The PS2 was the reward that saved on giving within the early and mid-2000s, with a prolific run giving beginning to some wonderful new IPs, whereas additionally permitting for among the most interesting entries ever in long-running and uber-successful franchises.
It was the console that everybody wished, and judging by gross sales figures, the one that everybody had. Which naturally implies that even with the slew of recent video games on provide today, many players are nonetheless eager to leap again into older titles for a pleasant little blast from the previous.
That is the place the PS Plus Catalog is available in, because the basic assortment has a wealth of iconic PS2 titles. Some will not be as eye-catching as others, however we now have curated a listing of all-killer, no-filler video games, that warrant a revisit in 2025 and past.
We are going to solely be contemplating authentic PS2 variations of video games that stay on the classics catalog. So remasters like Kingdom Hearts or Klonoa Phantasy Reverie will not be listed right here.
10
Darkish Cloud
Sony’s Alleged Zelda Killer
Again within the early days of the PS2, Sony was making strikes to attempt to create their very own Zelda to rival Hyperlink’s adventures on Nintendo consoles, which is what birthed the concept that would finally turn out to be Darkish Cloud.
Truthfully, the Zelda-style dungeon crawling facets do not even come near rivaling any 3D Zelda sport. However, due to enjoyable fight, an addictive gameplay loop, and an fascinating city/metropolis builder facet that appears like one thing out of the Suikoden playbook, there’s loads to like about this one, Zelda fan or not.
The weapon degradation system is a ache, and the dungeons generally is a little repetitive. However, as a sum of its components, Darkish Cloud is definitely a ray of sunshine, and a PS2 basic properly price diving into.
9
Summoner
A Uncommon PS2 Open World RPG
It is honest to say that the Western RPG style was one thing that did not fairly make the leap from PC to PS2 significantly properly. JRPGs had a swell time on console, however it could take a very long time earlier than conventional RPGs would have their second within the solar.
Video games like Morrowind, Gothic, and lots of others have been absent from the PS2 lineup, however a sport boldly holding the road for RPGs in all places of their absence was Summoner.
Providing tactical fight, an enormous and open world, a summon system that might assist or hinder you relying on the way you fared in battle, and a gritty fantasy story, Summoner has all of it. It is a plucky title that walked in order that video games like Baldur’s Gate, Divinity and The Witcher may run. So, play it and provides it the respect it deserves.
8
Timesplitters
About Time You Performed
Whereas I might have completely most well-liked to put Timesplitters 2 on this checklist, we sadly solely have the unique on the lineup on the time of writing. That mentioned, although, it is a basic FPS title that goes to indicate that not all console FPS video games of this period have been objectively horrible. Simply most of them.
Positive, it does not have the marketing campaign of your Goldeneyes or your Excellent Darks to floor the expertise. However the missions are nonetheless high quality outings, if a little bit random and disconnected. Plus, the gameplay is quick, fluid, and enjoyable in all of the ways in which these aforementioned basic FPS hits have been too.
To not point out, this sport had a strong stage editor, which was just about unparalleled again then. Which doubled up properly with the standard native co-op to make sure you acquired out what you set in. It is a little bit primitive, however even nonetheless, it is one which true FPS followers will love.
7
Lego Star Wars: The Authentic Trilogy
Strike Up The Cantina Band
There are such a lot of Lego video games on the market as we speak, together with a remake of this very sport listed. However if you wish to really expertise one of the best model of the Skywalker saga in Lego type, then you could play the unique.
It is the basic Lego system that has you clear up puzzles, partake in accessible fight and platforming, and accumulate as many studs as you’ll be able to. All of the whereas role-playing as nearly any of the most important gamers this facet of Tatooine.
The extent design is way more simple, and the quintessential slapstick humor of the Lego video games lands way more usually on this model of the sport. Positive, it is rather less shiny and new, however there’s one thing about this sport’s simplicity that makes it the higher of the 2.
6
Forbidden Siren
A Fairly Literal Massacre
Relating to underrated horror gems, there aren’t many who deserve their props greater than the unique Forbidden Siren. A sport which may look a little bit primitive by as we speak’s horror requirements. However even with out high-fidelity gore, this sport is creepy sufficient to maintain you in your toes.
Zombies are one factor, however if you tweak that system barely to put the participant in a village overrun with blood-cursed, demonically possessed townsfolk, the horror naturally elevates to a different stage.
