Summary
The PlayStation marked a huge turning point for the gaming industry, with Sony going all out with their high-end gaming offerings courtesy of the console that succeeded it. Thegraphics on the PlayStation 2 were mind-blowingback in the day, and players couldn’t imagine games looking better than how they appeared on this system for a long time.
The push for mature gaming experiences coupled with tighter quality control for third-party publishers ensured that the PlayStation 2 would boast a gaming library full of quality titles that fans could have a great time with. This included games across numerous genres with female protagonists at the helm that served as a fresh change of pace from the male-dominated landscape.
BloodRayne 2is a fun action gamethat’s a huge improvement over its predecessor. While the combat isn’t as smooth as other hack-and-slash titles that came around the same time,BloodRayne 2’s femme fatale protagonist and gory action ensure that players will enjoy this title till the very end.
Rayne is a powerful dhampir who can use a variety of weapons and must suck the blood of her enemies from time to time to regain her health. This makes for a compelling gameplay loop as players master combos while scrambling to heal whenever they take too much damage.
Rule of Rosecan be a hard game to get into courtesy of a wonky combat system that’s extremely frustrating. It does help make Jennifer feel helpless against her enemies because of how ineffective she is at swinging weapons, but players find it hard to appreciate this design choice when the title bombards players with enemies that must be defeated for players to make progress in peace.
What helpsRule of Roseovercome these frustrations is one of the best stories told in a horror game that doesn’t shy away from mature themes.The game found itself in hot waterfor what players assumed to be child cruelty, which is understandable to an extent but doesn’t look at the context of a well-told story that deals with themes like bullying and PTSD, among other heavy themes.
Withthe rampant success ofSilent Hill 2, it was clear that Konami had a goldmine on their hands. They wasted no time developing the third installment in this survival horror series that features its fair share of grotesque imagery and supernatural shenanigans.
WhileSilent Hill 3may not be as long as players would want, it’s still full of memorable moments as players control a clueless teenage girl named Heather. Helping her survive the horrors of the Otherworld in some of the creepiest sequences in the game will send shivers down a player’s spine to this day.
Haunting Groundcarries forward the legacy ofClock Towerin a new and modern setting. Players must explore a castle and evade numerous pursuers while keeping their sanity intact. Failing to do so causes Fiona to lose control and run erratically, becoming easier to capture for the game’s many villains.
It helps that Hewie accompanies Fiona during this journey and helps her survive as she completes puzzles and makes progress.The game features numerous endingsand a stunning atmosphere that can make up for a repetitive gameplay loop where Fiona is pursued too many times for some people’s liking.
AfterThe Angel of Darknessbombed, Lara Croft didn’t enter the gaming mainstream for a long time. However, it was only a matter of time before gaming’s favorite heroine would make a comeback, which happened courtesy ofTomb Raider: Legend.
The game modernized both platforming and combat to make theTomb Raiderfeel better to control than ever before. The adventures feel epic as Lara explores various tombs to find Excalibur, making for a bombastic conclusion where Lara learns about her mother’s fate and the actions that preceded it.
An immersive first-person shooter where players can use combat or stealth to take out their foes,No One Lives Foreverputs players in the shoes of Cate Archer. This charismatic agent tackles numerous missions while uncovering a grand conspiracy with world-changing ramifications.
Her sassy dialogue makes for some much-needed levity in an otherwise serious video game. With amazing performances, a riveting story, and fun gameplay to boot, it’s easy to see why so many people have fond memories ofNo One Lives Foreverand its entertaining protagonist.
There’s a reason whyBeyond Good & Evilcontinues to be one of the most talked-about video games to date. Despite boasting a run-of-the-mill gameplay loop that involves combat, exploration, stealth, and other minor elements, the unique world of this title helps it stand out in the eyes of many.
It helps that Jade is a woman of many talents who’s pretty engaging in her own right. While it may be dated in some aspects, the charm oozing from this title makes it worth checking out for anyone who wants to enjoy a unique action-adventure game.
A beautiful cel-shaded game that went unappreciated back in the day, players slowly came around and got their hands on a beautiful action-adventure title inspired byThe Legend of Zelda. Using a paintbrush to interact with the world and attack enemies in combat is a huge part of what makesOkamiso special.
Fans were elated to hear that this amazing game would finally get the sequel it deserved. Controlling the goddess Amaterasu in another epic adventure is going to be a blast, and fans can’t wait to see how the paintbrush mechanics are expanded to help the sequel stand out.
