Forgotten PS2 FPS Games – Investment Policy

First-person shooter (FPS) games really took off on consoles in the early 2000s, largely due to the original Xbox and the game Halo. While the PlayStation 2 isn’t as well-known for FPS titles, it still had a great collection, including some now-classic games. Many people remember Timesplitters 2 and Red Faction, but a lot of other good games from that era have been overlooked. Let’s take a look at some of those forgotten gems.

There are some hidden gems among older first-person shooter games, though they aren’t widely known – perhaps because they didn’t initially sell well or aren’t playable on today’s computers and consoles. While there are plenty of newer shooters available, it’s still worth checking out these forgotten PS2 titles.

8. Cold Winter

A Brutal PS2 FPS Thriller

This thrilling political game delivers everything you’d expect from a classic early 2000s shooter. It features a compelling story, environments you can interact with, and multiplayer options for up to four players. It’s also incredibly violent – the dismemberment in Cold Winter is shockingly realistic and fits the game’s dark and gritty portrayal of the world of espionage.

The story begins with the main character being captured and tortured in a Chinese prison, and it only gets more grim from there. It might have been more successful if it had been released a few years later on the PS3, when games with a dark and pessimistic tone, like Max Payne 3 and Kane and Lynch, were more popular. However, if you can find a copy, this game, which was only released on the PS2, is definitely worth playing.

7. Black

One Of The Most Graphically Impressive Games On The PS2

Criterion Games is famous for the fast-paced racing in the Burnout series. Later, they worked on Need for Speed games and contributed to Battlefield and Star Wars Battlefront. In between those racing titles, they also created a first-person shooter called Black, which stood out for its impressive graphics, realistic sound, and destructible environments.

Though brief, the game offers distinct experiences in each level, with a length comparable to typical military shooters released a few years afterward. While reviews were mixed at the time, it remains a unique title within its genre even now.

6. Area 51

A Forgotten Midway FPS Game

Images are from the PC version, so the PS2 game didn’t look as good.

Most people associate Area 51 with the popular arcade game. But in 2007, the creators attempted to adapt it into a standard first-person shooter for home consoles.

The game feels substantial and even includes a scanning mechanic similar to Metroid Prime. It also lets players use alien weapons, offering something different from most first-person shooters of that era. The reason you might not have heard of it is likely due to the poor reception of its PlayStation 3 sequel, Blacksite: Area 51, which launched with numerous technical problems and effectively ended any chance of future installments.

5. Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force

A Star Trek Game That Went For Action Over Diplomacy

Over the years, there have been countless Star Trek games spanning many different types of gameplay. You can find adventure games, space combat simulators, and even first-person shooters. Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force is a classic, no-frills first-person shooter.

Although it’s a first-person shooter, the game includes peaceful moments that let players experience the world of Star Trek, which was unusual for games at the time. Most shooters around the year 2000 were all about fast-paced action, but games like Deus Ex and Thief were starting to change that trend.

Even though many people criticized it, fans of the series may still enjoy this game, despite some issues with how it plays.

4. Peter Jackson’s King Kong

One Of The Best Licensed Games Ever

Turning a movie into a good video game has always been challenging, and for a long time, it seemed nearly impossible. However, Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie is a surprisingly enjoyable game based on the film, despite its long title.

The game closely follows the movie’s story, letting you experience it from two viewpoints: playing as the human characters in first-person, and controlling Kong himself in third-person. While I originally wished it were longer, its concise length actually makes it a really enjoyable experience – it doesn’t wear out its welcome.

3. Medal Of Honor: Rising Sun

An Underappreciated Medal Of Honor Game

Many players consider the Medal of Honor series to have peaked with Frontline and Allied Assault. While the games continued to be released yearly for a while, exploring different aspects of the war, most fans remember those earlier titles. After Frontline, the console versions received Rising Sun, set in Japan. Although it plays quite differently from Frontline, it remains an enjoyable game.

The game begins with a gripping depiction of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Beyond the main story, the multiplayer mode offered enjoyable gameplay. A standout weapon, the Welrod, could eliminate enemies with a single shot, but it had a very slow reload speed, making each shot count.

2. Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death

Be Judge, Jury, And Executioner In This Forgotten FPS Game

Images are from the PC version, so the PS2 game wasn’t HD.

The world of Judge Dredd in 2000 AD feels perfect for exciting video games, but surprisingly, there haven’t been many good adaptations. Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death came the closest to capturing the energy of the comics, offering a fast-paced first-person shooter with both a campaign and multiplayer. It wasn’t a complex game, but it was, and still is, a lot of fun, particularly with friends. Even if you can’t play online, I’d recommend the single-player mode to any Judge Dredd fan – it’s straightforward but very enjoyable.

Most PS2 first-person shooters are hard to find now, but Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death is still easy to get – the PC version is available on Steam, and it’s surprisingly cheap (I recently bought it for under a dollar!). If you don’t expect too much, it’s a fun game, and it’s cool to explore the world of Mega-City One.

1. Urban Chaos: Riot Response

Before Arkham, There Was Urban Chaos

Before Rocksteady Studios was famous for the Batman Arkham series, they created a PlayStation 2 first-person shooter called Urban Chaos: Riot Response. What made this game unique was its system for rewarding players for replaying levels and completing different objectives, allowing them to earn upgrades and improve their gameplay.

The game is excessively violent, featuring drawn-out death sequences that emphasize the lifelessness of defeated enemies – much like in Max Payne 3. Surprisingly, it also boasts a catchy main theme – a blues-rock song called “Modern Romance” by The Metro Riots, which is sure to get stuck in your head.

2026-01-24 17:37