The PlayStation 2 holds the title of the best-selling video game console ever, boasting an extensive library filled with a diverse assortment of games across numerous genres. Whether you’re in the mood to snipe foes, shred the slopes, or fly exhilarating missions, the PS2 has you covered with acclaimed titles like Silent Scope, SSX, and Ace Combat 4.
This generation of gaming saw significant improvements in hardware capabilities compared to its predecessor, enhancing gamers’ experiences through bigger and better titles. However, if you’re short on time or prefer a more concise gaming experience, the PS2 still presents an abundance of short games perfect for a quick replay or an engaging evening.
By consulting the How Long To Beat database, I’ve compiled a list of several beloved PS2 titles that can be completed in under ten hours. Here’s a selection of those memorable games.
10 The Bouncer
A Guilty Pleasure
Originally criticized for its brief playtime of under 3 hours, The Bouncer has since developed a beloved niche among fans who cherish its campy charm and unique storytelling. You’ll engage in a cinematic 3D brawler experience as you navigate a quest to save Sion’s girlfriend, Dominique, alongside characters like Kou and Volt, each with distinct fighting styles. The game encourages multiple playthroughs, ensuring a rewarding experience with different character move unlocks and campaign variations.
9 Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies
Mobius One. Engage!
Renowned as one of the finest flight simulations available on PS1 and PS2, Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies delivers excitement in its four-hour campaign. Players can jump into various fighter jets while engaging in thrilling dogfights. While many enjoy the story elements, the game remains inviting for those just looking for arcade-like shooting fun. With the entire series maintaining the same standard of excellence, fans are gifted with numerous options to explore afterward.
8 Time Crisis 2
Action! Reload!
A staple of arcades that successfully translates to home consoles, Time Crisis 2 is my top pick among Namco’s lightgun classics on the PS2. It can be enjoyed in as little as half an hour, offering intense combat and various unique gameplay features, including a clay pigeon mode. Utilizing a pedal enhances the gameplay, allowing for tactical coverage – a refreshing change from the other offerings of this genre.
7 Crash Bandicoot: Twinsanity
A Return To Form
After a mixed reception with The Wrath of Cortex, Twinsanity reestablished the franchise’s 3D platforming charm. This title can be completed in approximately 5 hours, highlighting intense action and creative gameplay shifts as players navigate alongside Cortex, Crash’s longtime rival. The quirky all-acapella soundtrack uniquely enhances the experience, showcasing the game’s imaginative direction.
6 Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil
An Underrated Masterpiece
Often overlooked, Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil stands as one of the most enchanting platformers on the PS2, characterized by its 2.5D gameplay and stunning visuals. This six-hour journey takes players through beautifully crafted environments while introducing engaging mechanics that expand Klonoa’s ability to manipulate enemies. The gameplay is crafted meticulously, allowing for both easy accessibility and complex challenges.
5 Max Payne
Neo Noir At Its Finest
Max Payne delivers a gripping narrative in tandem with its innovative bullet-time mechanics, allowing for a unique third-person shooter experience. Its release came shortly after the iconic The Matrix, expertly capturing the nuances of dodging bullets while escalating the level of difficulty based on player success. The dramatic graphics and compelling storytelling conveyed through graphic-novel style cutscenes make for a captivating title.
4 Shadow of the Colossus
Are We The Bad Guys?
Often regarded as one of the most visually captivating games, Shadow of the Colossus embarks players on an epic quest to defeat massive creatures known as Colossi. This challenging title, which can be completed in under 8 hours, fuses gripping puzzle elements with action-packed segments as you venture throughout a breathtaking landscape. The ethical complexities of battling seemingly peaceful giants add nuance to the gameplay, prompting reflection on the nature of both heroism and villainy.
3 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
A Tale of Time
In Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, players are introduced to an exhilarating blend of combat and intricate puzzles. Your character’s agility shines as you navigate formidable ruins and adversaries, enhanced with the power of the ‘Dagger of Time’ which grants the ability to rewind moments. This richly detailed adventure can be completed in under 9 hours, and its combination of storytelling and gameplay mechanics allows for a truly immersive experience that resonates with players.
2 Onimusha: Warlords
Curse You, Water Puzzle
Onimusha: Warlords introduces players to an enthralling narrative where you battle demons in an alternate Japan. Featuring satisfying combat mechanics blended with immersive adventure puzzle elements, the game offers a broad range of challenges that contribute to the overall experience. Clocking in under 5 hours, players may find themselves entangled in the intricacies of its puzzles, such as the notorious water puzzle that could prolong gameplay for those slightly challenged in that department.
1 Zone of the Enders
Another Kojima Masterpiece
Created by the famed Hideo Kojima, Zone of the Enders features engaging mech-based combat combined with a captivating storyline. Despite criticisms over its combat simplicity, the game remains enjoyable and accessible, with an estimated completion time of 6 hours. The sequel, The Second Runner, continues the thrilling gameplay experience. Both titles showcase a perfect blend of fast-paced action and complex storytelling, making them essential plays on the PS2.
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