PS2
Here we have all the games in the PS2 Section.
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
Action
GTA induces severe culture shock on the unexpecting Japanese audience who positively lap it up. The sheer scale of the project beggars belief with seemingly anything possible within the city limits and beyond.
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
RPG
Spectacular combat with visual pyrotechnics to set this apart from the competition. The development of the series from the Saturn and Dreamcast is a joy to watch and the progression with each instalment is quite staggering.
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
RPG
Its easy to see why there is a deep affinity for Growlanser as it sticks to the sprite based world and the detail is stunning. Players soon for a team to negotiate its isometric world and the sprite graphics add to the bond that forms.
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
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.
PS2
Action
Frantic battles and laser strafe disturbs the still of space. And that’s before the shouts of distress of the Gundam avatars is taken into account. Fast paced shooting action for those who like their space confrontations on the epic scale.
PS2
Action
A very tasty Gundam experience with over fifty maddened machines ripping hunks of steel out of each other. The two player mode is very nice and reminiscent of Virtua On in parts. Plus the all action single player mode has great gameplay backed up by the slick production values of possibly the finest anime series in the world?
PS2
Action
A cracking action title with appropriate name as or heroine storms around town looking for small perches to hide behind, rearm Time Crisis style and then let rip using the cursor and some serious sub machine guns. The combination of freedom of movement and a nice cursor system for the shooting work a treat. Theres something cool about the seemingly serene heroine of the title in full motion giving it some to the bad guys. The arenas are nicely varied and the DVD gets you in the mood.
PS2
Sports
A great conversion of the original manga source into game format drawing heavily on the boxing themed source material which adds much to the overall package. But its the boxing where this title stands or falls and the controls have been superbly done – not so easy to pick up, but mastering them gives a real sense of achievement.
PS2
Simulation
Translating as the Earl and the Fairy, this romantic escape is set in Victorian England with the Earl and the Fairy meeting up. The Fairy is actually human and so named for her knowledge of fairies.
PS2
RPG
From the spoof warning of jokes on the packaging, it clear this version of Hanjuku Hero is very tongue in cheek throughout the RPG experience and it works a treat in setting the right tone of humour.
PS2
Simulation
Refreshing visual pizzazz to this classy production with cel shaded armies contrasted against the pre-rendered beauty of the main protagonists and some swirling stunning pastel backdrops. A bizarre array of characters pop up throughout the game keeping the players interest – none cooler than the chicken carrying his wounded comrade in a wheelbarrow. And some characters literally pop out with monsters being hatched from eggs to join in the mass battles. With a musical score from Uematsu san, Square fans will be in their element. Subtitled The Seven Hanjuku Heroes.
PS2
Action
Eidos goes out on a limb to show the Tomb Raider developers diversity in creating an almost Nintendo-esque shepherding game. Animals need guiding back to their pen, but certain creatures will sink in water or be unable to jump adding to the lateral thinking of the shepherd. Very enjoyable and underrated.
PS2
Action
Played as a doctor who works part time as a very effective assassin set in Edo. In the true honourable style of the chanbara (period samurai drama) the good doctor works hard during the day learning of the injustices in town before using the sword to slice up some rough justice at night. Crafted by those master swordsmen who created both Bushido Blade and Kengo so the samurai credentials are unquestionable.
PS2
Simulation
Part of the Lady genre in Japan: a romantic adventure from a girls perspective as players negotiate a love minefield not getting too distracted in the quest to find the kidnapped sister. Divine voice acting and illustration.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Crazed, manga-inspired fight fest with plenty of speed lines and manga style sound effects in katakana. Players can literally take a whipping in their undies, such is the roster of pugilists to choose from. The action and specials are as relentless as the tunes.
PS2
Simulation
Crazed, manga-inspired action with plenty of speed lines and manga style sound effects in katakana as the anime action comes to life.
PS2
Action
Futuristic racer similar to ‘Wipeout’ and ‘Quantum Redshift’ with adrenalin flushed, sweaty palm, retina ruiningly rapid gameplay.
PS2
Simulation
A spritely romantic adventure set in a senior high school with great tunes to back up the action. Its most likely a decrease in Genkis already limited kanji capacity, but it does seem easy to upset a few of the feistier characters.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
A fifteenth anniversary celebration of the title that led to a whole genre and generation with repetitive strain wrist injuries. Includes footage in the gallery from the intros, end sequences and also the Street Fighter anime. With plenty of play modes to keep fans entertained from Super X, Super, Turbo to Dash and Normal, maybe just one more credit. A good title to challenge the grandkids at too!
PS2
Action
A bedazzling, breathtaking but above all believable yarn spun by Sony that brings you in to the delightful Ico world in a way that’ll surely see it be entered on the tapestry of the PS2’s legacy. A simple must have masterpiece bursting with emotive gameplay.
PS2
Action
Drawing on the warring period of Japans history, Ikusagami sees players sweeping away the army of ten thousand when ploughing through the battlefield crammed with opponents. Some serious specials are needed and the PS2 handles them admirably as huge armies get swiped away in a circle of the huge sword. And with over 60,000 enemies on screen at one time, that is quite some sizeable sword… Known as Demon Chaos in the West.
PS2
Sports
Konami’s crack Major A outfit worked wonders on the PS2 achieving very near perfection in this fluid football game and plays a posession game for the top of the league spot. A real treat to feel like scoring is possible from any position, not just set places on the pitch. Total football.