PS2 PS2 Hidden Gems

[Vardalis]

While "good" is subjective I'd say Maken Shao is kind of a hidden gem that rarely gets mentioned. It's hard to argue if the Dreamcast or PS2 version is better (I haven't played enough of the PS2 version to make that conclusion) but most of my frame of reference comes from the DC game.

It's a third person hack and slash game where you play as a sentient sword/weapon on a mission to align with whoever you choose, really. It gives the game a fair amount of different paths and a few different endings. One of the primary mechanics is "brainjacking" to take control of different key characters who end up having different abilities, interactions, etc. The combat is a little rough around the edges at times but it has soul, and despite it getting pretty difficult later on I still enjoyed it.

 

[stealthRUSH stealthRUSH]

10,000 Bullets
Okage: Shadow King
Drakengard
Bujingai: The Forsaken City
Robot Alchemic Drive
Genji: Dawn of the Samurai
Haunting Ground
Lupin the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King
Chaos Legion
Musashi: Samurai Legend
The Sword of Etheria
Rumble Roses
Crimson Sea 2
Sub Rebellion
Nightshade
Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri
SkyGunner
Crimson Tears
Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon
Road Trip

 

[VampireLord1024VampireLord1024's icon]

Boku no Natsuyasumi 2!

 

[Burzuru]

yugioh duelists of the roses
mr mosqito
the two castlevania games

 

[Mechablade-X]

Kuon (PS2) survival horror game made by FromSoftware set in Japan's Heian period.

 

[anthonyjenkins813]

Grandia 3.

Only because that game alongside Xtreme are the only two Games, not counting the GBC Game that never gotten a rerelease on Modern Consoles.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Keeping it concise, Odin Sphere. Play Odin Sphere.

 

[PSVitaForever]

I've enjoyed:
"Grandia 2" (turn-based rpg),
"Stella Deus" (tactical rpg)
"Atelier Iris 3" (turn-based rpg)

 

[qw90700]

I've picked the ones others didn't mention. These games became "hidden gems" due to the way their existence was overshadowed by other popular games as if PS2 had only that games but not these:

Rogue Galaxy

Radiata Stories

Test Drive Eve of Destruction

S.L.A.I.: Steel Lancer Arena International

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus

Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance

Dark Cloud 2

Baroque (PS2 remake)

Auto Modellista

Bully

The X-Files Resist or Serve

Shinobido: Way of the Ninja

Kaido Racer 1

Metal Saga

 

[Evoluder]

I was gonna say Phantasy Star Universe but thats already been said
So, Xenosaga I is pretty cool

 

[iamthemilkman]

The Warriors
Disaster Report
Echo Knight beyond
Extermination
Downhill Domination
Shadow of Rome
Psi Ops
Zone of the Enders 2
Vievtiful Joe
Cold Winter
Mark of Kri
Freedom Fighters

Enjoy !

I forgot Downhill Domination. That game's fantastic.

Kinetica is another cool game nobody ever mentions. Also XGIII: Extreme G Racing and XGRA: Extreme-G Racing Association. Fur Fighters: Viggo's Revenge is a fun game, too.

 

[MemeAlert]

hi do any of you guys know a hidden game on the ps2 i wanna only good games

My god, entitle much?

 

[CheesyExplosive]

hi do any of you guys know a hidden game on the ps2 i wanna only good games

mawaza!!!

 

[DjQuick2008]

Only got this last night had no idea there was a ps2 version

 

[bamdumtss]

I want to shout out Mission Impossible: Operation Surma. I started it recently and it's better than I expected. It's a stealth game in the vein of Splinter Cell, but it has a slightly faster pace and some of the gadgets remind me of fancy old school 007 stuff. If you enjoy these sort of games like I do, this is very much worth a shot.

 

[Deleted member 560402]

Where is Star Trek Elite Force?

 

[dizzypixel]

Crimson tears thats an easy pick

 

[Leon]

Crimson tears thats an easy pick

Crimson sea 2 i'd also consider a hidden gem, never see anyone talk about these 2 games.
As far as i know they aren't related but their names always had them associated to each other for me.

 

[KittenLikeYou007]

Since the PS2 was my very first console, I thought I’d share some of my hidden gems from back in the day that I think are still worth checking out:


Secret Weapons Over Normandy : A lesser-known WWII flight combat game by LucasArts. Not the most famous title, but surprisingly realistic for its time and very well made.


Prisoner of War : From Codemasters, this one puts you in the role of an Allied soldier captured in Germany. The goal is to escape various camps and even a castle. It’s heavy on infiltration, sometimes frustrating, but overall a unique and memorable experience.


Air Ranger: Rescue Helicopter : A pure helicopter simulation by Midas Interactive where your mission is to rescue civilians in 3D environments. Fun fact: this was actually the very first PS2 game my parents gave me as a kid. At the time I was a little disappointed (it’s tough and not the easiest to handle!), but looking back, it’s quite special. It only released in Europe, and much later I learned there was a sequel, Air Ranger 2, released exclusively in Japan with extra missions.


Shadow of Rome : (already mentioned by others here) Easily one of the few Capcom games I loved. I was never much into Resident Evil or Onimusha, but this gladiator game hooked me right away. Sadly, Capcom barely promoted it, so it ended up forgotten, which is a shame because it deserved much better.


Indiana Jones & the Emperor’s Tomb : Released in 2003 by LucasArts. I finished this one when I was about 12 years old and loved every minute of it. In my opinion, it’s the best Indiana Jones game of the 2000s. Sure, the PS2 version wasn’t as pretty as the Xbox one, but it still looked good and played well. Not sure if it counts as “hidden” since it had some recognition, but I decided to include it anyway.


Curse: The Eye of Isis : A survival horror title that went under the radar back then. I’m usually not a big fan of the genre, but I enjoyed this one despite its flaws. It manages to pull you into its atmosphere quite well.

 

[Bakuma1997]

I came to suggest a nice licensed game, kinda short and easy, still a jam:

GHOST RIDER, a Hack and Slash that translates pretty well the Rider's abilities into a Dante-esque battle system, intercalating with Bike scenes

 

[Retro Doomer]

Rygar
Monster Lab maybe ?
Urban Chaos Riot Response
Red dead Revolver
probably more but I am not sure if they would be hidden gems.

 

[KittenLikeYou007]

A hidden gem on the PS2 that I highly recommend, whether you’re a fan of the series or just into action games, released exclusively on the PS2.

 

[Miles Miles]

This is still the best home port of SEGA Rally:

 

[Bakuma1997]

A movie game yep, but one that actually follows up the movie as a pesudosequel instead of crudely recreating it

 

[TinRattler]

Found a copy of beat down fist of vengeance yesterday at a garage sale
It's pretty good and it's by Capcom