The Best PlayStation 2 Games

The 20 best PlayStation 2 games

22 votes

Kingdom Hearts II

RPGAction RPG

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.5

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.5

Music4.7

Character4.7

Kingdom Hearts 2 has to be iconic for its introduction of flashy, fast, smooth, and stylish gameplay to the KH franchise. The added "context-specific" triangle button to do insane things, the introduction of different forms, and an overall edgier and over the top anime vibe is where Square Enix sort of mastered the identity of "Kingdom Hearts". The standardized camera and the removal of platforming stages was also for the best in this game.

Survey voice

Zam / 20s / Male
I'm not really sure what to say about this game considering the ratings I gave it. Maybe not an objectively perfect game but definitely a perfect game for me. It improved a lot on KH1 combat and felt so much more fluid. Great worlds, great plot, and great combat.

Sora / 30s / Male
Where do I even start? This is the game that shaped my whole identity, combining the two franchises that I have loved since time immemorial: Final Fantasy and Disney. It also introduced me to the character whose heart I aspire my own to be like.

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Ervin / 30s / Male
Square Enix going all out on production values. Its such a flashy game and the story and tone was just perfect for my 10 year old brain. Peak Childhood. The Xemnas fight was just pure Square Enix epicness

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16 votes

Dragon Quest VIII

RPGJRPGTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story4.3

Gameplay4.3

Graphics3.9

Music4.4

Character4.3

Dragon Quest VIII is one of the most recommended entries in the series. It's a landmark title being Dragon Quests step into 3D graphics, while still retaining that Akira Toriyama vibe with its cel-shaded style. It has a lot of good mechanics going for it like the addictive alchemy system and the Dragonball-inspired tension gauge that allows your party members to go "super saiyan" in battle. This paired with its lovable cast make it one of the most memorable PS2 RPGs even among the other "Golden Age of JRPGs" releases of the PS2

Survey voice

しげぽよ
- Among the Dragon Quests it's top-class fun - Instead of a job system, there's a customization element where you allocate skill points to weapons set per character - The fun part of Dragon Quest is managing scarce battle resources in the early-to-mid game, and that's properly Dragon Quest here and fun - The mid-bosses are extremely strong and rewarding - There are parts that make you grin if you've played Dragon Quest 1-3
Show original (日本語)
・ドラクエの中でもトップクラスに面白い・職業システムではなく、キャラによって設定された武器にスキルポイントを振っていくカスタマイズ要素がある・ドラクエの面白い部分は序盤〜中盤の戦闘リソースが少ない時のやりくりだが、そこもちゃんとドラクエしてて面白い・中ボスが非常に強く、やりごたえがある・ドラクエ1〜3をやってるとニヤつける部分がある

よねさん / 30代 / 男性
My favorite work in the Dragon Quest series. The character designs, monsters included, are the best, and the story is superb too. The monsters you can recruit are strong too, and there was the fun of searching for monsters.
Show original (日本語)
ドラクエシリーズの中で一番好きな作品。キャラデザがモンスター含めて最高で、ストーリーも秀逸。仲間にできるモンスターも強くて、モンスターを探す楽しみもあった

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Hisa
Until then, Dragon Quest meant tedious battle actions, but from Dragon Quest 8 the battle graphics changed greatly. The main story of course, but a secret boss was also prepared, giving it volume, which I liked.
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今までドラゴンクエストといえば冗長的だったバトルアクションだったがドラゴンクエスト8からバトルのグラフィックが大きく変わった。メインストーリーはもちろんだが、裏ボスまで用意されていてボリュームがあって好きだった。

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14 votes

Final Fantasy X

RPGJRPGTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.7/5

Story4.7

Gameplay4.4

Graphics4.6

Music4.9

Character4.5

Final Fantasy X follows the journey of a young blitzball player named Tidus as he joins the summoner Yuna on her pilgrimage across the world of Spira. The game is a turn-based RPG and one of the most iconic entries in the series, celebrated for its emotional storytelling, unforgettable cast, and the meaningful character development as you progress through the story.

