A think thread about the PS2.

[Roy Mustang]

As of late, I have seen more PS2 games really push the graphics levels new and maybe better level.

Bear with me on this. What I mean is, that some of the new games that are out, are smooth and the graphics are 10 times better then what some of the games back in 2001 and 2002.

I know you are thinking, well that because of that was two or three years ago. But I feel that maybe the game makers understanding what and how they put better graphics in and still work for the PS2.


I will got back and hope a few things and why I feel this way.

One of the frist games that I saw that really showed better graphics was Ace Combat 4 that came out in Fall of 2001. But the cut sences were mostly anime like drawing to tell the story. But now, with Ace Combat 5 (which came out in Oct of this year. The graphics look 5 times better then they did in AC4 and the cut sences are 3D FMV that makes you think you are watching anime movie at times.

The next big game that really look like make the PS2 look great was ZOE2 that came out in 2003. It had anime-style to the game and the action in the game is so fast that makes you wonder how they make a game like this without messing up a PS2.

The next game really showed a good graphic showing and felt real was SOCOM II that came out in late 2003. It had a nice look to it and make you feel that were part of the Navy Seals Team.


Anyway, I just wonder if maybe game makers have really started to know what are the limits for the PS2 and what are not. From what I have seen of trailers for games that are coming out by the end of the year and next year. THey look to better then what is out there right now on the PS2.

Makes me wounder what the PS3 is going to do.

Anyway, I hope I made myself somewhat clear about this topic, since its late and feel like I'm out of it in a way.


Note: if any of this make you go, uh what! Feel free to hit me with a stick.

Wingzero22

[Link Antilles]

That's about how the life of any console goes. As the developers learn more about the system and it's limits, they find new coding tricks to get around the limits and/or push them. Not to mention that, since most sequels use the same game engine as it's predecessor, there can be more time added to tweaking the graphics and fixing the bugs of the previous game.



Interestingly, did you know that Resident Evil 4 is actually coming out for the PS2? I believe it's coming out a year from the Cube release.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

So what? Yes, great graphics are good, but completly useless if the gameplay is rubbish and unoriginal, cough (Halo), cough.
But its nice to see the PS2 is being pushed to the limits.

[Link Antilles]

So what? Yes, great graphics are good, but completly useless if the gameplay is rubbish and unoriginal, cough (Halo), cough.
But its nice to see the PS2 is being pushed to the limits.

I believe the name you should be coughing is "Killzone".


You guys always have to pick on Halo because it's on the X-box, huh? What if it came out on the PS2? -I hate M$ as much as the next good-natured person, but it's not enough for me to jab a good game.


I'm sorry, but Halo isn't all just pretty graphics and fluff, folks. Sure, it wasn't revolutionary nor did it live up to it's full hype, but it was an awesome FPS that worked on a console with Co-op to boot. The game had a cool Sci-fi setting with smooth gameplay and a good level of challenge without being frustrating. Sorry for getting off topic, Wingzero22, back to topic....

So far, Metal Gear Solid 3 really impressed me the most in the graphics department on the PS2. Sadly though, from what I hear, some of the interactive detail with the environments is missed that made the MGS 2 demo so cool. You know, like punching a crate and watching the contains drop out in random directions or shooting a bucket filled with ice and watching the individual ice cubes melt. Ok, so it's not a major complaint considering the locales look great and it's a jungle.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Its not because Halo is on Xbox, I love Xbox as far as game consoles go.
Halo bored me to tears. I guess I just like the more original intellegent games like the Thief series and Age of Empires but a brainless FPS is sometimes a nice change of pace. But I do believe many of the game produced these days are forgetting the ultimate detail - good gameplay.

I'm a fan of the Nintendo 64. Sure it had only small variety, sure it was shortlived, but it had some of the best console games ever. Can anyone say Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Perfect Dark? The 64 was quality but on a catridge and with poor marketing. Playstation was lots of games, mediocore quality (with a few seriously quality titles) on a cd, and great marketing campaign. I believe part of Playstation's success is because of the cd format (longer lasting, higher storage space, higher techonolgy, can be pirated) whereas the 64 was a cartridge and therefore could not be pirated.

But yes all consoles have positives and negatives to their counterparts.

[Link Antilles]

Its not because Halo is on Xbox, I love Xbox as far as game consoles go.
Halo bored me to tears. I guess I just like the more original intellegent games like the Thief series and Age of Empires but a brainless FPS is sometimes a nice change of pace. But I do believe many of the game produced these days are forgetting the ultimate detail - good gameplay.

I see, sorry, I just get sick of people bashing Halo and even sometimes with people over praising it making it shadow some good games. Halo has good gamplay for what kind of game it set out to be, but I agree, a lot of games produced are poor copies of a great games and don't get me started on some of those movie based game….

I'm a fan of the Nintendo 64. Sure it had only small variety, sure it was shortlived, but it had some of the best console games ever. Can anyone say Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Perfect Dark? The 64 was quality but on a catridge and with poor marketing. Playstation was lots of games, mediocore quality (with a few seriously quality titles) on a cd, and great marketing campaign. I believe part of Playstation's success is because of the cd format (longer lasting, higher storage space, higher techonolgy, can be pirated) whereas the 64 was a cartridge and therefore could not be pirated.

