(electronic chiming) - [Jake] The PlayStation 2
brought us some of the greatest single-player games of all time. Just countless cool adventures
and stories and fun times. So, today, we're gonna talk
about 20 of our favorites. These are the Gameranx
team's personal choices in no particular order. So, let's just jump down memory lane here and get started off with number 20. "Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil" is just an excellent mascot platformer, especially as we were rolling into a time where we were getting less and less, this Japanese-style fun
action platform game was just really cool and quirky. It's a 2D platformer in a 3D world. It's absolutely gorgeous,
if you can tell here. And it was a follow-up
to the already excellent "Klonoa: Door to Phantomile." It's not totally as simple as it looks. You were able to face
in different directions. You were able to throw objects. And the jumping was fun and light, but still had a nice amount of challenge. And then it had those
cool boarding sections. Man, there's so much
nostalgia for this one. This game was released in 2001 and we're still thinking about it today. Next, over at number 19, we
have "Final Fantasy XII." Now, it was challenging here. We were debating whether or not it was gonna be "X" or "XII." We ultimately went with "XII" because, frankly, we just
don't talk about it enough. It doesn't get as much love as "X," and it's just a really solid RPG. It's got a pretty great story,
some interesting characters, and a really cool world
they built out here, but the J-RPG gameplay
and the character-building are our favorite part of this game. The battle system goes a
little bit unconventional, at least for the time, but it's still really
satisfying to play to this day. They remastered it, they re-released it, so you can easily check this one out. And again, this was challenging for us because we just pretty much loved every "Final Fantasy" game. But, yeah, that's where we're at. Now, next, over number 18, if
we're sticking with J-RPGs, "Dark Cloud 2." Really, "Dark Cloud 1" and "2" despite being stylistically different, are both really great RPG,
adventurey-type games, with a lighthearted tone. The whole "Dark Cloud" loop
is centered around questing, building out a party, going out
in those quests or dungeons, getting things, and
then bringing them back and assembling stuff like an entire town. The second game's more
cell-shaded, bright art style, really helps shake things up and make it a much more
memorable experience. And while they might
be a little bit simple and straightforward for today's players, it doesn't make these
games any less satisfying. Next, over at number 17, we have "Devil May Cry
3: Dante's Awakening." This is an incredible
"Devil May Cry" game. This is where things really
got shaken up in a great way. More play styles, much more
challenge, more complex levels, bosses, enemy types,
and an incredible story that really fleshed out what
fans were kind of clinging to what was established
with "Devil May Cry 1" and kind of "2." "Devil May Cry 3" serves as
an awesome kind of prequel, kind of build-up of the legend of Dante and its family issues. And it really is an incredible
and satisfying action game. It will kick your ass. It is not easy at all. But there are so many
cool memorable moments, and just so much cool stuff
and depth to the combat, that it's really worth
pushing your way through it and seeing it to the end. Next, over at number 16, here's a game that you
probably won't see mentioned on a lot of other lists, it's "God Hand." This 2006, really unconventional action beat 'em up game from
Japan is really something else and an underrated gem. It's actually by Clover Studio,
the legendary studio now, who brought us "Viewtiful Joe," "Okami," and then, eventually, kind of
evolved into Platinum Games. This was directed and headed
up by Shinji Mikami himself, director of the original "Resident Evil" and then "Dino Crisis,"
and so much great stuff. And "God Hand" really kind
of flew under the radar as like a forgotten title, but it is zany and wacky
and wild and over the top. It's got so much personality. It is very much a product of the 2000s, but it's really cool. Some of it, for us, to
be honest, is nostalgia. We don't know how well
it completely holds up, but we love it all just the same. Next, over number 15,
we have "Silent Hill 2," one of the greatest survival
horror games of all time. This game is an absolute masterclass in mood, atmosphere, tension, and just horrific creative designs. From the creatures to the environments, the town of Silent Hill, it really all is, you know, for lack of a
better phrase, a vibe. And it's something that you just don't see in games today, really. Sure, the actual combat and moving around was kind of clunky, but that's the point of
survival horror games at that point, right? Really, it's just the compelling tale, the haunting music, the
interesting characters, the mysterious nature of the whole thing that still makes this game
really worth experiencing. They did remaster this one but they didn't do a
very good job with it. So, we'd say, if anything,
definitely just try and go back and play the original
classic on a PlayStation 2. Next, over at number 14, we have "Jak II." The "Jak and Daxter" franchise is really great top to bottom, but, for us, we really like "Jak II" because of the bold change in direction, the cool sci-fi open-world they created. The actual challenge, this
game is surprisingly hard. The hoverboard sections, all the cool weapons you
can get that transform, the humor the vastness of it all, it's really something else. Naughty Dog really kick things
into insanely high gear, from really "Jak and Daxter"
to "Jak and Daxter II," and so on. And to be honest, we
really miss those days. We love serious realistic games
as much as the next person, but something about a weird elf guy and an ottsel on his shoulder, flying around in spaceships,
and shooting bad guys is just so cool and we need
more games like this today. Next, over at number 13,
we have "Resident Evil 4." Now, this one, first, of course, was released on the GameCube, but we had to give "Resident