Survey voice

だーます
Youth. Playing at night and then talking about it endlessly with friends at school the next day was the ultimate set of fun. Dodging 200 lightning bolts on the Thunder Plains toughened up my mental fortitude. It's also a good memory that I had a friend who got so absorbed he wrote character names on his house's walls in permanent marker and got scolded by his parents.
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青春。夜プレイして次の日学校で友達とひたすら話すところまでがセットで最高に楽しかった。雷平原の雷よけ200回でメンタルが鍛えられました。のめり込みすぎて家の壁にキャラの名前を油性ペンで書いて親に怒られてる友達がいたのも良い思い出。

Ervin / 30s / Male
Last mainline Squaresoft Final Fantasy. They went out with a bang. Square Enix was never the same after this. The sin boss fights were so amazing

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Noel / 30s / Male
Brought Final Fantasy into next gen with gorgeous graphics and an enthralling mysterious fantasy story about loss and love.

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12 votes

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

ActionStealth

Survey scores · avg 4.7/5

Story4.9

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.6

Music4.8

Character4.8

Set as the prequel to the entire Metal Gear series, experience the origin of the legendary Big Boss through Naked Snake’s first mission in the series located in Soviet forests of the 1960s. Armed with only a knife and a tranquilizer, Snake must survive in the forest, infiltrate and sabotage a secret superweapon project, and eliminate his own mentor who has defected, in this tactical-espionage mission.

Survey voice

Ronald / 20s / Male
I enjoyed sneaking into different areas and eating animals to increase your stamina. It was really fun messing with the soldiers, like placing a magazine on the floor and slowly sneaking up behind them to either kill or incapacitate them. The story was good and I had a lot of playthroughs with the game.

Noel / 30s / Male
One of Hideo Kojima's best. An effective stealth game with a good anti-war message, lots of references to film and TV, an absurd sense of humor, and very memorable characters and dramatic plot points that make the experience kind of unforgettable.

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Ervin / 30s / Male
One of the best MGS games ever made. Its just so replayable and fun. finished it like 11 times. There is something addictive about its jungle and camo based stealth gameplay.

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11 votes

Kingdom Hearts

RPGAction RPG

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story4.8

Gameplay4.4

Graphics4.4

Music4.6

Character4.7

Kingdom Hearts follows the adventures of Sora, a young boy who wields the legendary Keyblade. By Sora's side are his trusty companions, Donald and Goofy. Together, they set out to save various worlds from darkness, battling the forces of evil in an Action RPG format. You'll meet several familiar faces along the way as you encounter characters from both Disney's expansive library and the iconic Final Fantasy franchise.

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もりちゃん / 30代 / 男性
The famous collaboration between Square and Disney. A masterpiece released by a Square doing well off the explosive hits of the time like Final Fantasy 10, and with Disney's name recognition it shook society, a masterpiece that doesn't pick its audience, with high quality in story, difficulty, BGM, and characters, all of it.
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言わずと知れたスクウェア＋ディズニーのコラボ作品。当時のファイナルファンタジー10等の爆発的ヒットで好調なスクエアから出された名作で、ディズニーの認知度もあり社会を震撼させた名作、人を選ばない作品でストーリー、難度、BGM、キャラクター全てのクオリティが高い。

だーます
I can't forget how excited I got over the collaboration of Disney characters and FF characters. Also, I was so envious of a friend who set Hikaru Utada's theme song "Hikari" as their ringtone that I begged my parents for a cell phone.
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ディズニーキャラとFFキャラのコラボに大興奮した記憶が忘れられない。あと宇多田ヒカルの主題歌「光」を着うたにしてる友達が羨ましすぎて親に携帯をねだりまくった思い出。

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Marco C / 30s / Male
Fighting Sephiroth was definitely a core memory

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10 votes

Persona 4

RPGJRPG

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story4.7

Gameplay4.6

Graphics3.8

Music5.0

Character4.8

Deviating from the bleak themes of its predecessor, Persona 4 takes on a lighter, more intimate tone without losing the formula established by Persona 3. Bond with friends and solve a murder mystery in the small town of Inaba by wielding the power of your Persona in this 70-hour turn-based RPG.

