Summary
The best-selling console of all time and one of the best generations for video games, the PlayStation 2 era brought with it so manyfan-favorite franchises and groundbreaking titlesthat revolutionized the gaming world and continue to have sequels and re-releases nearly two decades later. The impact of the console is simply immeasurable, and the titles available at the time speak for themselves.
At the heart of any game is pure fun. As much as a video game can focus on story or complex themes, sometimes it’s nice to have a solid balance of story and entertaining gameplay, or to even go a step further and push the fun factor to the maximum to create the most enjoyment possible.
For the art style alone,Okamiis visually stunning, and the gameplay feeds into the art, using it as a main mechanic for all aspects of the game. A blending of Japanese mythology withZelda-style exploration, players control Amaterasu, the sun goddess in wolf form, as she restores life and color to a cursed world. The game’s signature feature is the Celestial Brush mechanic, which lets players draw symbols on the screen that can be used in both combat and to manipulate the environment, offering a uniquely interactive experience.
What makesOkamiso fun is the ability to interact with the world in interesting and clever ways. The painterly art mechanic brings the world to life with each stroke of the brush, making even the act of restoring a tree feel rewarding. It’s packed with dungeon content and side-quests to keep the player entertained for hours, all wrapped in a whimsical tone that feels straight out of a fairytale. Its originality and warmth make it one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences on the PS2, and with a sequel on the way, hopefully, they can recapture even a smidgen of that same flair and fun.
Arguably thebest in the horror genre even today,Resident Evil 4is a wild ride from start to finish. Leaning more into the action side and putting a heavy emphasis on gunplay, players investigate a barren land in search of the President’s daughter, encountering more than a few zombie-like enemies and mutated creatures that need to be put to sleep.
The shooting feels rewarding, and every kill is paired with a healthy dose of gore and blood, adding a level of realism to every encounter and pushing the limits of the console. And with a whole cast of iconic characters and even more iconic enemies, the joy never ceases, and while normally the player might be running scared, in this case, the game encourages them to push forward head-on and to shoot their way through anything in their path.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3perfected the series’ arcade-style skating formula, delivering fast and fluid gameplay across a variety of imaginative levels. Players have a lot of freedom to perform complex trick chains, discover hidden routes, and complete level-specific challenges using a tight control system that rewards both creativity and precision. With a few extra new mechanics like the revert move, combos, and high scores, suddenly had a new level of depth, and the amount of time players can spend perfecting a single chain is unlimited.
What makes the game especially fun is its near-endless replayability. Each level is filled with collectibles and hidden objectives that not only encourage exploration but experimentation and mastery. Combined with a killer soundtrack and the ability to play as a range of wild characters, the game never takes itself too seriously. It’s the kind of experience where five-minute sessions easily turn into hours, and its momentum-based movement still feels great over two decades later.
Rayman 2: Revolutionbrought the lovable, limbless hero into a full 3D world full of vibrant colors and charm that continues to shine today. Fighting through robot pirates and rescuing captives, every moment is full of smiles throughout, and the addition of new and fun mechanics in almost every stage keeps it feeling fresh and engaging in an already crisp and well-polished platformer.
The blend of platforming with deep exploration invited players to go out in search of hidden areas and collectibles, and with such rewarding jumps and so much joy to see in the environment, even running around with no enemies can still be incredibly enjoyable. So much beauty and more than a few surprises, the quirky little fella continues to excite and deliver an unforgettable gaming experience several decades after he first graced the screens.
Few stealth games hold quite the same esteem asMetal Gear Solid 3. A Cold War-era jungle full of iconic bosses and a whole range of threats, players are given a whole toolshed of systems to utilize, like camouflage and trap setting to make the environment feel like a canvas on which to engage with the map innew and interesting waysthat the series hadn’t seen before.
Experimentation is really at the heart of the gameplay, and players are able to sneak and approach any scenario however they choose, while still having to manage plenty of meters like stamina and injuries. It is an immersive stealth game unlike any other and pushes players to explore every aspect of the combat and approach enemies in ways they could only dream of before.
The originalGod of Waris one of those games thatdefies expectationswhen it comes to cinematic storytelling and combat brutality. With the mission dumbing down to basically killing the God of War himself, players are armed to the teeth with razor-sharp blades and a rage that could topple mountains. Slicing through hordes of enemies in seconds and the tight blending of hack-and-slash action with other mechanics like platforming, turns even the simplest moments into a true adventure.
There is a constant sense of momentum and forward motion, and every moment belongs on the big screen, with spectacular shots that truly take the player’s breath away. It never feels like the game slows down, and even when there is a moment of pause from hacking away at the beasts, it isn’t long before the action returns, setting a new standard for not only the genre but games on the system as a whole.
Style, speed, and pure sword-swinging goodness,Devil May Cryhas long been a fan favorite in the world of action and for good reason. Combining medieval settings with fast-paced gunplay, it’s the perfect mix of old and new, bringing so much fun even in the easiest of fights. The game lives and breathes excitement, rewarding and fluid fighting, and letting the player become a true demon-killing machine.
It brings a decent amount of challenge, combined with plenty of stylistic flair, that brings so much aggression and creativity at every step along the way. Over the top and dramatic don’t even begin to describe it, and with a leading man who has so much arrogance and charisma, it is hard to look away from even the bloodiest moments.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreasexpanded the open-world formula to jaw-dropping proportions. Players step into the shoes of CJ, navigating a massive, fictional version of California full of gangs and corruption in a city brimming with content. The game mixes story-driven missions with free-roam chaos, allowing players to traverse the world however they choose.
What makesSan Andreasso fun is its sheer variety. One minute, it’s racing dirt bikes through the countryside; the next, skydiving into a casino heist. The possibilities are quite literally unlimited. It’s full of surprises, humor, and freedom, making it a sandbox that feels alive. With itsrich narrative and jam-packed world, it’s a landmark title that still holds up today.
