What PS 2 game should I buy?

[Glengoyne]

I'm years behind the console trend, but I've now got a PS 2. What game should I buy for my birthday.

Right now I'm leaning toward Star Wars Battlefront.

I know you guys know this stuff. Come clean.

[spleen1015]

God of War
Any of the GTA games
Final Fantasy XII

[Pyser]

guitar hero

[Easy Mac]

Having never played a PS2, I say Guitar Hero

[spleen1015]

Forgot about that. Guitar Hero is a must.

[Eaglesfan27]

Final Fantasy XII is a great game.

[cartman]

Mike Tyson's Punchout

[sabotai]

Final Fantasy X and XII
Final Fantasy VII and IX should run on the PS2 as well (they are PS (one) games)
God of War
Gran Turismo (I liked 3 more than 4, fwiw)
Grand Theft Auto
Kingdom Hearts

[Glengoyne]

So what is the concept of Guitar Hero?

I mean I kind of get it. You have a guitar controller and "play" along?

Do you have to actually hit chords? Is this guitar Karaoke? Does it take skill?

Do you actually learn the guitar along the way?

[cartman]

So what is the concept of Guitar Hero?

I mean I kind of get it. You have a guitar controller and "play" along?

Do you have to actually hit chords? Is this guitar Karaoke? Does it take skill?

Do you actually learn the guitar along the way?

In the higher levels there are two note chords. The game definitely takes some skill, especially at the harder levels. However, I don't see any relation between actual guitar play and this game.

I've heard from many different places a dig at Guitar Hero that the only thing you have to do is hit a button and move a controller at the right time. But doesn't that describe just about any video game ever made?

[MJ4H]

Basically in Guitar Hero you push a button (roughly corresponding to pressing on a guitar fret) and strum the controller in time to lights on the screen (that indicate which frets/buttons to press) and this is in time to the guitar part in the music you are playing. No, it has no real resemblance to actually playing guitar, but it is still strangely satisfying in its own way. Yes it takes skill, a lot of it. Yes, almost everyone that plays it likes it.

[Glengoyne]

Oh one more question. Sort of an expansion on the Karaoke angle.

If you screw up, do you hear it? In other words are you actually producing the sounds? Or is this closer to Air Guitar than Karaoke?

[cartman]

Oh one more question. Sort of an expansion on the Karaoke angle.

If you screw up, do you hear it? In other words are you actually producing the sounds? Or is this closer to Air Guitar than Karaoke?

If you miss a note, you definitely hear it. There will be a 'clunk' sound, and the guitar part of the song will drop out until you hit the 'right' notes again. If you mess up a couple of times in a row, the crowd will start to boo. If you REALLY screw up, the song will end.

[twothree]

You could always rent a game or two and see which one you might like to buy. There are so many good PS2 game, it is hard to recommend just one. Easier just to go to a web site(s) that lists games by review scores and look at a genre that interests you. (Like rhythm or music games to find reviews of Guitar Hero.)

I had been almost exclusively playing an old strategy RPG title called Jade Cocoon 2 for over two month on the PS2 until about two weeks ago. Then I picked up playing GTA: Vice City, GTA: San Andreas and Mercenaries again. Over the last week I was on a Katamari surge, replaying both of those games. Flatout 2, Burnout Revenge, and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance have also gotten some play time recently along with a few games of Culdcept.

[Glengoyne]

The two games I've got now are Culdcept and Disgaea. I'm thinking that a straightforward shooter might fit appropriately short windows of opportunity to play.

I'm actually planning on going the renting route, but I wanted to get a feel for what everyone would suggest.

I know I'm not in uncharted waters.

[twothree]

Shooters....hmmm, not my genre of choice unless you count action games like the GTAs and Mercenaries or platform games like Ratchet and Clank as third person shooters. Actually, I think Mercenaries might be considered a shooter more than an action game, though I don't know if you can find a copy for sale anywhere. Star Wars: Battlefront II would be a good choice especially if you have a broadband internet connection for multiplayer fun. Also, Metal Gear Solid 2 or 3 would be a good game if you consider them shooters. I saw a three pack of Medal of Honor PS2 games at Walmart (WWII shooters) for $30. I believe one of those games (Medal of Honor: Frontline) got good reviews. Oh..., if you consider Resident Evil 4 as a shooter that would be a good game.

[sterlingice]

The only thing I'll really say is at this point, the only thing you should pay more than $20 for on the PS2 is Guitar Hero- otherwise you're wasting your gaming dollars. Anything else that's good can be had for $20 or less or you can wait a year and it will be there (God of War 2, and FF 12 are the only two that come to mind). Due to the guitar controller, I don't think GH/GH2 will ever drop that low except in really rare clearances where you'll never find it.

The only two "shooters" I can think of with some renown (unless you think churning out another SOCOM or Medal of Honor game gives quality via quantity) for the PS2 were Black and Killzone but Black was also for XBox and Killzone had too much hype as a "Halo-killer" and wasn't nearly good enough to live up to that.

SI

[Daimyo]

I'll add a voice for guitar hero, although it is expensive to get since you have to buy the controller too (~$80 for the package deal). I recently picked up a PS2 also and found this list pretty informative:

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p1.html

[Glengoyne]

Great List Daimyo. It looks like God of War will have to get a look or two. Sabotai, as well as a few others, hit a few games on that list.

[sabotai]

They have Burnout 3: Takedown on that list. You can't go wrong with either that or Burnout Revenge (although I don't suggest getting both. They're...almost the same. I liked Revenge more, though, since it lets you do a few more things)

[Icy]

If you like soccer, Winning Eleven 2007 is a must, plays like real soccer.

[General Mike]

I have enjoyed my time with Bully. Might be more fitting for a rental tho.

[EagleFan]

MVP 2006 - NCAA