Of all of the sixth technology recreation consoles, I feel we will all agree that the PlayStation 2 was essentially the most hyped of its period. There have been a number of the greatest video games of the early 2000s that appealed to a variety of individuals throughout demographics and genres. Because of that acclaim, many of those titles have been rescued from the proverbial scrap heap within the type of remasters, with revised graphics and gameplay in order that they’ll proceed to be loved by trendy players.
There are such a lot of nice video games on the PS2, however the draw back is that lots of these titles fall by the wayside and stay inaccessible to anybody who’s presently . A few of them handle ports or add them to your digital library, however these aren’t essentially the best technique to play the sport, assuming the ports themselves are nonetheless accessible. In my view, it is these PS2 video games which can be most in want of the remastering therapy, ideally with multi-platform help.
To drive dwelling the purpose, we’re particularly speaking about remasters with clear enhancements to gameplay and graphics. Ports will not be counted, particularly if the port in query just isn’t presently obtainable for buy.
10
god hand
Essentially the most impactful character motion recreation
Within the early to mid-2000s, Capcom’s subsidiary Clover Studios centered on creating new and strange motion and journey video games like Stunning Joe and Okami. The studio would finally disband in 2007, however it produced one ultimate recreation earlier than that. That is God Hand, a personality motion recreation in contrast to something ever made.
God Hand is basically what you get when Shinji Mikami is allowed to function with little to no restrictions, an motion brawler made with essentially the most hardcore lovers in thoughts. The sport depicts a martial artist named Gene who, after having his arm lower off, turns into a demon-slaying superhuman with the blessing of the facility of an historic God Hand. It has an identical over-the-shoulder perspective to video games like Resident Evil 4, however it’s all in-your-face melee fight, punctuated by Gene’s ridiculous roulette strikes.
God Hand is a really unusual recreation and really tough to get into, so it understandably did not promote very nicely. However those that know and respect Mikami’s work take into account it a hidden gem, and it has lengthy been hoped that it might obtain the remaster therapy throughout Platinum’s heyday. Sadly, that did not occur, however perhaps Clover might be given an opportunity by reuniting as Clover.
9
Rockman X: Command Mission
Decrease the encounter fee and we’ll be golden
The Mega Man collection has dabbled not less than a little bit bit in nearly each style conceivable. RPGs specifically are primarily the area of the Battle Community collection. However there was one other Mega Man RPG that was typically forgotten. Rockman X: Command Mission. That is a kind of video games that you just both cannot neglect or by no means knew existed.
Mega Man It is not a deep story, however it options some nice characters, particularly unique get together members like Massimo and Cinnamon.
It is a turn-based RPG with a give attention to distinctive character skills, from X’s AoE cost photographs to Zero’s input-based sword combos. The fight is enjoyable and there are some nice boss fights. The one main overhaul required for the remaster is to scale back the notoriously excessive random encounter fee. Critically, this recreation strikes you each 4 steps like clockwork.
robotic runaway
The sixth technology was the final technology earlier than on-line multiplayer actually took off. This meant that split-screen deathmatch shooters have been nonetheless very a lot in vogue. There have been a variety of nice multiplayer shooters on the PS2, even when solely two gamers may play with out multitap, however Metallic Arms: Glitch within the System was a favourite amongst my childhood mates and I.
Metallic Arms is a third-person shooter recreation during which the titular Glitch joins a military of droids to wage struggle towards combative Milbots. A collection of progressive ranges with lasers and explosives flying round. It is a very fast-paced recreation, with glitchy double-jumps to fly you all over, and a wide range of automobiles that enhance the potential for havoc.
The sport’s signature gimmick is the Management Tether, which lets you hack and management Milbots and switch them towards one another. This was a blast in each single participant and extremely replayable multiplayer, the latter on giant multi-layered maps excellent for ambushes. I feel a remaster with on-line multiplayer can be nice in trendy occasions whereas nonetheless sustaining the basic weekend deathmatch really feel.
