ThePlayStation 2is one of the most universally beloved consoles ever made. Many gamers have fond memories of the system to this day. At the time of release, it was such a large technological leap from what had come before, which is why it had a long run as the top console around.
During that time, many incredible and iconic games were released for the system. However, gaming moves on, and plenty of those titles don’t meet today’s standards. That isn’t the case for them all, though. For example, the following games are still great to this day.
8Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Metal Gear Solid 3 still ranks as one ofthe greatest stealth games of all time. And the Subsistence version is even slightly better due to the inclusion of a full third-person camera view, making it easier to play.
The core stealth gameplay remains excellent. It revolves around blending into your surroundings using camouflage. Yet, the true greatness of the game comes from the incredible story. It is a compelling tale that revolves around the complex interactions and bonds that each of the main characters shares with one another.
There have been several exceptional Burnout games, but the series really peaked with Burnout 3. Like others in the series, it’s a fast-paced arcade racing game that puts plenty of focus on crashing into your opponents.
To that end, the game introduced the takedown mechanic, which allows you to smash your opponents into walls or other obstacles to destroy their vehicle and temporarily eliminate them from the race. This feature makes the high-speed racing even more dangerous and exciting. Along with this, the game offers a great collection of game modes and vehicles that feel great to drive.
The fact that Okamilooks like a comic bookhas helped the visual appeal of the game stand the test of time. Yet, it isn’t just a good-looking title; it’s also very entertaining.
The game puts you in control of a goddess who has taken the form of an adorable wolf. As them, you must travel around a beautiful-looking world, fighting enemies, doing a bit of platforming, and solving some puzzles. The game provides a unique experience that is different from any action-adventure game before or since.
There have been a few Devil May Cry games on other systems, but the PS2’s Devil May Cry 3 still remains among the best. In fact, at the time, this was considered an almost perfect DMC game.
Visually, it doesn’t quite hold up, but the gameplay is still excellent. In classic Devil May Cry fashion, combat is slick and stylish. It mostly revolves around you having to unleash impressive combos on a variety of foes using a mix of swords and guns.
Resident Evil 4 received one ofthe best video game remakes everin 2023, but there is still a lot to love about the original. It’s one of the most perfectly paced games you will ever play, as Leon Kennedy’s adventure unravels naturally as you make your way through the game.
The government agent is visiting a village in Spain to find and rescue the President’s daughter. When he gets there, though, he finds a bunch of infected civilians. Fighting these beasts remains a lot of fun, even if the controls for aiming aren’t ideal by modern expectations. Shooting monsters and following up with an impressive kick will never be tiresome.
Ico follows the tale of a boy who frees a girl from captivity. Together, they go on an epic adventure filled with puzzles and limited dialogue. Despite the characters not talking to each other very much, you’re able to feel their bond continue to grow through their interactions.
The main reason why this title holds up to this day is that there haven’t been a lot of games like it. Some have elements of it, but no title really provides the full, captivating experience that Ico does.
The most recent God of War games have moved away from the original GOW formula. That doesn’t mean that the formula isn’t still great, though. After all, God of War 2 remains a fantastic action-adventure game.
The story is a classic revenge plot, as your character, Kratos, desires to get vengeance on Zeus, who has betrayed you. However, storytelling isn’t the main thing this game brings to the table. The satisfying and over-the-top combat is what keeps you coming back for more, and not many games in the action-adventure genre have managed to match this game in that regard.
Rockstar was one of the best developers of the PlayStation 2 era, mainly because of its GTA series. Yet, Bully is the game that arguably holds up the best from this era of Rockstar.
In the game, you control young delinquent Jimmy Hopkins, who is sent to a boarding school that is filled with various cliques that he must deal with. During the adventure, you complete a bunch of unique and well-crafted missions, attend classes, and play a lot of fun minigames. It has the classic Rockstar charm while also feeling very distinct from most of the other titles the studio has made.
