10 Badly Reviewed PS2 Games That Are Actually Pretty Good

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) era represents a legendary phase in gaming history, and it still holds the title as the highest-selling video game console of all time. A significant factor contributing to this achievement was the vast array of exceptional games available on the system, ranging from timeless JRPGs such as Final Fantasy series, to blockbuster open-world titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Essentially, there was a game for every type of player.

However, this trend also resulted in many people hopping onto the bandwagon, causing an oversaturated market with numerous subpar games. In the PS2 era, there were plenty of mediocre and even bad games to choose from. Despite the abundance of poor-quality games, we believe that several games received less favorable receptions than they truly deserved.

Let’s reminisce about the legendary days of console gaming and shine a light on some less fortunate titles that didn’t quite make it big.

10. Yu-Gi-Oh: The Duelists of Roses

The Heart of the Cards

In the realm of digital dueling arenas, I’ve spent countless hours immersed in Duel Links, so I’ve got a keen eye for what makes a Yu-Gi-Oh game great and what misses the mark. But let me tell you, Duelists of Roses has been a real head-scratcher – it’s hard to put my finger on just how this one fits into the grand scheme of things.

In essence, this game, being a supposedly accurate representation of the real Yu-Gi-Oh card game, falls short and is certain to frustrate those who value the original rules and strategies.

If you could overlook its shortcomings for a moment, you’d find that this game offers an intriguing strategic experience.

In simpler terms, if you ignore the flaws, you’ll see that the game is quite fun to play strategically.

In essence, it’s similar to playing a strategy board game akin to chess set within the universe of a popular anime or card game. At first, it may seem challenging to grasp, but once you get the hang of things, the satisfaction of mastering its systems is well worth the effort in the end.

This game is packed with innovative concepts that offer a unique spin on the traditional Dueling format of Yu-Gi-Oh, and while it may deviate from the original formula, that certainly doesn’t mean it’s a poor game. In fact, quite the opposite.

9. Sonic Heroes

Three’s Company

I debated adding the quirky game, Shadow the Hedgehog, to this list, but let’s face it – it’s more entertaining as a meme than a genuine gaming experience. However, we do have a Sonic character present in Sonic Heroes instead.

In this game, you controlled a team of three characters simultaneously, with each team having four distinct groups to select from, each offering its own captivating tales.

Changing characters to unlock vital skills was quite an entertaining feature. The game boasted impressive visuals and audio quality upon its launch, and though the cooperative mode wasn’t perfectly polished, it provided a great deal of enjoyment.

What primarily hindered the enjoyment of this game was its subpar level design, which failed to fully utilize the main feature. However, despite this shortcoming, it remains an intriguing title worth exploring, whether for a blast of nostalgia or to observe a rare deviation from the norm in the Sonic series catalog.

8. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

The Beginning Of The Decline

Looking back now, it’s clear that Naughty Dog set a very high standard with the Crash series. When they passed on the project to other developers, they didn’t quite achieve the same level of greatness as before. However, it wasn’t until Toys for Bob took over that we saw similar heights of quality again.

Although Twinsanity was indeed terrible, some other games in the series were quite good, and Wrath of Cortex stands out as one that effectively emulates many elements from Naughty Dog’s Crash Trilogy.

To be honest, Wrath of Cortex doesn’t exactly innovate within the Crash Bandicoot formula or advance the series significantly. However, given how exceptional the earlier games were, offering more of the same isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Not only was the level layout impressive, it truly captured the aesthetic and avoided becoming tiresome. Unfortunately, the vehicles left much to be desired, but such is often the case in gaming.

In a more conversational style:
The levels were really well-done, they looked fantastic and didn’t drag on too long. Too bad about the vehicles, but hey, not every game hits it out of the park!

7. Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights

Ruh-Oh, Shraggy!

Video games based on licenses often receive harsh criticism, and justifiably so, because generally, their quality leaves much to be desired. Nonetheless, there are instances where a game manages to do something unique with the license and performs exceptionally well beyond expectations.

Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights indeed delivered on what it promised, despite the reviews painting a different picture. It stands out among its peers by offering a unique blend of 2.5D Metroidvania gameplay, infusing it with the classic charm of Hanna Barbera and incorporating humorous platforming elements that make you feel like an active member of the Mystery Inc. gang, solving mysteries together.

This game is among those lovingly created licensed titles that stay faithful to the original content while still offering a genuine Scooby-Doo experience for fans. Yet, it maintains a playful and lighthearted tone as well.

6. Whiplash

The Ol’ Ball & Chain

One major factor that makes me yearn for the PlayStation 2 (PS2) era is the abundance of mascot platformers. Although this influx resulted in some mediocre games, it also produced many exceptional titles that sadly didn’t receive the recognition they deserved.

