Best Looking PS2 Games

[RageBurner]

Auto Modellista's graphics haven't aged one bit.
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I agree! and because I am me, I will find ways to insert Monster Hunter into the conversation!
Auto Modelista and Monster Hunter were part of a Capcom initiative to promote multiplayer gaming on the PS2.

 

[stealthRUSH]

I always thought Spy Fiction was one of the best looking game on PS2

 

[Kamako]

The Getaway's rendering of London streets and docks is pretty impressive

and Viewtiful Joe's eye-popping art and animation style makes it feel pretty timeless.

 

[MemeAlert]

Gotta say Kingdom Hearts 1.

 

[RageBurner]

Gotta say Kingdom Hearts 1.
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This made me think of Semi-Perfect cell when he was about to blow up.

 

[moonbits]

Silent Hill 3 character models are too damn good.

 

[Kamako]

Matrix: Path of Neo
Really fun game with some very abstract level design at times

 

[Jambhala]

Matrix: Path of Neo
Really fun game with some very abstract level design at times
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This game has a particular swag to it, the textures are awesome.

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It might look outdated, but Monster Hunter games. The town, weapons, monsters and the area still looks so beautiful to me. Especially Verdant Hills, the view is so memorable
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Not super outdated compared to most other PS2 games lol, the scenery in this shot kinda reminds me of Xenoblade Chronicles 2

 

[Razputin_Psycho]

Snake Eater and SotC have already meen mentioned. So I'll get by on submitting Dragon Quest VIII. and Kingdom Hearts. I know the latter may seem dated, but the disney models are fantastic

 

[sun0wl]

I always thought Spy Fiction was one of the best looking game on PS2

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this was the game I was trying to think of when I mentioned this UI aesthetic, too! Legit a stylish game, still looks good

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

This is gonna be a hot take, but i dont think SOTC and ICO are graphically impressive. There isnt much going on in the game compared to games with actual visual quality like Valkryie Profile that ran in 1080i compared to 240p SOTC/ICO. Gran Turismo 3/4 are visual stunning games compared to the barren wastelands, and this is someone that likes Team ICO games.

 

[moonbits]

guess the topic is more of what is pretty to you rather than objectively what's the most pixel pushing technical masterpiece

 

[GardeniaSky]

I've been replaying Resident Evil 4 and I thought it looked pretty good for a PS2 game. Also the animation of Leon reloading the first rifle.

It does things to me.

 

[sun0wl]

guess the topic is more of what is pretty to you rather than objectively what's the most pixel pushing technical masterpiece

A lot of Venn diagram overlap with these two for sure, and I think it's worth looking at both games that do both/either push hardware capabilities and/or just plain look good to this day.

 

[Anim8rDude]

I'm also about to do a real hot take here: Using upscaled pics through emulation feels a bit like cheating. Where I feel conflicted is that surprisingly, a lot of the games mentioned here are not that hot looking on the actual PS2.
The best looking PS2 game hands-down?
It's a tie between Valkyrie Profile Silmeria & God of War 2. Both can run at a true 480p resolution at 60fps, while looking absolutely stunning all the time.
2nd place, you have Kojima games (MGS3 & ZOE).
3rd place is everything else

Problem is, a lot of stuff like Shadow of the Colossus, Silent Hill 3, Kingdom Hearts, Rogue Galaxy etc. are fairly messy looking. Between the sub-480i resolutions & framerates, it can get, idk, "not very fun".
Even my very personal favorites like the Fatal Frames, Xenosagas & .hack//gu suffer from this.

Doesn't matter how much you tinker with your TV, GSM & real upscalers, some of these classics just can't output that clean image that you want. But it really is on a game per game basis. Because when a game is truly 480i, it looks seriously sharp.

(I wrote too much. Just my thoughts about my PS2 relationship over the years...)

