The Playstation 2 changed the video games industry forever. Sony’s powerful second-generation console reached heights of popularity and success that haven’t quite been seen again. A big part of the PS2’s fantastic run is its very respectable catalog of war games.
War video games account for some of the most popular titles to ever hit the market, and several of these franchises got their start on the PS2.
Whether set during the first or second World Wars, or during some fictional future conflicts, war games regularly sell millions of units and generate record-breaking profits for developers.
Today we are going to highlight some of the very best war games released on one of the best consoles of all time. Here are the
10 Best War Games For The PlayStation 2
SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs
I remember when it first came out and the guy working at the video game store was going goo-goo about how great the online voice chat was. I was a long-time PC gamer and thought this was hilarious, but for consoles, it was kind of a big thing
SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs is one of the best tactical shooter games of all time, and one of the best war games for PS2, especially for those looking to get a bit of war gaming online.
Despite not innovating too much compared to the first SOCOM game, players still get the same superb, realistic, methodical, and highly punishing third-person gameplay the series is known for.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
I wasn’t even a big fan, but still got excited when Rainbow Six came out. You see, there was a time when seeing Tom Clancy’s name on a game was a big deal.
Advanced Warfighter from Ubisoft, or GRAW as it is commonly referred to, is the third title in Tom Clancy’s highly successful tactical shooter video game series.
Much like other Ghost Recon titles, Advanced Warfighter places a heavy emphasis on cover and high-tech tools, which results in a highly tactical and engaging gameplay loop.
Moreover, the game received rave reviews at launch thanks to its immersive level design, challenging A.I., realistic storyline, and cinematic action set-pieces.
Ace Combat Zero
Ace Combat is one of the longest-running and underrated war game franchises in the industry.
Ever since the original Ace Combat was released in 1995 for the Playstation, the Ace Combat series of arcadey combat flight simulations has continuously delivered captivating storylines and tremendously fun gameplay.
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, is the 7th main title of the series and features the best gameplay elements of the 4th and highly popular 5th titles with all the power of a PS2 behind it.
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun is the first First-Person Shooter title on this list of 10 best war games for the PS2 (quick spoiler: it won’t be the last), and deserves its spot.
The Medal of Honor series was set during World War II for most of its titles, and Rising Sun is no exception. The 5th title of the series focuses on the Pacific Front and features such iconic and historic moments as the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun also had one of the most popular online multiplayer modes at a time when Online Multiplayer games were still struggling to produce standout titles.
Call of Duty 3
If you are at all into games then Call of Duty requires little to no introduction, and the third title in the hugely successful war game FPS series is one of the best titles released for the PS2.
This historic shooter focuses on the Western Front of WWII with campaign missions featuring the perspective of American, British, Canadian, and Polish soldiers.
Like most other Call of Duty titles, Call of Duty 3 had a top-tier sound design, a superbly entertaining cinematic presentation, and razor-sharp shooting mechanics.
Full Spectrum Warrior
Full Spectrum Warrior from Pandemic Studios is one of the only real-time tactics war games for the PS2, and without a doubt serves a spot on this list.
The game’s presentation is top-notch, with incredibly high production values, and a gritty, grounded take on modern warfare that few games have managed to convey.
Moreover, the game featured a unique control scheme wherein players did not control the movement of a single soldier, but instead ordered 2 4-men squads on a variety of missions around the battlefield, with emphasis placed on a Fire And Movement approach to combat.
Commandos 2: Men of Courage
Men of Courage is a sequel to the 1998 title Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines and is another real-time strategy war game for the PS2 with a fantastic single-player campaign.
The gameplay is based on giving orders to several commandos to use their unique skills and abilities and complete many narrative missions. The ability to control different commandos kept gameplay snappy and entertaining despite the generally slower pace.
Black
While all of the war games on this list feature exceptional gameplay and strong narratives, 2006’s Black for the PS2 stands out for its intense cinematic action and powerful minute-to-minute mechanics.
Black is a heavily stylized take on action-movie war, and it is one of the most entertaining FPS games to be released during its entire console generation.
Each bullet shot, and you will shoot seemingly millions of them, simply feels phenomenal. The developers did a sensational job by nailing the frenetic combat.
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 from Gearbox Software earns its spot because it set up the highly successful Brothers in Arms franchise and because it is a superb war game in its own right.
This PS2 game managed to combine the action-heavy First Person Shooter perspective with a more nuanced, strategic squad-based gameplay.
Even today, so many years later, war game aficionados still hold Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 as one of the best military video games ever made.
Kessen
The last title on this list of the 10 best war games for the PS2 may be a little unexpected. It is the real-time tactics game, Kessen.
In Kessen you explore the real-world historical conflict between the famed Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans of feudal Japan. Kessen is easy to learn but hard to master, which gives it a ton of replayability and keeps players engaged.
Asides from its historically accurate narrative, varied mission structure, and deep combat mechanics, Kessen also features one of the most epic soundtracks to have graced the PS2.
