The Most Underrated PlayStation 2 Games That Deserve More Attention
Shadow Hearts: Covenant spins an engrossing tale of love and war set amidst World War 1 and filled to brim with the dark and the supernatural. With a unique Judgement Ring system for combat and highly customizable characters, the gameplay provides a refreshing twist to standard RPG mechanics. This game has been heralded as a cult classic for its enthralling narrative, addictive combat, and a memorable cast, leaving an indelible mark in the genre.
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- #260 of 314 onEvery Major RPG Video Game, Ranked
- 22006
A rich tapestry of ancient Japanese culture, folklore and mythology, Ōkami's story is a striking amalgam of Shinto religious lore reimagined in a vibrant, cel-shaded world. The gameplay entails using a celestial brush wielded by the main character, a divine wolf called Amaterasu, to interact with the environment and solve puzzles, offering an innovative take on traditional action adventure gaming. With its unique illustrative graphics and fusion of classical Japanese elements, Ōkami was universally acclaimned and has since been heralded as an artistic achievement in the gaming industry.
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- 3Apr 19 2005
In the fantastical world of Psychonauts, you navigate the mind-bending landscapes inside people's minds as part of a captivating and witty storyline. The gameplay combines adventure, platforming, and puzzle-solving, with gameplay mechanics that are as whimsical and varied as the characters inhabiting its world. The unique, original narrative combined with the gameplay innovation and humour, has solidified Psychonauts' place as a seminal classic in video game history.
- 42005
Shadow of Rome delves into a tense, politically-charged narrative set in the bloody backdrop of Julius Caesar's assassination. Gameplay invigorously alternates between adrenaline-charged gladiatorial clashes and intricate stealth sequences that truly challenge your survival instincts. While it took flak for its level of violence, it played a significant role in expanding the spectrum of historical-inspired gaming, setting a bar for mature, densely-plotted gaming experiences.
- 5Oct 17 2005
The Warriors video game, based on the eponymous film, takes you on a wild ride through New York's gritty underworld, with compelling gameplay that merges street-brawling combat and stealth elements to perfection. As a member of the Warriors gang, the objective is to survive gripping gang warfare in a painstakingly crafted world that's all bare-knuckle fights and dark, dank settings. The game left a significant mark for its detailed and engrossing plot, high intense skirmishes and brilliantly executed narrative style.
- 6Sep 14 2006
Breaking traditional boundaries, God Hand serves up a zesty story packed with humour, martial arts and cosmic peril. The gameplay is visceral, fast-paced, and physically engaging, with a unique fighting mechanism that is almost rhythm-like in its input. Its distinctive brand of over-the-top action combined with irreverent humour has coined God Hand as a cult classic.
- 7
Amidst the gritty lawlessness of the Wild West, Red Dead Revolver delivers a thrilling revenge saga fuelled by gun-slinging showdowns and frontier justice. The gameplay captures the real essence of cowboy life through exploration, bounty-hunting and quick-fire duels, all experienced in the third-person perspective. This game is widely recognized as the precursor of the critically acclaimed Red Dead series, making an impact by pioneering cowboy-themed video games.
More Red Dead Revolver- #31 of 596 onSony PlayStation 2 Games: List of PS2 Console Games
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- 8Mar 08 2004
Gruesomely dark and filled with psychological terror, The Suffering tells the tale of a death row inmate battling the monstrous embodiments of executions. The gameplay explores horror elements through a blend of survival and action, fraught with puzzles and twitch-inducing combat sequences. The game's unique combination of survival horror and action has earned it a significant spot in the annals of horror gaming.
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- 9Sep 26 2003
Freedom Fighters places players in an alternate reality where the Soviet Union invades and conquers New York City, and you're the resistant freedom fighter. The gameplay flawlessly mixes squad-based combat with strategic elements, creating an addictive and tactical war-time experience. It was lauded for its engaging storyline, fast-paced action, and a lasting impact that led to a redefinition of urban warfare within gaming.
