[RECOMMEND ON] Just got my old PS2 working again

joshofalltrades

I have not turned on this PS2 in about 5 or 6 years, and I never owned that many games for it.

I finally found it the other day and dusted it off, opened it up and fixed the disc read error it had. Now PS2 games are cheap cheap cheap and I would like recommendations of things that you can only get on PS2.

Things I have played:

Shadow of the Colossus (in progress right now)
Metal Gear Solid 2
Ico
Final Fantasy X (and X-2 but I never finished it because I lack the prerequisite amount of estrogen)
GTA III
Onimusha
Silent Hill 2 & 3
Oni

I think there may be more but as you recommend things I may be able to jog my memory.

All suggestions are appreciated!

Games that have already been suggested:

God Hand
Persona 2 & 3
God of War 1 & 2
Yakuza 1 & 2
Psi-Ops

Dehumanized

you should try god hand

joshofalltrades

That game gets a lot of love here, I've noticed. It's a fighting game, right? Is there a decent fight stick for PS2 on the cheap? After investing in a stick for my PC/360 I don't think I can go back to a controller for them.

Dehumanized

imagine a 2d brawler

now imagine it's in 3d with a camera locked behind you

that's god hand

this review sums up what it's all about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBqB5LUKh8A

Arivia

persona 3 and 4, but play 3 before 4

I will have more posts for this thread when I actually have my PS2 stuff at hand in 3 hours

joshofalltrades

Arivia wrote: »

persona 3 and 4, but play 3 before 4

So I don't need to play persona 1 or 2 first?

Arivia wrote: »

I will have more posts for this thread when I actually have my PS2 stuff at hand in 3 hours

yay

Jubal77

joshofalltrades wrote: »

Arivia wrote: »

persona 3 and 4, but play 3 before 4

So I don't need to play persona 1 or 2 first?

They are not direct continuations off of each other.

Edit: Oh and play God of War 1 & 2. You will love yourself for it.

Dehumanized

none of the persona games have linked storylines, there are just some references to earlier games

p1/p2 are both playstation games (though a PSP remake of persona 1 was just released), but they'd also be pretty hard to find

p3/p4 are significantly different than the earlier entries in the series, and definitely something you should give a try. the only reason why p3 is generally recommended before p4 is because both are great experiences, but p4's gameplay is improved in such a way that going from p3 -> p4 is much less painful than going from p4 -> p3.

joshofalltrades

Dehumanized wrote: »

none of the persona games have linked storylines, there are just some references to earlier games

p1/p2 are both playstation games (though a PSP remake of persona 1 was just released), but they'd also be pretty hard to find

p3/p4 are significantly different than the earlier entries in the series, and definitely something you should give a try. the only reason why p3 is generally recommended before p4 is because both are great experiences, but p4's gameplay is improved in such a way that going from p3 -> p4 is much less painful than going from p4 -> p3.

Good stuff, thanks for that.

joshofalltrades

Updated the OP with other games I remember playing and the stuff that's already been suggested.

Darth_Mogs

Yakuza and Yakuza 2. They are wonderful games.

Also, in PS2 threads, I always recommend Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy because you get psychic powers that are completely and totally fun to dick around with in the first few levels. The story is meh, and the last couple of levels suck, but if you can't enjoy setting a person on fire and slamming them against a wall over and over again with telekinesis, then I don't know what to tell you.

slash000

I actually compiled a list of recommendations from the last few threads we've had concerning PS2 recommendations, and added them to the wiki.

The list includes games recommended for the PS2, with the exclusive games in bold.

The thing to remember is that it's a 'general' recommendation list; but the greatest thing about the PS2 is all of the variety that appeals to people with specific interests. So even though the generalized recommendations are pretty exhaustive, if there are specific types of games/gameplay that you like, there are probably even more great PS2 games to recommend.

joshofalltrades

slash000 wrote: »

I actually compiled a list of recommendations from the last few threads we've had concerning PS2 recommendations, and added them to the wiki.

The list includes games recommended for the PS2, with the exclusive games in bold.

The thing to remember is that it's a 'general' recommendation list; but the greatest thing about the PS2 is all of the variety that appeals to people with specific interests. So even though the generalized recommendations are pretty exhaustive, if there are specific types of games/gameplay that you like, there are probably even more great PS2 games to recommend.

