[PS2] Must Own PS2 Games, or how many middling JRPGs can you suggest?

Well I have no idea what games you have or don't have, but I'll throw out some general suggestions:

Final Fantasy X - RPG - The game is perhaps too linear for most, but the above average voice acting, battle system which allow the player to take as much time as needed to plan their attacks in long or short engagements, a graphically vibrant landscape of the game's world, and enjoyable music all give this title a worthy look. Not very replayable, but that hasn't stopped some from replaying to improve their team from the get-go or have self-imposed challenges. The end-game and optional side-quests breathe a few extra hours into the game, and if you're up to the challenge, you can collect each character's ultimate attacks and weapons, which not only help out in battle, but are good for bragging. Some of the tasks to reach these ultimate rewards will require a (perhaps) frustrating amount of investment.

Second Option: If the typical Square-Enix trappings turn you off, try checking out Tales of the Abyss or Tales of Symphonia (Much easier to find on the Gamecube though) as a substitute.

Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner - Action - The first game, as mentioned by someone here, was like an extended Prologue. Zone of the Enders 2 places the player in charge of a giant robot, which has plenty of short range and long range attacks, the player is constantly engaged in battles with other giant Orbital Frames, some unmanned, and others in the hands of sometimes brutally capable pilots (Depending on your difficulty level). A multiplayer mode is also available, but feels under-developed compared to the single-player campaign, but should provide good short bursts of entertainment or bragging rights. The brisk pace of the game and restrictive environments (lack of exploration) may turn off some, as well as the somewhat disjointed story-line which is at times, hard to follow.

Second Option: Technically you could try out the first game if you really wanted to get the full-story, but I wouldn't recommend it. The game's setting and 'characters' are fairly unique and you would have to look in other consoles to find anything similar.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time / The Two Thrones - 3rd Person Adventure - I put these two together because either title stands on its own. The latter is actually the third title in a trilogy of games, but the second in the series should be avoided. The main attraction of either game is the ability to 'undo' mistakes through the used of 'The Sands of Time', which is acquired in the first game, and still used in the third. The game's feel and controls could be compared to a Tomb Raider game, but there's a stronger emphasis on fighting opponents through Sword-play, and light-touched puzzle elements, often-times using the Sands of time for the mechanics of such.

Second Option: The God of War series focuses on Greek Mythology, but has many of the same gameplay elements. GoW has a distinctive and stronger focus on combat, but the puzzle design isn't as inspired.

Devil May Cry - 3rd Person Action - You play as a Demon-hunter named Dante, who hunts for the legendary fighter Sparda in a variety of locations, including an underground sewer, a haunted castle, an evil forest, and so forth. The gameplay is simple, you have a pair of twin guns with infinite ammo and a large sword, but both weapons become expanded upon in its options as the game progresses. The story-line is predictable and nothing remarkable, but doesn't bog you down in hours of cutscenes either. Its there to provide a framework around the action, and it does its job fine in that respect. This is definitely the game to just pick-up, start killing demons, and let loose some frustration. The difficulty however can be unrelenting if you get high enough, but the rewards are for some, worth it. This relatively early PS2 title is still fun even in 2008, and is a great showing by Capcom.

Second Option: A whole mini-genre of action games followed in the game's wake, so there are several options for what you might want to pick up. The second game in the series, much like the PoP Title, is to be avoided at all costs. The third game in the series is chronologically the first title, as it takes place earlier in time, with Dante being younger, cockier, and less experienced, but has a larger cache of fighting styles and other surprises.

I'll stop here for now.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Shin

Hahaha, what? The voice acting in FFX is some of the worst I've ever heard in a game. The only I can think of as bad as FFX is Suikoden Tactics.

Originally Posted by Schadenfreude

If by "above average" he means HOLY FUCK THEY'RE ALL SO FUCKING ANNOYING/<insert derogatory adjective of choice here> then . . . yes, above average indeed.

I am aware that some of the character's performances were not as good as they should have been, but over-all, I think the cast did well enough for itself, and its above-average. I never said it was the best thing since sliced cake, which is how you seem to be reacting. Anyway, If you feel otherwise, that's your prerogative

There's nowhere I can't reach.

This is a continuation from my first post, so I'll try and cover some games not already mentioned by others.

