PS2 Games Players Didn’t Appreciate Enough Until They Got Older

The saying ‘a prophet is not without honor except in his own country’ feels true for time as well as place. We often don’t fully appreciate or understand things until they’re in the past.

Many video games have been overlooked and didn’t receive the praise they deserved, often because initial concerns were later brushed aside.

So many great games don’t get the attention they deserve right away. It seems like a title can struggle to find an audience for all sorts of reasons – maybe it’s too original, looks a little different, or plays in a unique way. This has happened on every gaming console, across all generations.

Many great games take time to find their audience. Here’s a list of ten PlayStation 2 games that players didn’t fully appreciate until later in life.

10. FlatOut 2

Longing for the Best Arcade Driving

The PlayStation 2 was a golden age for racing games, so it’s not surprising that FlatOut 2 took a while to get the recognition it deserved, even though it was a solid title.

Back when games frequently featured crashes and over-the-top stunts, things like cars blowing up or drivers flying through the air weren’t especially new or exciting, so it struggled to feel fresh.

Despite many similar games appearing over time, very few stuck with players, and surprisingly, FlatOut was one of them. It actually became more popular over time than it was when it first came out.

It’s hard to say exactly why, but FlatOut 2 really took off and became a classic in its genre – which is a much better way to describe how innovative and fun the game truly is.

9. Chaos Legion

More Than a Devil May Cry Clone

When it comes to games that unfortunately copied others, Chaos Legion is often compared to Devil May Cry, and this comparison is one of the most talked-about examples from the early 2000s gaming era.

The game definitely had Capcom’s signature style – a dark look, fast-paced action, and challenging controls – but it still felt remarkably unique overall.

Unlike many action games focused on skillful combat, Chaos Legion was more about the feeling of being incredibly powerful, letting you defeat massive groups of enemies with your summoned creatures. While it was cool to unleash such power, getting there involved a lot of repetitive gameplay.

Ultimately, that feature led to the game drifting away from its roots in Dante’s story. While it didn’t become a mainstream hit, it found a dedicated fanbase and became a beloved cult classic.

While it definitely has flaws, we tend to overlook them when it comes to things we enjoyed as kids. And honestly, those of us who still enjoy Chaos Legion are happy to embrace its imperfections.

8. Darkwatch

Too Stylized for its Era

First-person shooter games were very popular in the early 2000s, and this popularity caused developers to concentrate on that specific style, leaving unique games like Darkwatch less visible.

I still don’t understand why the game wasn’t more popular. It was a really engaging first-person shooter with a fantastic atmosphere and memorable cinematic moments that truly set it apart.

The shooting mechanics were well-done, the game featured a unique morality system that impacted the story, and its plot was surprisingly complex for its time. It’s still a mystery to me why it didn’t get the recognition it deserved.

Maybe it was its brevity or simple approach to problems – basically, shooting everything – but Darkwatch is now fondly remembered as a standout game, and it still brings a smile to my face when I think back to playing it as a kid.

7. God Hand

Capcom Being Capcom

Old-school Capcom wasn’t afraid to make wildly different games focused on pure, over-the-top action, even if the technology wasn’t always up to par. The classic game God Hand is a perfect example of this.

It was impossible to find anyone who could praise the game without seeming unreasonable. People simply couldn’t accept a positive review for a title plagued by a frustrating camera and dull, repetitive gameplay.

I realize that my enjoyment of the game’s intensity blinded me to how truly innovative it was. It revolutionized fighting games by offering real freedom in combat, all wrapped up in a wildly exaggerated, yet captivating, story and cast of characters.

It’s a common trend: games that were once criticized for being awkward or outdated become popular again as players get nostalgic for older consoles. God Hand, in particular, has seen a surge in appreciation because many gamers fondly remember the PlayStation 2 era.

6. XIII

Pointing in Another Direction

Video games really came into their own in the 2000s. However, the industry was still finding its footing, and games that didn’t fit the popular style or mood – like XIII – were often overlooked or ignored.

Despite being one of the best shooting games of its time, with a unique cartoon-like style, diverse levels, and realistic feel, it didn’t gain widespread popularity because many players preferred games set during world wars with more realistic, darker graphics.

Although the game had many flaws, like frustrating save points and a poorly designed inventory, I don’t believe it deserved to be so completely forgotten.

Luckily, the recent, poorly-received remake of XIII reminded everyone just how amazing the original game was. It sparked a renewed appreciation for one of the most memorable and enjoyable first-person shooter games from my childhood.

5. Red Dead Revolver

Before Redemption

Red Dead Redemption was a groundbreaking game that earned numerous accolades and became a favorite among gamers and industry professionals alike. Its success was so significant that many people overlooked its earlier title, Red Dead Revolver.

