The 36 Best PS2 Games
- September 19, 2008 11:20 AM PST
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#8: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater / Subsistence
Year: 2004
Why It's Great:
When you've experienced the ultimate in modern stealth combat, where else to go but back in time? Metal Gear
Solid 3: Snake Eater tells the origin story of Big Boss, the original NES baddie, who bares a striking similarity
to Solid Snake. With camouflage-based stealth and survival techniques mixed with the series' standard combat,
Snake Eater is a delightfully delicious new taste of stealth.
Also Try: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Click here for more screens of Metal Gear Solid 3.
#7: God of War
Year: 2005
Why It's Great:
An epic narrative, an iconic main character, intense action, and amazing gameplay--that was the golden formula
that creator David Jaffe hit upon for the first God of War. Released nearly five years into the PlayStation 2's
lifespan, the first God of War proved that the console still had a lot of life left in its black plastic shell.
Recounting the vengeful tale of Kratos, a blood-thirsty Spartan warrior who rebels against the gods who rule from
Mount Olympus, God of War was a fantastic game that left a lasting impression on the action genre. The combat was
amazing, with a deep combo system, enemies galore, and eye-popping fatality animations that delivered a
satisfying and visceral thrill. The game was also unabashedly mature, and its production values and gameplay hold
up to this day.
Also Try: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Click here for more screens of God of War.
#6: Final Fantasy XII
Year: 2006
Why It's Great:
The twelfth installment in the world-famous Final Fantasy series was revolutionary for a number of reasons. One
was the birth of the Ivalice Alliance - Square Enix's attempt at creating actual continuity in the Final Fantasy
universe. Another was the end to random battles, with the player able to size up a foe before you take 'em on.
Lastly? An epic story that spanned the entire world of Ivalice, and over 100 hours of play time. Final Fantasy
XII is the series' grand exit from the PlayStation 2, and it exited in style.
Also Try: Final Fantasy X
Click here for more screens of Final Fantasy XII.
#5: Okami
Year: 2006
Why It's Great:
An under-appreciated classic, Okami was more of an experience than a game. Featuring an unusual story firmly
rooted in Japanese mythology, the player took on the wolf form of the sun goddess Amaterasu in a mission to
restore color, life, and prosperity to the world. With breathtaking visuals that appeared painted on your
television screen and a gameplay system that blows the concept of "innovation" out of the water, Okami was an
all-around masterpiece. Pity it didn't sell more copies - it's a classic.
Also Try: Shadow of the Colossus
Click here for more screens of Okami.
#4: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Year: 2002
Why It's Great:
The amazing open-world sandbox gameplay of Grand Theft Auto III made it one of the PS2's biggest hits. What could
possibly be added to the sordid tale of mob crime to make it more appealing? The surprisingly simple answer: a
ton of 1980's nostalgia. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City oozes retro charm, gave its lead character a voice and a
personality, and made subtle improvements to the cherished gameplay of the GTA series. Though it was
followed by the bigger San Andreas and the prettier GTA IV, many series fans still consider Vice City to be the
pinnacle of the Grand Theft Auto series.
Also Try: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Click here for more screens of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
#3: Shadow of the Colossus
Year: 2005
Why It's Great:
The concept of Shadow of the Colossus is so simple, it's amazing nobody tried it before. In this adventure game,
you'll explore a massive landscape and fight a series of massive bosses. By trimming out the fat of extraneous
enemies and other tiresome challenges, the game is able to focus on the greatest parts of any videogame-the boss
battles! Shadow of the Colossus is considered a modern-day classic, and when you see the titular Colossi in
motion, you'll instantly understand why.
Also Try: Ico
Click here for more screens of Shadow of the Colossus.
#2: Resident Evil 4
Year: 2005
Why It's Great:
Widely regarded as the best game in the series, Resident Evil 4 proved that you can, in fact, take a
good thing and make it even better. With Resident Evil 2's Leon Kennedy back in the lead role, Resident Evil 4
was revolutionary for a number of reasons. The first surprise was the biggest: There were no zombies! That's
right-the Resident Evil franchise was turned on its head when introduced to the Las Plagas, a deadly parasitic
life form affecting a small Spanish village. Add in Resident Evil 4's over-the-shoulder targeting system and
heart-stopping quick time events, and you have an instant classic on your hands. This is one of the most
important games of the decade, and the PS2 version is a must-own.
Also Try: Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
Click here for more screens of Resident Evil 4.
#1: God of War II
Year: 2007
Why It's Great:
How do you improve on a game that was almost universally hailed as being one of the best action games ever
created? You make the sequel bigger and better. With new weapons, more godly powers, and larger levels, God of
War II was everything its little brother was and then some. Continuing where the original God of War left off,
the second installment in the God of War saga brings Kratos' one-man vendetta against Mount Olympus to a
thrilling cliff-hanger ending that left gamers everywhere clamoring for the third and final chapter (soon to be
revealed on the PlayStation 3). Oh, it also features one of the most epic opening levels ever created: an
awe-inspiring fight against the Colossus of Rhodes that, in lesser games, would have served as the final boss
fight. With expectations high after the success of God of War, new director Corey Barlog and his team had to
deliver a masterpiece to live up to the hype. Luckily for PS2 owners, they did just that. God of War II is a PS2
high point.
Also Try: God of War
Click here for more screens of God of War II.
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Comments [134]
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- Jul 25 2008 at 02:01:21:PM PST
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I probably don't wanna know what's going on in that Psi-Ops screenshot.
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lol i thought they were only doing one game per series on the list...i got pissed when i saw GOW only at number 7
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good list. and i agree with Zexion_VI_OrgXIII. no FFX? i actually would of prefered that one instead of XII, though i like XII.
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umm take away FF12 and and GOW2 and replace them with FF10 and move RE4 up to #1 then you have yourself a good list. =D
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Strange list, just a lot of random choices, Escape from Monkey Island? The worst in the series, not bad by any means though. Psychonauts should go on it over that, at least it is legit Schafer. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2? It has nothing on Guilty Gear and the best iteration of MvC2 is the DC version, I'm not saying that as a fanboy either. Black was straight up bad, if you have ports on the list, Half-Life should have made it hands down. Timesplitters: Future Perfect, another worst of the series, TS2 is a much better balanced game. Hitman: Blood Money ahead of Ico? Lame. Agree on SSX3 being better than THPS3 though. No Virtua Fighter 4? Whatever. Sly and Klonoa 2 remain overlooked as platformers. Overall an interesting list worth the look.
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