Late 2001 PS2 Games: Where Did They End Up?
The Fall and Holiday 2001 PlayStation 2 Release Catalog Dropped Some Notable Games. What Legacy Did They Leave and Where Did the Series Go?
The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling video gaming console of all time. The console saw a 13-year lifespan releasing in 2000 with the lifecycle officially ending in 2013. With 4,000 games produced for the console, the library is nothing short of mesmerizing. With many memorable games released on the console, we will look specifically at the fall/holiday 2001 releases. These games were all released within a couple of months of each other.
Many of these games brought legacy franchises to the PlayStation 2 and took the franchise to the next level. Let’s look at the legacies they left behind.
The Legacies of the Fall/Holiday 2001 PlayStation 2 Catalog
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
The aerial combat series made its way to the PlayStation 2 with Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. Gamers jumped into the cockpit of codename Mobius 1 in the arcade-style fighter jet adventure. The game is set in an alternative reality and is narrated by the main character through a set of flashbacks that occur between levels.
What it brought to the table - a straightforward and action-centered air combat game with a strong backing narrative.
Legacy - the next game in the series, Ace Combat 5 was released on the PlayStation 2 as well. Like Ace Combat 04, the game was compatible with the flight sticks giving the game a more realistic feel. Both PlayStation 2 Ace Combat games achieved “Greatest Hits” status.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
The Baldur’s Gate series made its first console appearance with Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance. The game is based on the Forgotten Realms campaign of Dungeons and Dragons. From its early previews the game generated hype for the game and the PlayStation 2 for its graphics, gameplay, and the game engine.
What it brought to the table - Baldur’s Gate came to consoles for the first time with its own engine.
Legacy - a sequel was released in 2004 and a third game was planned but never came to fruition. The game was ported to Xbox, Gamecube, and Game Boy Advance. It was also ported to eighth and ninth-generation systems.
Devil May Cry
The hack-and-slash action franchise kicked off in 2001 with Devil May Cry. Gamers are introduced to demon hunter Dante. Dante has a personal issue with demons after a demon killed his mother and brother. The game follows Dante as he meets foe-turned-friend Trish and battles demons and other creatures.
What it brought to the table - an arcade-style hack and slash game with a gothic feel that had not been seen in the console world before.
Legacy - a direct sequel Devil May Cry 2, and a prequel Devil Mary Cry 3 were both released on the PlayStation 2. More sequels were spawned on the PlayStation and Xbox systems and the original trilogy has been ported to next-generation consoles as well.
Final Fantasy X
The legendary Square Enix series made its PlayStation 2 debut with Final Fantasy X. The action role-playing game takes place in Spira, as gamers step into the boots of Tidus who is transported from his home city of Zanarkand where he is a professional Blitzball player to Spira where he meets Rikku, Wakka, Yuna, and the rest of the main cast.
What it brought to the table - Final Fantasy X introduced the Turn-Based Battle (CTB) system which replaced Active Time Battle (ATB) that had been used in past Final Fantasy games. It also introduced Blitzball as a playable mini game.
Legacy - the game spawned a direct sequel - Final Fantasy X-2 and has been ported to multiple PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles.
Gran Turismo 3
The racing simulator made its PlayStation 2 debut with Gran Turismo 3. Gamers buckled up to win every race, acquire every license, and drive all 180 unlockable cars in the game. Tracks varied in design and included road and dirt rally track options for gamers to race on.
What it brought to the table - although it didn’t have the most number of cars available, Formula One cars were a drivable option for the first time in series history.
Legacy - the game set the standard for sixth-generation gaming console racing simulation games with its graphics, game design, and realistic opponent AI.
Grand Theft Auto III
The first Grand Theft Auto title to hit the PlayStation 2 was Grand Theft Auto III. The series became 3D for the first time with the titles launch. The open world set gamers loose in Liberty City (based on New York City) as they take control of Claude who looks to get revenge after his girlfriend abandoned him during a robbery heist.
What it brought to the table - the first Grand Theft Auto game to eliminate the top-down perspective. It also eliminated the need to achieve a certain score to advance levels, and instead focused on the “job” based system that has been part of the Grand Theft Auto series ever since.
Legacy - several spin offs were made for the PlayStation 2. The first two saw players head to Vice City and San Andreas. Two other PlayStation Portable spin offs, Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories also made their way to PlayStation 2. The mission-based format, third person perspective, and wanted system have largely been retained in future Grand Theft Auto releases.
ICO
The action-adventure minimalist game became a sleeper hit with a cult following. Although it did not achieve “Greatest Hits” status, there is no shortage of gamers who enjoyed ICO and spent hours adventuring the castle he is locked in with eventual companion Yorda.
What it brought to the table - a simple yet artistically inspired action game that told an emotional story of love, loss, and discovering one’s bravery.
Legacy - the game was novelized in Japan and released in 2004 and costumes from the game appeared in Little Big Planet. The art design has been cited as inspiration for games from Metal Gear Solid, Legend of Zelda, Prince of Persia, and other franchises.
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was released on the PlayStation 2 and defined a generation of platforming games for the PlayStation 2. Alongside Sly Cooper and Ratchet and Clank, successfully built a platforming legacy on the PlayStation 2.
What it brought to the table - an early generation 3D platformer with a deep and engaging storyline and a creative and well-rounded cast of main and supporting characters.
Legacy - it spawned two more mainline entries (Jak 2 and 3), a racing spin-off (Jak X), a PlayStation Portable spin-off (Daxter), and a fourth entry on both the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable (Jak and Daxter The Lost Frontier). The game reached “Greatest Hits” sales status and has been ported across multiple PlayStation consoles.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Solid Snake made his PlayStation 2 debut in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. The hero of Shadow Moses returned to the stealth action franchise to stop the next generation of Metal Gear weapon systems. This time however, he is operating solo instead of working on behalf of the United States government.
What it brought to the table - a blockbuster stealth action shooter from a legacy franchise to the PlayStation 2. The story is post-modern and deals with heavy themes such as the use of artificial intelligence, manipulation, and virtual reality.
Legacy -the game introduced Raiden as a main protagonist to the shock of many fans. The character had a controversial launch and made several other appearances in the franchise.
Silent Hill 2
Survival Horror made its way to the PlayStation 2 with the release of Silent Hill 2. Although the game takes place in the game’s titular town, it does not crossover much with the original game. It follows a different main character in a different part of the town. Gamers take control of James Sunderland as he heads to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife that leads him to the town.
What it brought to the table - a survival and psychological horror game with a deeply thematic plot.
Legacy - the game was ported to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. A remake is in the works which will be released for the PlayStation 5 with a 12-month exclusive window before releasing on PC.
How many of these classics did you play? Let us know in the comments.
