as non-gamers were concerned, it was an affordable and accessible way to play DVDs, which were slowly entering the mainstream consciousness in the 2000s.
Of course, to gamers, the PS2 simply had some of the best video games ever made. From perennial favorites like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to somewhat lesser-known but still well-regarded titles like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the PS2 had a little something for everyone.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’s Rewind Mechanic Does the Job
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time sees the titular Prince navigating through a crumbling palace, the circumstances of which were brought by the mysterious Sands of Time. This artifact allows its users to go back in time, but it also has a side effect of turning living humans into grotesque monsters.
It’s not the first 3D Prince of Persia game, but it’s the first to do it right. In addition to satisfying platforming, the game features a rewind mechanic, which is both helpful and incredibly satisfying to take advantage of.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, as a prequel to all other Metal Gear Solid games, moved away from Solid Snake as the protagonist in favor of Naked Snake. Later known as Big Boss, Naked Snake is still a young infantryman who is in the Soviet Union to disrupt plans by scientists to create a deadly superweapon.
Compared with other Metal Gear titles, Metal Gear Solid 3 has much higher stakes. Of course, it would be a mistake to get caught by enemies, hence why stealth is even more important than ever. Players are given unique and creative ways to hide themselves, such as camouflaging themselves in the jungle environment.
|
NEW Latias & Latios GX Full Art Team Up · PSA 9 Card value $5,319 Gardevoir & Sylveon GX Full Art Unbroken Bonds · PSA 10 Card value $4,870 Mew ex Special Illustration Rare Paldean Fates · PSA 10 Card value $2,365 Mega Charizard X ex Special Illustration Rare Phantasmal Flames · PSA 10 Card value $1,960 Eevee & Snorlax GX Full Art SM Black Star Promo · PSA 10 Card value $2,382 Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare Ascended Heroes · PSA 10 Card value $2,258 Red’s Pikachu Japanese Pokémon Center 20th Anniversary Promo · PSA 10 Card value $1,392 |
Ōkami Is as Beautiful to Look At as It Is to Play
Ōkami is an undeniably beautiful game, both visually and mechanically. To start, it derives heavily from Japanese folklore, with protagonist Amaterasu being based on the goddess of the sun and the universe. Here, she must stop the land of the rising sun from falling into darkness.
As far as the gameplay is concerned, Ōkami’s main draw, almost literally, is the Celestial Brush. This allows players to paint just about anything they want, including companions that help fight enemies. It adds to Ōkami’s Japanese-inspired overtones and makes it one of the more creative games out there.
Persona 4 Mixes Murder Mystery With Fantasy
The Persona 4 anime is pretty good, but it pales in comparison to the video game it is based on. It sees main protagonist Yu Narukami and his classmates investigating a series of murders. They will use their psychic abilities, including their titular Personas, to help unravel the mysteries.
Until Persona 5’s release in 2016, Persona 4 was seen as the pinnacle of the JRPG franchise. It could be due to its novel blend of murder mystery and fantasy elements, but it’s also largely because of the gameplay, which perfects the franchise’s formula. There is a stronger emphasis on social interaction than ever; stronger relations increase party unity during battles.
Katamari Damacy Is Just Crazy
Katamari Damacy has a novel premise that gives way to one of the craziest video games ever made. It sees a cosmic prince having to deal with the aftermath of his father’s error that has resulted in all stars being destroyed. The prince will have to collect anything he can to create new stars.
The central mechanic in Katamari Damacy is the titular katamari ball, which attracts foliage, outdoor furniture, and even trash. There is no end to how zany Katamari Damacy can get, and everything is backed by a fun soundtrack that will keep players enraptured.
Gran Turismo 4 Is Better Than Its Predecessor
In 2001, Sony made waves by releasing Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec for the PS2; it was seen at the time as the definitive next step for both gaming and sim racing titles. Come 2005, however, it would be outclassed by Gran Turismo 4.
Besides adding even more vehicles — with 721 cars compared to Gran Turismo 3’s paltry 180 cars — Gran Turismo 4 has players do more than just race. More specifically, the game includes B-Spec, a mode that has players taking the role of crew chief, who acts as guidance for computer racers.
Resident Evil 4 Changed Survival Horror Games Forever
Resident Evil 4 was originally released for the GameCube, but it plays just as well on the PS2. The game is set in Spain, and sees U.S. secret agent Leon S. Kennedy attempting to rescue the President’s daughter. She has been kidnapped by a small village cult, the leader of which appears to be connected to the nefarious Umbrella Corporation.
Since its release more than twenty years ago, Resident Evil 4 has served as a basis for today’s survival horror games, including Dead Space and Alan Wake. With its over-the-shoulder presentation and greater emphasis on resource management, Resident Evil 4 is just as intimate as it is intense.
Final Fantasy X Is a Seminal RPG
Final Fantasy X on PS2 marked a major step up from its PS1 predecessors. To start, the game is fully rendered in 3D and features voice acting, which helps elevate the game’s story. The plot sees Tidus, a star athlete from Zanarkand, and his allies working to stop Sin from destroying Spira.
In addition to the game’s superior presentation over its predecessors, Final Fantasy X made fundamental changes to the gameplay of the series. This is especially the case with the new combat system, which allows players to take more time deciding how to go about attacking enemies or using items.
Silent Hill 2 Is One of the Scariest Games Ever Made
Silent Hill 2 had the difficult task of living up to the original Silent Hill, which itself is still seen as one of the scariest games ever made. Thankfully, the new game proves itself more than worthy. It follows the residents and visitors of Silent Hill, including main protagonist James Sunderland.
James will meet a handful of eccentric and unnerving characters along the way, not to mention all sorts of horrors that seek to harm him. He has the option of evading these monsters or directly fighting them but, regardless, players will always be on the edge of their seats.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Outclasses Both its Predecessors and Successors
Some gamers may consider Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas overrated, but that’s only because they haven’t really played the game at all, let alone followed its story. Here, Carl Johnson goes from a small-time gang banger to one of the most powerful criminal kingpins in all the state of San Andreas.
In fact, GTA: San Andreas is almost perfect in every way, especially with its original PS2 release. If anything, it’s also better than later GTA games, with players being able to customize Carl in many ways that future titles don’t allow with their player characters. That isn’t even mentioning how vast and lively the in-game world is.
