PS2 Games That Deserve The God Of War Reboot Treatment

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Released in 2005 near the end of the PlayStation 2’s lifespan, God of War stood out from other games. It was more adult in its themes, with strong language, violence, and nudity, and it featured a main character, Kratos, who wasn’t a typical hero. As the series continued, Kratos became less and less like a traditional, admirable protagonist.

When God of War was reimagined in 2018, it naturally made sense for the developers to make Kratos a more sympathetic character. He was now a father trying to move past his violent history and become a better person. Thinking about the PlayStation 2 era, are there any other characters who could undergo a similar transformation in a potential reboot or sequel?

Jak And Daxter

Back To Naughty Dog

The Jak and Daxter games were primarily a PlayStation 2 series, with the final installment, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, appearing on both the PS2 and PSP in 2009. While Naughty Dog created the first games, they didn’t continue the series, leaving fans hoping for a new game for over a decade.

Naughty Dog has become known for story-driven action games like Uncharted and The Last of Us. Now might be the perfect time for them to revisit their roots and create a new Jak and Daxter game. With the way the last game concluded, a reboot could reimagine Jak and Daxter in a fresh setting, perhaps as older, more experienced adventurers ready for another challenge.

Syphon Filter

A Bridge Of Spies

The Syphon Filter series started on the PlayStation in 1999 and technically concluded in 2010 with Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow on the PlayStation 2, though that game was originally based on a 2007 PSP title. Regardless, it would be great to see a return for one of the series’ older characters. The games followed Gabriel Logan as he constantly worked to stop new terrorist threats.

Man, I’d love to see a fresh take on this character, maybe with him mentoring a new team of spies. Or, how cool would it be to play as an older version of him, hunting down a villain from his past? It’d be awesome if they did something like Ubisoft did with Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Conviction or even the new Splinter Cell: Deathmatch Netflix show – bringing a classic character back with a new spin.

Mega Man X

Rebuilding The Maverick Hunters

The Mega Man X series first appeared on the Super Nintendo in 1993, starting as a fresh take on the original Mega Man. The last main installment, Mega Man X8, was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. Around 2010, there were plans for a darker, more realistic reboot called Maverick Hunter, envisioned as a first-person shooting game.

Although the previous game was cancelled, reviving the series with a more mature tone – moving away from the typical fast-paced action – would be a good idea. Imagine X being rediscovered as an old, worn-out robot, forced to confront Sigma again in a devastated future. He’s the only one who can save the world, even in his deteriorated condition.

Wild Arms

Breath Of The Wild

The Wild Arms series started on the PlayStation in 1996 in Japan, and the most recent numbered game was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006, also in Japan. While there were later games for the PSP and mobile platforms, none of them were quite like the original turn-based RPGs. Similar to Final Fantasy, each Wild Arms game featured a brand new cast of characters and a separate story, connected only by the Western-inspired world of Filgaia and the powerful ARMs weapons.

Bringing back Kratos for a new series wasn’t an option, but they could create a fresh start with a Western-style RPG that’s more realistic and violent, similar to the tone of Red Dead Redemption.

Legacy Of Kain

Modern Vampires

The Legacy of Kain series began with Blood Omen on the PlayStation in 1996. The most recent main installment, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2003. Similar to the Mega Man X franchise, there were efforts to revive Legacy of Kain in the 2010s with a project called Legacy of Kain: Dark Sun, but it was ultimately canceled.

Kain, the main character, is a lot like Kratos – a furious, powerful vampire who isn’t a traditional hero and doesn’t hold back in fights. Many believe now is the perfect time to revive Kain, possibly setting a new story in the present day.

Bloodrayne

Evil Never Dies

The Bloodrayne series is a fun one to revisit, especially because it features a female vampire protagonist named Rayne. The first game, released in 2002, had Rayne battling Nazis in the 1930s. The 2004 sequel took a unique approach by setting the action in a more contemporary time period.

I remember back in 2011, there was a BloodRayne game that wasn’t on the PS2, but it was a 2D side-scroller. Because Rayne can’t actually die, and the games have proven they don’t need to be set during World War II, I think a new sequel could really go in any direction. The possibilities feel endless!

Maximo

Of Ghosts And Goblins

Maximo: Ghosts to Glory was a fresh start for the classic Ghosts ‘n Goblins series, originally released in Japan in 2001 for the PlayStation 2. Unlike the notoriously difficult original, this version was a more approachable action-adventure game and featured a new protagonist named Maximo.

A sequel, Maximo vs. Army of Zin, was released in Japan in 2003, and another sequel was planned but never made. Given that the Maximo series is known for its difficulty, reimagining this timeline as a Soulslike game—where Maximo returns to battle—could be a great fit.

Manhunt

Suicide Squad

Released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Manhunt remains one of Rockstar’s most disturbing games. Players control James Earl Cash, a condemned prisoner forced to participate in a deadly game orchestrated for a twisted reality show. He manages to survive, but his fate after escaping is left ambiguous.

A sequel came out in 2007, but it followed a different character. A third game could also feature a new protagonist in a similar predicament, or it could bring back Cash, dealing with the consequences of his past. The latter option—an older Cash who has reformed and started a family—could be particularly compelling, forcing him to resort to violence once more to protect them.

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2025-11-18 02:39