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Yuri / 20s / Male
While Persona 3 was my introduction to the series, Persona 4 is my favorite game of all time. I've lost count of how many times I've replayed both Persona 4 and Persona 4 Golden over the years. There's just something special about the game that keeps bringing me back. Beyond being an incredible RPG, the game taught me a lot about friendship, self-acceptance, and understanding others. The cast feels so genuine and close-knit that it made me wish I had friends like them. Even after all these years, the characters, story, and unforgettable moments continue to resonate with me, making Persona 4 a game I'll always cherish.

Ronald / 20s / Male
The very first Persona game that I played and my entry into the series. This was the game that I played a LOT during my high school years. I was really engrossed in the story and its mysteries surrounding the deaths of the people in Inaba. I really enjoyed the funny moments between the characters whenever they hung out, and it really made you feel like you were part of their group. The combat was really addictive and I was always curious with what Personas I could get after mixing two or more other persona. I also enjoyed the game’s BGM and there were times when I would just stand around and listen to it.

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Rui / 20s / Male
Truly my favorite game of all time, this was what led me to cherish my life more back then. I mainly loved the characterization and the feeling of solving the town's mystery.

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9 votes

Resident Evil 4

HorrorSurvival Horror

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story3.4

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.1

Music3.8

Character4.4

Resident Evil 4 was a departure from the style of previous RE games, adopting a rural Spanish backdrop replete with villagers and cults. The US president's daughter has been abducted and Leon must save her, although things turn south when his arrival turns bloody. The action is brought closer to the player, with an over the shoulder perspective that made things more tense, and the tank controls may have required a little getting used to, which is why quick reflexes and spatial awareness were of top importance. Inventory and resource management were also a key part of the game experience, making RE4 one of the most successful and beloved survival horror games in the past couple decades.

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Jori / 40s / Male
What stands out to me is how the game balances action and fear. I am not just running away like in older survival horror games, but I also never feel powerful enough to relax. Every bullet matters, every encounter feels like a decision under pressure, and even when I win a fight, I feel like I barely survived it. I also love how the atmosphere keeps shifting. One moment I am in tight, claustrophobic interiors, and the next I am in wide open areas where danger can come from anywhere. It keeps me alert all the time, like the game is constantly testing my awareness. And then there is the pacing. It never really lets me settle. Just when I think I understand what is happening, it throws something new at me, whether it is a stronger enemy, a new mechanic, or a sudden escalation in intensity.

Noel / 30s / Male
Can be a bit cheesy in terms of story, but RE4 was a new rebirth for the RE franchise, turning tank controls into an immersive 3rd person shooter. very tight controls required mastery, good positioning, controlling enemies around you, being aware of the space around you, conserving all your ammo with proper resource management, and good action sequences every now and then, with a constant oppressive atmosphere. Great horror survival.

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Rui / 20s / Male
Playing this through with my cousin was one of the highlights of my childhood. Furthermore, this introduced the all-time favorite 3d perspective from the shoulder of the main character.

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5 votes

Dragon Quest V

JRPGAction-AdventureTurn-based

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.6

Graphics3.2

Music5.0

Character4.6

Dragon Quest V is the fifth main instalment of the Dragon Quest series, and it has players going through the three different eras of the protagonist's life. The game starts off with the Hero being a young child and eventually ends with him having his own family and children who fight alongside him. Aside from that, the game features a new monster recruitment system, which allows players to add monsters to their own party and use them in battle.