7
ape escape 3
Change makes every thing higher
Do you know that Ape Escape is ready to grow to be one in every of PlayStation’s main mascot franchises? That is why we have devoted a whole section to Astro Bot. However contemplating there hasn’t been a brand new mainline recreation since 2005, you would not assume so. Frankly, I feel all three mainline video games may use a contemporary remaster, but when I had to decide on one specifically for PS2, it might be Ape Escape 3.
Ape Escape 3 makes use of the identical core gameplay loop as the primary two video games. There are lengthy and considerably non-linear ranges to discover, stuffed with mischievous monkeys that it’s good to catch with a web. Alongside the best way, you will use numerous devices to resolve environmental puzzles and typically end up in battle with {powerful} enemies and boss monkeys. It is colourful, foolish, light-hearted, and excellent for younger gamers.
What units Ape Escape 3 aside, and why I like it a lot, is its transformation mechanic. A particular meter permits your character to remodel into an ever-increasing variety of super-powerful types, from knights with impregnable defenses to cowboys with twin pistols. It is an added layer of fight and puzzle-solving potential, and you will recognize that each transformation comes with its personal catchy theme music.
6
guitar man
First imported soundtrack
The fifth and sixth console generations have been the heyday of rhythm video games, with titles like PaRappa Rapper and Area Channel 5 making waves earlier than Guitar Hero saturated the market. In that specific period, Koei launched a little bit rhythm recreation referred to as Gitaruman. This nonetheless holds a spot in my coronary heart as among the finest recreation soundtracks of all time.
Guitar Man makes use of a two-pronged, three-stage music battle system. Begin the music together with the hint line and strum the guitar to construct well being. Within the assault/protection part, you proceed enjoying to deal harm to the enemy. When enemies assault, press the incoming face button to keep away from them and keep well being. In the event you attain the ultimate stage, a roaring solo will carry you victory. There is a little bit of a studying curve, however as soon as all of it comes collectively it is extremely satisfying.
Gitaroo Man acquired a PSP port, Gitaroo Man Lives. It lowered the problem a bit and added two new songs for co-op play. This was an important port, however sadly, just like the PS2, the PSP is useless and buried, and a remaster remains to be wanted to rescue this splendidly bizarre rock opera from the junkyard.
5
deadly body
What are horror franchises and skip entries?
The Deadly Body collection of survival horror video games is slowly making a comeback, particularly with the remake Deadly Body 2: Crimson Butterfly. That is all nicely and good, however simply as Silent Hill 2 was revived earlier than its predecessor, why was the unique Deadly Body uncared for in favor of a sequel? That is mistaken, I say.
The unique Deadly Body, launched in 2001, ushered in an idea and ambiance that’s prevalent all through the remainder of the collection. The story is about an unlucky younger girl named Miku who visits a really haunted mansion searching for her sister Mafuyu, and searches for clues to the mansion’s curse whereas avoiding ghosts and ghosts. Her solely weapon is a digital camera obscura. It is a supernatural digital camera that may seize ghosts, however provided that the ghost is in entrance of her and within the middle body.
In comparison with its sequel, the unique Deadly Body had a number of the design decisions that always accompany the primary installment of a sure collection, particularly horror. The remaster polishes these points whereas making certain this essential a part of the horror style is correctly preserved.
4
Def Jam: Battle for NY
It is definitely worth the licensing nightmare
I do not declare to know your entire technique of licensing music and musicians for video video games, however I can not think about it being a easy course of. Attempting to get the rights to the soundtrack is dangerous sufficient, however when the sport itself is music-centric, it is an utter mess. However I feel if any recreation is price going via that type of nightmare for a remaster, it is Def Jam: Battle for NY.
This underground preventing recreation brings collectively a number of the greatest names within the mid-2000s hip-hop scene, together with Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, and Ghostface Killah, to defeat them as soon as and for all. The sport was developed by Aki, who has some data of making wrestling video games, so it combines a really intuitive and straightforward to be taught fight system with some nice and flashy particular assaults.
