Alex, In darkness look to the PS2? Seriously you won't be disappointed

[baldwhitedog]

Alex, a comment you made on an early TRS that made me feel like you were missing out.

First let me say that I play a hell’ of a lot of games across all formats over many years so I’m not impartial towards any particular format.
Much like Alex I am NOT a huge SONY Fan. I am however a Gamer and for that reason alone I felt I had to let you know what you’re missing out on the PS2.
In this typical time of year, I like to calling it the ‘gaming drought’ and coupled with the fact that Jeff has dusted off his PS2 (well borrowed from Steve) I felt it my place to bring to your attention some games you might want to revisit if for any reason they’ve slipped under your gaming radar.

GOD OF WAR & GOD OF WAR2,

SHADOW OF COLLOSUSS

ICO

DEVIL MAY CRY 1&3 (forget 2)

BULLY - If you like the GTA series, it’s basically GTA in a private School set in England. (Dan- Just remembered an awesome movie of old TOY SOLIDERS remember that?)

OKAMI –Zelda N64 with a Dog as the main character)

Oh and Jeff, for the record these titles running on a PS3 through a HDMI cable to a plasma look sweeeet comparable to any current ‘Next Gen’ Title – how I hate that term.. Grrrrrrr  (oh try GODS OF WAR with PRGRESSIVE SCAN ON OMG!)

Now I know I’ve not mentioned a lot of titles that are deemed ‘classics’ and I also know that I’m going to get flamed because of it. These are a few titles I’ve recently discovered that I felt I should mention.
If anyone else has any suggestions of other titles why not spread the RAD RECOGNITION they deserve.

Keep up the good work guys.

Jeff - I want your job when you’re done with it 

BaldWhiteDog

[denmmurray]

The Ps2 still has a lot of life in it and it's just showing that games can be made based on story and gameplay and be great, instead of the same thing over and over. I loved God of War, Bully, etc. etc...which bully, I think, was actually set in america...unless they did different voice acting for the british version.
Seriously, as cheap as the Ps2 is you're not going to be dissapointed with the games that are availabe right now.

[magunwarrior]

I'm so happy you suggested Okami, hands down the most beautifully artistic game I've ever played, I should really finish it one of these days...

[nobodysleeps]

I got Okami on my birthday last year and shortly after, FFXII came out. so my attentions got shifted. I've been really wanting to get back to it. After I finish Odin Sphere I'm making my way back to Okami.

[magunwarrior]

I really have nothing better to do, I should get back into it tonight.

[masherscf]

Alex's comments regarding the PS2 reflect a serious misconception regarding the realities of the console market.

Admittedly the PS2 is near then end of it's lifespan. However, the PS2 still out sold the XBOX 360 in the first quarter of this year. Clearly, not only do more people own PS2s than XBOX 360, but the PS2 install base is growing faster than the XBOX 360. Of the full-size consoles, only the Nintendo Wii outsells the PS2.

It takes more than just Sony fanboys to support these sales figures. There must be something real about the PS2 console.

[baldwhitedog]

The reason I mentioned Okami was, to me its one of those games that has a lot of potential and is easily played for a few hours then forgotten about which is exactly what happened to me. Stunning looking game Okami.

I read recently a few articles in the gaming press discussing the gaming as an 'art'. I personally think this game is Art in every sense of the word. I can't recommend this more strongly, along with the others on my list, at least Google the name and check out the screenshot. If the screenshots and that fact that this is the PS2's answer to Zelda don't make you check this out then there’s something wrong with you :) jk

It’s a shame the division of Capcom that created Okami has since been closed its door. However if I remember reading correctly I think they've created another company..

Just my opinion :)

Can anyone list any other games that should of been played through but weren'tskipped under a gamers radar?

[magunwarrior]

Yeah Capcom shut down Clover Studios, but some of the members made a new one, something to do with seeds I think.

[nobodysleeps]

To me, Shadow of Colossus is what I find to be one of the finest examples of video game as art.

The PS2 rocked the last console generation. It had the most and best games in my opinion. Many more than Xbox had.

[mormonrage]

Some great games already mentioned. Here are some more of my favorites...

The Sly Cooper games are fantastic.

FFX and FFXII are the very definition of "epic"--and the combat in XII feels for all the world like WoW to me.

Amplitude - wanna see Guitar Hero's immaculate conception?

Rez is a trippy, crazy, music/rhythm shooter the likes of which you won't find anywhere else.