Survey voice

The first time I played, that scene with Pankraz was so sad I couldn't stop crying. Within the numbered series, it's rare for the fun of recruiting monsters as allies, and the talking-point appeal where fans can get worked up over who to choose as a marriage partner, in short, it's a must-play. I'm a Bianca partisan, of course.
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初めてプレイした時、パパスのあのシーンが悲しすぎて涙が止まらなかった。ナンバリングシリーズの中では珍しいモンスターを仲間にする楽しさ、結婚相手を誰にするかでファン同士盛り上がることもできる話題性、とにかくプレイ必須ですね。私はもちろんビアンカ派です。

だーます
I played it for the first time on the PS2 version. Staying over at a friend's house and playing poker in the casino until the middle of the night, then afterward, half-asleep, accidentally erasing the save, that's a good memory.
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PS2版で初めてプレイ。友達の家に泊まりに行って夜中までカジノでポーカーをして、その後寝ぼけて間違えて記録を消してしまったのは良い思い出。

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ひも
My parents recommended it to me and I played it. I played the whole time being watched from behind, and often got spoiled.
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親におすすめされてプレイしました。ずっと後ろで見られながらプレイし、よくネタバレをされていました。

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5 votes

Final Fantasy XII

RPGJRPGTurn-based

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story4.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.6

Music4.2

Character4.6

Final Fantasy XII follows the story of Vaan and his band of friends. This game moves away from the usual turn-based combat and completely revamps it into a new and highly stylized field combat system. It also features new game mechanics, such as the Gambit system for auto-battles. First launched on the PlayStation 2, this game was way ahead of all its predecessors at the time with its extraordinary graphics that surpass even that of Final Fantasy X. The story will have you start simple, with a peak of the lowly life in Rabanastre, but then it gradually ups the ante as you progress.

Survey voice

ryunosuke.hamada / 30代 / 男性
I remember buying it in junior high after seeing a friend playing it and thinking it looked fun. Back then I only got as far as reaching the ending without even a strategy guide, but years later I learned about FF12's reputation at the time and its grind elements, and played it again in college. After that, once I became a working adult, I bought and played the TZA version too. It's a game that takes dozens of hours to clear, but it's fun no matter how many times you play, and a highlight is how the way you feel the story changes greatly with age. If there's anyone who played it long ago and left it at that, it's an immortal masterpiece I'd want you to pick up again now that you're an adult.
Show original (日本語)
中学生の頃、友達がプレイしているのを見て面白そうだと思い買ったことを覚えています。当時は攻略本もなしにエンディングにたどり着いて終わる程度でしたが、後年になってFF12の当時の評判ややりこみ要素などを知り大学生になってもう一度プレイ。その後、会社員になってからもTZA版を購入しまたプレイ。クリアまでに数十時間かかるゲームですが、何度遊んでも面白く、またストーリーの感じ方が年齢とともに大きく変わるのも見どころ。昔遊んでそのままの人がいれば、大人になった今こそ再び手にとって見てほしい不朽の名作です。

Hisa
I liked Final Fantasy 10's story the best among Final Fantasy, but the one I unexpectedly got hooked on was Final Fantasy 12. Including the secret boss, the game volume is enormous, and you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Final Fantasy. I also liked the battle action better than 10.
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ファイナルファンタジーのストーリーはファイナルファンタジー10が一番好きだったが、意外にハマったのがファイナルファンタジー12だった。裏ボス含めるとゲームボリュームはめちゃくちゃあって、ファイナルファンタジーの世界にどっぷり浸れる。バトルアクションも10より好きだった。

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Seto Kai B. / 20s / Male
BLITZBALL? YES, SUPEER COOL AWESOME GRAPHICS THAT'S AHEAD OF ITS TIME? ALSO YES

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5 votes

Tekken 5

ActionFightingMultiplayer

Survey scores · avg 4.1/5

Story3.4

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.2

Music4.0

Character4.6

Tekken 5 has and will always be the peak of Tekken. Although the fifth installment in the franchise, this has been highly regarded as the Tekken game players wanted Tekken to be like, not the format of its latter games. Tekken 5 does not have Rage Drives and Rage Arts, it doesn't even have the Heat system, the battles just depended on raw talent, skills, and pure muscle memory.

