Even though the PlayStation 2 collection is considered one?? of the greatest of all time, many hidden gems slipped through the cracks. S??ome titles didn't quite get the attention they deserved, whether due to an overshadowing of a big hit release or a simple overglance. It's time to give them their time in the spotlight with our 10 most underrated PS2 games.

GUN

When you think of Western-styled games, the Red Dead Redemption series is probably the first one that comes to mind. But before this franchise took off, PlayStation 2 had titles like Red Dead Revolver and GUN. While Red Dead Revolver could be seen as a hidden gem, GUN is definitely the more underrated one.

It's curious to me why GUN fell off the radar, especially since it actually feels a lot more like Red Dead Redemption than Red Dead Revolver. The title came with plenty of open-world adventures, including side missions and riding horseback around its extensive map. GUN's storyline was memorable, too, as you follow the retaliatory journe??y of Colton, a gunslinger who wants to take out those who did him wrong. Its action-packed opener alone reels you in, but there are certainly other stimulating mo??ments that are just as good, if not better.

Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit

Indigo Prophecy /Fahrenheit is one of the most under??rated Quantic Dream titles that didn't get much popularity in the PS2 days. I didn't even know about it when it was first released until I discovered it in my late teens. It was something I was always looking fo?r that combines murder mystery, life simulation, and significantly impactful choices.

Playing the role of a murderer and having a cop chase you was one of the stand-out features I wish we had more of in games. I often questioned myself on whether I should move the investigation further along or allow a killer to slip through the cracks. It's an intriguing conundrum that instilled more replayability just to see what other shenanigans you can get into. Though, I will say that Indigo Prophecy has some ?bizarre lore that isn't too logical. The Quantic Dream title is still an underrated gem, nonetheless, especially with the intense first half of the ??game.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Every year, I find myself nostalgically hoping for a remake or remaster of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Among the trilogy collection, the third installment stands out as the best, with its captivating combat ??and unique elements that diverge from the film. It's a game? that I can only hold onto with my memories since you can't really play it anywhere else besides the PlayStation 2.

Everyo??ne you love from the series is in their prime, taking you on ??three distinct storyline paths: the Wizard, King, and Hobbits. Having so many characters, including Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf, makes the game feel more prominent, even if you can play the title in just a few short hours. The co-op features were also a nice touch that made the long trek to Mordor all the more worth it. After all, who wouldn't want to fight side by side with a friend?

As a Lord of the Rings fan, living through the events of the heroic Fellowship of the Ring members was a dream come true as a kid. What's more, I loved seeing the all-new aspects that weren't present in the film, including a great battle between Gandalf and hordes of orcs. I just wish the PS2 Return of the King got m??ore attention to finally greenlight the remaster it deserves.

The Sims Bustin' Out

Almost every Simmer I know began their life-simming journey on PC, mainly because of mods and easy-to-use mechanics. For me, it all started with The Sims Bustin' Out on PlayStation 2, an incredibly underrated game that I believe is the best of them all. Yes, the Sims franchise has heavy hitters like the fan-favorite Sims 2 and the more modern fourth installment. But Bustin' Out continues to be at the top of my list.

The Sims Bustin' Out shines a spotlight? on a feature that doesn't appear too often in the franchise: a linear storyline. There are times when I don't want to embark on the complex journey of creating a family legacy, and I crave a more straightforward path, which this game provides. The journey begins at your mom's house and unfolds as you climb the career ladder, unlocking new locations with each significant promotion. It feels much more interesting this way since you never know what type of house you'll live in next.

The goals of each household are also fun to clear, providing new social interactions and items in Build Mode. They added more personality to classic Sims characters with objectives themed after their personalities. You could flip off Dudley Landgraab to match his careless trailer life or unlock break-dancing by becoming friends with the Club Rubb employee. There were just way more opportunities to get to know these NPCs, which hasn't been that prevalent in the Sims' newest iterations.

Okami

The Okami sequel reveal during the Game ?Awards 2024 was one of the most surprising parts of the show, given how the game flew under the rad??ar initially. Back when it was released in 2006, the PlayStation 3 was on its way to launch, causing many players to miss out on this grand adventure. Regardless, it still garnered many positive reviews despite not being commercially successful.  

The majestic quest of A??materasu, the Japanese sun goddess who takes on the form of a white wolf, is unlike anything I've experienced before. Not only does it immerse you in Japanese myths and folklore, but it also gives you the distinct power to end enemies with a stroke of a paintbrush. Or, in this case, a wolf's tail. Almost anything you can imagine can be drawn by Amaterasu's Celestial Brush techniques, such as Cherry Bombs, a cure from cursed plants, and water lilies to walk across water.