 

[Lokgamer]

Silent hill 2, 3 and 4. My favorite survival horror franchise looks really good on ps2

 

[Jambhala]

I'm also about to do a real hot take here: Using upscaled pics through emulation feels a bit like cheating. Where I feel conflicted is that surprisingly, a lot of the games mentioned here are not that hot looking on the actual PS2.
The best looking PS2 game hands-down?
It's a tie between Valkyrie Profile Silmeria & God of War 2. Both can run at a true 480p resolution at 60fps, while looking absolutely stunning all the time.
2nd place, you have Kojima games (MGS3 & ZOE).
3rd place is everything else

Problem is, a lot of stuff like Shadow of the Colossus, Silent Hill 3, Kingdom Hearts, Rogue Galaxy etc. are fairly messy looking. Between the sub-480i resolutions & framerates, it can get, idk, "not very fun".
Even my very personal favorites like the Fatal Frames, Xenosagas & .hack//gu suffer from this.

Doesn't matter how much you tinker with your TV, GSM & real upscalers, some of these classics just can't output that clean image that you want. But it really is on a game per game basis. Because when a game is truly 480i, it looks seriously sharp.

(I wrote too much. Just my thoughts about my PS2 relationship over the years...)

That's why I included non-upscaled pics alongside some upscaled ones for those who are into that. I personally don't upscale games because I feel like it may taint the original design choices of the artists. I don't see an issue with upscaling in general though, it can help people appreciate the games more.

 

[Anim8rDude]

That's why I included non-upscaled pics alongside some upscaled ones for those who are into that. I personally don't upscale games because I feel like it may taint the original design choices of the artists. I don't see an issue with upscaling in general though, it can help people appreciate the games more.

Yeah, I knew that's what you were going for & I totally appreciate it!
I'm in the same boat, upscaling in general is perfectly fine, since it usually brings out the best of the console. Actually, there's nothing wrong with emulation at all either!

It's just for this very particular scenario, using emus maaay be cheating lol. It's weird. It's like, for example, the last 2 PS2 games I played were Sly Cooper & DMC3, & I swear these games have some sort of adaptive resolution on the actual console!
Those Genji upscaled screenshots are actually the perfect example of a good looking game on real hardware, because what you see in those pics are actually what you see on your TV. Not all games have that clarity.

 

[OPT1MUS]

Since I'm an ex race driver, it's a shame I forgot to mention GT4 (outstanding details) and Auto Modellista (great cel shading)

Not to mention God of War games, Prince of Persia, just to make another example...

 

[Jambhala]

Since I'm an ex race driver, it's a shame I forgot to mention GT4 (outstanding details) and Auto Modellista (great cel shading)

Not to mention God of War games, Prince of Persia, just to make another example...

You should check out Racing Battle - C1 Grand Prix, it's a formerly JP only game that recently got a full english translation. It's not as visually impressive as GT4 but it's got a bunch of fun modes. Plus it has customization similar to the Midnight Club games, not super deep but it feels impactful.

 

[OPT1MUS]

Yeah, I remember it, back in 2005. And I have to say it's not bad at all, even today

 

[Yousef]

Tekken 5
Metal gear solid 2&3
Final fantasy X
Dragon Quest VIII
Dead or alive
Guilty gear XX
God of war
Ratchet and clank
Jak n Daxter

 

[Mopeybloke]

@Anim8rDude Most of us will only be able to post emulator footage.
I guess we should try using very vanilla settings, or the software renderer, and integer scaling is probably nice too.

Hopefully these are fine.

 

[DukeRed]

Silent hill 2, 3 and 4. My favorite survival horror franchise looks really good on ps2

They do have great aesthetics. I think Metal Gear solid 2 still holds up very well. The first Devil may cry too.

Playing San andreas, not as great as I remembered.

 

[Jambhala]

@Anim8rDude Most of us will only be able to post emulator footage.
I guess we should try using very vanilla settings, or the software renderer, and integer scaling is probably nice too.

Hopefully these are fine.

I love how DQ8 looks, honestly haven't put much time in it but it's impressive how crisp all the textures are. Most games have a few shitty stretched out or otherwise weird textures but I haven't seen any in DQ8 yet, it's very consistent