PS2 Action Video Games
Action games. Wide category of games that require reflex, accuracy and agility. It includes, among other things, shooters (e.g. Call of Duty and Battlefield series) and action-adventure games (Tomb Raider). First and third person perspective (FPP/TPP) is used. In most cases we are playing as a character who has to defeat some enemies and reach a specific point. We can use a wide range of weapons, including pistols, rocket launchers, swords, knives and like. Action-adventure is a particular category within action games genre. Such titles put less emphasis on action and combat, focusing more on story, exploration and puzzles. more
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
Action 25 October 2004
The seventh installment in the controversial Grand Theft Auto series – one of the most popular game franchises in history that brought Rockstar Games company international fame. The series has been letting the player start as a petty criminal and work his way to the top of the criminal underground. This next part of the series is the biggest one so far, featuring world – the State of San Andreas – almost three times larger than Vice City. Among many innovations, there are several thing worthy of mention: improved AI of civilians, option to recruit gang members, increased number of interactive buildings, hunger factor, swimming, and new means of transportation (e.g. bicycles). On top of that, there game features numerous extra activities, highlighting the sandbox character of gameplay. The game features the atmosphere of the 1990s, apparent in both the graphics and the soundtrack available via the numerous in-game radio stations.
God of War II (PS2)
Action 13 March 2007
A follow-up to the Sony's bestselling slasher released in 2005, whose plot is loosely based on the characters and events from Greek mythology. In God of War II we, once again, take on the role of Kratos, a Spartan warrior seeking vengeance, who, after having killed Ares, has become the new god of war. Tormented by nightmares of his past, the hero – despite the goddess Athena’s warnings – descends to Earth to help his fellow Spartans in conquering Rhodes. His actions infuriate Zeus, who cripples and kills our hero. Finding himself in Hades, Kratos learns that to turn back time and change his fate, he must find and kill three legendary Sisters of Fate. In terms of game mechanics, the second part of God of War doesn’t differ too much from its predecessor, though developers gave players completely new attacks and placed on Kratos’ path a lot of logical puzzles, which require – aside from fast fingers – a sharp mind.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2)
Action 27 October 2002
A new installment in the bestselling series of action games. The game expands the ideas introduced in the third entry in the franchise, released in 2001. The game was developed by the authors of the previous installments who, after having been bought by the American giant, were transformed into Rockstar North. The game takes place in the 80's in a completely new metropolis called Vice City. The player becomes Tommy Vercetti, who was sent by his boss to establish a foothold in the city while taking care of the local gangs and corrupted police. The game has similar mechanics to its predecessor and focuses mostly on completing various non-linear story missions. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City added some new features, such as the possibility to use motorcycles and helicopters. The graphics, inspired by aesthetics of the 80's, were greatly improved as well. During the game, the player is accompanied by a varied soundtrack broadcast by several different radio stations.
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (PS2)
Action canceled
A licensed LEGO action-adventure game, set in the fantasy universe of Harry Potter, created by the British writer J. K. Rowling. The story was based on the first four Harry Potter books and their movie adaptations by Warner Bros. During the gameplay, you witness the adventures of Harry and other characters, explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and fight many enemies, including the main antagonist of the cycle, the evil Lord Voldemort. Mechanics-wise, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 combines the features of the earlier productions by Traveller's Tales, including the distinct sense of humor, with more serious elements of Harry Potter productions by e.g. EA. The game is set in a partially open world and features many varied activities, such as magic lessons, potion making or flying a broomstick.
Red Dead Revolver (PS2)
Action 03 May 2004
A third-person perspective action game developed by Rockstar Games, a company known for Grand Theft Auto and Midnight Club series. The game features a Western setting, starting during the final years of 19th century and the player assumes the role of Red, a man filled with lust for revenge. During his early years he witnessed the death of his parents at the hands of Mexican bandits that wanted to claim possession of a gold mine located on Red’s parent’s land. After many years he returns to his homeland and his main objective is to kill as many thugs as possible. The game, considered to be a Wild West version of Grand Theft Auto, is mostly about completing story missions and dueling based on the best movie westerns. The developers provided the characteristic style of the Wild West and recreated locations, buildings and characters that are typical of the genre. The players also have access to thirty different weapons, including revolvers, shotguns, rifles and explosives.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)
Action 17 November 2004
The third major installment in the stealth game series developed and published by Konami and a continuation of the Metal Gear franchise, created by Hideo Kojima back in the eighties. The game takes place in 1964 on Soviet Union territory. The player becomes a special operative, code-named Snake, whose current task is to extract a Russian scientist working on a mobile, nuclear-capable launch platform. Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, for the first time in the series, takes the action from industrial area to a jungle. This led to the addition of completely new movements for the main protagonist, who now fights not only humans, but animals as well. The developers also implemented a new close quarter combat system and improved character's range of movement, which now allows you to change your position while holding enemy as a human shield.
Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven (PS2)
Action 28 January 2004
A 3D action game that takes the players to the 1930’s USA, the time when criminal underground flourished. The game was created by Czech developer Illusion Softworks, mainly known for the highly acclaimed tactical shooter Hidden & Dangerous. The story focuses on a rookie gangster named Tommy, who takes his first steps on the path of criminal life by doing jobs for an influential mafia family. Gameplay comes down to exploration of a virtual city and completing a string of story missions, featuring many subplots. While playing, you will engage in street shootouts, bank heists, car pursuits, and assassinations. The creators did their best to recreate the evocative atmosphere of the USA in the 1930s, and implemented weapons and cars from that period. Insanity 2 game engine made it possible to generate interactive, bustling city with road traffic and changing seasons.
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (PS2)
Action canceled
A continuation of one of the entries in the LEGO series developed by Traveller’s Tales. The players once again assume the role of Indiana Jones, a famous archeologist/adventurer, and lead him through a number of events that took place in the original trilogy and the newest entry in the series – Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. In contrast to the previous installment, we’ve been given a number of new features and additional vehicles, while the titular hero had received a number of new animations and a more useful whip that allows him to pull his opponents in. The levels are now characterized by a high degree of interactivity, as we can use almost any item as a melee or a ranged weapon. As always, the players can switch between the available characters on the fly, or invite a friend to join our session. Aside from Story and Free Play modes, LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues offers an extensive level editor which can also be used to share our works with other players.
God of War (2005) (PS2)
Action 22 March 2005
An action-adventure game that tells the story of Kratos – once a Spartan warrior, currently the servant of Olympus. The protagonist isn’t a flawless, noble warrior – he is a specialist when it comes to “dirty work”.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2)
Action 06 June 2006
A spin-off to the iconic Grand Theft Auto series. The game was first developed for the PlayStation Portable handheld console. The story of Liberty City Stories takes place a few years before the events shown in GTA3, on the streets of the same metropolis. During the game player becomes Tony Cipriani who after coming to the city is caught up in the dirt of corruption, mafia wars, and drug traffic. The objective of the game is to work for the Leone mafia family, increase its influences and build up Tony’s reputation in the criminal underworld. The gameplay of GTA: Liberty City Stories employs the well-received mechanics of the series and offers an open world filled with story missions and side activities alike. As always in the series, there are many vehicles (including motorcycles, motorboats, trains and ferries) and weapons to use. However, due to the limitations of the PSP console, some things were slightly simplified.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PS2)
Action 06 March 2007
Another spin-off to the legendary series of sandbox action games, developed by Rockstar Games for the PlayStation Portable console. As the title of the game suggests, its action is related to GTA: Vice City. The title takes place in 1984, two years before the events shown in the other game. The main protagonist is Victor Vance – an ex-soldier who currently works for various gangsters. By completing various jobs given to him by mafia bosses he slowly rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld. The gameplay isn’t very different from other installments of the series. However the developers added many new features such as the ability to swim, fly a helicopter or enter buildings. This made the game mechanics even more similar to the mechanics of full-fledged installments in the series. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories offers a large number of weapons and gadgets as well as a varied soundtrack that accompanies the player while driving cars.