- 102005
In an enchanted world divided by humans and fairy creatures, Radiata Stories tales an epic narrative that uniquely revolves around the fate of the hero's friendship. Blending hack-and-slash combat with vast exploration and intricate social interactions, Radiata's gameplay is as charming as it is immersive. Its impact lies in its light-hearted yet deep storytelling, intricate NPC system and the ability to completely change the game's narrative based on player decisions.
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- #20 of 66 onThe 65+ Best PS2 RPG Games, Ranked
- 11
At its core, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is a comedic, yet daring rescue mission featuring beloved characters SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy. The gameplay brims with classic platformer elements and some light puzzle-solving, each integrated perfectly within the zany and colourful underwater world. The game was well-received and hailed for its faithful representation of the TV show's unique humour and character dynamics, earning it a legendary status within the SpongeBob franchise.
- 122005
With a premise that celebrates high-speed chaos, Burnout Revenge drives you into adrenaline-fueled racing battles across dynamic cityscapes. The gameplay encourages aggressive driving and features a plethora of game modes challenging you to wreck rivals and cause ultimate road havoc. Its emphasis on vehicular mayhem brought a fresh twist to the racing genre, asserting Burnout Revenge's influential identity in arcade-style racing games.
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- 13Jun 26 2003
An absolute love letter to the glory days of action arcade gaming, Viewtiful Joe's tongue-in-cheek narrative follows Joe's transformation into a superhero and his mission to save his girlfriend. Gameplay is a delightful blend of side-scrolling beat'em up platforms with puzzling elements, all rendered in a stunningly comic-bookish style. An instant hit upon its release, Viewtiful Joe revitalized the 2D genre and charmed players with its chunky, cartoony visuals and kinetic intensity.
- 14
Stripping down the arena of conventional action-adventures, Shadow of the Colossus weaves an emotionally charged tale about a young man's quest to bring his lover back to life by killing colossal beasts. This game breathes life into the 'less is more' mantra, placing its gameplay around puzzle-like battles with sixteen massive colossi that are as grandiose as the game's desolate world. Its minimalistic design approach and emotionally resonant narrative pushed the envelope of what could be accomplished in a videogame, cementing it as a timeless masterpiece.
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- #51 of 221 onThe 220+ Most Compelling Video Game Storylines Ever
- 15
Steambot Chronicles presents a brilliantly thought-out alternate universe, where steam-powered robots are the crux of civilisation. Focusing on sandbox-style gameplay, players can explore massive landscapes in their customizable 'trotmobiles', influencing the story's progression with their actions. The game's open-ended narrative with heavy emphasis on player decision have contributed to its status as an underrated gem that left a sizeable impression in the gaming community.
Set in the high-fantasy Dungeons & Dragons universe, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II presents a narrative that pitches you and your party against treacherous conspiracies and formidable beasts. With its deep character customization, real-time combat and expansive world to explore, the gameplay experience is both tactical and immersive. The resulting game's brilliant mix of action and strategy shifted the paradigm for console RPGs, casting a mighty long shadow of influence in the genre.
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- #507 of 842 onThe 100+ Best Video Games Of All Time, Ranked By Fans
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- 17Nov 18 2003
In the grim and violent world of Manhunt, players take control of a convicted killer forced to participate in a twisted game of life and death. The Dark plot wrapped in stealth-based gameplay keeps the player at the edge of their seat, all while leaving an indelible impact on the gaming world for its depiction of violence. It's safe to say, this game wrangled controversies like a cowboy at a rodeo, yet pierced the market like a bolt from the blue.
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- 18
All hell breaks loose in Champions of Norrath, an action RPG where players embark on a perilous journey to quash an army threatening the world of Norrath. With dynamic hack and slash gameplay embellished with role-playing elements, this title certainly stands tall amongst its peers. The game struck a chord with die-hard RPG fans, churning the wheels of revolution in the RPG landscape.
