PS2
Here we have all the games in the PS2 Section.
PS2
RPG
The core gameplay remains just as exquisite as its Playstation incarnations, yet the visual level would make a J Pop star blush with intense attention to detail and amazing models to endear the player to the characters (or otherwise.) Uncle Squaresoft still can tell a great post-dinner yarn, so pull up a pew and savour the experience which envelops gamers like a familiar blanket in this remix of FFX-2.
PS2
RPG
A data disk to boost the vast size of the online Final Fantasy XI world. Online has taken the series to unimaginable heights when its original, humble roots are considered.
PS2
RPG
Epic escapades with superb cinematics spliced with clever 3D combat that gets the player involved in the action rather than observing. Incredible production values: the man hours are visible which ever way you spin to avoid the cold steel sword zipping past your ears. Yet again Square Enix raises the bar.
PS2
Simulation
Subtitled ‘Radio Contolled Adventure Championship’ involving flying your little helicopter through various missions which is great fun.
PS2
Simulation
Fine history to this hard hitting mech series right from the Super Famicom days and the fourth installment heads out to South Africa and Germany. As you’d expect with Square the attention to detail is immense and moody, sometimes grim lighting effects add to the destructive, apocalyptic atmosphere. Great weapons with a real weighty feel to them.
PS2
Action
Atmospheric anime fight fest with cel shaded sprites seamlessly making the transition from cut-scene to the battle arena. The size of the arenas adds to the gameplay allowing for jump attacks from the obligatory stack of crates. High production values to this accomplished tribute to the source material.
PS2
Action
Genki is certainly grateful Alphonse is on our side: a definite first pick in the playground such is the tough exterior of our robotic chum with a human heart. Some great scenarios such as bombing along on the back of a train like in all great Westerns. Hats off to this all action cowboy. Subtitled Tobenai Tenshi in Japan.
PS2
Action
More action orientated than a one on one fighter with a plethora of platforms to leap onto or simply get propelled smashing through. The real highlight is the Venetian style level as players leap from gondola to gondola view low hanging bridge. The specials are also a bit tasty too and override the on screen action by bringing up players in a small screen whilst the pyrotechnics get unleashed. Nice cel shading graphics and some snazzy anime cut scenes. Happy days for the import PS2 fan.
PS2
Action
Samurai sword fighting with skill required to master yielding the blade properly rather than just hack and slash. Worthy opponents have to be lured into making a mistake, before the steel blade swooshes in. The atmosphere is well-set with feudal Japan cut-scenes, beautiful buildings and obligatory cherry blossom.
PS2
Sports
Daley Thompson has a lot to answer for as the official Olympic license gives this modern day incarnation a bit more of a refined approach to the varying disciples next to its more down to earth, retro podium runner.
PS2
Action
Fast and throw away fun which is easy to pick up and play and not too much character depth are the hallmarks of the Simple series. Here players are stuck in a maze and must find keys and weapons ahead of their opponent to escape first.
PS2
Action
Samurai themed action slicer set in feudal Japan from the crack Capcom break away unit Game Republic. Captures the essence of the period beautifully in the graphics, musical score and presentation and shows great promise from those old Onimusha hands.
PS2
Action
Samurai themed action slicer set in feudal Japan from the crack Capcom break away unit Game Republic. Captures the essence of the period beautifully in the graphics, musical score and presentation and shows great promise from those old Onimusha hands.
PS2
RPG
Lusciously shaded in pastel colours making for a beautiful world to romp around exploring. Once accustomed to its ways, you will barely notice the talking duck in helmet or the giant eagle to hitch a lift. Vastly underrated series.
PS2
RPG
Exquisitely detailed gaming world that is very accessible due to the isometric perspective. Set in a ancient European town, the castles, markets and inns look stunning and Konami has clearly put the hard yards in to ensure the ongoing success of the series. It may not come as a surprise to hear those castles also feature dark and pretty dank dungeons.
PS2
Rhythm
Trial version in which players transform into the uber funky Giatroo Man by picking up an electric guitar and strum some riffs to dispatch of your adversaries in a unique twist on the rhythm action genre. Get in the groove and react in sync and the music plays along more smoothly. As exquisitely colourful as a trip to Shibuya and full of Eastern insanity making this a must have purchase.