Grand Theft Auto III (PS2)
Action 23 October 2001
Another installment in the controversial series of action games started in 1997. Grand Theft Auto III was developed by the authors of the original game, the DMA Design studio, this time under the wings of Rockstar. The third entry revolutionized the series by unleashing the players into an open, fully three-dimensional world brimming with virtual life. This was possible thanks to the RenderWare technology. The game takes place in Liberty City, a virtual adaptation of New York. The main protagonist is a young man named Claude who dreams about becoming the boss of the underworld and taking revenge on people who almost sent him to prison. The story of the game is non-linear and develops as the player completes dozens of assignments from various mafia bosses. A large arsenal of weapons can be useful in completing these tasks. The game also contains dozens of vehicles which – similarly as in the previous installments of the series – can be used with no limitations.
Resident Evil 4 (PS2)
Action 25 October 2005
The fourth major installment of the cult series of survival horrors created by Capcom. In the game the player assumes the role of ex-cop Leon S. Kennedy, a character well known from the second entry in the franchise. As a special agent responsible for protecting the presidential family, he goes to Europe in order to find the missing daughter of the US president. The trail leads to a small village in Spain. The village is controlled by a mysterious sect and the citizens are infected with a virus which causes mutations. During the game one will face hordes of zombies as well as more demanding bosses, such as giant monsters or the powerful leader of the sect, Osmund Saddler. Resident Evil 4 retains the dark feel of the previous installments and the game contains puzzles, but gameplay mechanics were greatly changed and the new engine allowed the developers to create faster and more dynamic action sequences. The game also contains many quick-time events.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PS2)
Action 13 November 2001
The fourth installment in the Metal Gear series created by Hideo Kojima. It is a direct sequel to the 1998's Metal Gear Solid. The game features two main story chapters. The first casts the player in the role of Solid Snake (the protagonist of the previous installments), whose job is to infiltrate a ship transporting a new variety of the eponymous mech. His other task is to stop a group of Russian mercenaries trying to obtain it. The second chapter of the story takes the player to a deep sea sewage treatment facility, overrun by a terrorist group known as Sons of Liberty. Here, the player is put in the shoes of a different agent called Raiden, Snake becomes the player's support and ally. In terms of gameplay mechanics, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty does not bring any significant changes to the solutions employed in the previous installment. However, the characters have a few more options of interaction with the game world. Thanks to the PlayStation 2 console's capabilities, the game features improved visuals and high-quality cutscenes.
Medal of Honor: European Assault (PS2)
Action 07 June 2005
Another console installment of the series of World War II first-person shooters developed by Electronic Arts. After a short trip to the Pacific this time the series goes back to European countries. The player assumes the role of Lieutenant William Holt, a commander who, together with his new squad, is selected to complete many secret special missions. He and his team can impact the outcome of four great battles that took place in France, North Africa, Stalingrad and in Ardennes. Medal of Honor: European Assault consists of 12 scenarios filled with various main and side objectives. During them the player will use 35 different weapons. In addition to improved graphics and physics, thanks to the use of the realistic engine Havok 2.0, a special Rally Mode was introduced to the series. After activating it the protagonist becomes temporarily invincible, moves faster and is able to kill enemies with a single shot.
Half-Life (PS2)
Action 30 November 2001
An FPS set in a science-fiction world, created by the debuting American studio Valve Software. The story takes place in secret research facility of Black Mesa and begins the main character of the game – Gordon Freeman - arrives at the facility. As a result of failed experiment that opened an inter-dimensional portal, the laboratory is invaded by aliens from planet Xen, and our protagonist has to fight for survival, facing not only alien creatures, but also soldiers of a special forces unit, sent in to cover up the disaster. The goal of the game is to escape from the destroyed facility with the assistance of its other workers. Half-Life has been acknowledged as a cornerstone of the FPS genre, skillfully combining FPP with horror elements and complex plot.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (PS2)
Action 02 December 2003
A continuation of the extremely successful action game from 2001. Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is once again developed by the Finnish developer Remedy Entertainment with the help from the publisher Take-Two Interactive. The action takes place one year after events of the first installment. Max Payne is back in NYPD. Unfortunately, the dark past still haunts him – the life of the hero is threatened by Mona – a beautiful killer, who steals his heart. There are not many changes in gameplay – it still combines elements of a third-person perspective shooter and an adventure game. Once again the developers implemented Bullet Time mechanics, offering new movement possibilities (like the thrilling bullet dodging).
