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Have you found that you’re bored, and want to fill the gap until GTA: Vice City or other such great games appear? Don’t want to waste money buying bad games? Want hours of fun? Having problems choosing which games to alleviate your wallet with? Then read on…
So you’ve got a PS2, but you’re bored and want some good games? Well, you’ve come to the right place, below you’ll find the games that are the top of their genre (two of for each genre in case you already own one) . This is the definitive guide as to what to buy, these games will not dissapoint.
Driving: TOCA Race Driving (£35), Gran Toursimo 3 A-SPEC (£18 Platinum)
If you’re the kind of person who like RPGs and improving your equipment (cars) as you progress, GT3 is the game for you. This game offers more cars than you can name in 10 minutes (go on, try it) and the opportunity to tune each one to your every little need, want to change your suspension or install a YAW system? OK then just go to the options. Whether you want a Subaru Impreza, or a Shelby; this game has it. But say you don’t want the complexities of GT3? Or you already own it? Well if you want a game that immerses you into the atmosphere of racing, then buy TOCA Race Driver. You will put on the sweaty gloves of Ryan McKane, an ambitious rookie driver who wants to prove himself in a world where he is overshadowed by his older brother’s success and in a place where racing is everything. The cars are beautiful (at the start of the race at least) and the voice acting adds to the atmosphere. The damage system is superb, and if you’re really bent on destroying your car, you can damage ‘till there’s one wheel and half a door left on your car.
Action: Grand Theft Auto 3 (£35), Devil May Cry (£36)
Although many action lovers already own these masterpieces, there are some who don’t (shockingly enough). What can I say about GTA3 that hasn’t been said? It’s morally wrong, its bad and there are naughty words in it. Its GREAT, this game is one of the two reasons that I bought a PS2, the sound is great, with music to suit everyone, and then some. The city is immense, with three atmospheric districts and pedestrians everywhere, if you want to do something in Liberty City, you probably can, but its not the freedom, the graphics or the sound, it’s the gameplay that takes your breath away… If you see a car that you want, you can nick it. If you see someone who you don’t like, you can hit/shoot/run over them (just make sure you’re not busted), if you’re bored, start a police chase. The possibilities of this game are immense, and this is definitely one of the greatest games ever, which has lasted me a whole year. There are many games trying to copy GTA3, but they all forget one thing; when it comes to fun, GTA3 is the daddy. If you don’t have this, buy it, now. However, what if you prefer something spooky? Then Dante and his arsenal of extremely cool weapons will meet your requirements… You can shoot someone, then hack at them with a six-foot long lightning sword, and finally shoot them some more, all in one swift backwards somersault. The fights are very exciting and whenever you are encountered by enemies, a fast-paced soundtrack kicks in, with great effect. This game has a brilliant gothic atmosphere, evil bloodthirsty enemies and of course the graphics are absolutely gorgeous. Should you find yourself surrounded, and your Devil Triggers are charged up, you can go into Devil mode, which infuses you with one of two available demons, depending on which weapon you’re carrying. Ilfrit and Alastor, fire and lightning, each one offers its advantages and special attacks, which can be “bought” by collecting red orbs, which enemies drop. This game’s life span is also quite large, as completing it on Normal is quite hard, and completing it on hard is an immense challenge, and after that, there are unlockable modes.
First Person Shooters: Deus Ex (£37), Medal of Honor: Frontline (£38)
If you prefer being in the middle of the action, first person shooters are for you. Deus Ex is classed as a FPS, but that is if you choose to shoot at all, this game is for people tired of being led through a linear storyline. The story is yours to tell, the actions of JC Denton (a bio/mechanically-engineered agent) are yours to choose. Although this game originated on the PC, it has been improved in the graphics, sound and gameplay department. The controls have been cleverly reassigned, and are simple, so you can control Denton without interrupting your thinking (which is required in the game). You are able assign special abilities to Denton at the beginning of the game, and you can add more as you progress, completing missions and receiving points. Denton can be trained in heavy weapons training, so that he is a walking tank (Arnie style). Or he can be a computer hacker, who lets the machines do all the work. You can even train him to be able to eliminate targets with one silent attack by giving him militia training. The choices must be made carefully, as they will affect the entire game. People will react to you differently; if you execute your missions by killing first, asking later, some people will respect you and offer help, but if you render people unconscious, then some more morally stable people might lend you a hand. This is one of the few games, which gives you freedom. If you happen to prefer a movie-like game however, then Medal of Honor Frontline will suit your needs. This WWII shoot ‘em up series originated from Dreamworks (set up by Steven Spielberg) and has evolved from PS1 to PS2, boasting lush backdrops, brilliant sound (Dolby 5.1 or Stereo) and some of the best AI around. Although this game doesn’t offer much freedom, the characters are very detailed (with facial expressions and many hit locations) and the weapons are very authentic. Each weapon has a different reload time, amount of recoil, damage and its own sound. One of the most exciting FPS levels can be found in this game; D-Day. You storm the beaches of Normandy, with fellow allies (who die cinematically) and you must clear the bunkers (Saving Private Ryan anyone?), while hell is breaking loose around you, with shells, tracer bullets and cries of war. This game offers tense gunfights, which leave your hands sweating and it also offers calm fields, where you must use a Springfield 05 sniper rifle to take enemies out, while listening to birds singing and cows mooing. The one fault is probably the lifespan, but you can rest assured that completing it on hard is very tense and exciting. This game is a must for all War game fans.
