Since the Playstation 2 launched over ten years ago, it has captured our hearts and imaginations as the pinnacle of gaming for a growing generation. For us, especially, it happened during our turbulent teenage years. The Playstation 2 successfully filled that void because no other console could boast a huge library of video games and playability at the time (sorry Xbox, Gamecube). We reminisced for a bit and rounded up our top three favorite Playstation 2 games. Does the MonsterVine staff have similar tastes or are our picks just out there? What are your favorite Playstation 2 games before the era of high definition graphics and achievement whores?
William Saw | Editor-in-Chief
1. Final Fantasy X
Visually perfect, turn based, and overly dramatic but who doesn’t remember the tune of ‘To Zanarkand’ when you first boot up the game? It also had a sequel but we don’t talk about that.
2. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Addictive collectathon platformer with humorous quips from a obnoxious but lovable orange ottsel. It rekindled my love of exploration and viceversa my hatred for platforming jumps.
3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Snake, Ocelot, Major Zero, Eva, The Boss, and the memorable characters made Snake Eater a cut above the rest in narrative storytelling – even if I could spin Snake around long enough to make him throw up.
Craig Parmenter | Associate Editor
1. Burnout Revenge
Possibly my favourite racing game of all time, the insanity and the crashes and the brake-neck speeds coupled with a sweet soundtrack; what more can you ask for?
2. Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Massive fun, blowning up a whole country full of bad guys never loses it appeal. It’s a damn sight better than it’s sequel!
3. Psychonauts
One of my favourite games ever made, the twisted and brilliant humour with a great story more than made up for one or two little flaws.
SparklingBlue | Nintendo Editor
1. Dragon Quest VIII
Top notch all around, vast world, memorable characters, great story.
2. Final Fantasy XII
Engrossing story despite its flaws.
3. Kingdom Hearts
Proves that the family friendly can co-exist with the mature.
Sakuchan | Community Moderator at Kingdom Hearts Ultimania
1. Kingdom Hearts
The game that made me a gamer. Cute characters, cute story; it encompasses everything that could ensnare the 14-year old female psyche.
2. Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Unarguably the fastest and most furious arcade-style fighter of the decade. Put Cyclops and Ryu on your roster for added seizures.
3. Resident Evil 4
Redefined RE for the masses and changed the gameplay concept from tank character maneuver to over-the-shoulder perspective smoothness. It is from here on that we say goodbye to random headshots and hello to reaction-command falcon punches.
Francis Rodriguez | Senior Editor
1. Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant.
Being my favourite RPG of all-time, and consequently one of my favourite PS2 games of the generation, Shadow Hearts had a way with its storytelling that I’ve yet to see again. Mixing humour and drama, along with an splendid execution of theme and narrative experienced by a perfectly imperfect protagonist, SH2:C tells a far-fetched tale that finds a way to feel vivid, real, and relevant to the human experience.
2. Kingdom Hearts.
Can’t forget the game that originally made me want to buy a PS2. There was something eerily inviting about the Kingdom Hearts universe, be it the nostalgic child within that desired to re-live old memories, or the JRPG fan that was ready to venture outside the box of ordinary Squaresoft. It was most likely both. Kingdom Hearts speaks to people on so many levels, and its duality of spirit somehow makes it capable of doing it all simultaneously.
3. Twisted Metal Black.
Sheer and utter fun. I remember spending hours playing with friends learning all the secrets of the maps, and mastering the different specials of the characters. Twisted Metal Black had a peculiar way of simulating a purely fun arcade experience despite the heavy story material that persisted throughout the campaign, but it was without a doubt a franchise that continued to stand on its own.
Diego Escala | Reviews Editor
Psychonauts
What else can I say about this game other than mentioning it’s quirky humor, terrific platforming segments, imaginative environments, and the milkman level. If you haven’t played this game then you owe it to yourself to find a copy immediately.
Resident Evil 4
One of the best survival horror games even if people argue that it’s more action horror. I know you all remember the first time you jumped into that pit and the two Bella sisters came out you making you shit yourselves. Oh and need I remind you of your first Regenerator? Also playing as HUNK in Mercenaries and snapping necks like a boss was the best part.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
This was the game all my friends got together to play and there’s still a strong community playing online. Space battles, check. Jedi fights, check. Big fucking armies going at it, checked before I even wrote this. The only thing wrong with this game is that there isn’t a third game.
Craig Ballard | UK Editor-in-Chief
1. Kingdom Hearts
This series always has been a favourite of mine. It interested me when I first saw that trailer, no-one would of thought this odd crossover would be good let alone succeed the way it has. It has since become more than just a crossover. I love the games style, atmosphere and even the gameplay, even if it is very button mashy. Recently playing Birth by Sleep really reminded me why I love this series so much. The countless times I played the original and that recent craving to play it again just proves that it’s my favourite Playstation 2 game.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
What is a top list with GTA, it’s almost a given someone’s top list will contain it. This is the GTA I put the most hours into, while I loved San Andreas this one has the most memories. The times I played with my sister and cousins just spending hours just messing about, and all this set in the 80’s just makes it even better. Haha look at what they’re wearing.
3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
While MGS2 introduced me to the series, this one is by far one of the best in the series. A great story with an ending that left me more than satisfied. The sheer amount of easter eggs is something to awe at. Along with the fact everything about this game just screams James Bond, right down to the opening theme. It’s probably why I love it so much.
Brogyán György | Features Editor and Appetizer Host
Silent Hill 2
Unlike the majority of Silent Hill fans, I don’t consider Silent Hill 2 to be the best in the series overall, I give that honor to the original Silent Hill. Despite that, it is still a great game in its own right. Arguably, the game’s story is the best in the series, being emotional, deep and yet very subtle at the same times, often using the unique characteristics of interactive media to tell it’s story. It’s one of the most memorable survival horror experiences ever created.
Jak II: Renegade
Jak II is what you get when you combine Jak & Daxter’s awesome platforming with a more serious tone, and an open world. For me, Jak II defined the platformers of the era, simply because it took the best elements of it’s predecessor and mixed it with a more interesting world. It didn’t lose any of its charm, but gained a lot of personality and improvements, because Naughty Dog was willing to actually add an interesting story to a platformer, instead of clinging to old clichés like many other platformers do. Not to mention the more mature but not offensive humour.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Vice City was not a massive leap for the GTA series in terms of gameplay, unlike San Andreas. However, the atmosphere just made it stand out to the point that I consider it the best in the series. Perfectly recreated 80’s feeling, with 80’s music, clothes, etc. Featuring remarkable voice talent that breath life into the already colorful cast of characters, Vice City simply took GTA 3 and pushed the atmosphere and immersion up to eleven.
Pete Campbell | Benevolent Host Administrator of CB Media
Final Fantasy X
I first played the Final Fantasy franchise back in 1999 with Final Fantasy VIII and the tenth iteration was the only one to blow my socks off following the eigth game, and has been the only one I have throughly enjoyed since
Grand Theft Auto III
It really breathed new air into the Franchise and achieved everything that earlier similar games like the Driver franchise could not. I played it so much that in the end, I was trying to invent ways to crash the game for new replay value
Kingdom Hearts
I was impressed by Kingdom Hearts since the original trailer in E3 2001, and then it took a place in my own heart after reliving some of my favourite films as a child. Also, it took the best bits of Final Fantasy gameplay with a whole new spin.
