Hey guys, my coworkers just got me a PS2 for my birthday (after i bitched about wanting one but not thinking it would be cost-effective, but i guess now i have it) and I'm wondering what your "must have" games for the PS2 are.

I am defiantely picking up the Pride FC game already, as well as the latest SOCOM, that much I know. I will probably pickup one sports title, either football or baseball (i have both for PC, so this would just be for head-to-head ease). Preference is towards this year's stuff (so yeah that means Madden, MVP, or NCAA). Any other games that you guys got your monies worth out of?
I'm open to pretty much all genre's.

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is so much fun.

A must get.

NCAA 2006.

Metal Gear Solid.

Metal Gear Snakeater.

Tony Hawk Undergrounds 1 + 2.

Etc.

GTA: SA is hands down the best game I have ever played on a console. FM is the only game that beats it overall.

I thought Vice City was much much better than San Andreas. I got bored with SA about 3/4 of the way through. Vice city was so good, I played it 3 times through and still don't find it boring.

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is so much fun.

A must get.

NCAA 2006.

Metal Gear Solid.

Metal Gear Snakeater.

Tony Hawk Undergrounds 1 + 2.

Etc.
what's etc? specify

and oh yeah guys, i have all the GTA games on the PC. i suppose i should have said that.

I thought Vice City was much much better than San Andreas. I got bored with SA about 3/4 of the way through. Vice city was so good, I played it 3 times through and still don't find it boring.
Really? I didn't even finish Vice City because I got so bored with it. To each their own I guess. I just love how there is no loading between cities in SA.

If you're into RPGs, I've been raving about Disgaea: Hour of Darkness for a while.

Good luck finding it for less than $45 or so though.

Really? I didn't even finish Vice City because I got so bored with it. To each their own I guess. I just love how there is no loading between cities in SA.

Well, the lack of loading times were nice, and as a purely driving game it was more fun simply because of the vast roadways and terrains. Storywise though, it was awfully ghetto and I just couldn't get into it. The mafia-like storyline of Vice City was much more interesting to me, and the whole atmosphere of a Miami-like city and the 80's was jsut so much fun. But yes, like you said to each their own. SA was not a bad game by any means. It did keep me interested enough to complete it, but it did get boring for me.

I liked Vice City as well.

Also, Ico, Ncaa 2006, NHL 2k6, NCAA CBB 2k5, MVP 2005, God of War.

San Andreas as well.

If you like adventure games, God of War is a must get. One of the best games I've ever played.

I prefer this years Madden to NCAA, but YMMM. The SSX series of snowboarding games is a ton of fun and decent if you have a group of friends over.

If you like adventure games, God of War is a must get. One of the best games I've ever played.

Excellence indeed.

I spoke with David Jaffe about six months ago, and he said he has two or three other games in the series he'd like to make, if Sony will let him.

Given the sales success so far, I think they'll let him.

Here's the list I look to acquire when I get a PS2, based on stuff I've played and read about (yes, I have a spreadsheet for such things- stop looking at me like I'm crazy). Easily the two favorite that I've played were Kingdom Hearts and God of War.