I didn't realize there was a PS2 slashsignal page, thanks.

slash000

joshofalltrades wrote: »

slash000 wrote: »

I actually compiled a list of recommendations from the last few threads we've had concerning PS2 recommendations, and added them to the wiki.

The list includes games recommended for the PS2, with the exclusive games in bold.

The thing to remember is that it's a 'general' recommendation list; but the greatest thing about the PS2 is all of the variety that appeals to people with specific interests. So even though the generalized recommendations are pretty exhaustive, if there are specific types of games/gameplay that you like, there are probably even more great PS2 games to recommend.

I didn't realize there was a PS2 slashsignal page, thanks.

Yeah, it's fairly new. However, unlike the other sections of that Wiki, the PS2 section doesn't include brief summaries, unfortunately. It's a huge amount of work to summarize the 'why' to get each game.. That's why threads like thsi are still very useful, since a mere list of recommendations doesn't help you necessarily discern why a game is good for the person reading it or what makes it recommednation-worthy.

I'll try to compile summaries as I go and then implement them all at once. But at least it's worth skimming over.

joshofalltrades

I think I may end up getting God Hand first, if I can even locate it.

Is it fairly rare? I generally haven't been looking in the PS2 section.

Slicer

joshofalltrades wrote: »

I think I may end up getting God Hand first, if I can even locate it.

Is it fairly rare? I generally haven't been looking in the PS2 section.

You can get it from Amazon new at a dirt cheap price.

slash000

God Hand isn't super duper rare. Or rather, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting it somewhere at least online if nowhere else, for between $10 and $20.

I have only seen it in a few retail stores here and there when I'm lucky, but I happen across it in the used section from time to time without actually seeking it out.

oaklore

final fantasy 12 $$
prince of persia series $
okami $$
beyond good and evil (was on ps2 as well, right?) $
mark of kri $
silent hill whatevers $$
SMT: Nocturne $$$
Believe it or not Need for Speed, Midnight club, burnout (all those) $
Time Splitters 2 & 3 $$
Red Dead Revolver $
Hitman Stuff $
Hulk Ultimate Distruction (not the other) $$
Forgotten Realms Demon Stone $$
Champions of Norrath 1 & 2 $$
Baldurs Gate 1 & 2 $$$
Tony hawk 3 $
Sport Game pick 1/2$
jak/Ratchet/sly cooper $
Ace Combat series $-$$
Neo-Contra $

Damn I need a PS2 =(

joshofalltrades

oaklore wrote: »

final fantasy 12 $$
prince of persia series $
okami $$
beyond good and evil (was on ps2 as well, right?) $
mark of kri $
silent hill whatevers $$
SMT: Nocturne $$$
Believe it or not Need for Speed, Midnight club, burnout (all those) $
Time Splitters 2 & 3 $$
Red Dead Revolver $
Hitman Stuff $
Hulk Ultimate Distruction (not the other) $$
Forgotten Realms Demon Stone $$
Champions of Norrath 1 & 2 $$
Baldurs Gate 1 & 2 $$$
Tony hawk 3 $
Sport Game pick 1/2$
jak/Ratchet/sly cooper $
Ace Combat series $-$$
Neo-Contra $

Damn I need a PS2 =(

Baldur's Gate was on PS2?

I won't buy it since I'm only interested in acquiring exclusives, but still. Weird.

IceBurner

Wild ARMs 3 - An amazing evolution of classic-styled RPGs, crowned with an awesome Wild West touch. Game never really got the recognition it deserved for its refinement. Full of REWARDING puzzles solved using tools and your wits (think Zelda). , the story is on a mature level without being overbearing, and battles are fast-paced. Includes running battles on horseback, and other modes of transportation. Perhaps the most thoughtful RPG I've ever played, it's got a very solid engine packed with features to make typical micromanagement unnecessary; it's a silky-smooth experience. CANCEL enemy encounters as you please, and automatically recover after tough fights. Rewind or zip through conversations. Travel becomes increasingly convenient with excellent pacing, and top it all off with a great UI. Tons of fun to be had here, an amazing amount of stuff to do, and all for $19.99 or less brand new, if you can find it.

