Must Have PS2 Games

[Josh Parr]

I still don't have a large number of games, and I'm trying to find some of the best games out there to get.  I know the idea of best game is objective at best, but I'm really out of ideas on games.  I've got all the Final Fantasy games, Ratchet and Clank series, and God of War games.  What else is there?  I'm open to any and all suggestions, even if it isn't considered a commercial success.  Sometimes those games are some of the most fun to play.

[Brian Moy]

There's probably more, but just from memory, Star Ocean Til the End of Time and Psychonauts were excellent.  Plus I think (as in not fully sure) you can get both for around $20 or less.

[Josh Parr]

I have Psychonauts for my but the other two I will definitely look into.

[dante]

Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 are excellent. Kingdom Hearts 2 is actually my favorite game. I'd also recommend Okami, We Love Katamari, and God Hand.

[Josh Parr]

Surprisingly, I tried the first the Kingdom Hearts and didn't care for it. Were there a lot of changes between the first and second?  I have the others except Okami.  I'll put that on my list.

[Mana Knight]

Surprisingly, I tried the first the Kingdom Hearts and didn't care for it. Were there a lot of changes between the first and second?  I have the others except Okami.  I'll put that on my list.

Kingdom Hearts II has a much better camera angle and it's more enjoyable IMO.  However, some feel the story isn't as good and the game is too easy.  I prefer the 2nd, but still like both.

As for good games, I know several, but I'll try to think of ones I know:

Music/Dance
Amplitude (IMO, VERY awesome)
Frequency
Gitaroo Man

RPGs
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shin Megami Tenise: Digital Devil Saga
Shin Megami Tenise: Digital Devil Saga 2
Shin Megami Tenise: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tenise: Persona 3 FES
Suikoden V
Tales of the Abyss
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Xenosaga series (especially Episodes I and III, but they aren't for everyone due to hour long cutscnes)

Action
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition
God of War
God of War 2
Mega Man X: Collection
Metal Gear Solid 3
Zone of the Enders (I liked it, although the 2nd is better to most)
Zone of the Enders: 2nd Runner


Platform
Ape Escape 2 (not for everyone, but I sure love them)
Ape Escape 3 (not for everyone, but I sure love them)
Jak & Daxter
Jak II
Jak 3
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (Very fun 2.5D platformer)
Sly Cooper
Sly 2

Fighters
Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core
Tekken 5

Different
ICO
Katamari Damacy
Shadow of the Colossus

You already own R&C and FF I see.  There are many, many more I could recommend, it's just that it would take some time and research (I can't remember all the games I use to own, since I had over 200 games at one point). 

[Josh Parr]

I'm definitely going to have to check those out. Might actually have to get a Gamefly account to check these out, because most of my local rental places don't have half of those.

[Mana Knight]

Frequency and Amplitude were Harmonix's (Guitar Hero 1,2 and Rock Band makers) first two games.  I absolutely loved them and made me a Harmonix fan.  Now they've become quite big (those two games were very niche).

[drale]

If you liked Ratchet and Clank you might want to give Metal Arms: Glitch In The System a try. It's also available for .

Also MDK () and MDK2 (). It's a dark but comical game. It's not very hard to beat in one setting but it is very fun and I have replayed MDK1 it several times. The controls are pretty smooth too which makes it easy to constantly run and circle strafe multiple enemies while shooting. In MDK2 you get to play as other characters. The dog has four arms to carry four guns. (action at 2:30).
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ut7iifZ4M-o&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Ut7iifZ4M-o&rel=1</a>
Some video of the main character.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/rQHOl-vFrho&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/rQHOl-vFrho&rel=1</a>

[G.A.Pster]

I’m only suggesting exclusives here:

Frequency is a really good game, but really hard I don’t have amplitude yet
RTX: red rock is a cool action adventure game
Kya: Dark lineage is another cool action adventure game
Dropship: united peace force (a very early flight game involving dropships, a bit on the hard side)
first 3 R&C games
Jack & Daxster games
Haven call of the king is a decent jack clone
From what I played of a demo Shadow of the colossus appears to be an excellent game.

[Brian Moy]

I’m only suggesting exclusives here:

Frequency is a really good game, but really hard I don’t have amplitude yet
RTX: red rock is a cool action adventure game
Kya: Dark lineage is another cool action adventure game
Dropship: united peace force (a very early flight game involving dropships, a bit on the hard side)
first 3 R&C games
Jack & Daxster games
Haven call of the king is a decent jack clone
From what I played of a demo Shadow of the colossus appears to be an excellent game.

Nice to hear suggestions that Haven and Kya are so good.  I was thinking of picking em up since they are priced at $5 each most places.  The description on the case sounds really good - just wasn't sure if they would be all that great since they are budget games.

[G.A.Pster]

Kya is a really good game, The only real downside is the voice acting. Other than that it’s really good.

Haven isn’t as good as Jak & Daxster, but still a cool game.
What's cool about it is the variety of gameplay there’s always something new. I wouldn’t hesitate to get it for $8 or less.

[Brian Moy]

Kya is a really good game, The only real downside is the voice acting. Other than that it’s really good.

Haven isn’t as good as Jak & Daxster, but still a cool game.
What's cool about it is the variety of gameplay there’s always something new. I wouldn’t hesitate to get it for $8 or less.

That's what I noted on both games.  Both reminded me of the gameplay style you like so I thought, hey I bet Creston likes these!   

I found a game recently I think you will like - if you don't already have.  Its Lost Generations (excuse, Generations Lost) for Genesis.  Gameplay is the Prince of Persia/Flashback/Blackthorne/etc. 2D sidescroll jump/reach platform stealth style.  (I guess I should be mentioning this in the different category, but oh well...)  You have a punch and a light beam thing that acts as a shot and also a grappling hook.  Seems to be uncommon as I don't recall seeing it before when I picked it up.  Oh and sorry, I only have the one copy for me so I'm keeping it.

[G.A.Pster]

It looks like a cool game; I downloaded a rom (it appears to be freeware).
I’ll have to look for the Gen’ original.

I’d classify it in a different category than Flashback; Generations lost has “platformy” jumping where you can jump really high and steer while in the air.
And Flashback has more realistic jumping.
 
I guess it would be more of a subcategory 

[Brian Moy]

I’d classify it in a different category than Flashback; Generations lost has “platformy” jumping where you can jump really high and steer while in the air.
And Flashback has more realistic jumping.
 
I guess it would be more of a subcategory 

Yeah, I know the movement is more freeform than the others mentioned.  But the basic style of gameplay is pretty similar.  I didn't play thru it too much, but so far the game has been hard.

But really just that I "discovered" this game I'd never heard of before and it was good felt really cool!  I picked it up for $1 complete too!