PS2 Action Video Games

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.

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.

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.

PS2

Action 27 April 2004

The third installment of the cult series about the great warriors of Onimusha. In order to stop evil, the main characters, Samanosuke Akechi and Jacques Branc, have to visit foreign worlds and look for a recipe for victory there, while discovering what they really have in common.

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.

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”.

PS2

Action 24 February 2006

The Black story takes you to Eastern Europe, where as one of the members of a special strike group you are fighting terrorism. You have at your disposal a standard arsenal, known from FPS games, with the difference that this time it has been truly "pampered".

PS2

Action 23 January 2009

Developed once again by Crystal Dynamics, another installment of the third-person perspective adventure series started in 1996. Tomb Raider: Underworld is a continuation of the events from previous parts of the series and concentrates on the search for artifacts connected with the Nordic god Thor. On her journey, Lara Croft visits new locations, like Thailand and south Mexico, and dives in the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic Ocean. The game offers elements characteristic for the series, like exploring tombs in places associated with mythical realms of death: Xibalba, Valhalla, or Niflheim. The game’s mechanics remain mostly unchanged, but the gameplay has become more non-linear. Lara has a new set of tricks and a useful gadget – a rope with a grappling hook. Graphics were changed also and now they have more dark and gloomy atmosphere.

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.

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.

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.

PS2

Action 05 July 2006

Shinobido is the responsibility of the people who created the first two parts of the famous Tenchu saga, stretching back to the first PlayStation. Just like this well-known series, Acquire's production takes up the subject of ninja - a Japanese murderer and mercenary, in which we have a chance to take on the role.

PS2

Action 16 October 2001

Developed by an internal development studio of Capcom, a third-person perspective action game emphasizing its dynamic, very spectacular combat system. Originally, the game was intended to be another installment in the Resident Evil franchise. The plot of Devil May Cry is set in a modern setting on the fictional Mallet Island. During gameplay you follow a dark warrior named Dante – half-man, half-demon – who must face the ruler of the underground world Mundus, who was defeated thousands of years before by Dante’s father. The action revolves around skillful elimination of waves of enemies with the use of gradually-upgraded tools of destruction. Each stage is rated on a special scale that examines your time, fighting style, items used, and damage received. Interestingly, Dante can transform into a demon for a short period of time, during which, surrounded by a special aura, he spreads destruction even more vigorously.

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.

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.

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.

PS2

Action 07 November 2006

The third main installment in the popular FPS series, Call of Duty. It is also the first game in the franchise (not counting the console spin-offs) that in the end was not released on PCs. In contrast to the previous installments, this time the game was developed by Treyarch – the authors of the console version of Call of Duty 2. The plot of the game once again takes place on various fronts of World War II. This time one can play as American, British, Canadian, and Polish soldiers. The game mechanics remained almost unchanged in comparison to the previous games. However, there are several novelties. The developers implemented parachute drops and gave complete control over vehicles and boats to the player. Interactions with the surrounding were greatly improved. Overall realism has been improved – bullets behave different depending on what type of material they hit. Multiplayer mode was enhanced as well – now players can play in different roles and communicate using special commands.

PS2

Action 18 January 2005

Another high-budget representative of Square/Enix console RPGs. This time the game was based on the popular anime series in Japan, telling the adventures of a young alchemist in a magical world full of monsters, evil powers and cruel technology.

PS2

Action 18 November 2003

Action/FPS game based on the themes of one of the most interesting comic series created by Jean Van Hamme. The player becomes an agent who has to overcome the dangers hanging over the world.

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.

PS2

Action 29 September 2003

In alternative history, the Soviet Union wins the Cold War with the West and the Red Army invades the United States. The player becomes a member of the resistance movement fighting against the occupation forces.

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.

PS2

Action 01 March 2005

The third installment in the third-person perspective action hack-and-slash series. The story of Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening takes place before the events shown in the first installment of the series. It reveals more details about Dante’s past and motivations. The gameplay mechanics return to the roots of the series while adding an innovative feature – the possibility to choose a combat style, slightly altering Dante's abilities. Depending on personal preferences, the style can emphasize powerful melee attacks (Swordmaster), defense & counterattacks (Royal Guard), firearms (Gunslinger), or mobility (Trickster). Other gameplay elements remain the same – the player will face numerous opponents at once and participate in dynamic action sequences while accompanied by a heavy metal soundtrack.

PS2

Action 17 April 2002

The Operative: No One Lives Forever is an action adventure game by Monolith Productions studio developers. Players are directed by Cate Archer, an agent of the top secret intelligence agency UNITY, which is trying to expose the activities of the sinister organization H.A.R.M. The creators have planned 15 dangerous missions played on 60 boards. The game also offers the option of multiplayer fun, in which 16 people can participate.

PS2

Action 12 October 2004

Sequel - a great action/TPP game by Terminal Reality development team, whose market debut took place in May 2003. Once again we play the title character BloodRayne - a half-man, a half-vampire - who fights against supernatural forces threatening the world.

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.

PS2