Thinking games & RPG: Prisoner of War (£35), Ico (£36) and Final Fantasy X (£40)
POW a WWII game, but hold yer’ horses! You (Captain Stone) don’t shoot anyone; this game is based on escaping from various POW camps, each with varying guards (some dumb, some sharp) and each one with a completely different layout, which you must learn in order to escape. Throughout the game, you must meet with the camp’s escape committee and they will set you tasks, which must be completed without detection. The catch is, that these tasks must be based around a rota, where you must go to morning and evening roll call, should you fail to be at roll call, there will be a camp-wide search, led by bloodthirsty Nazis with machine guns. The best time for illegal activities is at night, when guards can’t see as far, and if Stone wears some bootpolish, then he is even more inconspicuous to guards. Should he be caught where he shouldn’t be, the guards will shoot Stone or put him in the cooler for a couple of days. Ico is a peculiar (and original) game, where you play as an outcast (Ico) helping princess Yorda escape from a castle where you have both been imprisoned. To escape, you must navigate your way past various puzzles, in different surroundings. Ico can jump, swim, run and climb, but Yorda is too gentle to jump over large spaces, so Ico must lower bridges and battle off shadows that attack Yorda. The graphics are different to any other games; the unique graphics of this game are part of what sets Ico apart from other games. You’ve got to see it it to believe it. If you want a game, which involves thinking, but includes some violence (in the form of spells, lances, and giant swords), Final Fantasy X is ideal. In FFX, Tidus (a blitzball player) must find a way to defeat the demon whale, Sin. He is supported by six companions, each one having a different field of expertise (Thief, Black Mage, Summoner/White Mage). As usual in FF games, the graphics are outstanding, the music is atmospheric and the FMVs are enough to make you drool. The game is packed with extras, offering 100+ hours of gameplay. You can play Blitzball (underwater rugby/football/Basketball mixture), ride chocobos, or just fight many different monsters to strengthen your characters. This game boasts sheer quality and a very expansive lifetime.
Sport games: Pro Evolution Soccer (£33), Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (£20, Platinum)
Pro Evolution Soccer is the ultimate football game; it offers a gentle learning curve, yet it is hard to master. Unlike some other football games, scores of 7-0 are very rare indeed; this is because scoring goals takes precision timing and strategy. The options are customisable, you can choose any position that you can think of, for your team, or just invent your own. The stadiums are beautiful, as are the weather effects. The gameplay is realistic, yet addictive, if you have a multitap and three mates, there is a four player mode. A 2v2-football match will have you shouting with frustration, then cheering with joy, then crying as your star player is injured and carried off the pitch, wincing in agony. This game is a must for football fans and non-football fans alike, because it offers fun for everyone. THPS3 is a continuation of a series, which revolutionised the Playstation. THPS3 shows huge leaps of improvements from THPS2, the levels are bigger, there is more music, the create-a-skater is more detailed and the skating is just sick! (Meaning good). When you bail, blood will splatter and your skater (anyone from the Hawkster, to Darth Maul) will clutch his (or her) leg/groin/face/rear and roll around, before jumping back on the deck and pulling off some gnarly combos. The create-a-park is better than ever, with hundreds of pieces to use and different backdrops with which to create a skate park and save it onto a memory card, before taking it around your mate’s house to thrash him in the park that you know back to front. The sound track is very good and the graphics are brilliant, this game also offers things that are genuinely funny, something rare in videogames.
I think that’s about it. I hope this guide has helped you decide what to buy. And make sure you look out for GTA Vice City, Timesplitters 2, THPS4, PES2, Deus Ex 2, DMC2 and GT4, all of which will be brilliant games. I wouldn’t miss any of the above games for the world, so make sure that you don’t, or you might regret it…
Thanks for reading and enjoy your games!
