There have been many eras throughout gaming. While often they blend, one way to mark their passing is to look at the console generations in question. Of those generations, the one surrounding the PS2 console holds a lofty place in the hearts of many.
Sony’s support of the PS2 in the early 2000s kept it a crucial member of the big three console developers, and there was a long list of titles launched on the console. No matter if you grew up with one, bought one as an adult, or want to take a look back at a console before your time, there are some games for the PS2 that stand out from the rest.
10Okami
A Classic Tail
A game that carved out its path,Okamiblended artistry, a grand storyline, and mythology into one seamless game. At first glance, playing as a wolf may seem like an easy-going and simple experience, but things get a little more complicated.
As you progress through the game as Amaterasu, the sun goddess, the story introduces you to some easy-to-handle gameplay with some boss fights that keep you thinking. The art style is where this game finds its mark though, as no one has done a watercolor style like this game has.
9Killzone
A War Of Attrition
The early 2000s were a foundational period for FPS games, and one that helped pave the way wasKillzone. This science-fiction look at the genre blew people away with its dynamic gameplay and grim setting that followed an intense war between two planets of human space colonists.
You can easily look back now and notice moments in the game where more recent games have pulled inspiration from. The multiplayer mode, while not as in-depth as other titles, saw plenty of fans in lobbies from around the world.
8Silent Hill 2
A Cornerstone Of Horror
Silent Hill 2is a cornerstone of the horror game genre that brought you back to the titular town, and not for a relaxing vacation. Mourning the death of his wife, James Sunderland is surprised to receive a letter from her, asking him to go back to Silent Hill.
You don’t have to know much of the series to know it’s far from being that simple. Monsters of all types, creepy settings, and sheer isolation await James in this game, which helps to build the foundation of the series as a heavyweight of horror.
7Sly Cooper
A Caper For The Ages
Kids and adults alike fell in love with theSly Cooperseries, and it’s still easy to see why. The gameplay was easy to grasp even at its hardest, and after exploring a challenging set of missions throughout the game, you will have an experience that many can look back on with warm memories.
You may not think of cute anthropomorphic animals and bright colors when you think of stealth games, but Sly Cooper somehow made it work thanks to a diverse cast of lovable characters, and how they interact with each other.
6Resident Evil 4
Practice Your Spin Kicks
Resident Evil 4brought new life and a few changes to the well-beloved series. While the new mechanics made sure it wasn’t the same old thing, the classic horror feel and a recognizable protagonist made for a warm welcome for long-time fans.
There were some wacky and funny moments, and the gray and creepy tones andinteresting take on zombiesmade for a game that still holds a high-ranking spot in horror games, and the Resident Evil series as a whole. An experience that has certainly stood the test of time.
5Shadow Of The Colossus
The Bigger They Are
Shadow of the Colossusmay have been a single-installment game, but it was around long enough to make big waves on the PS2. Its storyline was simple and didn’t bore you with too many details, as the game lets its enemies speak for themselves.
There was no feeling quite like walking up to the first boss and seeing the sheer size of it, and then wondering just how you were supposed to defeat it with a sword the size of a toothpick in comparison.No game ever made you feel so smalland then so powerful right after.
4Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
“Follow The Train, CJ.”
TheGrand Theft Autoseries has entertained people with its comedic stories and boundary-pushing ideas for some time now, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was a high point in this long-standing series.
A huge sandbox, a memorable protagonist, and some missions that still stick in the minds of players even this long after. No game touches on hard subjects and can go back and forth between humor and hard emotions quite like GTA San Andreas does.
3Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater
Pain, Fear, Fury
With a title like that, how can you not want to play it? True enough,Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eaterwas a dirtier and more emotional dive into the Metal Gear Solid series, but it’s one that helped propel the series to what it is today.
There’s plenty to keep you entertained in this installment, but one of the most memorable facets of the game is the bosses and overall storyline. Where else can you watch a spy dressed like a cowboy spin revolvers for nearly a full minute before he tries to kill you?
2Half-Life
“Time To Choose.”
Everyone may be waiting on the next installment of the series, but at least we all have fond memories of the originalHalf-Lifefrom the PS2 era. Gordon Freeman may be a silent protagonist, but maybe the shock of an invasion of Earth beginning at his research facility has scared him quiet.
It’s such a fun look into science fiction and early FPS gameplay. While we are all still curious about where the story will end, it is still fun to go and look at where it all began, so just keep an eye out for The G-Man, as trouble always seems to follow him.
1God Of War
A Man On A Mission
Humble beginnings on the PS2 mark one of the most impressive PlayStation series out there even now.God of Warfollows Kratos and his continued struggle against the gods in a story that has many twists and turns, where only a few of them are good news for the angry protagonist.
The game is easy to learn but still holds plenty of challenges and awe-inspiring moments. This hack-and-slash adventure starts his long epic that’s full of bloodshed and loss, but it is a journey you can’t find in any other series.