I agree with you there, I never have liked the Playstation (that's kinda' why I'm still a little harsh on the PS2, even though I own a PS2) and about the only games I really enjoyed for it were the Final Fantasy ones. The N64 was a great system, although it had a odd controller.

Yes, Sony are pretty much the masters at game marketing. Trying to tie this with the topic of the thread, that whole hype campaign for the PS2 really did work, even though, if you remember there weren't really any good games out for the PS2 during the release and it still sold like hotcakes. So, from beginning to end the PS2 has kinda' seen the biggest jump in game quality from start to finish.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

om i wanna play air combat 5 so bad... me and my friend used to play the first one, and it was loads of fun (and horrible graphics) so i wanna play it. But me have no ps2!

[cbwing0]

I agree with you there, I never have liked the Playstation (that's kinda' why I'm still a little harsh on the PS2, even though I own a PS2) and about the only games I really enjoyed for it were the Final Fantasy ones.

That's unfortunate, because there really were a large number of great games for the PS1. To name just a few, you have Tekken 3, Resident Evil 1&2, Chrono Cross, Street Fighter Alpha (a personal favorite), and Gran Turismo.

Although Nintendo is the company that always touts its "innovation," the PS1 also had a lot of really revolutionary titles and/or overlooked classics. One of my favorites was the strategy/RPG Brigandine. The game had tons of replay value due to the fact that you could play as any of the warring factions]even though, if you remember there weren't really any good games out for the PS2 during the release and it still sold like hotcakes.[/quote] That all depends on your tastes. I think that games like Street Fighter EX3, Dynasty Warriors, Tekken Tag Tournament, and Armored Core 2 are excellent. There may not have been any awesome RPGs at launch, but then very few systems have good RPGs at launch.

Its not because Halo is on Xbox, I love Xbox as far as game consoles go. Halo bored me to tears.

I always find it interesting how people bash new and popular things for no real reason. For a long time it was considered cool and edgy to say that Matrix: Reloaded was a terrible movie, or that the Star Wars prequels were the worst movies ever made. Of course both claims are nonsense. In the say way, Halo's (deserved, in my opinion) popularity is bound to draw irrational criticism from time to time. I am not saying that it was a perfect game, but it is easily one of the best console FPS titles of all time.

The single player mode of Halo left something to be desired (but again, not as much as people like to say), but the Multiplayer is awesome. Pitting your wits against 7 other intelligent human players in multiplayer is hardly what I would call mindless or boring. Halo 2 is even better, because you can go online rather than having to get 7 people together in your living room at one time.

[Link Antilles]

Heh, well, I thought I could walk away, but still, I knew you'd respond, Cbwing.
First of, I know you're a big fighting games fan. Yes, I enjoy fighting games, but I normally stick to one (Soul Calibur) and rent the others or buy if they're cheap for future parties.

That's unfortunate, because there really were a large number of great games for the PS1. To name just a few, you have Tekken 3, Resident Evil 1&2, Chrono Cross, Street Fighter Alpha (a personal favorite), and Gran Turismo.

Alright, here's the thing, back in day, I was a (I admit) narrow-minded Nintendo only gamer (and PC playing) until about the Gamecube came out. So, during my N64 days, the Playstation was my mortal enemy. So lets fast forward to around now, I’ve finally bought a PS2 (and have been borrowing one ever since before the Gamecube, on and off) and it has backward compatible, so I want to try that out the classic. So, by now the Gamecube RE and MGS remakes and the sequels to most of the others are out. So, I’ve stuck to the FF games. Yes, I like Chrono Cross and Legends of Dragoon is also a great one and I'm trying to hunt down that Castlevania game. As for the rest, I'm turned down by the old graphics and controls.

Although Nintendo is the company that always touts its "innovation," the PS1 also had a lot of really revolutionary titles and/or overlooked classics. One of my favorites was the strategy/RPG Brigandine. The game had tons of replay value due to the fact that you could play as any of the warring factions]

Surprising, I know of Brigandine, didn't do to hot in the reviews, mostly because of it was not much new. Speaking of the strategy/RPG, I will say, one of my all time favorite games is on the PS, Final Fantasy Tactics (over looking it’s rough edges).

The fact that the PS1 had (and still has, through the PSone/PS2) such a large user base allowed developers to try things that would not have been feasible on other systems (like the N64, for instance). Games like Pa Rappa the Rapper, Twisted Metal, and Silent Hill would probably have died if they started out on the Saturn or N64.

Probably so, I don't think there should be one almighty console. Though, I'm not real fan of those three, but they did add favor to the industry.

That all depends on your tastes. I think that games like Street Fighter EX3, Dynasty Warriors, Tekken Tag Tournament, and Armored Core 2 are excellent. There may not have been any awesome RPGs at launch, but then very few systems have good RPGs at launch.