Burnout 3: Takedown - Arcade Racing - While most Racing games nowdays have a focus on either Street Racing & modification or 'Real World' Simulation and Circuit Track performances, Burnout 3 is in a niche class of its own. The game rewards and promotes crashes, bumps, bruises, and high-flying calamity. The bigger the crash into your opponent, the more boost you get, the faster you can speed, and the quicker you can take-down the opposition. The game is not without its share of flaws however: The announcer is (Unlike my opinon of Final Fantasy X) aggravating and annoying to the point where you might as well hit the "mute" button whenever you're in a menu. The loading times are inconsistent in places, the tracks are more restrictive in path choice then most games (Even if the game hides it well), and the music ranges from generic rock to popish eurodance. However, the core gameplay is solid, so if you want a pure "Crash and Dash" experience, Burnout 3 definitely delivers.

Second Option: Burnout is solidly in its own class for crashing and destruction, but a few other racing games like Midnight Club or Need for Speed share that same aptitude for 'light on realism', so you could check those out to see what suits you best.

Soul Calibur 2 - Fighting - The first title debuted on the Dreamcast and received nearly unanimous praise. The second game, the first on the PS2, does a very good job in the follow-up. The fighting game places an emphasis on Weapons, but does not dominate. The 'historical' setting of the game allows the character design to broaden farther then in some other contemporary fighters, and the score of Weapons are not only interesting to look at, but they affect the fighter's performance to varying degrees. High Risk weapons with unusual penalties can be brutal in the right hands for the High Reward payoffs. The game's play modes are decently moderate, from the standard Practice and Arcade modes, to a Team Battle, all the way to a psuedo-RPG Dungeon Crawler (Not as bad as it sounds) which unlocks more characters, weapons, artwork, stages, and other surprises. If you enjoy fighting games at all, this game will be of the right 'calibur'.

Second Option: The sequel added more characters, but felt underpolished by comparison, while other fighting games featuring weapons are few and far between. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance surprisingly follows in that same tradition, however featuring a different focus on multiple fighting styles per character.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal - "Character-based action/platformer" - What do you get when you combine the 'Run and Gun' mechanics of Max Payne with the graphical likeness & platforming of Jak & Daxter & Crash Bandicoot? A Very Fun time. The Ratchet & Clank series seemingly came out of nowhere, but by the third outing, it had matured and had the full-package of options. The basic premise is Platforming with REALLY big Guns, and it works out very well. The Guns are varied in design and can be upgraded to hit harder, faster, and even weirder, and Up Your Arsenal in particular adds a missing feature of the previous games: Online Multiplayer Deathmatches (if you're so inclined). So, If you're looking for a light-hearted action game with some serious teeth, look no further. Plus, R&C is packaged in the value-priced Greatest Hits line, and well worth the 20 buck asking price.

Second Option: The two previous games in the series are also worth looking at, (Going Commando is also available for $20), and if you want more of the platforming, then the JaK & Daxter Series is a worthwhile alternative.

As before, I'll stop here.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by RockgamerXIII

Maybe the first J&D game, but the second and third games are nowhere near as platform heavy as the R&C games. They added guns and vehicles, basically making them GTA clones. They still have some platforming, and overall they're very good games, but I wouldn't recommend them as an alternative to R&C as far as platforming goes (again, except for the first one).

My fault for not mentioning this, but I was gearing towards the second and third J&D game in complimenting R&C's Gunplay, and the first (As you said) for the Platforming. I guess I should have elaborated. *Shrug*

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Question: Is the Buy 2 get 1 free thing @ Gamestop good on Monday / Today as well or was it just a weekend thing?

Looks like the sale is good through the 24th

I'm itching to get a few cheap PS2 games now after going through this thread

I was speaking idiomatically.

The Bouncer... wasn't that the interactive movie Square made to test out their motion capture engine?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Okay guys, so I got a couple games from Gamestop as I said I would:

Front Mission 4, Final Fantasy X, and Max Payne 2 (Also Star Ocean but that's a new game and on the PSP :s ) However, since apparently Max Payne 2 is utter shit on the PS2 (Or so says Qwarky), what's another title worth getting in the $9.99 and under Bin?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by SCHWARZE-4

Looking at their website, you can pick up either Manhunt, Sands of Time or R-Type Final for $9.99

I see Castlevania: Lament of Innocence and Freedom Fighters as well.

Manhunt and Freedom Fighters were "Meh" for me. R-Type Final might be interesting, or Sands of Time (Since I have the Two Thrones I know what to expect).

Quote:

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

LOL, No.

I'll probably head over there tomorrow and see what they have to offer.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?