Evil" some love on this list. And "Resident Evil 4" is incredible. How much more do we have to say? We've talked about it so many times. Yes, it is a complete shift and change in direction for
the "Resident Evil" franchise. For some people, including myself, it definitely stepped
away from its original, more spooky, more weird, more I don't even know
what you would call it type of identity. But "Resident Evil 4" pioneered the over-the-shoulder
third-person shooting, and still maintain that
survival horror tension and resource management
stress that we really love. And the story gets wild and goes places. This game managed to make
Leon Kennedy a complete badass and we are grateful for that. This is another one where
they're attempting to remake it, and I don't even know
how they could do it. I don't know how you even touch this one, 'cause it's so great already. Next, over at number 12, we have "Bully." This is back when Rockstar Games made more than just "Grant Theft Auto." There was a time where they were wild and experimenting with a bunch of weird, different style games, and "Bully" was one of the greatest ones. You played as a kid named
Jimmy in a private school. You explored this school. You went to class. You
engaged in missions. You messed with students, did
pranks, lots of mini-games, and real exploration around
the surrounding town. The game is fun, cool, quirky,
and different for Rockstar, but it also had incredible
music that I think really set up how Rockstar would create their scores for their games moving forward. It is a unique and fun
early open-world experience that has been ported to
basically every system. So, if you haven't
played it at this point, I don't know what you're doing, man. Next, over at number
11, we have "Persona 4." Yes, originally a PlayStation 2 game, this J-RPG was absolutely incredible, with a story focus around students, giving you really, really
likable characters, and just downright amazing music, all set in a really cool and unique style. This type of game can
really bring new people into J-RPGs and anime, and we think it certainly
did back in the day. The turn-based combat
was really satisfying but it was all really worth it for the cut scenes and the story. This was a hell of a game to chew on and people are still
chewing on it to this day, to be honest. Some might even say it's
better than "Persona 5," but we'll leave that to you guys. Next, over at number 10,
we have "Kingdom Hearts." Really, the original "Kingdom
Hearts" or "Kingdom Hearts II" were just incredible cultural
experiences in gaming. You just had to be there. The original "Kingdom
Hearts," for a lot of kids, really came out of nowhere
and was this incredible mashup of Japanese, "Final Fantasy" stuff, with famous Disney characters. It was really unprecedented and just an incredibly rewarding and satisfying action-adventure RPG game. Then the second one, of
course, as you probably know, really blew it out of the water. And these games still have people talking about them to this day. Yes, they've been memed to hell
with how many weird sequels and spinoffs and how
complicated the story gets. But when you boil it down to
just the charm and the fun and the warm hug that
was the first two games, it really deserves a spot on this list for us here, personally. Now, next, over at number nine, we have "Onimusha 3: Demon Siege." The "Onimusha" hack 'n' slash
adventure games are awesome. The original one completely blew us away. But "3" overall, for us,
was just a more memorable, more awesome game. We consider it pretty much
the best of the series. Samanosuke is the most badass. The actor, Jean Reno is in it. And it's a pretty over-the-top adventure, and we don't really get a lot
of games like this anymore. Capcom was really bringing
the heat with this series and a lot of people forget about it. And we've been asking for
a revival of this series for what feels like forever. Maybe we'll get it one day. I don't know. Next, over at number eight, we have "Tony Hawk's Underground." Yes, you know, we were gonna include it. There are so many "Tony Hawk"
games for the PlayStation 2. But if we're talking
single-player experiences, we're gonna go with the one
that had the most story, and that was "Tony Hawk's Underground." You created your own character, and you, essentially, went on an adventure of a young skater rising to fame. It had memorable moments, memorable villains, like
that asshole Eric Sparrow, and just incredible "Tony
Hawk's Pro Skater" gameplay, that I personally love
to death, to this day. And man, does it hold up. "Tony Hawk's Underground"
is still a legend in "Tony Hawk" fan circles. It actually has a really
vibrant PC mod community. A whole thing that has spawned out of it. It just really goes that far because the base game is so great. There's not many games where you go on a skateboarding adventure. And "Tony Hawk's Underground," the idea was really
ambitious for the time, but they nailed it. Now, next, over at number
seven, we have "Okami." This was the last game by Clover Studio and it was directed by Hideki Kamiya. This takes a bunch of Japanese
folklore and mythology and just makes a really cool
unconventional adventure with a really, really cool art style that embraces its classical roots, with a kind of "Zelda"-style
adventuring structure. And you play Amaterasu,
the goddess of the sun, kind of in like this wolf form. There's this whole brush mechanic, where you can actually
manipulate a paintbrush to change your world. And it's really unique, from the gameplay
concepts to the art style, to the whole thing with the
classical Japanese style. But it did really solidify Hideki Kamiya as one of the greats. Now, next, over at number six, we have "Shadow of the Colossus." Of course, this iconic, incredible game, we've talked about so many times before. But just a solitary, really quiet, really contemplative adventure, in a sad, empty, open mysterious world was really just what the doctor ordered at the time when it
released on PlayStation 2. It's just you, the lone
adventurer, with a horse, traveling the land,
finding giant monsters, and climbing up them and