Honestly, I’m not shocked this game didn’t catch on. The controls felt clunky, the shooting was just okay, and it didn’t really bring anything new to the table. It’s one of those games where, looking back, it makes total sense why it wasn’t a huge hit.

Unlike many of the other games on this list, the popularity of its sequels actually increased appreciation for Red Dead Revolver. People enjoyed it partly because it laid the groundwork for the stories of John Marston and Arthur Morgan.

Ultimately, Red Harlow’s compelling personality and charm proved more memorable than how well the game actually played. Instead of being forgotten as older technology emerged, it actually gained a stronger reputation over time.

4. FIFA Street 2

The Most Missed Discipline

The saying ‘you don’t appreciate something until it’s gone’ is a bit of a cliché, but it’s often true. Few video games demonstrate this feeling as powerfully and emotionally as the excellent FIFA Street 2.

Older gaming consoles weren’t powerful enough to create truly imaginative sports games, so football fans mainly cared if the games accurately simulated the sport itself.

With each new FIFA game becoming increasingly similar to the last, players are really starting to miss the unique style and excitement of FIFA Street 2. It wasn’t about realistic gameplay; it was about having fun with over-the-top tricks, vibrant environments, and memorable players. That sense of pure enjoyment is what people are craving now.

You know, a lot of people didn’t get the appeal of this series when it first came out, but now that we’re older, this game totally captures what it felt like to dream of being a pro footballer. It’s all about that raw, street football vibe – way more exciting than the super-realistic stuff in EA Sports FC.

I’m not happy to be saying this, but I wish more people had enjoyed FIFA Street when it was first released. If it had been more popular, the game might still be around today. Unfortunately, it didn’t get the appreciation it deserved, and now I’m including it in this list.

3. Black

An FPS Ahead of Its Time

The main reason people didn’t immediately love Black was its shooting mechanics, which ironically, were the very things that helped its competitors become popular and successful.

Even though this game was released near the end of the PlayStation 2’s life, its shooting feels outdated and frustrating. The controls are awkward, aiming is imprecise, and the guns don’t feel powerful or impactful.

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Honestly, even though the game had some frustrating flaws, they were totally overshadowed by how surprisingly good it was! The AI was seriously ahead of its time, the levels were beautiful and really made you think about how to play, and it was just so satisfying to blow stuff up and change the environment. It really made up for any little annoyances.

Great shooting games are common now, but what’s rare is the specific combination of qualities found in ‘Black.’ That’s why it’s become so highly appreciated and its value has increased significantly.

2. Drakengard

Nier’s Influence Materialized

If you consider my comments about Red Dead Revolver and imagine a much larger scale, you’ll see a situation similar to the one with Drakengard and its follow-up, Nier. Both games are connected, with Nier expanding on the ideas of the first.

The game was originally criticized for its awkward fighting, confusing layout, and repetitive gameplay that made it draining to play. While those core issues haven’t been fixed, the way we understand the game has completely changed, making it a different experience now.

So, it’s not just about Drakengard anymore – it’s the beginning of the whole amazing world of Nier Replicant and NieR: Automata, two games I absolutely love from the last few years. Honestly, knowing that backstory has totally changed how people see Caim’s story – it’s a complete 180 for me!

Despite its flaws, Drakengard deserves a second look. Over time, people are starting to appreciate its strengths, like its impressively detailed world, stunning visuals, unique style, and interesting blend of gameplay elements – all of which make it more than just a simple action game.

Ultimately, people grew to love everything about the game because of Nier. However, this doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the most highly requested remakes, demonstrating just how much it’s valued by players today.

1. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

The Greatest Video Game Vindication

Often both highly praised and surprisingly misunderstood, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty deserves to be recognized as a landmark achievement in video games. It was so groundbreaking that anything less than universal acclaim would have been a true injustice.

Many people surprisingly defended this questionable act, seeing it as a consequence of Hideo Kojima misleading fans about Solid Snake returning as the main character. Instead, the story focused on Raiden, a new character intended to allow players to create their own experience.

Look, Hideo Kojima is known for being weird and making games that are way ahead of their time – it often takes people years to get them, like with Death Stranding. But Sons of Liberty was different. It felt like a true masterpiece that gamers just… completely rejected. It was like they threw a brilliant game in the trash, and it really baffled me.

It turned out time would prove the initial claims correct, across everything from modern thought to the development of artificial intelligence. This led people to reconsider their earlier opinions, acknowledge the success, and realize that the game’s core elements – its story, characters, gameplay, and bosses – were already excellent.

Today, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is widely considered a groundbreaking and exceptional game. It’s a far cry from the disappointment some initially called it, and I’m happy to see that people are now recognizing its historical importance and appreciating its quality.

2026-02-05 02:45