5 Masterpieces Trapped on the PS2 | Forgotten Greats

The PlayStation 2 is a hugely popular console, consistently ranking among the top five best-selling of all time. Even after the release of the PlayStation 3, the PS2 continued to receive support and remains beloved by many thanks to its extensive game library. Despite its importance, it’s surprising that so many games are still only available on that original console.

Many classic PlayStation 2 games like Final Fantasy 10, Devil May Cry, and Ratchet & Clank have been updated with remasters, but five games haven’t. They’ve never received a remaster or remake, so any port of these titles would be huge news for fans of the PS2.

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.hack//Infection

A Forgotten Quadrilogy

.hack//Infection was the first of four PlayStation 2 games released in North America between 2003 and 2004. Each game included a DVD of the anime series, .hack//Liminality, which expanded on the storyline, and information was shared between the games. The story starts with Kite logging into an online game with a friend, who unexpectedly falls into a coma. Kite receives a special bracelet that lets him hack monsters, and he teams up with other players to uncover the truth behind what’s happening in the game. Players could create groups of three and explore randomly generated dungeons using special codes.

Battles happened live, and players could pause to select spells or use Kite’s hacking skills. What really set this game apart on the PS2 was its story, characters, and the way it cleverly mimicked both an MMO and a desktop computer interface – it was a truly unique action RPG. While the follow-up series, .hack//G.U., received a remastered version, the original .hack//Infection and its sequels haven’t been updated, which is odd. Fans have wanted to replay these games for years, and although finding all four titles is possible, it’s become quite costly.

Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille Zur Macht

A Religious Space Epic

Okay, so Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht kicked off what was supposed to be a huge RPG series on the PS2. It didn’t quite reach the length of something like .hack – only three Xenosaga games actually came out. You couldn’t carry over your save data directly between games, but the story definitely continued from one entry to the next. The first game throws you into the far future, on a research ship that gets attacked by these crazy invisible aliens. On board is KOS-MOS, this awesome experimental robot who can create a field that makes the aliens visible so you can finally take them down.

Initially appearing to be about aliens, the story of Xenosaga quickly evolved into a complex, religiously themed narrative similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion. It’s difficult to fully explain the plot, but the game was highly entertaining thanks to its characters, exciting action sequences, and compelling villain, Albedo. Battles were turn-based, allowing players to unleash combos, gain extra turns with boosts, and utilize special skills. Some human characters could even summon mechs for a tactical advantage. While Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht and its sequels remained exclusive to the PlayStation 2, the first two games were later adapted into a condensed version for the DS, released only in Japan as Xenosaga 1 & 2.

Onimusha 3: Demon Siege

Time Traveling Samurai

Capcom has been consistently re-releasing the Onimusha games in North America, starting with Onimusha: Warlords in 2019 and Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny in 2025. With Onimusha: Way of the Sword planned for 2026, there’s a chance we could see Onimusha 3: Demon Siege released beforehand. This third game is particularly unique, as it introduced time travel to the series’ blend of samurai action and survival horror. It brought back the original protagonist, Samanosuke Akechi, and sent him to modern-day France, which was under attack by demons from ancient Japan.

During the game, a police officer named Jacques Blanc gets accidentally transported back in time to Samanosuke’s era. He was played by the well-known actor Jean Reno – famous for films like The Professional and Mission: Impossible – making his appearance in the 2004 game quite a highlight. Despite this addition, the gameplay remained similar to previous installments, focusing on real-time combat against demons and occasional puzzle-solving. Both Jacques and Samanosuke had access to magical abilities and a variety of weapons, and the game continues to be considered one of the strongest horror titles for the PlayStation 2.

Champions Of Norrath: Realms Of EverQuest

A Baldur’s Gate-Like

Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest was a PlayStation 2 game based on the popular online game EverQuest. It was similar to Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and allowed players to choose from five classes: Warrior, Ranger, Cleric, Shadowknight, and Wizard. The game featured a straightforward story where players completed quests and fought monsters in a set order, with limited choices. You could play alone or team up with up to three other players either locally or online in a top-down perspective.

Despite its relatively short length, the game offered a lot of replayability. Players could keep coming back to reach higher levels and find better equipment through increasingly challenging difficulties – a gameplay style reminiscent of Diablo. It did get a sequel, Champions: Return to Arms, but that game is also only available on the PS2. While it didn’t quite reach the innovative heights of Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, its sequel, or the Diablo series, it was a fantastic cooperative action RPG that PS2 fans loved. Like Bloodborne, it’s surprising to see this Sony-supported RPG remain trapped on older hardware.

Maximo: Ghosts To Glory

Ghosts ’N Goblins Reborn

Maximo: Ghosts to Glory was a fresh start for the classic Ghosts ‘n Goblins series. It was still challenging, but not quite as relentlessly difficult as previous games. Players control Maximo, a knight battling waves of skeletons and monsters through various levels. Gameplay involves sword fighting, jumping, collecting power-ups, and finding hidden treasures. If Maximo takes too much damage, his armor blows off, and he’s forced to fight in his underwear until defeated – a comical twist!

Many of the popular PS2 platformers like Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, and Jak and Daxter have been remastered, but Maximo: Ghosts to Glory is often overlooked. While a sequel, Maximo vs. Army of Zin, was released, a third game was unfortunately canceled. Although Maximo: Ghosts to Glory was ported to the PS3, that console is rarely used now, making it effectively lost to time. Just like with the Onimusha series, fans shouldn’t be surprised if Capcom revisits Maximo again, as they frequently draw from their older titles for collections.

2026-04-16 03:09