Best Overlooked Fantasy Games On The PS2

As a seasoned gamer with memories of countless hours spent in front of the trusty old PlayStation 2, I can’t help but reminisce about the hidden gems that this console offered. One such gem is the list you’ve provided, filled with games that, for one reason or another, didn’t quite shine as brightly as they deserved.

Due to the immense collection of over 4000 games available on the PlayStation 2, it’s understandable that not every title achieved blockbuster status like “Resident Evil 4” or “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas”. Occasionally, some games were unnoticed and overlooked, becoming hidden treasures or nearly forgotten.

Various fantasy games for the PlayStation 2 suffered a similar destiny. While Final Fantasy XII garnered widespread attention, numerous others remained relatively unknown despite offering polished gameplay across various genres, including role-playing games and 3D action-adventures. Some of these games even drew inspiration from well-known titles in the genre.

9 Champions Of Norrath: Realms Of EverQuest

Forgotten Spin-Off In The EverQuest Universe

When Diablo 2 was released, isometric RPGs gained widespread popularity and numerous games attempted to cash in on this trend, including Champions Of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest. While it didn’t revolutionize the genre, it did offer both male and female versions of classes prior to Diablo 3, thus providing more customization options.

In the realm of EverQuest, Champions Of Norrath offers a straightforward experience, where players assume the role of Barbarian, Ranger, Cleric, Wizard, or Shadowknight, battling creatures across various dimensions. Compared to similar games like Diablo, it stands out as a more robust clone, successfully adapting its gameplay to a controller setup. The result is an engaging and hard-to-resist gaming experience.

8 Darkwatch

Dark Fantasy And Steampunk Result In A Memorable Shooter

Darkwatch offers not just thrilling first-person shooter action in a Wild West setting, but it also blends gunplay with vampiric abilities. The game follows the tale of outlaw gunslinger Jericho Cross, who joins the Darkwatch organization to combat an undead threat sweeping across the American frontier. Players have the freedom to decide between light and dark story outcomes.

Over time, “Darkwatch” has developed a dedicated fanbase, recognized as a hidden gem from the 2000s. Initially, however, it was not a commercially successful title due to its unique blend of steampunk, action, and gothic fantasy horror genres. Launched in 2005, it competed with popular games such as “Resident Evil 4”, “Call of Duty 2”, and “F.E.A.R.”, which led to its cult status, making it a game that enthusiasts have rediscovered over the years.

7 Gauntlet: Dark Legacy

Four Players Can Slay Monsters With Classic Dungeon Crawling

The Gauntlet series has consistently led the dungeon crawler subgenre, influencing subsequent games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Darkest Dungeon. In particular, Gauntlet: Dark Legacy was a notable entry for the PlayStation 2 era that continued to adhere to the established formula, allowing one to four players to navigate through various levels while battling swarms of enemies.

Gauntlet: Dark Legacy doesn’t offer much complexity, but it did carry on the established series by being its seventh installment. It introduced a feature called turbo attacks, allowing two players to perform a powerful combo simultaneously. Similar to other Gauntlet games, it’s frequently regarded as an excellent choice for friends to enjoy cooperatively.

6 Prince Of Persia: Warrior Within

The Sequel Went Even Darker Than The Sands Of Time

Among numerous Prince of Persia games available, it’s typically Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time that comes to mind for many gamers, which is why a remake is underway. However, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, another high-quality game with a more complex narrative that blends parkour and mysticism, tends to be overlooked.

Not only does Warrior Within pick up where The Sands Of Time left off, but it delves deeper into the magic of time by introducing the Island of Time and a powerful being called Dahaka. It combines parkour elements with a fresh dual melee combat style, and was highly acclaimed for its 3D exploration, action sequences, darker atmosphere, and setting the stage for the third game.

5 Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence

Allows Fans To See Why Belmonts Hate Dracula So Much

At the very beginning of the intricate Castlevania timeline, the game Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence left longtime fans in awe as it revealed the beginnings not only of the Belmont family, but also their eternal foe: Dracula. Instead of sticking with the 2D Metroidvania style, it opted for a 3D action style, which was by no means a setback.

The “Lament of Innocence” stands as an illustration of how a series can dramatically alter its aesthetics while preserving its essence, alas, it’s not as famed as other titles within the “Castlevania” franchise. Critics and enthusiasts commended its narrative for portraying the gloomy and sorrowful genesis of the Belmont lineage, along with its engrossing gameplay that seemed to strike a balance between traditional “Castlevania” games and the Metroidvania genre.

4 Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows

An Updated Take On Dungeon Crawling With A Hack-And-Slash Twist

Developer: Midway Games, Midway Studios San Diego
Release Date: December 12, 2005
Genre: Action RPG
System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360

Following the surge in popularity of hack-and-slash games, the game Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows incorporated that style of close-combat, preserving the dungeon-exploring RPG aspects that are characteristic of the Gauntlet series. Notably, it showcased a significant upgrade in visual quality compared to Gauntlet: Dark Legacy.

Besides the changed gameplay mechanics, “Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows” opted for a darker color palette and less exaggerated designs, creating a more ominous ambiance, much like other games of that era in the 2000s. This shift led to mixed reception initially, but over time, “Seven Sorrows” has been recognized as an underappreciated gem within the series.

3 Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

Liu Kang And Kung Lao On An Interdimensional Adventure

Prior to Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, there were several spin-offs within the Mortal Kombat series, but they didn’t receive much enthusiasm from fans. This lackluster reception unfortunately impacted the sales of Shaolin Monks, however it was widely regarded as superior in gameplay compared to its predecessors, offering a beat ’em up style similar to the original God of War rather than the traditional fighting game format.

The game titled “Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks” is frequently underestimated within the Mortal Kombat series. It’s set during the period between the initial “Mortal Kombat” and “Mortal Kombat 2”. Besides the voice-acting, this game is often highly regarded for its exhilarating and progressive gameplay. Liu Kang and Kung Lao journey through Earthrealm, Outworld, and Netherrealm, encountering numerous memorable characters during their travels.

2 The Lord Of The Rings: The Third Age

More Middle-Earth Games Need To Focus On New Characters

On the PlayStation 2, Electronic Arts released games based on “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King,” which became some of the most renowned Middle-Earth video games. Unfortunately, this popularity seemed to overshadow “The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age,” as critics panned it, labeling it a dull imitation of other games.

Drawing inspiration from role-playing games with a turn-based structure, like Final Fantasy and The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age , offers a tale that intertwines with the narrative of The One Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. It introduces new characters embarking on their own adventures, which are influenced by the Fellowship’s story, and includes well-known figures such as Gandalf and Saruman.

1 Okami

A Shameless Zelda Clone But In The Best Way

It’s not always the case that imitations are necessarily negative, as demonstrated by the game Okami. This title makes no secret of its resemblance to The Legend of Zelda series, with similar features such as conquering dungeons, breaking pots for monetary rewards, and control schemes reminiscent of Wolf Link from Twilight Princess. Yet, despite these striking similarities, Okami manages to be a visually stunning and enjoyable game on the PS2.

The unique cel-shaded art style of “Okami” has given its visuals a timeless quality, much like fine wine, earning both gamers and critics’ admiration for successfully emulating the format of “The Legend of Zelda.” However, sales didn’t meet expectations, ultimately contributing to Clover Studio’s closure. Despite this, the game captivated everyone who played it with its rich lore rooted in Japanese mythology, eventually amassing a devoted cult following.

2024-11-10 07:05