(p.s. feel free to post your great games lists here)
So you’ve got a PS2, but you’re bored and want some good games? Well, you’ve come to the right place, below you’ll find the games that are the top of their genre (two of for each genre in case you already own one) . This is the definitive guide as to what to buy, these games will not dissapoint.
Driving: TOCA Race Driving (£35), Gran Toursimo 3 A-SPEC (£18 Platinum)
If you’re the kind of person who like RPGs and improving your equipment (cars) as you progress, GT3 is the game for you. This game offers more cars than you can name in 10 minutes (go on, try it) and the opportunity to tune each one to your every little need, want to change your suspension or install a YAW system? OK then just go to the options. Whether you want a Subaru Impreza, or a Shelby; this game has it. But say you don’t want the complexities of GT3? Or you already own it? Well if you want a game that immerses you into the atmosphere of racing, then buy TOCA Race Driver. You will put on the sweaty gloves of Ryan McKane, an ambitious rookie driver who wants to prove himself in a world where he is overshadowed by his older brother’s success and in a place where racing is everything. The cars are beautiful (at the start of the race at least) and the voice acting adds to the atmosphere. The damage system is superb, and if you’re really bent on destroying your car, you can damage ‘till there’s one wheel and half a door left on your car.
Action: Grand Theft Auto 3 (£35), Devil May Cry (£36)
Although many action lovers already own these masterpieces, there are some who don’t (shockingly enough). What can I say about GTA3 that hasn’t been said? It’s morally wrong, its bad and there are naughty words in it. Its GREAT, this game is one of the two reasons that I bought a PS2, the sound is great, with music to suit everyone, and then some. The city is immense, with three atmospheric districts and pedestrians everywhere, if you want to do something in Liberty City, you probably can, but its not the freedom, the graphics or the sound, it’s the gameplay that takes your breath away… If you see a car that you want, you can nick it. If you see someone who you don’t like, you can hit/shoot/run over them (just make sure you’re not busted), if you’re bored, start a police chase. The possibilities of this game are immense, and this is definitely one of the greatest games ever, which has lasted me a whole year. There are many games trying to copy GTA3, but they all forget one thing; when it comes to fun, GTA3 is the daddy. If you don’t have this, buy it, now. However, what if you prefer something spooky? Then Dante and his arsenal of extremely cool weapons will meet your requirements… You can shoot someone, then hack at them with a six-foot long lightning sword, and finally shoot them some more, all in one swift backwards somersault. The fights are very exciting and whenever you are encountered by enemies, a fast-paced soundtrack kicks in, with great effect. This game has a brilliant gothic atmosphere, evil bloodthirsty enemies and of course the graphics are absolutely gorgeous. Should you find yourself surrounded, and your Devil Triggers are charged up, you can go into Devil mode, which infuses you with one of two available demons, depending on which weapon you’re carrying. Ilfrit and Alastor, fire and lightning, each one offers its advantages and special attacks, which can be “bought” by collecting red orbs, which enemies drop. This game’s life span is also quite large, as completing it on Normal is quite hard, and completing it on hard is an immense challenge, and after that, there are unlockable modes.
First Person Shooters: Deus Ex (£37), Medal of Honor: Frontline (£38)
If you prefer being in the middle of the action, first person shooters are for you. Deus Ex is classed as a FPS, but that is if you choose to shoot at all, this game is for people tired of being led through a linear storyline. The story is yours to tell, the actions of JC Denton (a bio/mechanically-engineered agent) are yours to choose. Although this game originated on the PC, it has been improved in the graphics, sound and gameplay department. The controls have been cleverly reassigned, and are simple, so you can control Denton without interrupting your thinking (which is required in the game). You are able assign special abilities to Denton at the beginning of the game, and you can add more as you progress, completing missions and receiving points. Denton can be trained in heavy weapons training, so that he is a walking tank (Arnie style). Or he can be a computer hacker, who lets the machines do all the work. You can even train him to be able to eliminate targets with one silent attack by giving him militia training. The choices must be made carefully, as they will affect the entire game. People will react to you differently; if you execute your missions by killing first, asking later, some people will respect you and offer help, but if you render people unconscious, then some more morally stable people might lend you a hand. This is one of the few games, which gives you freedom. If you happen to prefer a movie-like game however, then Medal of Honor Frontline will suit your needs. This WWII shoot ‘em up series originated from Dreamworks (set up by Steven Spielberg) and has evolved from PS1 to PS2, boasting lush backdrops, brilliant sound (Dolby 5.1 or Stereo) and some of the best AI around. Although this game doesn’t offer much freedom, the characters are very detailed (with facial expressions and many hit locations) and the weapons are very authentic. Each weapon has a different reload time, amount of recoil, damage and its own sound. One of the most exciting FPS levels can be found in this game; D-Day. You storm the beaches of Normandy, with fellow allies (who die cinematically) and you must clear the bunkers (Saving Private Ryan anyone?), while hell is breaking loose around you, with shells, tracer bullets and cries of war. This game offers tense gunfights, which leave your hands sweating and it also offers calm fields, where you must use a Springfield 05 sniper rifle to take enemies out, while listening to birds singing and cows mooing. The one fault is probably the lifespan, but you can rest assured that completing it on hard is very tense and exciting. This game is a must for all War game fans.
