In 2000, people were still reeling from the effects of the Y2K glitch. The internet was lawless, and video games were slowly but surely making their mark on Western audiences.
Now that we’ve covered the best PlayStation One games, it’s time for the PlayStation 2 to get its moment.
When PlayStation 2 was unveiled, it sold over 160 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling consoles ever. It was the ideal console for multimedia features, including gaming, music, and movies.
It was truly ahead of its time, so game companies were determined to invest in games that could test the console’s limits. As a result, the PlayStation 2 gave birth to more memorable gaming franchises that have left a lasting impression on us even today.
In this second part of our series, let’s continue exploring my picks for the five best on the PlayStation 2:
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
After my buddy and I finished Metal Gear Solid, it was a long and agonizing wait before we got our hands on Snake Eater. We never played the second game together, so we had no idea where the series would pick up. Why is this guy called Naked Snake? Sokolov? Volgin? World War II? That’s when we found out it was a prequel.
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+ 5Hideo Kojima was always a master at breaking the fourth wall. Metal Gear Solid taught us that. With Snake Eater, I remember my buddy, and I were always on the lookout for The Sorrow during every cutscene.
Then, the emotional final confrontation with the Boss happened. The field of white flowers, the iconic monologue; it was like a gut punch through and through. We were kids back then, but we somehow understood the idea behind that duel: It was heartbreaking.
Shadow Of The Colossus
Team Ico’s Shadow Of The Colossus was a breath of fresh air from the usual platforming and action games I had grown accustomed to. It had a feeling of discovery and adventure. I admit that the first few moments were packed with confusion. I had no idea what to do. So I learned how to ride my trusty steed, Aggro, and raised my Sword to follow the light.
click to enlarge + 5Little did I know that it took me to bosses of epic proportions. The sheer magnitude of their massive figure was intimidating. Never have I seen a boss that big in a game before. Like a David and Goliath situation, I kept assessing what to do and realized I could climb on them.
The first Colossus taught me the essentials: Climb the monster and stab its weak spot. It’s not as easy as it sounds, though. With 15 other Colossi, these titanic figures differ in scale and movesets. Nonetheless, I took the challenge. One by one, they all fell… but it left a sour taste in my mouth. To this day, I still feel bad about slaying these giants. Was I the bad guy?
God Of War II
Speaking of big bosses (not Metal Gear), God Of War II was no stranger to blockbuster boss fights. It was the first PlayStation 2 game that showed me how brutal and gory games can be. Kratos’ early days were full of rage, death, and a constant need to mash the Circle Button.
It was an action game first, a dopamine rush second. The satisfaction of defeating the abusive Gods and Goddesses of the Greek Pantheon was impressive, especially with Zeus.
click to enlarge + 5It was mildly addicting watching Kratos swing his signature Blades around. There was no controller haptics back then, but I felt every hack and slash from his arsenal.
Unfortunately, my time with God Of War II was met with a slight disdain once the credits rolled. I had no idea it was a set-up for a third title. Watching the Titans scale Mt. Olympus was a cliffhanger I will never forget during my teenage years.
Kingdom Hearts
The first Kingdom Hearts game holds a very special place in my heart. It was a time when Tetsuya Nomura didn’t clog up the story with unnecessary plot threads.
There’s just something simple and clean about Kingdom Hearts. It was an ambitious crossover project that no one saw coming. Who would’ve guessed Mickey Mouse would share the same universe with Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth? It was insane to process initially, but the longer I played the game, the more I appreciated its endearing story and characters.
click to enlarge + 5Sora, Donald, and Goofy’s adventure was something I couldn’t forget. It was a story about friendship and trust, something my younger self would eat up. Traversing various Disney worlds and taking down iconic Disney villains was a unique experience. I felt like a kid playing with action figures, with the likes of Cloud Strife and Minnie Mouse sharing scenes.
Persona 4
Before the PS Vita's Golden version, there was the OG Persona 4. It was the first Persona game I played, so imagine my surprise when I found out it’s a murder mystery with cute anime characters. It didn't take long to suck me into its story while I vibed to its catchy J-Pop tunes.
The pursuit of the truth was Persona 4’s main driving force. It was a compelling premise that got me playing over 60 hours just to get my answers. But within that playtime, I wasn’t doing Scooby Doo stuff all the time.
click to enlarge + 5To distract me from the murders and serial killers, I was so invested in its characters. From the superstar idol Rise to the tomboyish Chie, my game time was spent with them. Apart from the occasional dungeon-crawling shenanigans, building my in-game social circle was a new game mechanic.
Persona 4’s themes about facing yourself resonate with me today despite being fiction. As cheesy as it sounds.
While it may differ for others, these were my favorite PlayStation 2 titles. These franchises shaped my gaming standards, and I am itching for more games that can leave a long-lasting impact on me once the credits roll.
For more articles like this, take a look at our PlayStation and Lists page.