Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 2’s first mission aboard the tanker firmly establishes Solid Snake as the ongoing hero of the series, coaxing players into a sense of familiarity. But an hour into the game, things change. There’s a fast-forward of two years and Snake is presumed dead. The rest of the game is played through the lens of Raiden, a newer recruit who, though lacks the expertise and wit of Snake, demonstrates greater agility and a good amount of skill. The biggest gameplay difference between Raiden and Snake is the quick roll between cover that can be pulled off when controlling Raiden. Besides his agility in combat, he lacks the charismatic banter and iconic gravelly voice of Snake, resulting in many frustrated and disappointed players at the time of MGS2’s release. Imagine your favorite character getting sidelined for an entire game with little confidence in his return. In hindsight, we appreciate Raiden for his future, and badass, appearance in MGS Rising Revengeance but in 2001, there was no surefire guarantee Solid Snake would take the spotlight again.

Prey (2017)

Prey’s opening is a masterclass on how to build intrigue while completely immersing the player in the game world. Arkane’s Prey builds off of 2006’s Prey with a similar slice of life intro that gets upended and warped into a sci-fi nightmare, though the two titles aren’t connected. Morgan wakes up to get ready for work in a highrise apartment in what looks like a futuristic San Francisco. The game’s physics engine allows any object to be picked up and thrown, and there’s a slew of emails and notes to read around the apartment, providing some context and lore. Players can’t be blamed for spending some time admiring the highrise views and exploring the interactable elements. After a nice helicopter ride to Morgan’s job site, a horrific Typhon creature attacks one of the scientists and Morgan blacks out. What comes next flips the status quo completely on its head. Morgan wakes up more or less like nothing ever happened, to an alarm in the same apartment building as before, but things aren’t quite right. After some exploration, it’s revealed the entire building is just a simulation aboard a space station. Nothing was as it seemed and the remainder of the game is spent trying to survive onboard the isolated and dangerous Talos I station.

The Last of Us Part 1

The core of The Last of Us’ gameplay doesn’t emerge until an hour into the game. And it’s not due to clumsy tutorials wasting the player’s time. No, the first hour is spent setting up the world state that would characterize the award-winning series. You don’t start the game busting zombies’ heads open as a hardened badass, but instead wake up in the shoes of Joel’s daughter, Sarah. The game lets the player explore Joel’s house, which contains a fair amount of mementos and bits of backstory into who these characters were before the zombie outbreak. An evacuation and car crash later and we’re playing as Joel, carrying Sarah in a desperate attempt to outrun the infected hordes. After one of the more tragic scenes in gaming, there’s a pretty substantial time skip as we finally control the hardened Joel that encapsulates the rest of the game. It’s the perfect intro to a zombie game and it didn’t even need to give the player a weapon to feel the tension and anxiety of the setting.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Games typically lets players loose in their game world pretty early on. That’s not at all the case with Red Dead Redemption 2. It takes around an hour or so for the on-rails story missions to ease up. Players who just want to live out their wild west fantasies in an immersive open world have to wait it out and experience the story set-up first. Of course, that isn’t to say the opening hours aren’t action-packed or interesting in their own right. The game introduces the over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics and melee combat with some battles against a rival gang. But it’s true that a majority of the game’s opening hours involve slowly riding horseback along some snowy mountains listening to character banter. RDR2 has even more open-world freedom than the first game, but it takes a bit longer to reach that point this time around.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Speaking of slow burns, there’s perhaps no better example than 2006’s The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The game starts out with a Harvest Moon-esque sequence of Link talking to villagers and doing a series of chores on the farm. Ordon is a peaceful village and all is idyllic during these moments. Sure, you get a slingshot tutorial, but there’s pretty much no need for combat when things are this peaceful. Obviously, Link gets thrust onto the hero’s journey eventually, but it takes a good bit of time to reach. Twilight Princess is one of the darkest games in the series, featuring some horror elements with the villain, Zant, and the eerie ghosts within the Twilight realm. It’s also one of the more fast-paced and action-packed games in the series, but the idyllic opener wouldn’t give that impression. The greatness of Twilight Princess’s opening is just how effective it sets up the stakes at play. It establishes that a peaceful and idyllic village like Ordon can be erased at the hands of evil. In a way, Ordon fulfills a similar role as The Shire from Lord of the Rings.

