10 Best PS2 Games With Short Runtimes

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The PlayStation 2 holds the title of the most popular video game console ever sold, boasting a vast collection of games that span numerous genres, ensuring you’ll find a game to suit any taste.

If you’re aiming to become a sniper, give Silent Scope a shot. If your dream is to excel in snowboarding or flying, SSX and Ace Combat 4 are tailored just for you. The PlayStation 2 boasts superior hardware compared to its predecessor, resulting in games that are generally larger and of higher quality. However, if you’re seeking a more condensed gaming experience, there are options available as well.

Don’t worry, old-school gamer! The PS2 has many compact games that won’t consume your entire week to complete. Interestingly, some of its best games offer a perfect fit for gamers who can enjoy them over just a couple of brief and satisfying playthroughs.

For several of my suggestions, I’ve relied on the time it takes to complete a game according to HowLongToBeat, and you can finish all that’s provided in less than 10 hours.

10.
The Bouncer

A Guilty Pleasure

The Bouncer was initially criticized for having a relatively brief playtime at release, clocking in at less than 3 hours even for slower players. However, despite this criticism, I’ve managed to finish this game multiple times and have grown quite fond of its campy charm. It also features over-the-top villains, which is typical of Squaresoft productions.

For those unfamiliar, The Bouncer is an engaging, 3D action game, centering around a brief story where you aim to save Dominique, Sion’s girlfriend. Sion resembles a typical hero from Final Fantasy, but players can also control his friends Kou and Volt. Each character has their distinct fighting style, and as you progress through the game, you unlock improved stats and moves.

In a single game, not every character’s abilities will be revealed, but playing the game multiple times is recommended as the campaign undergoes changes for each replay, making it perfect for several brief gaming intervals.

9.
Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies

Mobius One. Engage!

The Ace Combat games are generally considered the top-tier flight games for the PlayStation 1 and 2, with Shattered Skies joining the lineup as the fourth installment in the series.

Based on HLTB, it’s possible to complete Ace Combat 4 within four hours, but if you take time to watch all cutscenes and explore additional content, it could nearly double that time. Shattered Skies immerses you in the role of various fighter jet pilots, where you engage in ground missions and intense dogfights against opponents.

Frankly, the color palette of AC4 hasn’t resonated with me personally, but let me assure you, it’s a fantastic game. The flight mechanics feel swift and user-friendly. The Assassin’s Creed series has consistently been on point when it comes to home console releases, and the PS2 versions of other AC games tend to have brief playtimes. If you enjoy Shattered Skies, you’ll find yourself with a wealth of options for your next gaming adventure.

8.
Time Crisis 2

Action! Reload!

On the PlayStation 2, you’ll find a variety of fantastic adaptations from arcade classics. My personal preference among these is Time Crisis 2, which offers a thrilling experience that can typically be completed in around thirty minutes.

Time Crisis 2 is one of many lightgun games developed by Namco for consoles. To fully appreciate it, you’ll want a pedal accessory because it allows you to peek and hide behind cover during gameplay. The PlayStation 2 version comes with some additional perks such as a “clay pigeon mode” and an upgrade in graphics compared to the arcade original.

Time Crisis 2 maintains an exciting, unadulterated arcade feel without the contentious additions found in later games such as ‘Terror Bites.’ If you don’t own a light gun or are looking for a captivating arcade experience on the PlayStation 2, Silent Scope is another worthy choice.

7.
Crash Bandicoot: Twinsanity

A Return To Form

The Crash Bandicoot series reached its zenith on the PlayStation 1, as our sprightly orange character found it challenging to adjust to the PS2 platform for the first time, during the game known as “The Wrath of Cortex.

Thankfully, Crash made another attempt at Twinsanity, and despite its significant departure from the initial four games, it still delivers as a sturdy 3D platformer. According to HowLongToBeat, you can finish Twinsanity in roughly 5 hours, and every minute is filled with intense action.

Crash Bandicoot’s latest adventure retains its single-player exploration and platforming elements, but introduces an unexpected dynamic with the inclusion of Cortex, your traditional adversary, as a partner. This collaboration is facilitated by various ingenious stages that alter the gameplay experience. Notably, the soundtrack stands out due to its unique composition; it’s entirely acapella, utilizing vocal sounds instead of traditional musical instruments.

6.
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil

An Underrated Masterpiece

Klonoa 2 is generally considered as one of the most outstanding platform games for the PlayStation 2, featuring an unusual main character, 2.5D gameplay style, and visually stunning landscapes.