PS2
Sports
A solid golfing game with nicely designed courses and a plethora of intriguing characters to choose from. Cash prizes can be used to buy better quality equipment. A hole in one.
PS2
Shoot Em Up
The legend continues with worthy conversions of two of the most solid thoroughbred stars of the Gradius stable with no slowdown. Gradius III adds a welcomed save facility for completed stages and Gradius IV has crisp, clean high res visuals as the hardware can provide with ease.
PS2
Shoot Em Up
In a gesture to Treasure’s fine line of high art shmups, Konami handed them free reign for their ageing but massive Gradius franchise; yet the purists need not have worried: Treasure stayed true to the spirit of the series with its adjustable power ups whilst subtly imprinting its own hand on proceedings with its trademark mega bossses, and eye popping, retina ruining illumimnations. A shmup masterclass.
PS2
Sports
Without wishing to sound like a car advert (and this game often looks like a car commercial), the smooth ride is assisted by the glide of the handling and the slick update of backgrounds with a high frame rate. Never before had such lighting effects been seen and the half light between light and day demonstrates this remarkably.
PS2
Action
Teaching gamers some street phrases of language comes the Japanese version of GTA with Liberty City as inviting as ever. Literally lose yourself in the myriad of missions and potential threads through the city where if you think it, most times it can be pulled off. Cruising with the radio on full blast remains a real treat and players soon develop a penchant for particular vehicles. Full of the city grime in parts, you can’t help but admire its boldness.
PS2
Action
A release on the Japanese PS2 of the bad boy street life sim fresh from the PSP. The underground activities are starting to shake the very foundations of Liberty City such are their seismic proportions. Getting involved in a few more tremors shouldn’t hurt anyone.
PS2
RPG
One of the Saturn’s finest RPGs (which is more than sufficient recommendation given the plethora of on the system) which proved so popular as a Dreamcast update that it also made it to the PS2. Painstakingly detailed towns to explore in this ‘Skies of Arcadia’ style RPG.
PS2
Sports
Arcade orientated football blast from pass masters Taito. Perfectly playable even without having to bellow commands at your star striker. The Portugal of the footballing world.
PS2
Sports
Arcade orientated football blast from pass masters Taito. Perfectly playable game with voice controller for you to bellow commands at your star striker (with Japanese pronounciation!) “Shooto!!”
PS2
RPG
An RPG in the classic mould with beautiful sprites making for a believable gaming world. A well loved series and with such golden plot threads expertly woven into a tapestry worthy of the fine halls which feature within, RPG gurus will lap this up.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Update of the fine fight fest from the Dreamcast school of kung-fu comes a simultaneous four player update with PS2 exclusive characters and a survival mode. The mighty multiplayer match-ups also allow for three on one battles where the combos and throws really come into their own with a dedicated turn button for when the opponent gets too close for comfort. Guity Gear Isuka also utilises additional planes of fighting like Fatal Fury did previously to ensure the screen doesn’t get too cramped. But the real icing on the cake is the side scrolling beat ’em up complete with mean bosses and the ability to unleash special moves.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Arc System Works proves its no schmuck using the PS2 technology to produce an arcade armada in Guilty Gear with which to plunder SNK and Capcom’s 2D fighting warchests. The smooth conversion to the PS2 looks stunning: the sakura setting particularly breath taking, with fluid gameplay and Guilty Gears distinctive fighting systems from the series can be implemented here.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Popular incarnation of the vast GG empire, so much so there was also a PSP release. Reload is set firmly rooted in 2D with over twenty selectable characters. The elaborate death moves set this apart from lesser fighters and the slick playability could surely on have been done in 2D. Subtitled The Midnight Carnival.
PS2
Action
Gundam mecha robots battle it out using the Seed power up to inflict some serious paintwork damage on opponents. A real host of mechs are selectable in the versus mode with extras only accessible by first unlocking them. The presentation, graphical look and soundtrack with voice overs all reflect the immense proportions of the Gundam series and are suitably slick.