Guess it is taste. Those are fun games, but nothing excellent to me. Aside from AC 2, they're only rentals to me. Now, I love to play all-types of game and I really don't care what system it’s on if I play it, hate it, or love it. Nowadays, I really tend to agree with most of Gamespot's reviews and buy games that get around a mid 8 or higher. And rent the rest that catch my attention before I buy. Maybe I'm a jaded gamer and have too high standards for games.

the Multiplayer is awesome. Pitting your wits against 7 other intelligent human players in multiplayer is hardly what I would call mindless or boring. Halo 2 is even better, because you can go online rather than having to get 7 people together in your living room at one time.

That's what I love about Halo on the PC.... 32 peep frag-fests! Halo is a great multiplayer game, although I wasn't a multiplayer Halo fan til' the PC version....well, except for Co-op.

[cbwing0]

Heh, well, I thought I could walk away, but still, I knew you'd respond, Cbwing.

How could I not respond...I'm the resident Sony apologist .

It's nice to hear that another person has at least heard of Brigandine. It was one of my favorite PS1 games.

Until recently I was a die-hard Sony-only gamer. The only next-gen systems I own are the PS2 and Dreamcast. However, once Halo 2 came out, I started looking more at what the Xbox has to offer. As a result, I will be getting an Xbox for Christmas (either as a gift or with my own money). In addition to Halo 2, I am looking forward to being able to play Ninja Gaiden, Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders, and maybe Guilty Gear X2 right away.

It looks like I might have to shell out twice what I was anticipating for the next round of consoles...

[Nate]

Well, no one has mentioned my favorite PS1 RPG, Legend of Legaia.

*Sighs*

Oh, and don't bring Legaia 2: Duel Saga into this. It just wasn't the same...but that Maya chick was pretty awesome.

I own a N64 too, and I enjoyed it, as it had some GREAT titles. Super Smash Bros. and the two Zelda games come to mind, as well as Banjo-Kazooie (which, though it WAS admittedly a Mario ripoff, it was a darn good one). However the lack of RPGs on N64 was what turned me off to it, more or less (Quest 64?! PUKE).

I bought a PS1 mainly as an excuse to play FF7, then found many other quality RPGs for it. I also bought a PS2 when it first came out, since I knew there would be a Final Fantasy game for it. To stay on topic, the PS2 games I've seen as of late are amazing. I bought Star Ocean Till the End of Time two days ago, and while it's taken a back seat to Metroid Prime 2, the opening sequence was nothing less than I would have expected from Square Enix. I guess some good DID come from Enix being bought out. But, I will still remember the old days.

*Remembers obscure SNES game by Enix called Actraiser*

[Kenshin17]

The PS2 is the best console as far as I'm conserned. The only reason I want an Xbox is because I'm a Halo nut and a Mechwarrior fan. If both of those titles where for the PS2 I'd never touch an Xbox. The Evil Empire controls enough machines in my house!

I really like the .hack games and the Armored Core series. They are the reason I went for the PS2. The PS2 also has the most anime based titles, which naturally appeals to an anime fan like me.

As far as graphics go Killzone is just jaw-droopingly beautiful. I so wish I could get it! It completly blows Halo 1 out of the water. (thats speaking as a big Halo fan). I do think that no game can touch Halo 2 though.

[Roy Mustang]

I only have a PS2, but I think all systems pro's and con's with them and there is not one that is truly a better system.

The that I just been wondering is if Sony is worried that they may lost people to the other systems and that why they beef up on making games better as of late.


I don't mean this turn into a fight about which system is better. I just wonder what is everyone's take on PS2 and how far they have came since the PS2 frist came out.

Wingzero22

[cbwing0]

I just wonder what is everyone's take on PS2 and how far they have came since the PS2 frist came out.

In that case, the PS2 has definitely come along way in terms of graphics and gameplay quality since the initial release of the system. If you compare games that came out at or near launch with their subsequent sequels, this is especially apparent.

For example, the graphics in Tekken 4 are far superior to this in Tekken Tag Tournament. Although not as remarkable, the graphics in the Armored Core and Dynasty Warriors series have also shown great improvements.

The graphical quality of recent titles such as Burnout 3, Soul Calibur 2, and Killzone (despite its lackluster gameplay) is also far superior to that seen in earlier titles.

However, I don't think that the graphical improvement of games occurs solely for the reason of keeping the fanbase interested. While it certainly helps, gameplay (with a few notable exceptions) is what matters. As mentioned before, graphical improvement is simply an inevitable consequence of developer's increasing familiarity with the hardware over time.

I don't mean this turn into a fight about which system is better.

Don't worry about that. The sad fact that most gamers cannot afford to own every new system ensures that they will be forced to take sides on the question of which console is "better." Whether this merely arises from a desire to convince oneself that they made the right choice in buying one console over the others, or from an honest comparison of the pros and cons of each system is irrelevant. The important thing to remember is that these systems wouldn't exist as long as they have if each did not have its respective merits; so it is sometimes necessary to correct the disparagment of over-zealous gamers on all sides of the "console wars."