Best PS2 Games that Got Bad Reviews at Release

by

Summary

  • Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness offers a darker take on Lara Croft.
  • Rule of Rose is a rare gem with heavy themes and high market value.
  • Urban Reign was a solid brawler game with multiplayer potential.

Today, many video games struggle to survive if they don’t do well initially, even online games can disappear altogether. Contrastingly, in the early 2000s, a game’s poor performance at launch didn’t always mean it was doomed. Though it might never recover its development costs, given enough time, people’s opinions on the game could shift positively.

This list intends to highlight some outstanding games that initially received an undeservedly poor reception on the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles.

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

An Acquired Taste

  • One of the most divisive games in any series.

As a devoted Tomb Raider fan, I can’t help but express my disappointment with The Angel of Darkness. After eagerly awaiting its release following an unusually lengthy development period for the series, the game fell short. The controls felt awkward and unresponsive, and numerous gameplay additions seemed more like distractions than enhancements to the overall gaming experience.

As a gamer, I can confidently say that, despite initial apprehension, the revamped Lara Croft in these games offers an intriguing, darker angle that’s been pleasantly surprising to many. Granted, it’s not without its flaws, but if you’re up for the adventure, I’d strongly recommend diving into the remastered versions of Tomb Raider IV to VI.

Rule of Rose

The Rose Grew a Lot

  • The PlayStation 2’s secret holy grail.

One issue that plagued the game Rule of Rose was its resemblance to a traditional Silent Hill title at a time when Resident Evil 4 had already been released. Furthermore, the game’s intense themes and lackluster distribution contributed to it receiving low review scores and selling poorly upon release.

Remarkably scarce, yet unforgettable – such is the allure of Rule of Rose. If not for its scarcity, this game might be among the unsung heroes of the horror genre. Instead, it’s famed for being one of the priciest PlayStation 2 titles due to its rarity in the market.

Urban Reign

The Future of Streets of Rage (that Everybody Ignored)

  • Release Date: September 13, 2005
  • Platforms: PlayStation 2
  • Developer: Namco
  • Publisher: Namco, Namco Hometek, Sony Computer Entertainment
  • Genre: Beat ’em up
  • It could’ve spawned great things.

Urban Reign stands out as it seldom faces criticism for poor gameplay, especially when contrasted with games of its era. This action-packed fighter offers an extensive collection of engaging moves, enabling players to annihilate hordes of enemies effectively.

Urban Reign feels like an enhanced iteration of Tekken Force, the Tekken minigame that offers a 3D interpretation of Streets of Rage. This game is immensely enjoyable whether you’re playing solo or with up to four friends in multiplayer mode. However, the main campaign falls short due to its repetitive nature, which seems to have taken a toll on reviews. It’s unfortunate because it effectively revived the Streets of Rage series well before the latest installment was released.

The Bouncer

SquareSoft’s First Good Take on the Brawler Genre

  • Simple, but not forgotten.

Among the games generating significant buzz between the unveiling and launch of the PS2 was “The Bouncer,” an unusual title in SquareSoft’s collection that allowed players to execute combos against enemies in real-time, rather than strategizing them ahead in turn-based battles. Known as “The Bouncer,” this game received generally average to negative reviews upon release, which may have been due to the immense anticipation building around this new game from the creators of the renowned “Final Fantasy” series.

The primary concerns with “The Bouncer” are its straightforward nature and its relatively simple narrative. These potential flaws might stem from the game being released early in the console’s lifecycle, and for a game aiming to emulate the style of “Streets of Rage,” simplicity is less of an issue. Moreover, the simplicity of the story isn’t necessarily a disadvantage when considering the convoluted narratives that some later “Final Fantasy” games present.

Disaster Report

The Original Deadly Premonition

  • Release Date: April 25, 2002
  • Platform: PlayStation 2
  • Developer: Irem
  • Publisher: Irem, Granzella Inc., Agetec
  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • Fun and original.

navigating disaster-stricken areas or assisting others in distress.

Despite having three sequels, the popularity of this series suggests that the “Disaster Horror” genre indeed has plenty of room to thrive – beyond our actual world as well.

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

It Deserved Way More Love Than it Ended Up Getting

  • Release Date: October 30, 2001
  • Platforms: Nintendo Gamecube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
  • Developer: Traveller’s Tales
  • Publisher: Universal Interactive
  • Genre: 3D Platformer
  • Generational dissonance.

As a dedicated Crash Bandicoot gamer transitioning from my trusty original PlayStation to the sleek new PS2, I couldn’t help but anticipate a radical shift in the gameplay I loved so much. Boy, was I mistaken! While the visuals were undeniably improved, the gameplay remained remarkably similar to its predecessors – a fact that left many of us feeling underwhelmed. To my delight, however, games like ‘Wrath of Cortex’ and the unfairly maligned ‘Crash Bash’ have proven to be fantastic additions to the Crash Bandicoot series, offering fresh experiences for those of us just diving back in.

Hey fellow gamers! Just wanted to clarify, while this game might have some similarities with Crash Bandicoot 4, it’s actually the first installment of the fourth series in the franchise. This should help us all keep track of the storyline as we progress through the games. Enjoy the adventure!

Enter The Matrix

Brave and Bold

  • Release Date: May 15, 2003
  • Platforms: Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC
  • Developer: Shiny Entertainment
  • Publisher: Infogrames
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • A true tie-in.

It’s undeniable that some tie-in video games are superior to “Enter The Matrix,” but none seem to blend seamlessly into the cinematic universe quite like “Enter The Matrix” does. This game was an exceptionally bold venture, set concurrently with “The Matrix: Reloaded,” and it enriched the narrative significantly by offering additional content.

In simpler terms, the animations in this game sometimes felt awkward, but the gunplay and martial arts action were generally enjoyable. Just as some people have come to appreciate the Star Wars prequels, perhaps more people will reconsider their initial opinions about a game that managed to meet its incredibly high expectations.

Read More

2025-08-02 01:35