Couple this with a gripping and tense plot, and the susceptible nature of your character as you need to use sight-jacking powers to evade enemies, and you’ve got one thing really particular. Alongside Silent Hill and Resident Evil, Forbidden Siren is without doubt one of the most interesting on the platform. No hyperbole, simply info.
5
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor’s Legacy
Mascot-Platforming Royalty
Talking of style pedigree, there are few dynamic duos that may stand in opposition to the long-lasting pair of Jak and Daxter. Now, I do know many will battle on this, as lots of people choose the GTA-esque sequel, which can be on the PS Plus Catalog. However for me, the unique remains to be one of the best by an extended shot.
It is absent of that gritty, reluctant anti-hero shtick. It is vibrant, whimsical, and oozing with allure, and above all, it feels way more like a standard mascot platformer moderately than a sport attempting to mash collectively Ratchet and Clank with Grand Theft Auto.
Do not get me incorrect, love them each. However throughout the sequence, The Precursor’s Legacy wins each time due to the wonderful semi-open-world construction, the excellent, memorable mini-games, and naturally, Daxter’s one-liners if you kick the bucket.
4
Okage: Shadow King
Launch Your Inside Demon
The PS2 was a continuation of the breakout success of the JRPG style on the PSX, and simply as you had unsung heroes like Vagrant Story and Parasite Eve, the PS2 performed host to its personal forged of JRPG gems. Of which Okage: Shadow King was definitely one.
I will be sincere, the JRPG mechanics, whereas serviceable, have been nothing to jot down residence about. However, the place the sport shines is in its visible type and its writing, as the sport has a Tim Burton-esque, creepy however campy cartoon vibe. To not point out, it is a sport that dares to shoot for humor, and hits the goal greater than it misses.
There’s one thing moderately enjoyable about preventing in opposition to the powers of evil whereas actively aiding and abetting a sleeping large within the evil villain panorama. It is a daring concept executed brilliantly, and it is one which JRPG followers price their salt ought to play.
3
Skygunner
An Alternate Persona
We all know ATLUS primarily for its assortment of long-running and massively profitable JRPG franchises. However, alongside being masters of the JRPG realm, this staff has additionally dabbled on this planet of flight simulation, permitting you to take management of the skyships which have turn out to be a staple of a number of main JRPG franchises. So there’s your hyperlink, nevertheless tenuous it might be.
What’s nice about this one is that, not like typical aerial fight video games of the period like Ace Fight, this sport affords a extra light-hearted tone, a extra vibrant aesthetic, and, most significantly, gameplay that is not a lot targeted on practical dogfighting as it’s enjoyable.
Image an arcade flight simulator with a steampunk Studio Ghibli vibe, a colourful forged of characters, and gameplay that appears like Kingdom Hearts Gummi Ship missions on steroids, and that about sums up what’s in retailer when you select to play Skygunner.
2
Rogue Galaxy
A Not-So-Rogue Inclusion
There are fairly a couple of genuinely magnificent JRPGs throughout the classics catalog, a couple of of which we now have already talked about. However, the decide of the bunch, the place the PS2 line-up is anxious, needs to be Rogue Galaxy.
Alongside providing an interstellar storyline price absorbing, the sport additionally supplies gamers with an important forged of characters to get to know intimately, wonderful real-time fight full with distinctive options like weapon fusion programs. Plus, the sport supplies huge open planets to discover moderately than repetitive dungeons.
This, mixed with the truth that the visuals and rating nonetheless maintain up properly as we speak due to the sport’s timeless cel-shaded artwork type and the wealth of facet content material within the type of enjoyable mini-games, makes Rogue Galaxy a title properly price exploring in 2025.
1
Deus Ex: The Human Conspiracy
Immersive Sim Heritage
Screw your Adam Jensen, I need JC Denton. Should you’re somebody who was massively into gaming across the flip of the millennium, then I reckon you will really feel the identical means.
This one won’t be fairly as easy to play on console, because it was developed in an period when PCs have been king after which ported to the PS2. However, even nonetheless, it is a option to soar into an immersive sim that rivals the Thief sequence when it comes to high quality and pedigree.
Every mission is one thing that may be approached in any means you see match, with an insane stage of depth and suppleness, contemplating this was a sport made means again in 2000.
It does not have the flashy gunplay of Mankind Divided, for instance. However with high quality stage design and immersive gameplay like this, you will not miss it.
NEXT
10 Badly Reviewed PS2 Video games That Are Really Fairly Good
This was undoubtedly the console-gaming golden period, however some nice video games did not get to reap the spoils.
