Most Underrated PS2 Shooters, Ranked

Summary

Red Dead Revolver offers incredibly fun shooting, even without open-world elements.
Killzone, despite comparisons to Halo, stands out with unique gameplay and pioneer of improved sequels.
Forbidden Siren may be challenging, but its peculiar mechanics and cult status make it worth a player’s patience.

It often happens that gamers have come across a mind-blowing shooter game, which significantly influences their perspective on gaming, yet discover that not many others are familiar with this particular game. Given the abundance of games available today, it’s understandable that some exceptional titles remain hidden from mainstream attention.

The PlayStation 2 continues to hold the title as the best-selling video game console ever made, boasting an extensive library that rivals any other in gaming history. Given its status, it’s not surprising that many exceptional shooter games didn’t receive the recognition they deserved upon release or were overlooked altogether. Some of these games were simply ahead of their time. Let’s explore some of the most undervalued shooters from the PS2 era.

7. Red Dead Revolver

The Makings Of A Classic

If you’ve been pondering why the game titled “Red Dead Redemption” carries that name, it’s because the creators at Rockstar aimed to develop a game that would offer them a chance to improve upon “Red Dead Revolver“. It’s essential to note though, that no redemption was actually required since the original “Red Dead” stands as an exceptional game.

Although it may not boast an impressive open world like some games, it still manages to offer a thrilling shooting experience that doesn’t rely on the open world for enjoyment. Regrettably, Revolver can’t quite match the greatness of Red Dead Redemption, but it does include an excellent multiplayer mode, which sadly is missing from its successor.

6. Killzone

Almost There

Despite being labeled as a potential rival to Halo by some media outlets, Killzone was never intended to be so by its developers at Guerrilla. Their aim was simply to create an enjoyable shooter game, which they achieved, albeit with a sci-fi backdrop. However, it’s worth noting that the original Killzone placed high demands on the PS2’s hardware, resulting in minor performance issues. Despite these hiccups, it remains an engaging shooter game that laid the foundation for subsequent, significantly improved sequels.

5. Forbidden Siren

Forbidden Fun

Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre(s): Horror, stealth, action
Release Date: November 6, 2003

The game titled “Forbidden Siren,” created by some of the team behind “Silent Hill,” is a critically acclaimed title that unfortunately didn’t quite achieve mainstream success as it should have. Although not strictly a shooter, it’s recognized for its uniquely challenging and difficult-to-master shooting mechanics.

Despite being released during a period when horror games were in high demand, Forbidden Siren faced challenges due to its extreme difficulty level. The game was intentionally complex, making even basic tasks such as reading a map difficult for players. To give an example of how demanding the game could be, its creator admitted that he barely managed to survive for a few minutes into his own campaign. However, it’s a remarkable and worthy game that warrants any player’s effort and patience.

4. Black

Incredible Particle Effects

The game known as Black garnered massive anticipation prior to its launch, due to its previews displaying an unprecedented degree of map devastation and particle effects. Black offered stunning visuals and thrilling firefights, which was unsurprising given that it was developed by the team behind the Burnout series at Criterion Games. Unfortunately, shortly after its release, Black took a downturn and is now mainly remembered fondly by those who experienced its groundbreaking action that pushed the limits of what the PlayStation 2 was believed to be capable of.

3. The Thing

An Overlooked Video Game Adaptation

This game is modeled after a film that predates many of you. While the original “The Thing” has since become a timeless classic, it initially struggled to connect with viewers and critics upon its release.

In the early 2000s, someone thought it would be a great idea to capitalize on the movie’s long-standing reputation by creating a video game version. Unfortunately, despite its potential, the game didn’t make the impact it should have. It’s a pity because, just like the film, the game boasts numerous exciting features that are sure to send players’ fear and suspense levels soaring. Given that The Thing has been recently remastered, this seems like an ideal moment to rediscover this overlooked gem.

2. XIII

Cel-Shaded Peak

Generally, Halo: Combat Evolved is praised for revolutionizing console shooter games, and XIII was among the early adopters of this style. Not only does it play smoothly with the PlayStation 2’s controller, but its unique cel-shaded graphics give the game a timeless appeal that prevents it from appearing outdated.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until much later that people truly appreciated XIII’s greatness. Instead of receiving a new sequel, they got a remake about two decades afterwards in 2020. Regrettably, this reboot doesn’t live up to the original’s excellence. Here’s to hoping we get a more successful follow-up prior to 2040.

1. Red Faction

A Truly Revolutionary Title

In Red Faction, players step into the role of a miner caught up in a workers’ rebellion on Mars. Unlike many other first-person shooter games where characters abruptly abandon their professions and pick up any available weapon, Red Faction allows its protagonist to leverage his mining expertise to overcome challenges. Additionally, this game offers a delightful array of exciting guns to shoot.

Red Faction, initially praised for its entertaining combat and innovative mechanics, sadly saw these aspects abandoned in subsequent installments. It’s truly disappointing that this remarkable shooter, particularly one during an era when console shooting games weren’t particularly strong, didn’t have the chance to evolve in later sequels. While the newer sequels are commendable, they differ significantly from the initial release, which is still worth experiencing today.

2025-07-29 07:04