Click & watch more of the playlist if intrigued

Okami - A Japanese watercolor painting in motion. An action/adventure game steeped in Japanese mythology. A very grand adventure with a unique "painting" system of magic. PS2 greatest hits version isn't impossible to find, and is the most complete in terms of visual FX.

joshofalltrades

IceBurner wrote: »

Okami - A Japanese watercolor painting in motion. An action/adventure game steeped in Japanese mythology. A very grand adventure with a unique "painting" system of magic. PS2 greatest hits version isn't impossible to find, and is the most complete in terms of visual FX.

I saw a copy of this for around $20 at Gamestop, maybe I'll pick it up if I can't find God Hand.

That trailer has me itching to punch people.

slash000

joshofalltrades wrote: »

Baldur's Gate was on PS2?

I won't buy it since I'm only interested in acquiring exclusives, but still. Weird.

He is confusing you.

Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 did NOT come to the PS2.

He MUST be referring to Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 1 and 2.

These are fairly good action-RPG dungeon crawlers but are nothing like their namesake games.



edit: Also if you are curious, Psi-Ops is not exclusive to the PS2. It's an incredibly awesome action game though. It also came out for oXbox and PC.

slash000

I definitely recommend the Ratchet & Clank games if you are a fan of action packed platformers. It's a platformer in which you find weapons and upgrade them by using bolts that you collect. You also gain new platforming abilities with your buddy sidekick clank. Lots of varied and interesting worlds, enemies, and bosses. If you're new to R&C you should start with the first game and keep going from there. They're all great games.

On that note, Jak & Daxter is also a fantastic platformer. There's no guns/blasting involved in the first one, but it's still a big, beautiful, polished platformer.

Bartholamue

Oh man, the Ratchet & Clank games are amazing. You have to play through the first one first, because if you play the other games first and go back to R&C1, you might not enjoy/appreciate it as much.

freakish light

slash000 wrote: »

joshofalltrades wrote: »

Baldur's Gate was on PS2?

I won't buy it since I'm only interested in acquiring exclusives, but still. Weird.

He is confusing you.

Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 did NOT come to the PS2.

He MUST be referring to Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 1 and 2.

These are fairly good action-RPG dungeon crawlers but are nothing like their namesake games.



edit: Also if you are curious, Psi-Ops is not exclusive to the PS2. It's an incredibly awesome action game though. It also came out for oXbox and PC.

Yeah Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance, while fun, is more likened to Gauntlet Legends than Baldur's Gate 2.

lionheart_m

Ironically, I just got my PS2 back. I totally recommend FF12. I seriously skimmed over it no thanks to my WoW addiction. The last few hunts are quite hectic.

miscellaneousinsanity

Regarding God Hand, I feel this should be posted as well.

So, did you like Metal Gear Solid 2?
If yes, then get Metal Gear Solid 3.
If no, then still get Metal Gear Solid 3.
(make sure you get Subsistence)

oaklore

^^What they said. Diablo-esqe, top down action RPGs. Pretty fun ones at that.

Forever Zefiro

miscellaneousinsanity wrote: »

Regarding God Hand, I feel this should be posted as well.

So, did you like Metal Gear Solid 2?
If yes, then get Metal Gear Solid 3.
If no, then still get Metal Gear Solid 3.
(make sure you get Subsistence)

This.

Also, Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner.

joshofalltrades

I wasn't big on the whole non-story of MGS2. Does it get better in 3?

Keep in mind I probably will never own a PS3 so I don't want to get into game series I would like to finish but won't be able to.

Slicer

Yeah, it definitely does.

It also does a pretty good job of standing alone from the series, it obviously has a bunch of links to the other games but it also works well as a self contained story.

Ah_Pook

champions of norrath 1+2 are way way better than baldures gate 1+2, as far as hack n slash diablo style games go on the ps2. i would highly recommend them if youre into that kinda thing.

also i recommend Gitaroo Man and Maximo 1+2.

freakish light

The Mark of Kri was also really, really good. Imagine the art style of Disney about in the Hercules / Mulan era, with beautiful hand-drawn cutscenes, stylized 3D, and lots of grisly fantasy violence.

Yosh

I would highly recommend any of the SSX games, but the third one in particular is worth playing through if only for the half hour race down the entire mountain.