Thinking games & RPG: Prisoner of War (£35), Ico (£36) and Final Fantasy X (£40)
POW a WWII game, but hold yer’ horses! You (Captain Stone) don’t shoot anyone; this game is based on escaping from various POW camps, each with varying guards (some dumb, some sharp) and each one with a completely different layout, which you must learn in order to escape. Throughout the game, you must meet with the camp’s escape committee and they will set you tasks, which must be completed without detection. The catch is, that these tasks must be based around a rota, where you must go to morning and evening roll call, should you fail to be at roll call, there will be a camp-wide search, led by bloodthirsty Nazis with machine guns. The best time for illegal activities is at night, when guards can’t see as far, and if Stone wears some bootpolish, then he is even more inconspicuous to guards. Should he be caught where he shouldn’t be, the guards will shoot Stone or put him in the cooler for a couple of days. Ico is a peculiar (and original) game, where you play as an outcast (Ico) helping princess Yorda escape from a castle where you have both been imprisoned. To escape, you must navigate your way past various puzzles, in different surroundings. Ico can jump, swim, run and climb, but Yorda is too gentle to jump over large spaces, so Ico must lower bridges and battle off shadows that attack Yorda. The graphics are different to any other games; the unique graphics of this game are part of what sets Ico apart from other games. You’ve got to see it it to believe it. If you want a game, which involves thinking, but includes some violence (in the form of spells, lances, and giant swords), Final Fantasy X is ideal. In FFX, Tidus (a blitzball player) must find a way to defeat the demon whale, Sin. He is supported by six companions, each one having a different field of expertise (Thief, Black Mage, Summoner/White Mage). As usual in FF games, the graphics are outstanding, the music is atmospheric and the FMVs are enough to make you drool. The game is packed with extras, offering 100+ hours of gameplay. You can play Blitzball (underwater rugby/football/Basketball mixture), ride chocobos, or just fight many different monsters to strengthen your characters. This game boasts sheer quality and a very expansive lifetime.
Sport games: Pro Evolution Soccer (£33), Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (£20, Platinum)
Pro Evolution Soccer is the ultimate football game; it offers a gentle learning curve, yet it is hard to master. Unlike some other football games, scores of 7-0 are very rare indeed; this is because scoring goals takes precision timing and strategy. The options are customisable, you can choose any position that you can think of, for your team, or just invent your own. The stadiums are beautiful, as are the weather effects. The gameplay is realistic, yet addictive, if you have a multitap and three mates, there is a four player mode. A 2v2-football match will have you shouting with frustration, then cheering with joy, then crying as your star player is injured and carried off the pitch, wincing in agony. This game is a must for football fans and non-football fans alike, because it offers fun for everyone. THPS3 is a continuation of a series, which revolutionised the Playstation. THPS3 shows huge leaps of improvements from THPS2, the levels are bigger, there is more music, the create-a-skater is more detailed and the skating is just sick! (Meaning good). When you bail, blood will splatter and your skater (anyone from the Hawkster, to Darth Maul) will clutch his (or her) leg/groin/face/rear and roll around, before jumping back on the deck and pulling off some gnarly combos. The create-a-park is better than ever, with hundreds of pieces to use and different backdrops with which to create a skate park and save it onto a memory card, before taking it around your mate’s house to thrash him in the park that you know back to front. The sound track is very good and the graphics are brilliant, this game also offers things that are genuinely funny, something rare in videogames.
I think that’s about it. I hope this guide has helped you decide what to buy. And make sure you look out for GTA Vice City, Timesplitters 2, THPS4, PES2, Deus Ex 2, DMC2 and GT4, all of which will be brilliant games. I wouldn’t miss any of the above games for the world, so make sure that you don’t, or you might regret it…
Thanks for reading and enjoy your games!
(p.s. feel free to post your great games lists here)
There have been no replies to this thread yet.
