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Cult Classics: PlayStation 2 Article
PlayStation 2 Article by Eurogamer staff
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"Look out for more PS2 Cult Classics in future, following a break for GDC." Well, we didn't say how long the break would be. Finally, then, we return to complete our mission: to dig out the quirkiest and least-publicised gems in the PlayStation 2's monstrous back catalogue. Today and tomorrow we'll complete our mammoth rundown following parts one, two and three, published in February, as we turn the EG Retro light back on at the spearhead of a minor revival. Backward and onward!
Yakuza
- Publisher: SEGA
- Developer: SEGA
We're hardly short of gangster epics, so it's always a shame when something that brings a spark of difference to the genre gets overlooked. So it was with this violent adventure, set in the Japanese underworld. The absence of vehicles and a focus on hand-to-hand combat probably made it seem less enticing to those expecting Grand Theft Auto: Tokyo, especially since the free-roaming elements were more Shenmue than Vice City, but for those willing to invest in its long-term levelling system the experience is narratively rich and packed with impressive set-pieces. The third game in the series is currently in development for PS3, but because Europe was so mean first time around it's only been confirmed for Japan and the US.
What we said: "Definitely more than the sum of its parts, and a rare case of a game getting there before Hollywood."
Ebay price guide: Less than a quid - yes, really!
Odin Sphere
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Vanillaware
An old-school scrolling beat-'em-up dressed up in an extravagant RPG bonnet, Odin Sphere sits alongside Okami as the sort of game that is both too different and too fancy to ever happily sit on European shelves. Forcing it to rub shoulders with Need For Speed and Generic Kid Movie Tie-In Part 4 would be like serving haute cuisine in Burger King. Of course, it's all very earnest and twee - the game unfolds as a series of five books being read by a little girl - but the art style should enchant anyone with a soul. Animated like a sort of 2D stop motion, it brings to mind the delicate intricacies of Asian shadow puppetry (if you're cultured) or Ivor the Engine (if you're me).
What we said: "Artistically Odin Sphere is one of the most marvellous videogames we've yet played."
Ebay price guide: Between GBP 15 and GBP 20
Dragon Quest: Journey of the Cursed King
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Level 5
The Dragon Quest series is huge in Japan, even more successful than Final Fantasy, and yet it's never been anything more than a curious footnote in Europe. This is completely barmy, a bit like deciding never to watch a De Niro movie because Al Pacino exists. This eighth entry in the series makes our cultural dismissal of the series even more ludicrous. An absolute beast of a game, epic in scope and stunningly realised, with cel-shaded character designs from the bloke who invented Dragon Ball Z, it offers pretty much everything that makes Final Fantasy such a hit, but with the delightful whiff of freshness that comes from the unfamiliar. Seriously, even if you just consider yourself a casual RPG fan, you need to experience it.
What we said: "Elegant but simple, tired but fresh, grinding but impelling, derivative but engrossing, silly but serious, gentle but bitchy, easy going but tough-as-nails."
Ebay price guide: Around GBP 10
Are you excited about Odin Sphere on PlayStation 2?
View Eurogamer readers most anticipated games
Related Games
Gitaroo Man
Shox
Gregory Horror Show
Blood Will Tell
Bombastic
Dragon Quest: Journey of the Cursed King
Yakuza
Steambot Chronicles
Fantavision
Shadow Hearts
Odin Sphere
Release Date Out now!
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'It was mentally fast, frantic, and hugely addictive as all good arcade racing games should be - the mystery is why so few people were sold on it...'
Er... poor or no marketing? That'll do it. Same as Okami, Yakuza, The Dreamcast, PSP, PS3, etc... then. Goodness knows why there's an assumption that everyone on the planet should 'just know' about £40 console games (or £300 consoles), and automatically, and without any convincing, just make their way to stores, place hand in pocket and make a purchase. No sympathy for failed games (and their developer / publisher) that were poorly marketed or not marketed anywhere but on gaming websites. Example - I'm currenly at the bottom of this page, but have no idea which game is being advertised at the top of the page. Is it still Soul Calibur IV? I've seen that ad so many times - and I'd already made my purchasing decision after watching the trailers. Non hardcore gamers are unlikey to see these trailers as I watched them here and on XBL. Non hardcore gaming people also don't come to this site. So us, the hardcore have already been informed about this game. Great way to capture a new, wide audience!
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 18/08/08 @ 08:08
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JohnnyWashnGo
18/08/08 @ 07:55
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Wow - quite timely.
I came across Odin Shere in my collection last week - I bought it a while back and never unwrapped it. Imagine my surprise when I booted it up and started to play the game - its fantastic in every way. |
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groovychainsaw
18/08/08 @ 08:42
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Heh - I picked up dragon quest in asda for... £2.99! Sounds like i got a bit of a bargain - Just need to finish the other 4 JRPGs I have on the go at the moment...