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Jin / 20s / Female
Spent summer breaks playing with my brother, although I wasn't that good haha

Seto Kai B. / 20s / Male
Hihihi another console, another tekken of course

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Vann / 30s / Male
Has more diverse would-be classic characters

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4 votes

Ōkami

AdventureAction RPGOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.2

Graphics4.0

Music5.0

Character4.8

Ōkami is a action-adventure game that follows the journey of the goddess Amaterasu who descends onto the land to restore it from the clutches of the eight-headed demon Orochi and its curse. Along with trusty sidekick Issun, the duo journey through Nippon, helping people and eradicating demons. It's well-known for its gorgeous Japanese sumi-e and watercolor-esque visuals, and the brushstroke painting mechanic that creates suns and moons out of ink. Simply put, its art in interactive form, and is definitely something anyone who appreciates beauty should check out.

Survey voice

あっきー / 30代 / 男性
A work popular for its Japanese-style graphics and moving story. The distinctive brush-based action is appealing, and while the quirky combat is a little hard to get into, once you get hooked on the story you play forgetting the time. It's a work with deep-rooted popularity, still being released on the latest hardware, and one I love so much I've bought and played it again out of nostalgia.
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和風テイストのグラフィックと感動的なストーリーが人気の本作。筆を使った特徴的なアクションが魅力でくせのある戦闘は少しとっつきにくいものの、ストーリーにハマれば時間を忘れてプレイしてしまいます。最新機種でもリリースされている根強い人気がある作品で昔を懐かしんで再び買ってプレイしてしまうほど大好きな作品です。

A game that gives off a wonderful nuance. A game that draws you in intensely and wraps you in happiness.
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すばらしいニュアンスを醸し出すゲームです。非常に引き込まれ、幸せに包まれるゲームです。

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moro
A game that gives off a wonderful nuance. A game that draws you in intensely and wraps you in happiness.
Show original (日本語)
すばらしいニュアンスを醸し出すゲームです。非常に引き込まれ、幸せに包まれるゲームです。

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4 votes

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

ActionStealthStealth-Action

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.8

Graphics4.5

Music4.0

Character4.5

The ultimate meta-sequel to inaugurate an entire generation of consoles, Metal Gear Solid 2 mastered cinematic and surprising twists like no other, first by upending players' expectations of a sequel starring protagonist Solid Snake by switching him out with newly-minted supersoldier Raiden, then driving the audience and Raiden alike through a mind-bending exploration of themes of control, legacy, and the connecting qualities of the digital world. Metal Gear Solid 2 also introduced a new rogues' gallery of memorable villains and an iconic setting: The Big Shell oil rig. Future games both in the Metal Gear series as well as in the tactical stealth genre it helped define would be compared to Metal Gear Solid 2, and the series would spend its future titles reckoning with its legacy.

Survey voice

かいせー / 20代 / 男性
- The story unfolding with the dual protagonists Snake and Raiden is interesting. - There are many distinctive enemy characters like Fatman and Vamp, and taking them on is fun. - Deceiving enemies' eyes using cardboard boxes and lockers lets you taste a moderate tension, which is fun.
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・スネークと雷電のダブル主人公で展開されるストーリーが面白い。・ファットマンやヴァンプなどの個性豊かな敵キャラが多数いて、攻略するのが楽しい。・段ボールやロッカーなどを利用して敵の目を欺く点が、適度な緊張感が味わえて楽しい。

さんちゃん
There are many memorable characters, and while I couldn't fully understand the story at the time, it gains depth as I get older. A masterpiece that should be played precisely because of the world we're in now.
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印象的なキャラクターが多く、ストーリーも当時は理解しきれてなかったが、年を取るにつれ深みが増していく。今この世の中だからこそ遊ぶべき名作。

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4 votes

Silent Hill 2

HorrorPsychological Horror

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story5.0

Gameplay3.8

Graphics3.8

Music4.2

Character3.8

Silent Hill 2 has a character-driven story with protagonist James Sunderland taking center stage. James is called to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his wife, Mary, saying that she is waiting for him at their special place. Confused, James decides to visit the town because of one importaint detail - his wife has been dead for 3 years. Shortly after arriving, James discovers that the town is not what it seems and you must once again survive the horrors within Silent Hill.

Survey voice

Ray / 20s / Male
I will curse whoever gave me this as my first game ever in my life. However, I will also thank them for giving me the best horror game I've played even to this day (equal to Alien Isolation).

