The Most Underrated PlayStation 2 Games That Deserve More Attention

The Warriors video game, based on the eponymous film, takes you on a wild ride through New York's gritty underworld, with compelling gameplay that merges street-brawling combat and stealth elements to perfection. As a member of the Warriors gang, the objective is to survive gripping gang warfare in a painstakingly crafted world that's all bare-knuckle fights and dark, dank settings. The game left a significant mark for its detailed and engrossing plot, high intense skirmishes and brilliantly executed narrative style.

Freedom Fighters places players in an alternate reality where the Soviet Union invades and conquers New York City, and you're the resistant freedom fighter. The gameplay flawlessly mixes squad-based combat with strategic elements, creating an addictive and tactical war-time experience. It was lauded for its engaging storyline, fast-paced action, and a lasting impact that led to a redefinition of urban warfare within gaming.

Shadow Hearts: Covenant spins an engrossing tale of love and war set amidst World War 1 and filled to brim with the dark and the supernatural. With a unique Judgement Ring system for combat and highly customizable characters, the gameplay provides a refreshing twist to standard RPG mechanics. This game has been heralded as a cult classic for its enthralling narrative, addictive combat, and a memorable cast, leaving an indelible mark in the genre.

A rich tapestry of ancient Japanese culture, folklore and mythology, Ōkami's story is a striking amalgam of Shinto religious lore reimagined in a vibrant, cel-shaded world. The gameplay entails using a celestial brush wielded by the main character, a divine wolf called Amaterasu, to interact with the environment and solve puzzles, offering an innovative take on traditional action adventure gaming. With its unique illustrative graphics and fusion of classical Japanese elements, Ōkami was universally acclaimned and has since been heralded as an artistic achievement in the gaming industry.

Shadow of Rome delves into a tense, politically-charged narrative set in the bloody backdrop of Julius Caesar's assassination. Gameplay invigorously alternates between adrenaline-charged gladiatorial clashes and intricate stealth sequences that truly challenge your survival instincts. While it took flak for its level of violence, it played a significant role in expanding the spectrum of historical-inspired gaming, setting a bar for mature, densely-plotted gaming experiences.

An absolute love letter to the glory days of action arcade gaming, Viewtiful Joe's tongue-in-cheek narrative follows Joe's transformation into a superhero and his mission to save his girlfriend. Gameplay is a delightful blend of side-scrolling beat'em up platforms with puzzling elements, all rendered in a stunningly comic-bookish style. An instant hit upon its release, Viewtiful Joe revitalized the 2D genre and charmed players with its chunky, cartoony visuals and kinetic intensity.