10 Modern Games That Bring Us Back To The PS2 Era
“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake” (2023)
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THQ Nordic is seeking to bring back the old days of “Revenge of the Flying Dutchman” and “Battle for Bikini Bottom”, and with developer Purple Lamp, they are on the right track. “SpongeBob: The Cosmic Shake” is the best “SpongeBob” game we have played, arguably better than “Battle for Bikini Bottom”. Not only does it mimic the simple and fun platforming of previous “SpongeBob” games, it also introduces new and fun ideas to the combat and puzzles such as the Karate Kick ability and the reworked Bubble Bowl ability. If you loved any of the “SpongeBob” games from the early to mid-2000’s, this is everything you could want from a new game and more.
“Psychonauts 2” (2021)
Despite being released more than fifteen years after the first game, “Psychonauts 2” went above and beyond with its scope and visuals. Whereas most new AAA games seek hyper realistic visuals and tired trends, “Psychonauts 2” retains the bizarre artstyle while expanding upon the ideas of the original game, between returning abilities and new mechanics such as Mental Connections. As for the story, it is just as creative as the original with its humor, set pieces, and writing. Fans of the old should definitely check out the new.
“Skullgirls” (2012)
Even if the game came out well over a decade ago, “Skullgirls” has become a powerhouse in not just the indie gaming market, but the fighting game scene as well. Whether you love your one-on-ones, two-on-twos, or three-on-threes, “Skullgirls” has filled a void with fighting game fans, a void left empty by the tag fighters of old like “Tekken Tag Tournament”, “Street Fighter Alpha 3”, or in this case, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2”. “MvC 2” was such an inspiration to developer Reverge Labs that they modeled their engine and gameplay after it. To this day, “Skullgirls” is still getting content updates in the form of new playable characters with vastly different playstyles than the rest of the roster. If you haven’t jumped in already, you absolutely need to!
“Destroy All Humans!” (2020)
Yes, it’s another THQ Nordic game, and it is yet another PS2 classic we couldn’t leave off of the list. The 2020 remake of “Destroy All Humans” managed to strike that perfect balance between staying faithful to the source material and modernizing mechanics and controls. While the story remains unchanged, the artstyle gives the franchise more of a unique identity. As for Crypto, he moves around just as well as he did in the original, but with a new dodge mechanic and refined gunplay to make the game play a lot smoother than the original. That isn’t to say the 2005 classic is no longer good, but your ducketts are well-spent on the 2020 rendition.
“Planet Coaster” (2016)
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“Planet Coaster” taps into the theme park management games released during the early 2000’s, which was kind of where the genre saw the end of its popularity. Whether you spent more time with “Thrillville” or “Theme Park World”, “Planet Coaster” is here to help you relive those days and more. Thanks to modern technology, “Planet Coaster” comes with more assets and features to truly create the park of your dreams. And yes, you can even ride the attractions you build. Despite the game not having anymore major updates since 2019, there is plenty of reason to boot “Planet Coaster” up long after completing the main campaign.
“Carnage Cross” (2021)
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Unfortunately, we are living in an era where vehicular combat games are virtually non-existent. Sure, you can play “Twisted Metal: Black” on your PS4 and PS5, but if you want something that perfectly captures the look and feel of it while boasting a fresh coat of paint, you need to check out “Carnage Cross”. Developed single-handedly by Allen Cayn, “Carnage Cross” harnesses the speedy, explosive action of “Twisted Metal” while presenting an impressive amount of detail in its environments and character models. If you’re itching for some high-octane action and have a few bucks lying around, “Carnage Cross” is waiting for you.
“Sakuna: Of Rice & Ruin” (2020)
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Whereas most of our entries remind us of one or two games, “Sakuna: Of Rice & Ruin” does not pinpoint one particular game. In general, it reminds us of the Japanese action-RPGs and adventure games of old like “Okami”, “Shadow Hearts”, “Tales of the Abyss” and more. While fans of those aforementioned titles and “Castlevania” might enjoy the action-driven platforming, those who enjoyed “Harvest Moon” and other life sims might enjoy the calmer sessions where you harvest rice which can increase “Sakuna’s” stats. No matter which side of the coin you’re on, “Sakuna: Of Rice & Ruin” is a real treat for both fans.
“WWE 2K22” (2022)
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If you grew up playing the old WWE games “Smackdown vs. RAW” or “Smackdown! Just Bring It”, you’ll definitely get a kick out of “WWE 2K22”. On the surface, it is another entry in the “WWE 2K” series. But its gameplay reels in all those unnecessarily complicated mechanics of the games that came before before it and makes it much more simple and arcadey, just like the old days. Plus, you still get all of the cool ideas and features that the “WWE 2K” series introduced like MyGM and the deep character customization. In other words, “WWE 2K22” blends the new and the old perfectly, and there has never been a better time to be a pro wrestling fan than right now.
“Kena: Bridge of Spirits” (2020)
Many will immediately point out the “Zelda” inspirations that this game evokes, but in general, “Kena: Bridge of Spirits” is more than just a “Zelda” love letter. It’s a love letter to classic action-adventure games as a whole. Yes, there are times where the game is a lot less forgiving than earlier moments and the hitboxes can be a tad whack. However, they aren’t clunky or jank to the point where it’s unplayable. We almost prefer it this way. Just be prepared to relive those frustrations of Blockbuster/Hollywood Video levels - you know, where developers would intentionally make things difficult so you weren’t returning games to Blockbuster after beating it in a few nights.
“Evil West” (2022)
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One of the most common phrases used to describe “Evil West” is “it plays like a PS2 game”, and we couldn’t agree more. “Evil West” absolutely plays like a PS2 game, and it does so in the best of ways. There are plenty of moments where you’ll feel as if you’re playing a mix of “God of War” and “Devil May Cry” as you juggle enemies with guns and use an assortment of ridiculous weaponry to finish off foes. It is pure, unadulterated adrenaline, and a game that should have been talked about more when it came out in 2022.