Hitman: Blood Money (PS2)
Action 26 May 2006
The fourth installment in a popular game series about Agent 47, the perfect assassin, completing various contracts for the ICA organization. When its members are being meticulously eliminated and 47 loses contact with his superior, Diana Burnwood, he reaches the conclusion that he will become the next target. In order to save his skin 47 decides to stop the man behind the killings, Alexander Cayn, and his terrorist organization called the Franchise. When it comes to gameplay Hitman: Blood Money retains the core mechanics of the series, offering expansive missions whose objectives can be completed in many different ways. To do this we can use a wide arsenal of weapons, spearheaded by the silent and deadly fiber wire. The variety of moves and actions the protagonist can perform is greater than before, and the game offers a simple economy system. The money you earn lets you buy new deadly tools for your arsenal, weapon upgrades, and useful gadgets.
The Godfather (PS2)
Action 21 March 2006
An action game based on the novel by Mario Puzo and its movie adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola. You play as a thief, who makes his way into the world of the Corleone family. By doing various tasks for them, he climbs up the mafia career ladder and earns growing respect from other criminals. The game is set in New York, at the end of the 1940s and the beginning of the 1950s. The non-linear character of the gameplay allows you to choose the order of missions to complete as you wish. Like the Grand Theft Auto series, The Godfather features an open world, and the game is full of spectacular pursuits and shootouts, as the Corleone family has many enemies, e.g. Tattagalia, Cuneo or Stracci. The characters in the game are based on their movie counterparts, and are voiced by actors such as Marlon Brando, James Caan and Robert Duvall. The game features high-quality visuals and the music based on that from the movie.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (PS2)
Action 29 May 2004
Harry Potter and Azkaban Prisoner is the fourth game based on J.K. Rowling's books about the adventures of Harry Potter's title student and his two friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Call of Duty: World at War - Final Fronts (PS2)
Action 11 November 2008
A spectacular first-person shooter (FPS) set during the Second World War. The game was developed by Treyarch, Activision’s subsidiary. It’s three-chapter campaign spans across the years 1942-1945, being set on Southern Pacific and the Eastern front. We observe the events from the perspectives of three soldier (two Americans and one Russian), and we get to take part in such military operations as the defense of Stalingrad or the Battle of Okinawa. As usual in the Call of Duty series, the missions are heavily scripted to make the action seem more cinematic. Gameplay boils down to shooting sequences, in which we use a variety of historical weapons. In addition to a single player campaign the game also includes online multiplayer with new game modes: co-op and Nazi Zombie.
Shadow of the Colossus (2005) (PS2)
Action 14 October 2005
A third-person perspective fantasy action game created by Sony. It is one of the best-reviewed games in the history of PlayStation 2. Shadow of the Colossus follows a young traveler named Wander who explores a fantasy world on his horse. He is looking for a way to resurrect a girl burdened with a cursed fate. The only way to do it is by defeating the sixteen colossi that live in various regions of the world. The gameplay focuses solely on searching for the colossi and fighting them in epic, very challenging duels. Each of the enemies is many times larger than the main protagonist and must be defeated using a different strategy. The key to defeating them is to find their weak points and hit them with a sword enough times. Depending on enemy type, it might require the player to shoot arrows from a bow, climb on the giant body of the colossus or use the environments to his advantage.
The Getaway (PS2)
Action 11 December 2002
The first part of the famous series of action games, modelled on the cult "Grand Theft Auto 3". We play one of two possible characters and perform risky tasks on the streets of London. The game is distinguished by a lot of freedom of action.
Tomb Raider: Legend (PS2)
Action 07 April 2006
The seventh major installment of the Tomb Raider series. As the previous parts of the game were not received very well, a new studio – Crystal Dynamics, with Toby Gard, the creator of the original series, in its ranks – was entrusted with the game. Setting-wise, the title goes back to its roots, which means exploring ancient tombs and catacombs. During the gameplay you will visit a number of exotic locations, including Himalayas, Bolivia, Peru, Japan, Ghana, Malaysia, England, and Kazakhstan. The production offers new skills, weapons, and a whole new range of useful gadgets unavailable before. Lara’s character has also changed, both mentally and visually. The graphics are powered by a new engine, which allows for bigger interaction with the environment and changing weather conditions.