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- 19Mar 15 2001
Taking on the cloak of a boy named Ari in Okage: Shadow King, players dive deep into a storytelling masterclass filled with plot twists, spiritual possession, and doused in a unique brand of ironic humor. The gameplay blends traditional RPG elements with tactical turn-based combat, making it a diamond in the rough. This enthralling anime-style adventure left a significant mark, painting the town red in the world of cult favorites.
- 20Apr 23 2002
Gauntlet Dark Legacy is a tale of high fantasy, with a cooperative play emphasis where heroes are on a quest to vanquish an evil sorcerer. The gameplay is straightforward- hack, slash, grab treasure and power-ups in colorful, maddeningly monster-filled mazes. It stood out for how it nailed the joy of multiple players tackling levels together, essentially shaping the four-player co-op model in gaming.
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- 21Jan 01 2006
In Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII, players reunite with Vincent Valentine and embark on the journey through his noir narratives with fascinating RPG elements. As a third-person shooter/RPG hybrid, the gameplay was a game-changer. This stunning installment in the legendary Final Fantasy series is the bee's knees, being an important brick in the wall for the franchise's global acclaim.
Persona 3 is a melting pot of modern Japanese life and occult horror where players assume control of a high school student leading a group of secret agents. With gameplay that smoothly transitions between social sim mechanics in the day and dungeon crawling at night, it's undeniably a one-two punch. The game sparked a wildfire of appreciation from fans, giving the series its proper stage in the spotlight.
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- 23Mar 08 2001
Extermination wields a chilly Antarctic setting as players solve chilling mysteries to contain an infectious outbreak. Gameplay soaked in survival-horror elements makes for an adrenaline-spiked experience. The game sure stirred the pot, enticing die-hard survival horror fans with its potent narrative cocktail.
- 24Jan 01 2002
Set in London's gritty underworld, The Getaway casts players as a reformed criminal caught on the wrong side of a double-cross. With gameplay marrying driving sequences with third-person gunplay, it's as thrilling as a roller coaster ride. The game was a breath of fresh air and made its mark by redefining narrative realism in gaming.
- 252003
Primal spins the captivating yarn of Jen, a modern girl possessed with supernatural abilities, who navigates four ethereal realms to save her boyfriend. The gameplay morphs between puzzle-solving, exploring, and combat, making it a stand-out action-adventure title. This bit of old blighty was a groundbreaking title and had the critics eating out of its hands.
- 262001
Rez thrusts players into a psychedelic cyberspace, tasked with saving an AI from self-destruction. The rhythm-based shooting gameplay with background music dynamically interacting with the player's actions, sets it miles apart. This pulsating venture left ripples in the gaming world, creating a genre all its own.
- 27Nov 21 2002
The exciting world of Rygar: The Legendary Adventure takes players back to ancient Argos, with gameplay combing acrobatics and puzzle-solving. The Diskarmor weapon and the power-up system are the cherries on top of this action-adventure sundae. It’s the cat’s pajamas, which solidified its place as a classic in the genre.
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis weaves a riveting tale of a young alchemist in a mystical academy. The gameplay, with classroom lessons and quests, is a fresh take in the world of RPGs. It's a jewel in the crown of the Atelier series, contributing significantly to the franchise's rampant popularity.
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- 29Jan 01 2005
Players denounce their morality in Devil Kings, commanding an army of warriors across various kingdoms to achieve supreme power. Its gameplay boasted a fusion of real-time strategy and action RPG mechanics, you bet your boots didn't go unnoticed. The title left its fingerprint on the gaming world and paved the way for the popular Sengoku Basara series.
- 30
Players are whisked away on a grand adventure in Tales of the Abyss, taking control of a young aristocrat discovering the harsh realities outside his sheltered life. The strategic, real-time battle system adds spice to this flavorful RPG. This title took the Tales series by storm and left it's mark as a fan-favorite.
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- #294 of 314 onEvery Major RPG Video Game, Ranked
