Summary
The leap between the PlayStation 1 and thePlayStation 2was huge. The PS2 opened up a whole new world of gaming, and its catalog shows this.From cinematic action-adventure gameslikeGod of War 2to more relaxed games likeHarvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, the PS2 had it all.
A fan-favorite genre on the PS2 wasPuzzle Games. With the improved hardware and software, the difference in complexity and visuals of puzzle games between the PS1 and PS2 was groundbreaking. Puzzle games are great for gamers of all playstyles, whether they want to relax and solve some simple puzzles or get deep into a mind-bending puzzle. Either way, the PS2 has got it covered.
10FantaVision
Fireworks Display Meets A Puzzle Game
FantaVisionis a real-time puzzle-based action game for the PS2. This firework-themed game had eye-catching visuals and surprisingly engaging gameplay. The overall idea behindFantaVisionwas to link multiple fireworks of the same color together to create a chain reaction of colorful explosions.
Despite how simple the game seems, there’s a trick to getting high scores and creating spectacular firework displays. Players need to make sure that they are on point with their timing and precision when chaining fireworks together. The more fireworks that players chain together, the better the explosion will be, earning more points.
9Lumines Plus
The PSP Game Ported To The PS2
Lumines Plusis a PS2 port of the popular PSP gameLumines.Lumines Plusis a block-dropping puzzle game that works in conjunction with a music mechanic. The overall pace of the game is based on the soundtrack. As the music changes, so does the speed increase the difficulty.
Not only must players keep up with the soundtrack, but there is a fan favorite Time Attack mode, where players must race against the clock to clear out as many blocks as possible.Lumines Pluscan also be played with a friend through the Versus Mode.
The Adventures of Cookie and Creamisone of the best multiplayer games on the PS2. Players must take control of Cookie and Cream as they navigate through a series of puzzles. What makes this game stand out is its focus on having two players working together.
InThe Adventures of Cookie and Cream, you and a friend must work together to complete each puzzle, with each player navigating along their separate path while simultaneously affecting their partner’s path. This game can be played solo, but the developers always recommend playing with a friend.
7Super Bust-A-Move
The Quirky And Wacky Puzzle Game
Super Bust-A-Moveis a puzzle-based arcade-style game with a wacky style. Players must use a cannon to launch colorful bubbles toward a group of other bubbles, as they try and match as many colors as possible to make the bubbles pop.
The skill behind the game comes from having careful aim and strategy, as players want to pop as many bubbles as possible with the least amount of shots. Chaining shots can also grant players a bonus score, adding more challenge to the gameplay.
Katamari Damacyis a third-person action puzzle game made famous for its quirky and charming art style andaddictive gameplay. Players must control the Prince as he rolls a magical sticky ball called the Katamari. As players roll the Katamari, they will collect items, adding to its overall size.
Players must collect a certain amount of items and get the Katamari to a certain size to progress. This game is simple yet very addictive, as players can go back to completed missions and try to get a new score based on the quality of items they collect and the overall size of their Katamari.
Bombasticis the successor to one of the most popular Puzzle games of all time,Devil Dice.Bombasticbuilds on what made its predecessor so loved while adding new gameplay mechanics and modes. Released on the PS2,Bombasticis visually much stronger thanDevil Dice.
InBombasticthere are 5 main game modes: Classic Mode (a carbon copy ofDevil Dice), Normal Mode (Bombastic’simproved version ofDevil Dice), Battle Mode (where players go head-to-head), Quest Mode (a single-player campaign), and Cooperative Mode (where two players team up).
Ico is a puzzle platformerwith an engaging story and amazing use of environmental puzzles. Players control the main protagonist, Ico, as he navigates through a seemingly never-ending castle. Players must find their way through this castle while completing challenging puzzles along the way.
Icodoes great at combining platforming and puzzles into one complete experience. Players will often have to look to the environment to help complete puzzles, finding solutions through actions like moving boulders, pulling hidden levels, or discovering hidden passages.
Super Monkey Ball Deluxis a great puzzle game with the bonus of being a party game and somewhat of a platformer. This game combines the levels fromSuper Monkey BallandSuper Monkey Ball 2with its new levels to create the ultimateSuper Monkey Ballexperience.
With over 300 levels, fans will never be bored when playingSuper Monkey Ball Deluxsolo, and with party games like Monkey Target, Monkey Bowling, Monkey Golf, Monkey Race, Monkey Fight, and Monkey Billards, players will never run out of content for group play sessions either.
Tetris Worlds was released on the PS2 as a modern take on the classic game Tetris.Tetris Worldsbuilds upon the iconicTetrisformula but adds new visuals, game modes, and challenges. What makesTetris Worldsso unique is that many levels aren’t endless, unlike in standardTetris.
There are many levels inTetris Worldsthat have specific goals, like clearing a certain number of lines or achieving a high score within a time limit. The game also features new game modes, including Square Teris, Cascade Tetris, Sticky Tetris, Fusion Tetris, and Hotline Testris.
Despite what many fans first think when they seeShadow of the Colossus, this game is more of a puzzle game than an action-adventure. InShadow of the Colossus, the player defeats 16 Colossi. They can do this by solving the unique puzzle surrounding each Colossi, which often involves finding a way to climb the giant creatures until players can attack a weak point.
Shadow of the Colossusis one of few games that combines the action-adventure genre with puzzles, creating a unique and refreshing title that was never before seen on the PS2. Players must use creativity, patience, and wit to solve each puzzle before they can take down each Colossi.