Although Okami di?dn't get as much recognition during its initial launch and the years that followed after, it's starting to make its way out of the underrated class. We'll have to see if the upcoming sequel will give it some justice, where everyone will know of the great Amaterasu.

Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3

You're likely thinking: how could a title from one of the world's most popular anime be considered underrated? I was hesitant to put Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 on this list, but compared to the popularity of the franchise's other titles, I rarely hear about this gem. It usually gets overshined by Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which became successful enough to get the spiritual successor, Sparking Zero.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 gave me a lot of fond memories, kicking back with my cousins and brother as we duked it out in battle. The roster felt top-tier then, bringing in over 150 characters from Dragon Ball, GT, and Z. Utilizing their robust combos was the most satisfying feature, and I remember I used to imitate them in real life to be just as cool as them. Though, I did ha??ve to take a break from the game after my mom caught me repeating Vegeta's "Drop dead!" At least now, it's a funny memory.

Fatal Frame

The first time I lived through the horrors of Fatal Frame was back when they sent out game compilation demos in the mail. I probably shouldn't have been playing it at the ripe age of six, but it was still one of the most thrilling gameplay I've experienced in my life. However, despite my positive yet scared impressions of it, I was surprised that it wasn't really on anyone's list of favorite PS2 horror games. It's possible that it got overshadowed by the big hits such as the Resident Evil or Silent Hill series.

What made Fatal Frame different from the rest was the ability to get rid of ghosts through a camera. Any time you're in a room, things could?? seem peaceful through the naked eye, but once you whip camera mode, you start to see the horrors hidden inside. Taking out the paranormal with a simple camera shot differentiates from the usual guns-blazing route, adding a unique twist to t?he horror genre.

The Warriors

During the golden age of the PlayStation 2, film video game adaptations were just starting to find their footing. We've already seen it with the likes of LOTR: Return of the King, and now we'll dig into another PS2 treasure with The Warriors. Whether you're a fan of the film or not, the game is a timeless beat 'em up, where every battle feels like a cinematic showdown. It's the perfect game to unwind and release any pent-up frustration, o??ne virt??ual punch at a time.

The Warriors is just plain fun to play with its immersive combat system of weapons and fistful brawls. It also uniquely expands the film by introducing new concepts to its lore with prequel features. I know there's a lot of desire out there for Rockstar Games remakes, considering the apparent choices of Bully and GTA San Andreas, but I'm still hoping that The Warriors somehow makes it in? there. Maybe then, it will get the attention it dese??rves.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves

Like Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, you wouldn't necessarily classify a Sly Cooper title as underrated. The series made a big name for itself on the PlayStation 2, starting with the hit Sly Cooper and the Thievious Racoonus. Besides the original, Band of Thieves is likely the fan-favorite, but for me, Honor Among Thieves is Sly Cooper ?at its peak. After all these ??years, I don't understand why the third installment isn't talked about more. It's got the most lively maps, a whimsical character ensemble, and many unforgettable missions.

Playing Honor Among Thieves is the most fun I've experienced in a game. There was something exciting about finding new members of the Cooper gang, in which every chapter felt dif?ferent from the last. Thieving is, of course, the main part of the gameplay, but there are many more elements to it to diversify gameplay. One day, you'll enter a flying competition, while the next, you'll take on the role of a pirate and embark on treasure hunts.

Honor Among Thieves is a heartfelt tribute to Sly Cooper fans, weaving together loose ends from its predecessors and reuniting us with beloved characters. With Sly 3's arri?val on the PlayStation Store, there's hope it will gain the recognition it shou??ld've gotten long ago and perhaps even become the next fan-favorite.

Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

When it comes to discussing the best Star Wars games, titles like Knights of The Old Republic, Jedi Survivor, and The Force Unleashed often dominate the conversation. However, one game that's often overlooked is Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith. While the movie was a massive success, the game didn't quite recei??ve the ?same level of recognition.

I remember picking it up at a local Blockbuster and getting completely hooked on it within the first hour. The PS2 Revenge of the Sith truly made you feel like a Jedi, even if you dabble in the Dark Side a little. There are some pretty ?cool moves, like Force Push and Force Lightning, where you don't even need a lightsaber to eliminate enemies. You also indulge in legendary battles of beloved characters, such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda.

If you have watched the film already, you'll get insight into never-before-seen scenes, including a deeper look into Anakin's vicious Jedi Temple takeover. Plus, there's an alternate ending that would change everything you know about Star Wars if it ever became canon.

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