Death Stranding

While Death Stranding’s opening does a good job giving players a taste of what the game’s about, nothing could prepare people for the craziness that occurs in the middle and end of the game. The game begins like a vague dream, with tons of bizarre terms and lore that still make our head spin today. The exposition-heavy prologue features roughly 40 minutes of cinematics and 20 minutes of gameplay. The precious few moments that you are given some control, you’re tasked with picking up some dropped cargo and transporting it through some mountainous terrain in the rain before getting sidelined by the threat of some BDs. It’s a nice tutorial of what you’ll be doing in the core game but with none of the open-ended freedom. It would be another hour or so until the game’s core features open up. Much of Death Stranding’s charm is in its bizarrely beautiful open-world, touting varied terrain to overcome and breathtaking vistas to admire. Players don’t truly get to experience the core ‘strand-like’ gameplay until the ability to build infrastructure such as bridges and walkways for other real-life players becomes available later. And while there’s plenty of protracted cinematics throughout the rest of the game, there’s usually large swaths of open-ended delivery gameplay to offset it, unlike the exposition-heavy opening.

Kingdom Hearts 2

Kingdom Hearts 2 really threw fans for a loop with the opening’s focus on Roxas rather than Sora. What’s more, the location of this game’s intro wasn’t explored in past games, making the whole sequence feel like some Twilight Zone episode. Roxas’ summer vacation with his friends in Twilight Town functioned more or less as a gameplay tutorial as well, though the magic system and gummi ship stuff doesn’t come into play until Sora finally enters the picture. Millions of players asked the same questions during KH2’s opening hours: “Where is Sora, Donald, and Goofy? And who the heck is Roxas?” Part of the brilliance of KH2 is how those questions get explored throughout the course of the game.

The Stanley Parable

There’s not many games that sell based on intrigue alone, but The Stanley Parable is one of them. It’s very much an experiment on what it means to be a game. As soon as players boot it up from the start menu, a charming narrator describes a typical day at the office for Stanley. This is where player agency comes into question. Should I continue following the narrator’s ques, or do I completely avert expectations? And so, one of thousands of different routes begins. The first hour of The Stanley Parable is much different from the rest of the game because of how branching the choices are. Not to mention how much more of the narrator’s own personality gets exposed the more the player disobeys.

Control

Control is another game on this list that subverts expectations with its bizarre setting and story. The entire game takes place within a fluidly changing skyscraper called ‘The Oldest House’. The interior of this building is labyrinthine, boasting an ever shifting space that is much larger than its exterior would suggest. The first hour of the game is strange enough, with its introduction of the The Oldest House and some of the abilities you’ll be engaging with. But the game doesn’t reveal its true structure until later on after you gain more supernatural abilities and unravel more of the bizarre story.

Firewatch

Firewatch is one of the more fascinating narrative games I’ve played. It follows the daily life of a fire lookout worker over the course of a month. You’d think this would get boring, but it only gets more interesting as the days progress. This is because Firewatch is a slowly unraveling mystery with little bread crumbs hinting that something isn’t quite right. From a gameplay perspective, things don’t really progress too much past the first hour. You’re walking around and doing basic tasks like using a flashlight and walkie-talkie to communicate with your distant partner Delilah from beginning to end. But where the game ends is such a change from where it began that it warrants a place on this list.

Tomb Raider Legend

The original Tomb Raider trilogy is one that has remained relevant through generations, and a lot of that praise could be credited to the constant innovation that the developers had done to each game back then. However, Tomb Raider Legend proudly stands above the trilogy thanks to an excellent amalgamation of brain-tickling puzzles, thrilling chases, and challenging platforming segments that never fail to keep you entertained throughout its run. If you had to experience just a globe-trotting adventure on the PS2, it definitely has to be this one.

]]> 620873 https://gamingbolt.com/the-best-ps2-games-of-all-time-2024-edition Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:39:02 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=581365 Sony’s PS2 was a legendary console that’s home to plenty of great releases from different genres, and counting down the best from this vast library is obviously a daunting task. But we have done just that with this feature, and this list is all about 15 of the best PS2 games in no particular order. We have covered this topic before, so do check out our prior renditions of this list as well.

Tomb Raider Legend

The original Tomb Raider trilogy is one that has remained relevant through generations, and a lot of that praise could be credited to the constant innovation that the developers had done to each game back then. However, Tomb Raider Legend proudly stands above the trilogy thanks to an excellent amalgamation of brain-tickling puzzles, thrilling chases, and challenging platforming segments that never fail to keep you entertained throughout its run time. If you had to experience just a globe-trotting adventure on the PS2, it definitely has to be this one.

Max Payne 2

Remedy Entertainment delivered a great first game with Max Payne, but the full potential of the franchise was realized with the sequel. Max Payne 2 spins an appropriately complex tale with twisted characters and never-ending conspiracies, and that paired with the metaphor-heavy writing makes for a consistently engaging time. On top of that, you have some amazing third-person gameplay characterized by slow-motion mechanics which makes for some really cool moments as you swoop through dozens of enemies before they have an opportunity to properly blink.