slaying them one by one, seemingly to save a princess. There's a lot more to it, but, from the gameplay concepts
of sword and bow and arrow, to the puzzles aspect of
figuring out how to climb up and topple these beasts, to exploring this massive open world with the environment design, the beautiful music that
is very carefully used in specific spots, all of it is really an experience and really artistic for
lack of a better word. This game was remade for PlayStation 4 and it is just as damn good. However you play it, you should
definitely experience it. Next, over at number five, we have "Sly Cooper and
the Thievius Raccoonus." Now, to be honest, we haven't given the "Sly
Cooper" series enough love here on this channel, but now it's time. These games were great. All three games are good, but the first is probably still
the best, at least for us. Maybe it's nostalgia, but
the incredible art style, the light, accessible,
but really fun stealth, the humor, just really everything built really paved the way forward for what they would continue
to do for years to come. Build cool worlds and cool characters that we fall in love with. And we're still waiting for
another "Sly Cooper" game. Come on, guys. Next, over at number four,
let's talk "Ratchet & Clank." Specifically, for us, "Ratchet
& Clank: Going Commando." Now, this is another series where they're all really kind of great. They're all kind of similar. The first game really was
groundbreaking for the time, with how it was a mascot action-platformer that we've seen a million times, but it had a lot of cool guns and a little bit more of
an edgy teen type of humor. But "Going Commando" just had a lot of really memorable moments, some really great more
bigger scale action, and was one of the more
perfect top to bottom "Ratchet & Clank" games. They're all mostly pretty
great, the new ones included. But we will just never
forget, specifically, "Going Commando." Now, down to number three,
we have "God of War II." This is probably our
favorite in the series for all of us here, just because of how crazy
and over the top it is. The first game was really
memorable, really cool, but the second game just
blew up all those concepts. A deeper story, a more deeper
embrace of Greek mythology, huge levels, crazy boss encounters, and Kratos's story just
gets even more wild. Also, from a technical perspective, it was staggeringly impressive. It was one of the last
gasps of the PlayStation 2 and Sony Santa Monica managed to squeeze so much power out of this game. It's huge. It's lengthy. It's paced so well, where every
single moment is interesting and engaging from beginning to end. And man, what a time. The anticipation for this
one was through the roof. People were really hyped. But it was really just so nice that they actually exceeded
those expectations. You love to see it. Now, down to number two,
"Grand Theft Auto: Vice City." Now, we had a hard time picking one specific
"Grand Theft Auto" game. You know, on the PS2, they were huge. "Vice City" really took everything from "Grand Theft Auto
III" and ran with it. You know, the hype,
just the cool gameplay, the open-world action that
the whole game industry just kind of really embraced. And they made it even better. They added more of a
distinct pop culture vibe, better licensed tracks, more interesting, more memorable
characters, more style, and just generally
embraced more storytelling and character building that Rockstar would very
much continue on to go do and prove that they really
have a knack for it. There was way more going on from missions, to the types of weapons you were using, to jumping in boats,
hopping out of vehicles, flying in planes, motorcycles, scooters. This game was just so much fun. It's another thing where it's
like you had to be there. I still think, maybe, "San
Andreas" is stronger overall, but we wanted to just give
some love to "Vice City" today. We really love this one. Now, down to number one, of course, you know we were gonna say it, it's "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater." Now, we had a hard time
choosing between "2" and "3," but we went "3" this time. Honestly, ask us any day of the week, we might feel differently, but all "Metal Gear Solid"
games are absolutely incredible, and "3" is top tier. From some of the more interesting stealth encounters of the series, with added depth thanks to camouflage and the jungle environments, to all the cool weapons,
to all the quirky gadgets, and just weird moments that come from "Metal Gear Solid" games and Hideo Kojima's wacky
game designer mind. To just a downright incredible story focusing around Big Boss and his mentor and the Soviet Union. And lots of things that really
just kind of fleshed out the entire series, "Metal Gear Solid 3" enriched the entire "Metal Gear
franchise before and after. Not to mention it had some of
the best, most cinematic music and incredible voice acting, and awesome cut scenes that
you just love to sit through. Now, not everybody does. But for us, here, we just
love a really good long "Metal Gear Solid" cut
scene, and "3" provides, but, thankfully, it has the
gameplay traps to back it up, specifically with some of
those legendary boss battles. "Metal Gear Solid 3" straight-up rules. Now, those are some single-player games that we absolutely love,
but there are so many more that we couldn't cram on this list. We have a couple of bonuses, including the PlayStation
2 port of "Max Payne." The original "Red Faction."
What a legendary game. Originally an Xbox exclusive, but "Splinter Cell" did make
its way to PlayStation 2. "SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs." "Shadow Hearts: Covenant." And "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." Like we said, those are
some PS2 single-player games that we absolutely loved. We played solo quite a bit
and these games kept us busy. And we wanna hear from
you guys in the comments what you enjoyed from
the PlayStation 2 era. Now, if you had fun
hanging out with us today and just talking about old games, all you gotta do is click the like button. We would really appreciate that. But, hey, if you're new
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