Rui / 20s / Male
Arguably the best in the series in terms of storytelling. Exploring James' disturbed psyche was truly missed when I was a child, but found a good lesson when I revisited it.

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Marco C / 30s / Male
Pyramid Head. That is all.

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4 votes

Dynasty Warriors 3

ActionHack and Slash

Survey scores · avg 4.1/5

Story3.8

Gameplay4.5

Graphics3.5

Music4.5

Character4.2

Dynasty Warriors 3 was the first game in the franchise to find its footing as the prototype for Omega Force's iconic gameplay loop. Building on top of the mechanics and gameplay loop introduced in the prior release, the game introduced more characters, more stages, more unlockables, split-screen co-op, and new RPG elements to refine its one-against-a-thousand gameplay. Despite its age, the game is highly recommended for its simple hack-and-slash gameplay loop, which remains satisfying today.

Survey voice

ゆーせー / 30代 / 男性
There are parts where you'd say "well, by today's standards," but at the time, the graphics, the rock-ish BGM, and the exhilaration of briskly mowing down tons of enemies were all quite novel, and it was a huge hit among the neighborhood kids. A remake is coming in 2026, so I'm looking forward to it!
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今となってはというところもあると思いますが、当時はグラフィックもロックな感じのBGMも、いっぱい出てくる敵をサクサク倒す爽快感もかなり斬新でご近所の子どもたちの間で大流行でした。 2026年にリメイク出るので楽しみです！

The game that became a big gateway to getting into the Three Kingdoms. Using this as a chance, it became my gateway to playing the whole series, including numbered titles and Samurai Warriors. A memory of friends each picking one character and taking turns playing.
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三国志に触れる大きなきっかけとなったゲーム。これを機にシリーズナンバリング、戦国無双等シリーズ通してプレイするきっかけとなった。友達同士で1人1キャラ決めて順番にやってた思い出。

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Toshiki
The game that became a big gateway to getting into the Three Kingdoms. Using this as a chance, it became my gateway to playing the whole series, including numbered titles and Samurai Warriors. A memory of friends each picking one character and taking turns playing.
Show original (日本語)
三国志に触れる大きなきっかけとなったゲーム。これを機にシリーズナンバリング、戦国無双等シリーズ通してプレイするきっかけとなった。友達同士で1人1キャラ決めて順番にやってた思い出。

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4 votes

Ratchet & Clank

RPGAction RPGPlatform

Survey scores · avg 3.5/5

Story3.2

Gameplay4.5

Graphics3.5

Music2.8

Character4.5

Join Ratchet, a skilled mechanic, and Clank, a defective war machine turned loyal companion, as they journey across the galaxy to stop Chairman Drek’s plan to destroy planets for profit. This action-platformer delivers one of PlayStation’s most iconic adventures, featuring an arsenal of inventive weapons, varied level designs, and gadgets that unlock new ways to explore.

Survey voice

あっきー / 30代 / 男性
An action game where it's fun to switch gadgets and build combat to match the enemy. In particular, the minigames are substantial, and the rewarding battles with hard added conditions as post-story missions, plus races, shooting, and other minigames were so fun I could play them forever. Before I knew it I was playing them while neglecting the story. The character design is well done too, and the object modeling and future-feeling stages were quite well made by the graphics standards of the time. Attack effects fly around and expressions like explosions unfold on a hugely powerful screen right before your eyes, so the immersion was incredible.
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ガラメカを切り替えて敵に合わせた戦闘を組み立てていくことが面白いアクションゲーム。特に、ミニゲームが充実しており、ストーリー戦終了後にミッションとして難しい条件が加わったやりごたえのある戦闘やレースやシューティングなどのミニゲームはずっとやってられるほど面白く。気づいやらストーリーそっちのけでやっていた。キャラクターデザインもよくできており、オブジェクトの造形や未来感を感じられるステージは当時のグラフィックではかなりよくできた部類。攻撃エフェクトが飛び交い爆発などの表現が目の前の大迫力の画面で繰り広げられるので没入感がすごかった。

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3 votes

Persona 3

RPGJRPGTurn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.7

Music5.0

Character5.0

Persona 3 is the quintessential JRPG Social Sim where you fight to uncover the origins of the Dark Hour, a mysterious thirteenth hour that plagues Japan. At the heart of the game is an orphaned high school boy bestowed with the power of Persona, an ability that unlocks one’s inner self. Fight against enemies in a dungeon crawl setting AND keep up the life of a normal high schooler in this devastating ballad for those who titter between life and death.

