Summary
Over two decades after its initial launch, the PlayStation 2 is responsible for introducing some of the best games ever made to countless players. Maintaining its position as the best-selling video games console of all time, it still holds a place in the consciousness of many, leaving a legacy that is sure to last for many years to come.
Many great games were available on rival platforms at the time, but the juggernaut console had a plethora of exclusive titles. While some all-time classics such asTimeSplittersandTwisted Metal: Blackhave eventually made their way to later PlayStations and other consoles, these must-play titles have remained trapped on the iconic PlayStation 2.
TheSOCOMseries has been largely forgotten in recent years, asother shooters have taken overthe market, but the debut entry,SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs, was incredibly successful in its day. Spawning a series that continued into future generations of consoles, it sold multiple millions of copies.
Playing as an operative with the codename Kahuna, and utilizing a headset to allow players to command their team with speech, the game was quite revolutionary for the time. Across twelve compelling story missions — and being judged on accuracy, stealth, and teamwork —SOCOMalso featured some excellent online gameplay, but the servers have sadly since closed down.
Much liketheDrivergames,The Getawaywas arguably unfairly labeled a ‘Grand Theft Autoclone.’ While it is not dissimilar, this entry is certainly worth checking out, receiving a great deal of retrospective praise where there was once critique aimed at the story and gameplay.
Attempting to present a more cinematic experience, the game features no HUD, being more clever with its approach, such as flashing indicators on the car showing players where to go. Controlling two characters with intersecting stories, players can freely explore the excellent London setting upon completion of the missions. Sequels, a TV series, and a graphic novel have all followed.
The exclusivity aspect ofTime Crisis 3is somewhat questionable, since it started out as an arcade game, and a slightly altered version calledTime Crisis Strikeis available as a mobile game, but the PlayStation 2 version is the only really accessible way to play nowadays. It’s also different to the arcade game, with more weapons and playable characters.
The light-gun peripheral was extremely popular around the millennium, withTime CrisisandHouse of the Deadleading the way, and the former long overdue a resurgence. Much like its fantastic predecessor,Time Crisis 3also allows multiplayer, and the unique ‘hide and advance’ pedal system is present, allowing players to take cover.
The final installment in the stellarWWE SmackDown!series,WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Painis regarded by many as the best of them all and one of the best wrestling games in general. Featuring a strong roster of over 50 wrestlers, including legends for the first time, it was also the first game to include the incredibly brutal and chaotic ‘Elimination Chamber’ match type.
This entry also introduced the grappling system, rivaling that of the classic titleWWF No Mercyon the Nintendo 64, and graphics showing bodily damage were debuted here. These, along with the updated submission system, became staples of WWE games going forward, and the extensive Season mode includedmany surprisingly intricateand branching plotlines.
The fourth installment in the behemoth series,Gran Turismo 4ended up being one of the biggest-selling PlayStation 2 games ever. Building on thesolid gameplay of earlierGran Turismotitles, it featured over 700 vehicles and more than 50 tracks based on real world courses and modified versions of tracks from previous games.
There are vast improvements on the previous game, such as better graphics and physics, and the addition of a ‘Photo Mode’ for players to take screenshots and download them to a USB stick. The A-spec mode is present once again, with new ‘Driving Missions,’ and this was the first game to feature B-spec mode, where players take control of a race crew chief.
Another of the PlayStation 2’s highest-selling games,EyeToy: Playwas the first to incorporate the EyeToy video camera, which detected player movement to interact with objects on the screen, as opposed to using a controller. Clearly, it was a very popular idea at the time and spawned many sequels, though none were as good as the first game.
There are 12 easy-to-play minigames with a great general appeal for all ages and abilities. Multiplayer is whereEyeToyis strongest, either pitting players against one another or working in teams, and there is a Playroom tech demo where players can mess around with different effects or record short videos thanks to the camera’s built-in microphone.
Never released in Europe,Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille Zur Machtacts mostly as an introduction to the widerXenosagaseries. The German title is a reference to philosopher Nietzsche, translated as “The Will to Power,” perhaps due to the fact that free will is such a driving force in the narrative.
Set in the far future as humans facean existential threat, players take the role of scientist Shion Uzuki and her AI companion KOS-MOS, who battle hostile aliens known as the Gnosis. The game was generally beloved at the time, though be prepared for long cutscenes, with some even as long as 40 minutes!
3Wipeout Fusion
High Octane Futuristic Racing
Taking to the tracks once again in the F9000 antigravity racing league,Wipeout Fusionis often overlookedin theWipeoutseries. The controls are somewhat stiffer than in its series counterparts, and weapons are more plentiful, meaning the AI opponents are much more aggressive.
This is the only game in the series to feature vehicle upgrades, and more powerful weapons must be unlocked later in the game. Even some game modes are locked until players reach a certain point, which is unique for the series. As has come to be expected withWipeoutgames, the soundtrack is universally regarded as superb.
Known asAce Combat: Distant Thunderin Europe,Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skiesis the fourth entry in the series, and a huge leap forward from its somewhat underwhelming predecessor. Controlling legendary pilot Mobius-1, players participate in the Continental War between the fictional continent of Usea and the aggressors from Erusea.
Combining realism and fantasy, the game features 21 aircraft, both real and fictional, and players can install special weaponry on their crafts. To this day, this entry remains the most acclaimed in the series — and it was the highest selling for over a decade untilAce Combat 7: Skies Unknowncame along.
Featuring a new protagonist in Jubei Yagyu,Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyis one of three PlayStation 2 exclusive titles intheOnimushaseries, alongsideOnimusha: Blade WarriorsandOnimusha:Dawn of Dreams. Beside the new player character, there are four other playable characters who are all part of the interconnected and branching plot, though they have more limited weaponry.
Controls are similar to other Capcom titles, most notablyResident Evil, with another similarity being thefixed camera angles. Players are rewarded for performing combos on enemies, rather than simply button-mashing, and Jubei is also able to absorb the souls of defeated Genma, using them for upgrades.