I really enjoy the Klonoa platformer games (the volleyball spin-off isn’t bad either!), because they are both charming games with a thoughtfully designed level of challenge. Klonoa can pick up enemies and use them to navigate stages, and this mechanic is really developed in Lunatea’s Veil.

Your adventure will lead you to places ranging from tranquil moonlit cliff edges to verdant woodlands, and numerous boss fights skillfully employ a 2.5D perspective. In a concise manner, Klonoa 2 concludes with a short-lived yet engaging six-hour narrative. What’s even more delightful is that you can savor remakes of both installments in the Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series.

5.
Max Payne

Neo Noir At Its Finest

Max Payne is a gritty, violent third-person shooter with a stylish take on ‘bullet time.’

The game was released in 2001, two years following The Matrix, and it skillfully encapsulates the thrill of evading gunfire in an exceptionally smooth fashion. Time can be slowed down, enabling you to precisely target enemies with strategic shots. On occasion, Max Payne can prove to be extremely challenging, as your adversaries can retaliate swiftly if you’re not careful.

Speaking of which, the challenge in Max Payne adjusts based on your performance, making it more demanding when you excel. The graphics for the console are striking, and the narrative is skillfully conveyed through comic book-like sequences.

4.
Shadow of the Colossus

Are We The Bad Guys?

Shadow of the Colossus is likely one of the most visually stunning games on the roster, providing thrilling boss-fight encounters as you bring down more than a dozen colossal beasts scattered throughout the landscape.

In Shadow of the Colossus, you assume the role of Wander as he embarks on a mission to revive a girl named Momo. Reviving someone isn’t an easy task, and to accomplish this, you must defeat sixteen massive Colossi. The game incorporates puzzle elements, but for the most part, when not engaged in combat with a Colossus, you are preparing for the next encounter.

In the heat of battle against these colossal adversaries, it’s tough not to ponder over your less formidable opponents, who appear rather peaceful under normal circumstances. Should you wish, it’s possible to conquer Shadow of the Colossus in less than 8 hours, and this game continues to stand out as one of the most cinematic experiences on the entire console system.

3.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

A Tale of Time

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time offers an engaging 3D experience filled with ample opportunities for both fighting and problem-solving.

In this game, you assume the role of a nimble-bodied prince, making use of his agility as you navigate through dilapidated structures and move across chambers filled with adversaries. Additionally, you possess otherworldly abilities due to the ‘Dagger of Time’, which grants you the power to reverse time if you happen to make a mistake.

Based on HLTB estimates, you can complete Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in less than 9 hours, but keep in mind that various aspects may influence your playtime. For instance, there are some challenging ‘escort’ sections and intricate puzzles toward the game’s end. However, I personally feel that this installment showcases the character best, making it an exceptional starting point for newcomers to the series.

2.
Onimusha: Warlords

Curse You, Water Puzzle

Onimusha: Warlords is the initial game in a series, offering players an engaging combat experience that requires more than just button-mashing due to its subtle complexities.

In case you’ve never experienced it, Onimusha is a thrilling 3D adventure game that unfolds in an alternate world where demons have taken over Japan. Instead of assuming the role of a typical character, you step into the shoes of Samanosuke, embarking on an epic quest to save Princess Yuki and vanquish any obstacles that stand in your path.

The gameplay alternates between intense battles and cunning challenges that might catch you unawares. While it’s stated you can finish Onimusha in less than 5 hours, if you struggle with puzzles like I do, it could take much longer. The ‘water puzzle’, for instance, seemed to last over an hour for me to solve, and although the combat was never too difficult, I did encounter a few sticking points, thus extending my playtime.

1.
Zone of the Enders

Another Kojima Masterpiece

Hideo Kojima, famous for creating Metal Gear Solid series legends and 2019’s Death Stranding, has also crafted a couple of exceptional mech games. These titles can typically be finished in just a few gaming sessions.

Zone of the Enders offers an immersive storyline within a 3D action-adventure, featuring thrilling mech combats and impressive boss encounters. The control system is surprisingly intuitive, albeit some players argue that the combat could be more complex, a sentiment I can understand.

To put it simply, ZoE surpasses its predecessor in many aspects and can be mastered in less than 6 hours. Meanwhile, The Second Runner is another solid choice, offering a comparable playtime.

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2025-05-19 17:10