The sport can be notable for its surprisingly enjoyable single-player marketing campaign, which facilities round a narrative the place a customized character turns into an underground preventing champion and faces off towards Snoop Dogg. Critically, the ultimate battle of the marketing campaign is towards Snoop Dogg in a burning constructing. That is wonderful. It is powerful to safe likenesses for all these rappers, however we all know there’s an viewers that likes it.
3
Marvel: Final Alliance
Talking of licensing nightmares…
PlayStation could have a reasonably robust affect on Marvel-related gaming points as of late, however again within the early 2000s, PlayStation was the hero of all of it. Marvel licenses its characters to almost each developer and writer that owns them, creating a fancy net of licensing that no recreation can escape. Maybe because of this we by no means acquired a correct remaster of Marvel: Final Alliance.
Marvel: Final Alliance is a dungeon-crawling motion RPG during which you assemble a workforce of 4 Marvel heroes (or villains) to battle the dangerous guys of the comedian guide world and uncover Physician Doom’s grasp plan. It is like a simplified model of Diablo. There’s much less stats and character constructing and extra actions and particular assaults, however you possibly can nonetheless degree up and construct your character to some extent.
Final Alliance was ported to PS4, Xbox One, and PC by way of Steam in a really late stage in 2016, however this port was infamous for being very buggy and of low high quality. Even for those who nonetheless needed to play it, it was delisted in 2018 as a consequence of licensing points with Activision. If we may get it, precise With remaster precise It is not going to get higher in two years, that is nice, thanks.
2
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Satan Saga
If Nocturne can have it, why not?
The Megami Tensei collection dates again to 1987, however it actually began to grow to be successful on the PS2, particularly within the West with video games like Nocturne and Persona 3. There was one other Digital Satan Saga from that period that made its identify with the Megaten spin-off, however in contrast to Nocturne or Persona 3, it nonetheless stays trapped.
Like its mum or dad collection, Digital Satan Saga is a JRPG centered on preventing demons with your individual demonic powers, and Megaten’s signature press-turn system for concentrating on weak factors. The distinction between Nocturne and Persona is that the character is a demon himself, and when a battle begins, he transforms right into a demon kind and strengthens his stats by preying on weakened enemies.
The sport’s story is definitely steeped in Hinduism and karma themes, making it a bit tough to parse, however it helps differentiate it from its contemporaries. The sport was very well-received on the time, and we will definitely see that as there are lots of people asking for it to be revived now that Megaten has grow to be a extra broadly identified franchise.
1
Dragon Quest VIII: The Cursed King’s Journey
Trapped in PS2 and 3DS
Whereas Dragon Quest is legendary in Japan, the collection has by no means achieved comparable numbers right here within the U.S., not less than not in its early incarnations. Nevertheless, that started to alter with the discharge of the eighth mainline recreation, Dragon Quest VIII: The Cursed King’s Journey, which is broadly thought-about not solely among the finest video games within the collection, but in addition among the finest JRPGs on PS2.
Like most Dragon Quest video games, VIII is a reasonably easy hero’s story, during which a silent man and his bandit mates rescue a king and his daughter who’ve been cursed by a mischievous sorcerer. The simplicity of the setting offers this recreation its appeal, helped by wonderful localization with hilarious writing. Fight can be very conventional, however the pressure system permits characters to periodically enter power-up states and unleash {powerful} strategies and spells relying on the state of affairs.
Dragon Quest VIII was ported to the 3DS in Japan in 2015, and later in america in 2017. This port added a variety of new content material, together with new story occasions and the addition of get together members, however the high quality of the graphics decreased. it would not matter. As a result of the 3DS can be useless and buried and you’ll’t entry this nice recreation once more. Hey, VII simply acquired a whole remake, so may VIII be subsequent?