Survey voice

Ronald / 20s / Male
The second Persona game I've played, which had a darker story compared to Persona 4. I also enjoyed the story of the game and the mystery of the Dark Hour. The difficulty was a little challenging due to not being able to control the other party members and not being able to use guard/defend with your character, which made it really nerve-wracking whenever a buffed Shadow used a move. You had to make sure you were using the right Persona to block against it. The music was also a banger, and I had a lot of playthroughs with the game.

Ervin / 30s / Male
Innovative JRPG. Blew my mind how immersive it was an anime game. Shinjiro's death was devastating

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Non / 30s / Prefer not to say
I actually skipped school to play it

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3 votes

God of War 2

ActionHack and Slash

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.7

Music4.3

Character5.0

Kratos' becomes the God of War, but his problems become bigger than Ares. Now he has to fight the gods of Olympus who all have it out for him. Hack and slash your way through countless mythological monsters in one of the most cinematic games of the PS2 era.

Survey voice

Ronald / 20s / Male
I enjoyed the story of the game and how Kratos went back to the past to kill Zeus, who betrayed him from the start. The gameplay was really addictive, and I remember how satisfying it was to almost kill Zeus at the end.

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4 votes

Shadow of the Colossus

AdventureHack and SlashOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story3.7

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.7

Music5.0

Character4.3

Shadow of the Colossus is art in motion, a quiet, almost serene fantasy adventure where context and worldbuilding are left to the imagination, motivations are clouded in mystery, and you have no choice but to play as Wander, who travels this sacred desolate land with his trusty horse Agro, in search of Colossi, which he must fell in order to bring back Mono, an unconscious woman clad in white. A subversion of the Zelda formula, the world is empty, save for sixteen bosses whose bodies are puzzles in and of themselves, which you must learn to navigate, solve and overcome. We do not know how we got here, who Wander is, and why we must kill sixteen seemingly innocent colossi, and we can only hope the rewards will be worth it...

Survey voice

Noel / 30s / Male
Masterpiece. Proves that games can be works of art, with a minimalistic approach to storytelling and worldbuilding, as well as its minimal controls and tutorials, playing SotC is like adventuring into a forbidden land where you don't know the language and must discover things on your own with no one to handhold you. The giant colossi are puzzles in and of themselves as you must navigate their huge bodies in order to take them down

the other david / 20s / Male
Played it on the PS3, but not too different from the PS2 release from what I know. Still one of the most unique and memorable games I've played.

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Piolo / 30s / Male
I'll never forget this game's soundtrack. Hearing "The Opened Way" as you fight the boss really gets you going.

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3 votes

Devil May Cry 3

ActionAdventure

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music4.7

Character5.0

Devil May Cry 3 is a stylish resurrection after coming back from what Devil May Cry 2 was. The sibling rivary between Dante and Vergil is iconic that even today it still gets referenced. It has insane (in a good way) and absurd cutscenes that was over the top even during the PS2 era. The difficulty, the styes, and the overall free-flowing yet challenging gameplay was one of the main reasons why it was a huge hit.

Survey voice

Than / 20s / Male
Just a cool game in general. When I was a kid, I loved how Dante moved and acted. I thought it was really cool.

Alonso / 20s / Male
This was the 1st Devil May Cry game I have ever played and this set the tone for my edgy tweens.