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andywilkie35
18/08/08 @ 08:55
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@ nekotcha
if you get a chance i really recommend it, one of the best RPGs i've played, i've been tempted to start a new game of it and this article might just make me do that! |
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rhinoxious
18/08/08 @ 09:21
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I'm such a hoarder of half-finished games already, these kinds of aricles really don;t help!
In fact I very rarely play the second half of anything these days, too many good games, too many unplayed classics, and there's barely a genre I don't like. Does anyone else have the same problem? |
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Agent_Llama
18/08/08 @ 09:31
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Some great games in there - Fantavision and Steambot are both underrated gems IMHO, in fact Fantavision was the only game I got when the PS2 launched as nothing else was of interest. Has an ace soundtrack too.
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I just want to add that Dragon Quest: Journey of the Cursed king is the best game I've played on my PS2. Absolutely beautiful game in every way. It even comes with two endings and a brutal after-the-game-has-ended-twice extra quest! It took me well over 100 hours to complete the game too! I love epic games..
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Triggerhappytel
18/08/08 @ 09:57
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rhinoxious - I have the same problem, pal. I don't play any sports games, but currently have about 8 RPGs I need to start or partially played, about another 6 or 8 action/adventures and probably another 8 or 10 in other genres. It doesn't help that I've been buying tons of cheap PS2 games over the last couple of years as my collection is growing faster than I can complete the games.
Anyway, good article, and well done to a shout out for Yakuza. Great brawler/RPG, and I'm looking forward to the sequel coming out next month. I implore all Yak fans to buy it new to convince Sega we do like this series, if they can only give it a bit more prominence. Not sure about Dragon Quest VIII being here though. I mean, I loved the game (probably my favourite RPG since I played FFVI in about 2003), but surely it sold far too well to appear in a cult article? |
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Dragon Quest a cult classic? It was huge when it came out... I never got into it myself. Yes, the music and graphics were lovely, but I found it punishingly difficult far too early on and a little bit too old school, if you know what I mean. That and Yangus' cockney accent drove me insane. Oh well. At least they mentioned Shadow Hearts. I love that series - got all three, second one's the best if you ask me - and definitely think it deserves more praise than it gets.
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Godz_Mercenary
18/08/08 @ 10:51
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Well done for adding Gregory Horror Show on that list. Totally amazing game. I think I'm only one of ten who played it though.
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That and Yangus' cockney accent drove me insane.
You. Outside. Now. Each to their own of course, but the voice-acting was a real highlight of DQVIII (tJotCK, man you have to love silly overblown JRPG names) for me, and Yangus (voiced of course by the mighty Ricky Grover) was a particular favourite. |
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Waffleaber
18/08/08 @ 11:09
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I have still got a load of PS2 games to get through but since I got my HDTV it just makes them look worse. Anybody got any recommendations, like the component cable i've got for my wii, to fix this?
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absolutezero
18/08/08 @ 11:55
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I don't know whether to be proud or not that I own most of the games in this list.
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wingzerosys
18/08/08 @ 14:17
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I already own Yakuza, Gregory Horror Show, Gitarooman (PS2 and PSP) and Global Defence Force.
Steambot, Odin Sphere and Blood Will Tell sound tempting, but I've got Forbidden Siren 1, 2 and Project Zero 3 to get too. Aswell as Yakuza 2, hopefully Yakuza 3 will be released here too at some point. |
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retr0gamer
18/08/08 @ 14:27
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I found Shadow Hearts to be pretty crap in all honesty. The sequels were much better.
Nice to see GDF there, it really is a much better game than EDF on the 360. It has for more enemy types (the centipede is amazing to witness) and playing as Pale Wing is like playing a different game. It's a shame DQVIII didn't do as well here as it should have as it's far better than the muck that Square Enix have been pumping out of their in house dev teams lately. Really loved Odin Sphere but it isn't for everyone, it's a very difficult game and can be rather repetitive. Must start of Steambot Chronicles and Blood will Tell after I finish Odin Sphere. |
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@rhinoxious
Yep! I always do this nowadays too. Too busy at work (like right now - I'm just so busy don't ya know)! It'd be nice if I could spectate online and watch other people finishing half of my game collection. Some single player games could really benefit from having a spectator mode on XBL... as I mentioned somewhere else yesterday. |
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Vermillion3000
18/08/08 @ 17:34
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Still absolutely love Fantavision. It remains on my gameshelf with pride - one of the few PS2 games that haven't had been relegated to the padded 64 capacity CD case instead of fully boxed glory.
I have occasionally dribbled whilst playing Fantavision - and that's while I was sober. There's definitely something about a game that'll make you dribble. *30 chain, 2 daisy - Very good* Love it. |
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IneptPercy
18/08/08 @ 19:29
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I actually managed to finish gregory horror show without a guide, I just had a lot of paper and a wall chart (and no girl friend at the time) and it all went well.
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