Currently,13 PlayStation 2 gamesare confirmed for the service’s launch. Presumably, this is merely the tip of the iceberg, and one can only hope that PS Plus will eventually highlight many of the gems found within the vast library of Sony’s home console. Here are some of thebest PS2 games that should be included in PS Plus Premium.
Only games that were at least co-published by Sony shall be considered since they seem the most plausible candidates to be included in PS Plus Premium. Obvious candidates such asGod of WarandRatchet & Clankwill be omitted, especially since they are available on PS Now in one form or another.
Genre
Open-World
The Getawayexisted firmly in theshadow ofGrand Theft Autowhen it debuted in the early 2000s. Unsurprisingly, the game falls quite a bit short of Rockstar’s franchise, but that hardly means this British-themed gangster romp is not worth experiencing.
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The Getawaytakes place in a large sandbox and features two playable characters, each of whom is reasonably well-written and receives a complete story. The gameplay is a touch clunky and has not aged especially well, but the open-world is still impressive today. A much worse sequel effectively killed this series, doomingThe Getawayto be, at best, a cult classic.
Vehicular Combat
PS Plus Premium simply needs to includeTwisted Metalin some form or another. Ideally, all the (good) games in the series make the cut; however, if only one could be highlighted, it should beTwisted Metal: Black. This entry revitalized the franchise following a string of underwhelming sequels, delivering improved gameplay and characters along withheightened mayhem.
Twisted Metal: Blackis simply put one of thebest PS2 gamesever. Even after all these years, this title is still a lot of fun to play.
Tactical Shooter
Except forCombined Assault, all the PS2SOCOMgames are fantastic and would enhance PS Plus Premium. The second entry is typically regarded as the series' peak, expanding on its predecessor’s very solid foundations to create an addictivetactical shooter.
SOCOM 2’s multiplayer was its highlight, but the single-player was and still is pretty great. The campaign guides players through 13 missions that emphasize the importance of teamwork and coordination. Rather than over-the-top action, the game opts for a more contemplative approach, one that heavily utilizes stealth. Sony should addSOCOM 2to PS Plus Premium and, while at it, announce a new entry in the franchise. Seriously, it has been too long.
Survival Horror
Along withHaunting Ground,Rule of Roseis aPS2 horror gamethat can readily cost someone more than a brand-new PS5. Its price, controversial subject, and release date close to the launch of the PS3 caused this fascinating psychological horror game to fall into both infamy and obscurity.
Although far from perfect in the gameplay department,Rule of Roseshines in its atmosphere, slow-burning story, and characterization, particularly of its protagonist. This is a game that deserves to be played by more people, and PS Plus Premium can make that happen.
Overworks (AM7)
Hack and Slash
This title was only co-published by Sony in PAL regions, so Sega would have the final say in whetherShinobiis added to PS Plus Premium. On the plus side, the game was released on the PlayStation Network in 2012, which might improve its chances.
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The first 3D entry in the franchise, 2002’sShinobiis a fast-paced hack and slash game reminiscent of franchises likeDevil May Cryand especiallyNinja Gaiden, although Overworks' project predates the latter’s 2004 revival. The combat system is stylish and quite challenging, while its arcade-type rhythm incentivizes repeat playthroughs.Shinobidoes struggle in some other areas such as enemy variety, but the overall experience is positive.
IfShinobiis submitted to PS Plus Premium, Sega should also addNightshadeas a bonus.
Kaiju Fighting
There are only a handful oftruly great kaiju games, andWar of the Monstersranks among the best of that select group. A loving tribute to sci-fi b-movies, this PS2 3D fighter puts players in the shoes (or paws) of a gigantic monster and sets them loose in destructible cities. Their goal: defeat the other mutant beast (or robot).
Featuring a roster of 10 monsters, a charming art style, and accessible gameplay that is enjoyable solo or with friends,War of the Monstersgets nearly everything right. As it was also ported to the PS4, this game seems perfect for PS Plus Premium.
Action RPG
Snowblind’sChampionsgames are traditional hack and slash RPGs akin toBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance. These two titles do not necessarily offer anything that cannot be found in other releases in the genre, but they were among the best console offerings during their era. They have also aged reasonably well all things considered.
Even if their ideas are not that unique, these games deliver highly enjoyable gameplay loops filled with dungeon crawling, loot, and stat upgrades. Along with just being quality, these RPGs would also bring some diversity to PS Plus Premium since there aren’t all that many PS2 games of this ilk.