Have you found that you’re bored, and want to fill the gap until GTA: Vice City or other such great games appear? Don’t want to waste money buying bad games? Want hours of fun? Having problems choosing which games to alleviate your wallet with? Then read on…
So you’ve got a PS2, but you’re bored and want some good games? Well, you’ve come to the right place, below you’ll find the games that are the top of their genre (two of for each genre in case you already own one) . This is the definitive guide as to what to buy, these games will not dissapoint.
Driving: TOCA Race Driving (£35), Gran Toursimo 3 A-SPEC (£18 Platinum)
If you’re the kind of person who like RPGs and improving your equipment (cars) as you progress, GT3 is the game for you. This game offers more cars than you can name in 10 minutes (go on, try it) and the opportunity to tune each one to your every little need, want to change your suspension or install a YAW system? OK then just go to the options. Whether you want a Subaru Impreza, or a Shelby; this game has it. But say you don’t want the complexities of GT3? Or you already own it? Well if you want a game that immerses you into the atmosphere of racing, then buy TOCA Race Driver. You will put on the sweaty gloves of Ryan McKane, an ambitious rookie driver who wants to prove himself in a world where he is overshadowed by his older brother’s success and in a place where racing is everything. The cars are beautiful (at the start of the race at least) and the voice acting adds to the atmosphere. The damage system is superb, and if you’re really bent on destroying your car, you can damage ‘till there’s one wheel and half a door left on your car.
Action: Grand Theft Auto 3 (£35), Devil May Cry (£36)
Although many action lovers already own these masterpieces, there are some who don’t (shockingly enough). What can I say about GTA3 that hasn’t been said? It’s morally wrong, its bad and there are naughty words in it. Its GREAT, this game is one of the two reasons that I bought a PS2, the sound is great, with music to suit everyone, and then some. The city is immense, with three atmospheric districts and pedestrians everywhere, if you want to do something in Liberty City, you probably can, but its not the freedom, the graphics or the sound, it’s the gameplay that takes your breath away… If you see a car that you want, you can nick it. If you see someone who you don’t like, you can hit/shoot/run over them (just make sure you’re not busted), if you’re bored, start a police chase. The possibilities of this game are immense, and this is definitely one of the greatest games ever, which has lasted me a whole year. There are many games trying to copy GTA3, but they all forget one thing; when it comes to fun, GTA3 is the daddy. If you don’t have this, buy it, now. However, what if you prefer something spooky? Then Dante and his arsenal of extremely cool weapons will meet your requirements… You can shoot someone, then hack at them with a six-foot long lightning sword, and finally shoot them some more, all in one swift backwards somersault. The fights are very exciting and whenever you are encountered by enemies, a fast-paced soundtrack kicks in, with great effect. This game has a brilliant gothic atmosphere, evil bloodthirsty enemies and of course the graphics are absolutely gorgeous. Should you find yourself surrounded, and your Devil Triggers are charged up, you can go into Devil mode, which infuses you with one of two available demons, depending on which weapon you’re carrying. Ilfrit and Alastor, fire and lightning, each one offers its advantages and special attacks, which can be “bought” by collecting red orbs, which enemies drop. This game’s life span is also quite large, as completing it on Normal is quite hard, and completing it on hard is an immense challenge, and after that, there are unlockable modes.
First Person Shooters: Deus Ex (£37), Medal of Honor: Frontline (£38)
If you prefer being in the middle of the action, first person shooters are for you. Deus Ex is classed as a FPS, but that is if you choose to shoot at all, this game is for people tired of being led through a linear storyline. The story is yours to tell, the actions of JC Denton (a bio/mechanically-engineered agent) are yours to choose. Although this game originated on the PC, it has been improved in the graphics, sound and gameplay department. The controls have been cleverly reassigned, and are simple, so you can control Denton without interrupting your thinking (which is required in the game). You are able assign special abilities to Denton at the beginning of the game, and you can add more as you progress, completing missions and receiving points. Denton can be trained in heavy weapons training, so that he is a walking tank (Arnie style). Or he can be a computer hacker, who lets the machines do all the work. You can even train him to be able to eliminate targets with one silent attack by giving him militia training. The choices must be made carefully, as they will affect the entire game. People will react to you differently; if you execute your missions by killing first, asking later, some people will respect you and offer help, but if you render people unconscious, then some more morally stable people might lend you a hand. This is one of the few games, which gives you freedom. If you happen to prefer a movie-like game however, then Medal of Honor Frontline will suit your needs. This WWII shoot ‘em up series originated from Dreamworks (set up by Steven Spielberg) and has evolved from PS1 to PS2, boasting lush backdrops, brilliant sound (Dolby 5.1 or Stereo) and some of the best AI around. Although this game doesn’t offer much freedom, the characters are very detailed (with facial expressions and many hit locations) and the weapons are very authentic. Each weapon has a different reload time, amount of recoil, damage and its own sound. One of the most exciting FPS levels can be found in this game; D-Day. You storm the beaches of Normandy, with fellow allies (who die cinematically) and you must clear the bunkers (Saving Private Ryan anyone?), while hell is breaking loose around you, with shells, tracer bullets and cries of war. This game offers tense gunfights, which leave your hands sweating and it also offers calm fields, where you must use a Springfield 05 sniper rifle to take enemies out, while listening to birds singing and cows mooing. The one fault is probably the lifespan, but you can rest assured that completing it on hard is very tense and exciting. This game is a must for all War game fans.