Black

Criterion Games is most known for its work on Need For Speed: Most Wanted, but it’s first-person shooter Black remains underappreciated. And that’s a shame since Black is an adrenaline-pumping ride through macabre factories and large open arenas complete with realistic shooting mechanics, destruction physics and graphics that were quite ahead of their time. It wasn’t a flawless experience by any means, but Black definitely had its own distinct charm that made it memorable all these years later.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto 3 is what put the series on the map, and 2002’s Vice City is what catapulted the franchise to greater heights. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful rendition of sun-soaked Miami, Vice City provides a playground of possibilities that will keep you engaged for dozens upon dozens of hours. Between an engaging story and flexible gameplay mechanics, Vice City is a really special game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

God of War

2005’s God of War was the first stepping stone for a franchise that would morph into a massive behemoth, a game that would go on to represent the crown jewel in Sony’s roster of first-party releases. And that prestigious status can be attributed to a simple yet satisfying gameplay loop of toppling down one enemy after another, solving the occasional puzzle, and partaking in an engaging story of vengeance. Sony Santa Monica stitches all these elements in a splendid fashion, which makes this a rollercoaster of an action experience that’s characterized by brutal levels of violence.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was one of the earliest games to be released for the PS2, and it’s safe to say that it set a high benchmark at the start of the generation. Kojima spins an intricate tale about the rapid spread of misinformation with its story, and the gameplay massively improves upon the concepts of the original in new and interesting ways. Add to that memorable boss fights and a clean visual style that surprisingly holds up well to this date, and Metal Gear Solid 2 becomes an unmissable game for fans of this ilk.

Hitman Blood Money

Hitman Blood Money took what worked in prior entries, and crafted a game that’s bigger and better in almost every regard. A suite of highly replayable levels, plenty of new gameplay mechanics, and improved graphics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the improvements that Blood Money provided over prior entries. It’s safe to say that the pre-reboot series peaked with this game, and it remains a beloved entry in this long-running series even after these years.

Kingdom Hearts 2

The original Kingdom Hearts was an interesting mix of combat and several other gameplay mechanics, but Kingdom Hearts 2 was the true realization of that potential. The sequel makes great use of the expanded horsepower of the PS2 and renders beautiful worlds brimming with imagination, and combined with its unique combat makes for an unforgettable trek that’s punctuated with memorable sequences and unforgettable boss battles.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Before Insomniac Games would become synonymous with story-driven action adventure experiences, it made a name for itself on the back of amazing action platformers – including but not limited to Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal. Released in 2004, Ratchet and Clank takes you on an entertaining quest to defeat Dr. Nefarious and put an end to his evil schemes. In addition to a simple yet satisfying combat loop of defeating waves of enemies, the game also offers a set of diverse levels and wacky weapons that will keep you glued to the edge of the screen at all times.

Onimusha 3

The third and second last chapter in the Onimusha saga, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege does everything to take the monster slaying experience to the next level. It tells a wonderfully eccentric story about Jacques and Samanosuke traveling through time to reach alternate dimensions to slay demons. The gameplay of slashing through waves of enemies is just as refined as one would expect. With plenty of memorable levels and solid combat loop, Onimusha 3 is a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Silent Hill 4

When it comes to the Silent Hill series, the majority of praise is bestowed upon the second game. And while there are plenty of reasons why that is the case, Silent Hill 4 is also deserving of love. Konami’s Silent Hill 4 was the last game in the franchise to be developed by Team Silent, and it pays homage to what came before while also being its own thing. Set against the eerie backdrop of Ashfield, players have to find a way out of this nightmare before they get caught in a demonic cult. The music and voice acting shine brightly as they elevate the tension and create a sense of loss and anguish. It’s not a perfect game by any means, but it definitely does more things right than wrong – making for a great time for horror fans.

Gran Turismo 4

Developed by Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo 4 provided a significant bump over A-Spec in almost every conceivable way. Right from the dozens of carefully curated car models and tracks to a strong simulation core and much more, Gran Turismo 4 impresses with its attention to detail. It’s a game that’s meant to be played for a long time, and the intrinsic motivation to get better at drifting across tracks in an effortless fashion will keep you grinding for days without getting bored.

Timesplitters

It’s safe to say that Timesplitters was one of the most creative shooters to be released for the PS2, and that’s largely due to its unique story of taking down time-traveling bandits in a bunch of diverse levels. The shooting mechanics were extremely enjoyable, and the writing also exudes a sense of personality which is something that not many games of the time can boast. While it has definitely aged in certain aspects, there is still quite fun to be had in revisiting this classic all these years later.

