PS2 Games

[frogbeastegg]

Anyone play the Rratchet&Clank games ?

I played 1 and 2 back when I was still at uni. I preferred 2 to 1; it was one of those sequels which expands and refines the prior game.

If you want good platformers you might want to look at the Sly Racoon series. I have the first one; its a nice game, fairly compact and quite well suited to 20 minute play sessions, as the levels are reasonably compact.

MGS

The important thing to know about MGS2 imo is that it has a lot of cutscenes. Long cutscenes. Like 30 minute cutscenes. Also the plot gets insane.

I liked MGS2 to begin with, but by the time the credits rolled I was relieved to have it done with. I like games with a good plot; I also like to play my games, not watch them.

My main reason for wanting a PStwo is so I can play some jRPGs again. Unfortunately I won't have too much time in the next couple fo months (not enough to waste on a 100 hour game and keep track of the story anyway). Which ones do you recommend most ? Which ones have a 'reasonable' timeframe between save points ? (I usually can't play more than an hour at a time)

Same problem as me. Except it has lasted a year and more, and looks set to continue.

Gah! How to answer? I haven't completed all of the games on that list, and I'm still waiting for a couple of them to arrive after my cheap RPG buying spree. Many of the ones I have played I haven't got 100% completion on. Some of the ones which sound most intriguing to me are also the ones I'm waiting to arrive; either they only recently came out in PAL land, or I couldn't afford them before and am going back to pick them up now I can.

Kingdom Hearts I I completed fully. It took about 50 hours. To only see the plot it's probably more like 30. It's got a strong story, and lots of little touches. The battle system is real time and action based, just like in Prince of Persia. This makes it different to most of the RPGs I listed, and it's quite fun to battle with your keyblade while still being able to cast those classic Square spells like thundaga. The Disney aspect is well used, so don't let it put you off. Kingdom Hearts II is a refinement and continuation of the first game; you do need to play them in order to get the best from the plot. They have save points; for the most part they are decently spaced, so when I wanted one there was usually one in reach.

Star Ocean is a big game. Two DVDs. Enough said.

The Final Fantasies ... XII isn't out here until February. I hear it's good, but then one always hears that about FF games. FFX-2 follows on from FFX, as you might imagine, but you can play it without finishing X. You won't get the most from it that way though. It has a very good battle system, less linear play, and some fun moments ... which mostly makes up for the cheesy atmosphere and cringe-inducing moments where the girls start singing or something. I've got 5 hours of play logged in it; a rental to see if I wanted to buy it, and if so at what kind of price. I did buy when it hit £20. I'm waiting to finish FFX before I start properly. FFX I like reasonably so far. The battle system is nice but I appreciate it's not for everyone. It's turn based in the old sense of the word; you have as long as you like to make a move. You can swap characters in instantly without losing a turn, and, at least before you max them out to uber levels, all the characters feel individual and have different strength and weaknesses. The plot begins slowly but gradually improves, and from the spoilers I got hit with it gets to be very good. Save points in FFX and FFX-2 seem about average; one every 30 minutes, or thereabouts. FFX can take between 40 and 200 hours, depending on how much you do and if you have the PAL edition (has a set of extra super hard bosses which require a maxed out party with the best weapons to even stand a chance against). FFX-2 seems to be between 30-70.

Dark Cloud 2 oozes style. It has loads to do in it; after 15 hours I'd barely scratched the surface. Sadly I had to put it on hold for some reason, probably exams, and haven't yet picked it back up. You can save in villages ... I think there must have been save points scattered about in dungeons and the world too. I don't really recall. My overall opinion of the game was very positive; one of the reasons I haven't picked it back up is that I am waiting until I can do it justice.

Suikoden V I'm still waiting for. I am really liking the sounds of this one, primarily because of the plot.

Dragon Quest VIII I got a couple of days ago but haven't played at all yet. Given that it's a hardish game and a bit old school in its styling I am positive it will have save points and that they may be spaced out a bit. I do know that if you die you go back to your last save point with half your money but all of your XP, so dying is not a Bad Thing(TM). There’s a lot to do in this one if you want; I’ve heard talk of 80+ hours.

The Shin Megami Tetsune games are all supposed to be very challenging (waiting for my two copies to arrive, and DDS2 isn’t out here until … heaven knows, maybe never. Supposed to be about 40 hours, with save points put in quite considerately, a necessity in a game where regular battles can kill you easier than boss battles in other RPGs. The plot’s the lure for me here.

The Shadow Hearts games are both short for RPGs, under 30 hours. When my batch of cheap RPGs finishes dribbling in by post this is the series I will probably start with thanks to the combination of reputedly excellent plot and the short length.

Arc the Lad: Twilight of Spirits, dunno. I have been struggling to get hold of a PAL copy for years. Finally found one for £8 the other day. I think this one might require a bit more time per play session, as the battles are quite tactical. Sounds like quite a long game too.

Atelier Iris 1 and 2, again I haven’t played far into them. Seems about average in terms of save points and how long each session needs to last. Quite a bit of the content appears to be optional, so you can make them as long or short as you like.

The Nippon Ichi strategy RPGs can be 40 or 400 hour games, depending on whether you want to get everything and do everything, or whether you want to see the plot and call it a day. They are a dream game for people who like to level their party up – even items have levels! I find that it takes longer than I really like to get to the save points.


If nothing grabs you after those descriptions … maybe start with Kingdom Hearts I or Shadows Hearts I.