Thinking games & RPG: Prisoner of War (£35), Ico (£36) and Final Fantasy X (£40)
POW a WWII game, but hold yer’ horses! You (Captain Stone) don’t shoot anyone; this game is based on escaping from various POW camps, each with varying guards (some dumb, some sharp) and each one with a completely different layout, which you must learn in order to escape. Throughout the game, you must meet with the camp’s escape committee and they will set you tasks, which must be completed without detection. The catch is, that these tasks must be based around a rota, where you must go to morning and evening roll call, should you fail to be at roll call, there will be a camp-wide search, led by bloodthirsty Nazis with machine guns. The best time for illegal activities is at night, when guards can’t see as far, and if Stone wears some bootpolish, then he is even more inconspicuous to guards. Should he be caught where he shouldn’t be, the guards will shoot Stone or put him in the cooler for a couple of days. Ico is a peculiar (and original) game, where you play as an outcast (Ico) helping princess Yorda escape from a castle where you have both been imprisoned. To escape, you must navigate your way past various puzzles, in different surroundings. Ico can jump, swim, run and climb, but Yorda is too gentle to jump over large spaces, so Ico must lower bridges and battle off shadows that attack Yorda. The graphics are different to any other games; the unique graphics of this game are part of what sets Ico apart from other games. You’ve got to see it it to believe it. If you want a game, which involves thinking, but includes some violence (in the form of spells, lances, and giant swords), Final Fantasy X is ideal. In FFX, Tidus (a blitzball player) must find a way to defeat the demon whale, Sin. He is supported by six companions, each one having a different field of expertise (Thief, Black Mage, Summoner/White Mage). As usual in FF games, the graphics are outstanding, the music is atmospheric and the FMVs are enough to make you drool. The game is packed with extras, offering 100+ hours of gameplay. You can play Blitzball (underwater rugby/football/Basketball mixture), ride chocobos, or just fight many different monsters to strengthen your characters. This game boasts sheer quality and a very expansive lifetime.
Sport games: Pro Evolution Soccer (£33), Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (£20, Platinum)
Pro Evolution Soccer is the ultimate football game; it offers a gentle learning curve, yet it is hard to master. Unlike some other football games, scores of 7-0 are very rare indeed; this is because scoring goals takes precision timing and strategy. The options are customisable, you can choose any position that you can think of, for your team, or just invent your own. The stadiums are beautiful, as are the weather effects. The gameplay is realistic, yet addictive, if you have a multitap and three mates, there is a four player mode. A 2v2-football match will have you shouting with frustration, then cheering with joy, then crying as your star player is injured and carried off the pitch, wincing in agony. This game is a must for football fans and non-football fans alike, because it offers fun for everyone. THPS3 is a continuation of a series, which revolutionised the Playstation. THPS3 shows huge leaps of improvements from THPS2, the levels are bigger, there is more music, the create-a-skater is more detailed and the skating is just sick! (Meaning good). When you bail, blood will splatter and your skater (anyone from the Hawkster, to Darth Maul) will clutch his (or her) leg/groin/face/rear and roll around, before jumping back on the deck and pulling off some gnarly combos. The create-a-park is better than ever, with hundreds of pieces to use and different backdrops with which to create a skate park and save it onto a memory card, before taking it around your mate’s house to thrash him in the park that you know back to front. The sound track is very good and the graphics are brilliant, this game also offers things that are genuinely funny, something rare in videogames.
I think that’s about it. I hope this guide has helped you decide what to buy. And make sure you look out for GTA Vice City, Timesplitters 2, THPS4, PES2, Deus Ex 2, DMC2 and GT4, all of which will be brilliant games. I wouldn’t miss any of the above games for the world, so make sure that you don’t, or you might regret it…
Thanks for reading and enjoy your games!