In this game, you take on the roles of both a Weasel and a Rabbit, working together in an attempt to flee from a genetic research lab using whatever methods are available to you.

This game’s humor seems perfectly suited for the classic age of Cartoon Network, its level navigation was well-executed, and I was pleasantly surprised by its engaging storyline as well.

While the fighting and character advancement aspects somewhat detract from the overall experience, if you’re not seeking a Game of the Year caliber masterpiece but rather a lighthearted adventure, Whiplash offers an enjoyable time without much effort.

5. Blood Omen 2: Legacy of Kain

Let There Be Blood

Whenever someone mentions the Legacy of Kain series, it seems like every conversation revolves around Soul Reaver. Don’t get me wrong, Soul Reaver is fantastic, but there are so many other incredible games in this franchise! Contrary to popular belief, based on reviews, Blood Omen 2 is absolutely one of the standout titles within this series.

This game represents a significant advancement over the original Blood Omen, as it plays more like an action RPG from that time period. It offers a variety of engaging vampire abilities for both combat and stealth, and a distinctive blood system requiring regular refilling, frequently through the slaughter of innocents.

The new game is far superior to the first Blood Omen because it has elements typical of action RPGs from that era, such as vampire skills for both combat and stealth, and a unique blood system for replenishment, often obtained through killing innocent beings.

This game allows you to freely take on the role of the antagonist, providing an enjoyable experience, and its boss fights are particularly noteworthy as well.

Although the plot may seem dull and the controls might feel rigid, even considering their era, if you can overlook those aspects, there’s plenty of enjoyable gameplay to discover here.

4. Cold Fear

A Survival Horror Hidden Gem

If you’re curious about why a game like Cold Fear received poor reviews despite being good, let me explain in simple terms. Essentially, it didn’t live up to the standard set by Resident Evil.

To be honest, some people consider it a blatant imitation of Resident Evil 4, even though both games were released very near to each other. Consequently, it’s often forgotten by many.

The game’s exceptional shooter features, chilling ambiance comparable to many horror games, and outstanding weather effects and physics made it truly unique among the multitude of mediocre shooters on the platform.

Oh, I must admit, despite Resident Evil 4 being absolutely brilliant, it wasn’t without its rough edges – the so-called ‘jank’. Yet, for anyone seeking a thrilling survival horror experience, this overlooked gem is definitely worth unearthing.

3. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Go, Force Lightnin’

Star Wars video games have experienced both remarkable successes, such as Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), and disappointing failures, like the recent Battlefront series. Some titles may not have been appreciated as much as they should have due to the high expectations associated with any Star Wars-branded game.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed stood out among many games due to its exceptionally captivating self-crafted narrative, offering players the freedom to decide between the light or dark side of the Force, and boasting an array of thrilling power abilities to wield.

As a die-hard Star Wars fan who’s played my fair share of games under this license, I must admit that this title isn’t perfect. There are moments where the gameplay mechanics, especially with the lightsaber combat, feel off. But let me tell you, the story is worth diving back into. It’s an experience every Star Wars enthusiast should immerse themselves in to truly appreciate its unique narrative.

2. Ty The Tasmanian Tiger

You Ripper!

This particular game, while it didn’t receive the highest scores, is undeniably unique. It garnered a relatively moderate rating rather than a poor one, yet I believe it warranted much more recognition for its merits.

Compared to other popular platforming characters such as Sly Cooper, Jak & Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank during that time, Ty seems to be the underdog or misfit, and I can’t help but wonder what sets him apart.

At that point in time, Ty stood out among its peers due to its innovative gameplay elements, which included a combat system centered around boomerangs, solid platform navigation, memorable stage designs, humorous undertones, and lots of additional features.

This is a top-notch platformer game, boasting the same level of quality as other iconic mascot games from that time period. It’s packed with unforgettable moments, and if you haven’t experienced this Australian-made platformer yet, I highly recommend giving it a try!

1. Kingdom Hearts: Re: Chain of Memories

Forget The Cards, Embrace The Story

Before anyone begins composing strongly worded emails filled with disapproval, let me clarify that I concur with you regarding the card-based combat system in this game being as elusive as an eel, however, please allow me to present my thoughts on the matter.

In my opinion, no other installment from the extended Kingdom Hearts series offers a storyline as captivating as Chain of Memories. The Castle Oblivion sequences and the memorable characters introduced therein are as iconic as it gets in this franchise.

Moreover, though some may contest this, after understanding the mechanics of the card system, it becomes an intriguing and engaging method to employ, resulting in every skirmish offering a thrilling mix of strategic planning and real-time action.

Since it started as a Game Boy Advance game, it was bound to have difficulties transitioning its mechanics smoothly. However, I believe this game does a far better job than most people acknowledge. It’s approximately ten times more engaging than Kingdom Hearts III, and I stand firmly behind that opinion.

2025-03-13 19:43