Some of the best PS2 games of all time had fantastically crafted stories, and we’re highlighting them here. The games we’re mentioning really got players emotionally invested in the characters and their arcs between all the requisite mayhem. Even over 20 years later, some of these titles feature some of the most memorable storytelling that the gaming medium has ever released.
These are the five best-written PS2 games ranked, each offering their own enduringly entertaining story.
5. Final Fantasy X
Between “Final Fantasy” and “Kingdom Hearts,” Square Enix had plenty of fan-favorite games with strong stories released for the PlayStation 2. We personally have to give it to “Final Fantasy X,” which felt like it heightened the level of RPG storytelling across the board. The 2001 game centers on Tidus, an athlete who arrives in the lush fantasy world of Spira after his home is destroyed by a malevolent entity known as Sin. Teaming up with a hearty band of heroes, Tidus and his strange companion Auron prepare to stop Sin from devastating Spira.
It takes a particularly long time to beat “Final Fantasy X,” but the gameplay and grandiose story makes it all feel rewarding. The game also features one of the most robust ensemble casts in the series, each with their own arcs throughout the campaign. But the highlight is the relationship between Tidus and Yuna, exploring the story’s ephemeral themes regarding reality and mortality. “Final Fantasy X” heralded Square Enix’s marquee franchise to the PS2, and the game’s dreamy story did not disappoint.
4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
“Grand Theft Auto” had a particularly prominent presence on the PlayStation 2, with the best-selling PS2 game of all time being “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” The third “GTA” title released for the console, the 2004 game introduced the fictional state of San Andreas, a pastiche of California and Nevada. The game’s story and setting are heavily inspired by early ’90s urban crime dramas like “Menace II Society” and “Boyz n the Hood,” right down to its time period. The protagonist, CJ Johnson, returns to his hometown to investigate his mother’s murder and help his street gang reclaim its former glory.
What gives “San Andreas” an edge over “Vice City,” as far as their stories are concerned, is that the 2004 title has a more personal motivation for its protagonist. It also has a far superior villain in Officer Tenpenny, played with the usual intense cool by Samuel J. Jackson. The game also fills out its sun-baked Southwestern setting with a bigger map than any “GTA” title before it, complete with colorful personalities and side quests. A high point for the series at the time, “San Andreas” boasts the best “GTA” villains and is elevated by its clear cinematic influences.
3. God of War II
Sony Interactive Entertainment
How do you continue a revenge story after that initial vendetta has seemingly been satisfyingly fulfilled? That’s the question going into “God of War II,” with the 2007 game picking up after returning Kratos has killed Ares and ascended to become the new God of War. Betrayed and depowered by Zeus, Kratos vows his revenge, putting him on a collision course with the entire pantheon. This drives Kratos into an alliance with the Titans, who have their own grudge against Zeus and his Olympian cohorts.
“God of War” always had more of a story than the standard hack-and-slash title but it takes things to the next level with “God of War II.” The sequel finds more ambitious ways to incorporate classic Greek mythology into its saga while keeping a close eye on Kratos’ raw vengeance. It’s with this game that the consequences of Kratos’ unchecked fury begins to really come into focus, which is only heightened in subsequent titles. An important chapter in the stunning transformation of “God of War,” the 2007 PS2 sequel heightened the spectacle without compromising its emotional core.
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Hideo Kojima revolutionized storytelling in video games, primarily through his “Metal Gear” franchise. The series was really hitting its stride on the PlayStation 3, reaching its pinnacle with 2004’s prequel “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.” The earliest story in the entire “Metal Gear” timeline, the game follows American special forces soldier Naked Snake after he’s deployed deep into the Soviet Union. Tasked with tracking down his mentor who seemingly betrayed him, Snake evades the Soviet military as he closes in on his targets.
“Metal Gear Solid 3” feels like the full realization of the stealth-oriented gameplay that Kojima envisioned for the series. At the same time, the title retains Kojima’s sharp attention to detail, different strategies to get the job done, and, of course, cinematic storytelling. With its ’60s setting, Kojima is taking heavy influence from James Bond movies, as well as other American military thrillers and war movies. Arguably the best Hideo Kojima game of all time, “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater” is an earnest tale of duty and betrayal that fires on all creative cylinders.
1. Silent Hill 2 (2001)
While the original “Silent Hill” introduced its creepy titular small town and an eerie missing persons mystery, the horror series elevated its storytelling significantly with its 2001 sequel. “Silent Hill 2” follows widower James Sunderland as he arrives in town when he receives a letter from his late wife directing him there to reunite. As James explores Silent Hill, he meets other troubled individuals with their own deep-seated trauma that becomes more apparent as he progresses. This investigation is mired by the town turning into a monster-filled nightmarish version of itself reflecting James’ own dark past and raging inner demons.
“Silent Hill 2” is an essential horror video game that everyone needs to play at least once, and most of that importance comes from the strength of its story. Finding out what haunts the main characters, especially James and what actually happened to his wife, draws gamers into the experience. When that final twist plot hits, it still stands as one of the most disturbing reveals in the series, which can be paid off in the game’s multiple endings. Among the greatest horror games of all time, “Silent Hill 2” is a deep dive into one’s own heart of darkness.