(p.s. feel free to post your great games lists here)
So you’ve got a PS2, but you’re bored and want some good games? Well, you’ve come to the right place, below you’ll find the games that are the top of their genre (two of for each genre in case you already own one) . This is the definitive guide as to what to buy, these games will not dissapoint.
Driving: TOCA Race Driving (£35), Gran Toursimo 3 A-SPEC (£18 Platinum)
If you’re the kind of person who like RPGs and improving your equipment (cars) as you progress, GT3 is the game for you. This game offers more cars than you can name in 10 minutes (go on, try it) and the opportunity to tune each one to your every little need, want to change your suspension or install a YAW system? OK then just go to the options. Whether you want a Subaru Impreza, or a Shelby; this game has it. But say you don’t want the complexities of GT3? Or you already own it? Well if you want a game that immerses you into the atmosphere of racing, then buy TOCA Race Driver. You will put on the sweaty gloves of Ryan McKane, an ambitious rookie driver who wants to prove himself in a world where he is overshadowed by his older brother’s success and in a place where racing is everything. The cars are beautiful (at the start of the race at least) and the voice acting adds to the atmosphere. The damage system is superb, and if you’re really bent on destroying your car, you can damage ‘till there’s one wheel and half a door left on your car.
Action: Grand Theft Auto 3 (£35), Devil May Cry (£36)
Although many action lovers already own these masterpieces, there are some who don’t (shockingly enough). What can I say about GTA3 that hasn’t been said? It’s morally wrong, its bad and there are naughty words in it. Its GREAT, this game is one of the two reasons that I bought a PS2, the sound is great, with music to suit everyone, and then some. The city is immense, with three atmospheric districts and pedestrians everywhere, if you want to do something in Liberty City, you probably can, but its not the freedom, the graphics or the sound, it’s the gameplay that takes your breath away… If you see a car that you want, you can nick it. If you see someone who you don’t like, you can hit/shoot/run over them (just make sure you’re not busted), if you’re bored, start a police chase. The possibilities of this game are immense, and this is definitely one of the greatest games ever, which has lasted me a whole year. There are many games trying to copy GTA3, but they all forget one thing; when it comes to fun, GTA3 is the daddy. If you don’t have this, buy it, now. However, what if you prefer something spooky? Then Dante and his arsenal of extremely cool weapons will meet your requirements… You can shoot someone, then hack at them with a six-foot long lightning sword, and finally shoot them some more, all in one swift backwards somersault. The fights are very exciting and whenever you are encountered by enemies, a fast-paced soundtrack kicks in, with great effect. This game has a brilliant gothic atmosphere, evil bloodthirsty enemies and of course the graphics are absolutely gorgeous. Should you find yourself surrounded, and your Devil Triggers are charged up, you can go into Devil mode, which infuses you with one of two available demons, depending on which weapon you’re carrying. Ilfrit and Alastor, fire and lightning, each one offers its advantages and special attacks, which can be “bought” by collecting red orbs, which enemies drop. This game’s life span is also quite large, as completing it on Normal is quite hard, and completing it on hard is an immense challenge, and after that, there are unlockable modes.
First Person Shooters: Deus Ex (£37), Medal of Honor: Frontline (£38)
If you prefer being in the middle of the action, first person shooters are for you. Deus Ex is classed as a FPS, but that is if you choose to shoot at all, this game is for people tired of being led through a linear storyline. The story is yours to tell, the actions of JC Denton (a bio/mechanically-engineered agent) are yours to choose. Although this game originated on the PC, it has been improved in the graphics, sound and gameplay department. The controls have been cleverly reassigned, and are simple, so you can control Denton without interrupting your thinking (which is required in the game). You are able assign special abilities to Denton at the beginning of the game, and you can add more as you progress, completing missions and receiving points. Denton can be trained in heavy weapons training, so that he is a walking tank (Arnie style). Or he can be a computer hacker, who lets the machines do all the work. You can even train him to be able to eliminate targets with one silent attack by giving him militia training. The choices must be made carefully, as they will affect the entire game. People will react to you differently; if you execute your missions by killing first, asking later, some people will respect you and offer help, but if you render people unconscious, then some more morally stable people might lend you a hand. This is one of the few games, which gives you freedom. If you happen to prefer a movie-like game however, then Medal of Honor Frontline will suit your needs. This WWII shoot ‘em up series originated from Dreamworks (set up by Steven Spielberg) and has evolved from PS1 to PS2, boasting lush backdrops, brilliant sound (Dolby 5.1 or Stereo) and some of the best AI around. Although this game doesn’t offer much freedom, the characters are very detailed (with facial expressions and many hit locations) and the weapons are very authentic. Each weapon has a different reload time, amount of recoil, damage and its own sound. One of the most exciting FPS levels can be found in this game; D-Day. You storm the beaches of Normandy, with fellow allies (who die cinematically) and you must clear the bunkers (Saving Private Ryan anyone?), while hell is breaking loose around you, with shells, tracer bullets and cries of war. This game offers tense gunfights, which leave your hands sweating and it also offers calm fields, where you must use a Springfield 05 sniper rifle to take enemies out, while listening to birds singing and cows mooing. The one fault is probably the lifespan, but you can rest assured that completing it on hard is very tense and exciting. This game is a must for all War game fans.