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Joshua / 20s / Male
Peak Game. I thought it was a horror game

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3 votes

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

AdventureAction-AdventureOpen World

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.7

Gameplay5.0

Graphics3.7

Music4.3

Character4.3

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the best selling Playstation 2 game of all time. That is saying something. Improved Visuals, Better Responsive Gameplay, Celebrity Cast, and a huge open world spanning 3 cities and its countryside, Rockstar's follow up to Vice City was nothing short of legendary. Follow CJ's story as he navigates San Andreas' criminal underworld and government conspiracies all for the sake of his family and friends. GTA San Andreas is a landmark title among open-world video games as well as a funny satire on American society. Long time GTA fans will recognize a wide variety of returning characters, enrinching the franchise as a whole!

Survey voice

Non / 30s / Prefer not to say
I have a lot of fun memories playing this game when I was young

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Hidden gems on PlayStation 2

Lesser-known PlayStation 2 games our players loved.

Obscure 1 and 2Hidden Gem

Obscure 1 and 2

5.0/5

The Obscure series is a survival horror franchise that deserves way more attention. Both Obscure and Obscure II feature co-op, a permadeath system where dead characters stay dead, and plenty of puzzles and resource management to keep things tense. Instead of the usual zombie or virus outbreak story, the games take a different approach with their own creepy mystery, making them feel fresh even today. If you're looking for something that scratches the classic Resident Evil itch but with co-op and a different kind of horror, this series is an easy recommendation.

Winx ClubHidden Gem

Winx Club

5.0/5

Winx Club is a fun, fashionable, sometimes surprisingly challenging romp through the events of the hit early-2000s cartoon’s first season, published by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2006. As Bloom, a new student at the Alfea College for Fairies, players can learn magical skills, explore colorful worlds, battle ogres and witches, and pick from fifteen stylish outfits. Hailed by now-adult fans as the best video game in the franchise, this magical 3D action-adventure is set in an open world and pairs a solid coming-of-age story about discovering yourself and finding love, friendship, and family in unexpected places with uncomplicated yet engaging puzzles, combat, and missions, just as well as it pairs stylish yellow wedge sandals with a teal cropped tee and blue flared jeans.

Dark Cloud 2Hidden Gem

Dark Cloud 2

4.8/5

Dark Cloud 2 fuses action dungeon-crawling, base building, and time travel into one amazing, underappreciated game. You play two characters Max, a tinkerer and inventor from the present, and Monica a swordswoman from the future. Both have unique playstyles as Max uses his gun and wrench in battle along with his homemade mechs while Monica uses her sword skills and magic to navigate the battlefield. You go around the present to restore important areas of the future to take back what the future should be.

Tenchu: Wrath of HeavenHidden Gem

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

4.8/5

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is an action-stealth game that puts you in the role of a skilled ninja. Choose between Rikimaru and Ayame each with their own story, as you complete their missions across feudal Japan. Use the tools in your arsenal to silently eliminate your targets and overcome increasingly difficult challenges. Every mission takes place in a different location, putting your stealth skills and strategy to the test. This game proves that brute force isn't always the answer.

Sly Cooper and the Den of ThievesHidden Gem

Sly Cooper and the Den of Thieves

4.8/5

Sly Cooper and the Den of Thieves allows you to play as Sly and his companions, making for a great Stealth game ahead of its time. Each character has a unique set of skills that make each game stage feel greatly different, with Sly played as a purely stealth character that requires you to sneak up on enemies and pickpocket from them, Murray with his brute strength that make levels feel more action than stealth, and Bentley playing as a timid, but technologically gifted thief that incorporate various hacking minigames into the stealth aspect.

FAQ

How were these best PlayStation 2 games chosen?

From a survey of 241 players who recommended PlayStation 2 games. Available five-axis ratings and curated comments are shown. Titles are ranked by mention count, then average score.

What is the top PlayStation 2 game?

Kingdom Hearts II ranks #1 with 22 votes.

How to find the best PlayStation 2 games

The best PlayStation 2 games according to 241 surveyed players — ranked by votes with average score as the tie-breaker, with the survey scores and curated player comments available in the source data.

Already cleared the Top 20? Check the hidden gems above — lesser-known PlayStation 2 titles our players rated highly.

More best-games rankings

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