Dark Cloud 2 was a one-of-a-kind RPG that had a cool world-building system, and an invention system that let you create your own objects. Plus, it was gorgeous.

And, of course, the Ratchet & Clank games could get you all prepped for the radness that will be Ratchet and Clank Future on the PS3.

[bobafettjm]

Some great games mentioned so far like: Amplitude/Frequency, Sly Cooper Games, and Ico/Shadow of the Colossus.

If you like Strategy RPG's Disgaea is an incredible game.
Downhill Domination is a REALLY good downhill arcade style bike racing game.
Klonoa 2 is an amazing 2-d/3-d platforming game.
Onimusha is a good series of games.
Rygar is another good often looked over game.
Second Sight, this is a game that to me was amazing. The gameplay is a third person action game, but the story is what really hooked me.
Zone of the Enders 1 & 2, both great games.

[baldwhitedog]

Can anyone think of games on other platforms that might have slipped under the radar?

Even go back as far as you remember my first thought is of 'Bloody Wolf' I used to love on the PCENGINE. This week it’s being re-released again on VC for Wii if I remember rightly..

Come on guys i need something to play... :)

[magunwarrior]

Shenmue went under a lot of peoples radar, I think it's a great series...I think one of them is on Xbox...it's originally a dreamcast series.

Any of the Tales games, (i.e. Tales of Symphonia, Tales of The Abyss, etc.) for PS2 and various other systems. I'm playing Tales of the Abyss right now and enjoying it.

And I second Klonoa 2, I enjoyed the shit out of that game.

[MaxTheSilent]

I loved my PS2.

While it worked.

[puddlefish]

I'd definitely second the Sly Cooper series, really underrated games.

I also loved Klonoa 2, has a gorgeous 2d / 3d look and nice character design.

Haven't played God of War 2 yet, but the first one was great fun.

Like everyone else, I'd also strongly recommend Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.

OH! just remembered! Gregory Horror Show is fantastic! Really unusual and great fun.

[puddlefish]

Klonoa 2 is an amazing 2-d/3-d platforming game.



You're the only person I've ever known (not that I know you...) that's named that as amongst their favourite ps2 games. I loved it and have played it through a good few times. Kudos to you.

[denmmurray]

I dug klonoa...I thought after a while the first one got a bit annoying, so it kind of put a bad taste in my mouth about the second one...but definitely thought it was interesting.

I wish they would put some of the older point and click adventure games on VC like monkey island, sam and max, etc....those were well made games for their time.

[nobodysleeps]

FFX and FFXII are the very definition of "epic"--and the combat in XII feels for all the world like WoW to me.



If you played FFXI you would find the combat system to be a bit closer to that than WoW.

As far as games for other platforms...Well I'm basing this on the assumption that Alex really only had an Xbox. But maybe he had a gamecube.

Smash Bros Melee - quite possibly the best fighter EVER. The gameplay is so simple but the complexity that each of the characters bring to the overall playability of the game really makes it so that every match has some true "OH SH#(" moments.

Indigo Prophecy- It's out on Xbox and PS2...but it did fly under the radar. I love this game.

Resident Evil 4- Never came out on Xbox, so it's worth a mention.

[denmmurray]

RE4 had a lot of "Oh shit" moments...that game scared the hell out of me and it's just a really really good game.

I love that games are becoming more cinematic in their story and just beautiful in their graphics...growing up, like I'm sure we all did, with the nes, atari, snes, genesis, etc. it blows my mind to see where games have come now.

[baldwhitedog]

Resident Evil 4 on the GAMECUBE is one of the greatest games ever made in my opinion. Right up there with Half-Life1 on PC, Zelda on the SNES and R-Type Arcade version (or PC Engine version)

Speaking of Resident Evil 4 Did you guys know the first revision of Resident Evil 4 actually became DEVIL MAY CRY another classic as far as I'm concerned.

[nobodysleeps]

Well yes I've only played RE4 on Gamecube. I wonder how the Wii version is going to turn out.

I don't quite understand what you mean with the DMC connection. Please explain.

[baldwhitedog]

Devil May Cry was actually the first revision by CAPCOM of Resident Evil4. they thought it was to 'different' from the other games in the series but liked the idea and the setting thus DEVIL MAY CRY was born.

The game we know and love as Resident Evil 4 is actually the 4th revision of the game.. I can go into greater detail if you wish? just let me know.

Regards
BWD