PS2 games worth checking out

[Markme123]

I just got my PS2 back and have been out of the gaming scene for a while. I was wondering which games were worth buying or renting nowadays for the PS2. Over the past 3 weeks I've played:

 

ESPN NFL, Def Jam Vendetta, Virtua Fighter Evo., Smackdown: HCTP, True Crime, MGS: SofL

 

What about these games?

 

Manhunt (heard it was O.K)

Hitman 2 (heard it was better than Splinter Cell)

THUG (I'm not into the skating scene, but appreciate good games. Is it better than THPS? Heard it was vastly different)

Madden 2004 (I'm for of a 2k fan, it is better? How much is it different?)

MofH: Rising Sun (i liked Frontline)

ESPN NBA (my favorite sport)

XIII (don't know anything about it)

NFS: Underground (intruiging, what are your opinions?)

Midnight Club II (??)

 

If there are any other games worth recommending (I'm not into RPGs-sorry Final Fantasy fans), please do!

Thanks guys.

 

EDIT: Are there any 2 player SOCOM type games? I'm don't with Ghost Recon...

Edited November 26, 2003 by Markme123

[Downhome]

Get up right now, and go buy Mark of Kri and ICO.

 

Sly Cooper is one of the best platformers that I've ever played and Amplitude is a hell of a music game.

 

Hitman 2 is a MUST own, regardless of what system you play it on. I don't know much about any of the other games that you've listed, but I'm sure you know what to expect from most of them, and we have an entire thread here about Manhunt.

 

Obviously the GTA games.

 

NBA Street Vol. 2 is a must own for sports fans. Jak II is a hybrid of the first Jak and Daxter and GTA (yes, I'm serious), the new Castlevania game is really really good, and the new TMNT game is old school pleasure, heh.

 

If you are a fan of the Simpsons, then you owe it to yourself to buy Hit and Run ASAP.

 

I could go on and on, but that's a start.

[Nighthawk]

I've only got but 3 games so far, but one of them is THUG, and it is better than THPS. You should get it.

[Star Ocean 3]

Disgaea.

 

It's not an RPG. It's an orgasm.

[The Metal Maniac]

Yeah, THUG is fairly different.

 

There's a bunch of new things to do (You can walk around, jump + climb on stuff, and even drive cars) and it plays like an actual story, not just random goal-getting.

 

I'd rent it, at least.

[dutchse.cx]

NFS: Underground (intruiging, what are your opinions?)

 

Need For Speed: Underground is a TERRIFIC game, tons of unlockables, great tracks, great cars, great upgrades. Fucking awesome. Cars are very customizable. I LOVE this game and that's coming from someone who has never been a racing game fan. Until now.

[HollywoodSpikeJenkins]

Speaking of THUG, did anyone go through storymode and either

 

a) Beat all 129 missions

 

or

 

b) Get to the last mission against Eric? I'm stuck with about 2 or 3 missions, and can't jump from the bridge onto the phone wires to get the 16th thingy from Eric.

[Guest Coffey]

• Grand Theft Auto 3
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
• Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
• WWE Smackdown: Here Comes the Pain
• Tony Hawk Underground
• NCAA College Football 2004
• Madden NFL 2004
• Hot Shots Golf 3
• Disgaea

[Nighthawk]

Speaking of THUG, did anyone go through storymode and either

 

a) Beat all 129 missions

 

or

 

b) Get to the last mission against Eric? I'm stuck with about 2 or 3 missions, and can't jump from the bridge onto the phone wires to get the 16th thingy from Eric.

I did, but I can't really offer you any advice on that. It was harder for me to get up on the phone lines from the ground next to the train station.

[Guest Mr. Brook River]

Some games that are surpisingly entertaining, if you like the platform genre, are Ratchet and Clank, and its sequel, as well as Jak and Daxter (Personal Favorite) and its sequel. If you're looking for a fighting game, I have never been pleased with anything more than the Soul Caliber series, especially Soul Caliber two. I've been a bit out of the loop for a little while, but the GTAs are a sure fire. PSM does a great job reviewing games, so if you have any questions, you could refer to a magazine. Good luck!