The PlayStation 2 is one of the best-selling gaming consoles, thanks in large part to its huge library of games. No matter the genre, there was a game for everyone on the PlayStation 2. As far as survival games, the PS2 continued to deliver quality titles for gamers to sink their teeth into. That said,most survival gamesstill leaned toward the horror genre: having limited ammo and health packs while trudging through levels rife with grotesque (and often terrifying) enemies that can take out players in a few hits were still commonplace, though still enjoyable.
In fact, many genre-defining games were released on the PS2. But which survival horror games stand above the rest for the PlayStation 2? From gritty sequels of beloved franchises to some completely new series in the survival horror genre, here are some of the best PS2 survival horror games that fans of the genre will want to check out if they haven’t done so already.
5Extermination
Exterminationis one of the early titles released for the PlayStation 2 during the console’s lengthy lifespan. Capitalizing on its then-groundbreaking graphics,Exterminationwas one of the games that showcased how powerful the PlayStation 2 was under its hood. Better graphics and more powerful technology meant that developers could take survival horror to a level that was previously never seen before.
Exterminationsees players control Sergeant Dennis Riley as he tries to regroup with his forces who were answering a distress call from a military facility in Antarctica. As things unfold, Dennis and companyuncover a deadly virusthat has infected the personnel of the facility, turning them into mutated abominations. It is up to Dennis and his team to scrounge up any remaining resources and ammo and fight their way out as well as find a way to contain the virus from spreading.
4Forbidden Siren 2
Forbidden Siren 2is the sequel to the firstForbidden Sirengame which was released in the same year. As withmost survival horror gamesduring the 2000s, players have to clear levels by either collecting a specific item or solving a puzzle while evading malevolent spirits lurking around the premises.
One of the clever game mechanicsForbidden Siren 2incorporates is Sightjacking: the player can tune into a certain frequency and once it matches a spirit, the player can “see” and “hear” what the spirit can. This mechanic is crucial since it gives players insight into the spirit’s patrol routes, and whether they are being hunted by the said spirit. In general, players foundForbidden Siren 2to be much less frustrating than the previous game but equally scary as its predecessor.
TheFatal Framegames are widely regarded as a unique survival horror franchise that utilizes a fun gameplay mechanic that makes their titles stand out: the Camera Obscura. InFatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, players are again introduced to this instrument that is crucial to playing (and surviving) the game.
Ghosts roam the various areas within the game, and most of them haunt the protagonists, Mio and Mayu. To battle the ghosts, players need to use the Camera Obscura: the game is usually in the third-person, and when players use the Camera Obscura, it goes into first-person view. Getting the best shot of a ghost (usually mid-attack), are the best ones: but it is up to the player if they have the composure to hold the shot until the right moment.
Silent Hill 2follows up with thesuccessfulSilent Hillgamewhich sees players control a new protagonist in James Sunderland. James ventures into the eponymous town because he is searching for his wife who sent him a letter that she is waiting for him there. The twist to this tale is that his wife, Mary, died several years prior to the events ofSilent Hill 2. With no clear answers or explanations, James drives to Silent Hill only to end up in a seemingly inescapable nightmare while meeting several colorful characters in an otherwise abandoned town.
Similar to the first game,Silent Hill 2’s gameplay revolves around slipping through nightmarish creatures while acquiring various items such as keys to gain access to more areas around the town. There is no head’s up display, so players have to hit pause to check James’ health. If players are playing on a higher difficulty, they will especially want to be mindful of how much health James currently has.
Resident Evil 4is widely regarded as one of the bestResident Evilgames to date. While compared to the other titles before it,Resident Evil 4leans more towards the action rather than the survival gameplay its franchise is known for. But that doesn’t mean that the survival aspect is totally gone: players still need to conserve their ammo and health items since they are in short supply.
Switching from a locked camera angle to a third-person, over-the-shoulder one added made exploring and combat more dynamic and frantic: seeing Ganados mobbing up and making a beeline towards Leon is always a pulse-pounding moment that tests the player’s composure. To make things even more difficult, players could not move and shoot. As a result,Resident Evil 4players have to choose when to run to get more distance and when to stand their ground against the incoming horde of enemies.