Thinking games & RPG: Prisoner of War (£35), Ico (£36) and Final Fantasy X (£40)
POW a WWII game, but hold yer’ horses! You (Captain Stone) don’t shoot anyone; this game is based on escaping from various POW camps, each with varying guards (some dumb, some sharp) and each one with a completely different layout, which you must learn in order to escape. Throughout the game, you must meet with the camp’s escape committee and they will set you tasks, which must be completed without detection. The catch is, that these tasks must be based around a rota, where you must go to morning and evening roll call, should you fail to be at roll call, there will be a camp-wide search, led by bloodthirsty Nazis with machine guns. The best time for illegal activities is at night, when guards can’t see as far, and if Stone wears some bootpolish, then he is even more inconspicuous to guards. Should he be caught where he shouldn’t be, the guards will shoot Stone or put him in the cooler for a couple of days. Ico is a peculiar (and original) game, where you play as an outcast (Ico) helping princess Yorda escape from a castle where you have both been imprisoned. To escape, you must navigate your way past various puzzles, in different surroundings. Ico can jump, swim, run and climb, but Yorda is too gentle to jump over large spaces, so Ico must lower bridges and battle off shadows that attack Yorda. The graphics are different to any other games; the unique graphics of this game are part of what sets Ico apart from other games. You’ve got to see it it to believe it. If you want a game, which involves thinking, but includes some violence (in the form of spells, lances, and giant swords), Final Fantasy X is ideal. In FFX, Tidus (a blitzball player) must find a way to defeat the demon whale, Sin. He is supported by six companions, each one having a different field of expertise (Thief, Black Mage, Summoner/White Mage). As usual in FF games, the graphics are outstanding, the music is atmospheric and the FMVs are enough to make you drool. The game is packed with extras, offering 100+ hours of gameplay. You can play Blitzball (underwater rugby/football/Basketball mixture), ride chocobos, or just fight many different monsters to strengthen your characters. This game boasts sheer quality and a very expansive lifetime.
Sport games: Pro Evolution Soccer (£33), Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 (£20, Platinum)
Pro Evolution Soccer is the ultimate football game; it offers a gentle learning curve, yet it is hard to master. Unlike some other football games, scores of 7-0 are very rare indeed; this is because scoring goals takes precision timing and strategy. The options are customisable, you can choose any position that you can think of, for your team, or just invent your own. The stadiums are beautiful, as are the weather effects. The gameplay is realistic, yet addictive, if you have a multitap and three mates, there is a four player mode. A 2v2-football match will have you shouting with frustration, then cheering with joy, then crying as your star player is injured and carried off the pitch, wincing in agony. This game is a must for football fans and non-football fans alike, because it offers fun for everyone. THPS3 is a continuation of a series, which revolutionised the Playstation. THPS3 shows huge leaps of improvements from THPS2, the levels are bigger, there is more music, the create-a-skater is more detailed and the skating is just sick! (Meaning good). When you bail, blood will splatter and your skater (anyone from the Hawkster, to Darth Maul) will clutch his (or her) leg/groin/face/rear and roll around, before jumping back on the deck and pulling off some gnarly combos. The create-a-park is better than ever, with hundreds of pieces to use and different backdrops with which to create a skate park and save it onto a memory card, before taking it around your mate’s house to thrash him in the park that you know back to front. The sound track is very good and the graphics are brilliant, this game also offers things that are genuinely funny, something rare in videogames.
I think that’s about it. I hope this guide has helped you decide what to buy. And make sure you look out for GTA Vice City, Timesplitters 2, THPS4, PES2, Deus Ex 2, DMC2 and GT4, all of which will be brilliant games. I wouldn’t miss any of the above games for the world, so make sure that you don’t, or you might regret it…
Thanks for reading and enjoy your games!
(p.s. feel free to post your great games lists here)