Bully

Rockstar Games’ Bully differs from its contemporaries thanks to its unique open-world setting, making it stand out all these years later. Jimmy Hopkins’ journey through the classes and dorms of Bullworth Academy is punctuated with plenty of memorable missions and fun activities – and you could easily spend hours upon hours wreaking havoc and causing mischief without getting bored. While the game has definitely aged in some aspects like the visuals, the gameplay remarkably holds up well to this date.

Freedom Fighters

IO Interactive delivered a great game with Freedom Fighters, an action-adventure game with plenty of interesting mechanics and an engaging story about leading a revolution. There’s great fun to be had in commanding your army of rebels; strategically placing them around corners and Manning a machine gun to clear out a massive herd of enemies. Between excellent level variety and unique gameplay, Freedom Fighters was a game that many more players needed to experience from start to finish.

A lot are brilliant, but when you’re looking to replay a game, whether it’s for the second or tenth time, not being able to skip those opening bits can get a little tiring. Of course, when the opening is annoying, it’s much more agonizing.

Here are 14 unskippable parts in video games that probably dissuade you from replaying them.

Episode 0: Prologue: Awakening – Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

The opening hour of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is a doozy, but instrumental in setting up the entire story. It sees Venom Snake waking up in a hospital and falling in and out of consciousness. Of course, it’s not long before his enemies find him, first sending Quiet to assassinate him. Fortunately, a mysterious individual named Ishmael saves him, and Venom Snake crawls slowly through the hallways as chaos erupts in the hospital.

After encountering the Third Child and the Man on Fire, Venom Snake slowly finds his footing and proceeds to sneak around, evading detection from the enemy. They flee the hospital, securing an ambulance to escape the Man on Fire but are assailed by an attack helicopter and enemy soldiers before crashing. When things seem dire, they’re saved by the Third Child and a flaming whale (no, seriously).

Before the Third Child and the Man on Fire can attack Venom Snake (while riding their sweet flaming pegasus), he’s rescued by Ocelot and given a shotgun to stop their pursuers. The chase runs for a while, and the two fall off a crumbling cliff to end the episode.

Even as an example of deft pacing and mixing exhilarating action with tense stealth, the prologue is one long cinematic set piece. You’re not given complete control until the next episode to experiment with the new mechanics and sandbox elements. Jumping straight into Episode 1 on a new playthrough would have been appreciated.

Judgment – Golden Sun

Djinns in Golden Sun were fairly straightforward but combining them wielded some devastating results. The true power move was utilizing four of the same element to bring in the heaviest of hitters. While the main difference is the amount of damage dealt by a specific element, Judgment is still perhaps the most iconic. There’s nothing quite like a winged knight with a lion shield decimating everything on the surface in spectacular yet quick fashion.

YIGA CLAN HIDEOUT (THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD)

Forced stealth sections in games that are not stealth-focused are never a good idea, and this is probably a poster boy for that concept. In a game that is all about letting players do whatever they want, Yiga Clan is a level that forces you to do particular things in particular ways. What’s worse is that it’s not even good. The AI is no good, the stealth is questionable, and it goes on for a bit too long.

Sephiroth – Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2

Kingdom Hearts players had a taste of Sephiroth’s power in the first game when fighting him in the Final Mix version of the game. Surprise, surprise, he’s even more difficult in Kingdom Hearts 2. On top of multiple health bars, he moves incredibly fast and can kill Sora with the first combo alone. He can also throw homing orbs, draw Sora into a fire wall and unleash Heartless Angel which, if successful, drops Sora to 1 HP. Sephiroth’s attack speed and damage also increase as he loses health, making for even more fun times.

Unlocked Houses

Whether it’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, some NPCs really don’t mind your company. To the point that they’ll let you clomp around in their kitchen and potentially take their stuff before being on your way. Some games like Divinity: Original Sin get around this by punishing you for taking items that aren’t yours. However, there are still a good number of NPCs that let you waltz right in to their homes without any problems.

Panda King and Dimitri – Sly Cooper 3

Panda King and Dimitri Lousteau have both had run-ins with the Sly Gang before, the former notorious for helping to steal the Thievius Raccoonus. Still, old enemies become new allies in Sly Cooper 3. After the gang rescue King’s daughter and retrieve diving gear belonging to Dimitri’s grandfather, the two former villains are recruited for the Cooper Vault heist.

VALKYRIE QUEEN (GOD OF WAR)

God of War (2018) might not stand toe-to-toe with the likes of God of War 2 and 3 as far as the sheer quantity bonkers set-piece boss fights is concerned, but the optional fights against the Valkyries almost made up for that. And the Valkyrie Queen was the hardest, most memorable of them all. Countless God of War players have gone up against her again and again and again and come away with nothing to show for it. Of course, that swelling sense of satisfaction you get when (and if) you do beat her is an excellent reward in and of itself.