10 CANCELED PS2 Games We NEVER Got To Play
10 Canceled PS2 Games We Never Got to Play
Welcome to MojoPlays. Today, we're looking at the PS2 games we’re still salty never made it to release—the ones we’ll never get the chance to play.
“South Park”
Much like The Simpsons, South Park has had no shortage of video games over the years, and not all of them have been worthy of the license. However, just as The Simpsons found great success applying the GTA formula to Springfield, South Park nearly did the same to their quiet little mountain town. While not much is known about the game’s overall plot, recovered footage shows it would have maintained the series’ edgy humor. Players could explore a fully open-world South Park, filled with puzzles to solve and missions to complete. All four boys were fully playable throughout the adventure. The game was ultimately canceled shortly after production began to ramp up, reportedly due to stressful and unprofessional working conditions. There wouldn’t be another proper South Park game until The Stick of Truth in 2014.
“StarCraft: Ghost”
Fans have been desperate for a new entry in the StarCraft universe for years, but back on the PS2, they almost got a much stealthier experience than the traditional strategy sim. Adopting a playstyle more akin to Sam Fisher, players would guide Nova through encounters, making use of her myriad gadgets to avoid or engage in combat. This included hand-to-hand, firearms, and even her upgradeable psionic abilities. During gameplay, Nova would encounter enemies who would tactically react if she was discovered by retreating to cover or even setting up traps. There was even a multiplayer suite being developed alongside the base game. However, the project struggled, going through numerous development builds and studios. Despite completely vanishing from Blizzard’s portfolio, the game wasn't officially confirmed as canceled until 2014.
“Tremors: The Game”
If there was ever a property begging for a video game adaptation, it’s the Tremors series. In the early 2000s, we nearly had one for the PS2. Set in the desert town of Golden Rock, players would need to survive a Graboid resurgence. You would have to use the environment to muffle your footsteps from the Graboids and conceal your body heat from the Shriekers. Exploration was typical third-person survival horror, giving players access to a small arsenal (sorry, no Burt Gummer to back you up this time) and melee weapons to use against the Shriekers if they found you. Considering this was at the height of the series’ popularity, with consistently entertaining movies and even a TV series, it's unknown why this almost sure-fire hit was unexpectedly canceled.
“Duke Nukem: D-Day”
Over the years, Duke’s greatest enemy has been himself, as he's seen more canceled games than actual releases. However, Duke nearly reinvented himself to become a one-man Nazi-killing machine, much like BJ Blazkowicz. The plot would have revolved around Duke being sent back in time to WWII to turn the tide of the war, becoming the deciding factor in many of its greatest conflicts. In another interesting twist, the game shifted to a third-person perspective. Leaked footage showcases impressive combat, environments full of variety, and the usual Duke Nukem flair. Although the game appeared to be progressing well, the project was ultimately canceled in 2003, leaving the self-proclaimed hero of humanity on ice until his reemergence in Duke Nukem Forever in 2011.
“The Lost”
The Lost is a very interesting case: it was a completed game that was ultimately canceled. After the rights were sold off, it was eventually released under a different name; here in the States, it was known as Netherworld: Beyond Time, I Stand. The brainchild of Ken Levine and Irrational Games, of future BioShock notoriety, The Lost was heavily inspired by Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” The story dropped players into the many levels of hell to rescue the soul of their deceased daughter. Along the way, players would encounter numerous “Entities,” each with unique abilities. The main character, Amanda, could switch bodies with them to use their specific skills to progress through the game’s puzzles and enemy encounters. The Lost’s version of Hell was incredibly realized with Gothic architecture and interesting gameplay ideas that borrowed heavily from the Soul Reaver series. Ironically, the game’s title ended up being prophetic, as it has long been forgotten to time.
“MediEvil: Fate’s Arrow”
Poor Sir Daniel Fortesque; even the dead can’t catch a break. After two moderately successful entries on the PS1, Sir Daniel was gearing up for his biggest adventure yet on the PS2, which would have picked up immediately after the events of MediEvil 2. The game would have sent Sir Daniel back in time 100 years before the events of the first game—and before his own untimely demise. Through timeline shenanigans, Sir Daniel would need to ensure history remained unchanged by battling the many forces attempting to rewrite it. Along with a new set of companions and even a rideable mount, Fate’s Arrow would have had a more open-world structure with all-new weapons and power-ups. The aim was to give Sir Daniel the hero’s send-off he so rightfully deserved and bring a satisfying conclusion to his story arc. But, just his luck, it wasn’t meant to be.
“Legacy of Kain: The Dark Prophecy”
Fans of the Soul Reaver series haven’t seen a new entry since Defiance back in 2003, but they almost had a follow-up that would have continued Kain’s journey. The game would have once again put the vampiric anti-hero in the starring role. Although never officially announced, The Dark Prophecy would have been a direct sequel to Legacy of Kain: Defiance, seeing Kain explore the Demon Realm. Almost nothing is known about the overarching plot, as work on the script hadn’t officially begun before the game’s untimely demise. However, concept art and screenshots leaked by the developers and artists showcase a gorgeously crafted world full of potential, killed before its ambition could be fully realized. Hopefully, recent remasters will give the series the resurrection it so rightfully deserves.
“The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
The apocalypse is fertile ground for video games. Long before the Darksiders series, 3DO and master creature creator Stan Winston were working to set players loose in a world ravaged by the Rapture. Designed primarily as a beat ‘em up (though it still had gunplay), The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse featured a wide variety of characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and move sets. Almost nothing else is known about the project beyond varied screenshots and what little footage exists. We do know that Stan Winston himself was designing the many creatures and monsters that hunted those left behind. Although unconfirmed, it was also rumored that Tim Curry would voice the Devil in the game. Shortly after production began, 3DO declared bankruptcy, and the project was completely abandoned. Just like those left behind.
“Jurassic Park: Survival”
Not to be confused with the upcoming game of the same name, this version of Jurassic Park: Survival is as extinct as the dinos themselves. Offering a third-person experience, players would need to not only fight the dinos head-on but also use a myriad of traversal options to outsmart the prehistoric hunters. The goal was to escape a mysterious hidden research island full of escaped predators. With a focus on puzzle-solving and combat, the game looked to combine elements of Tomb Raider and Splinter Cell. It showed a lot of promise, with surprisingly intelligent dinos who weren’t above using traps and other tactics to secure their next meal. Hopefully, the upcoming Jurassic Park: Survival can live up to these same ambitions.
“Daredevil: The Man Without Fear”
The PS2 had some of the best superhero games of the time, but one hero didn't quite stick the landing and missed his debut. The game was originally planned to have a large, open-world Hell’s Kitchen for players to explore. However, a change in engine and problematic studio interference led to the nearly complete game being permanently shelved. A leaked playable build showcased an impressively designed world, a traversal system that took full advantage of the hero’s acrobatics, and solid, impactful beat ‘em up combat befitting the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. The game even had an interesting approach to traversal, using a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater-style grind mechanic alongside Daredevil’s echolocation ability. Towards the end of development, the game was scaled back to a more linear experience, and amid conflict between Sony and Marvel, it was permanently shelved.
Which PS2 game cancellation still frustrates you the most? Share your picks in the comments.