SI
<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 492pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="654"> <col style="width: 185pt;" width="246"> <col style="width: 20pt;" width="26"> <col style="width: 19pt;" width="25"> <col style="width: 46pt;" width="61"> <col style="width: 108pt;" width="144"> <col style="width: 114pt;" width="152"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 185pt;" height="17" width="246">Devil May Cry</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 20pt;" width="26">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 19pt;" x:num="" align="right" width="25">9.6</td> <td class="xl25" style="width: 46pt;" x:num="37181" align="right" width="61">10/17/2001</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 108pt;" width="144">Capcom Production Studio 4</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 114pt;" width="152">Capcom</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" x:str="Disgaea: Hour of Darkness " height="17">Disgaea: Hour of Darkness </td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.2</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37859" align="right">8/26/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Nippon Ichi Software</td> <td class="xl24">Atlus Software</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Final Fantasy X</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.5</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37243" align="right">12/18/2001</td> <td class="xl24">Square</td> <td class="xl24">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Final Fantasy X-2</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.5</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37943" align="right">11/18/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Square Enix</td> <td class="xl24">Square Enix</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Final Fantasy XI</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">8.8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38069" align="right">3/23/2004</td> <td class="xl24">Square Enix</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">God of War</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38433" align="right">3/22/2005</td> <td class="xl24">SCE Studios Santa Monica</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Gran Turismo 3 A-spec</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37082" align="right">7/10/2001</td> <td class="xl24">Polyphony Digital</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Grand Theft Auto Double Pack</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.7</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37915" align="right">10/21/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar North</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar Games</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Grand Theft Auto III</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.6</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37187" align="right">10/23/2001</td> <td class="xl24">DMA Design</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar Games</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.9</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38285" align="right">10/25/2004</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar North</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar Games</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Grand Theft Auto: Vice City</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.7</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37558" align="right">10/29/2002</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar North</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar Games</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Jak 3</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.6</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38300" align="right">11/9/2004</td> <td class="xl24">Naughty Dog Software</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.4</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37229" align="right">12/4/2001</td> <td class="xl24">Naughty Dog Software</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Jak II</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.5</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37908" align="right">10/14/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Naughty Dog Software</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Katamari Damacy</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38251" align="right">9/21/2004</td> <td class="xl24">Namco</td> <td class="xl24">Namco</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Kingdom Hearts</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37516" align="right">9/17/2002</td> <td class="xl24">Square</td> <td class="xl24">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Manhunt</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">8.5</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37943" align="right">11/18/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar North</td> <td class="xl24">Rockstar Games</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.7</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37208" align="right">11/13/2001</td> <td class="xl24">Konami JPN</td> <td class="xl24">Konami</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Ratchet and Clank</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.2</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37565" align="right">11/5/2002</td> <td class="xl24">Insomniac Games</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.4</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37936" align="right">11/11/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Insomniac Games</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.6</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38293" align="right">11/2/2004</td> <td class="xl24">Insomniac Games</td> <td class="xl24">Sony Computer Entertainment</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Star Ocean: Till the End of Time</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38230" align="right">8/31/2004</td> <td class="xl24">tri-Ace</td> <td class="xl24">Square Enix</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">9.7</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37194" align="right">10/30/2001</td> <td class="xl24">Neversoft Entertainment</td> <td class="xl24">Activision</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">8.8</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="37677" align="right">2/25/2003</td> <td class="xl24">Monolith Software</td> <td class="xl24">Namco</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose</td> <td class="xl24">PS2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" align="right">7.9</td> <td class="xl25" x:num="38398" align="right">2/15/2005</td> <td class="xl24">Monolith Software</td> <td class="xl24">Namco</td> </tr></tbody> </table>

Excellence indeed.

I spoke with David Jaffe about six months ago, and he said he has two or three other games in the series he'd like to make, if Sony will let him.

Given the sales success so far, I think they'll let him.


The controls in that game were so smooth and responsive. The graphics were top notch. The story was fantastic.

I mean, it was as close to a perfect game as I've ever played. I love the GTA series and have spent many, many hours wasting my time with those games. But for pure immersion? I couldn't wait to finish God of War. It was like a good book, I always wanted to see what was on the next page.

I'm lucky that game was relatively short, or I'd have went weeks without sleep. I should add, DaddyTorgo, that if you like mythology at all, you must get this game.

alright then. god of war is on the list. i plan on buying most of these used, so i am figuring I can get 8-10 games guys, so keep the suggestions coming.

Pride FC
SOCOM
God of War
Madden/NCAA (one of the two)
Metal Gear Solid (are the latest ones a huge leap from say the original?)

possible:

devil may cry
disgaea

as a big LOTR fan, what am I going to think of the EA games? worth it? or not even?

Mercenaries would also be a great pick-up.

Similar to GTA, but the setting is a post-modern alternate-history North Korea where a general has ousted the NK government. You're a special ops rambo-type person, hired to capture/kill the Deck of 52 (52 most wanted by the United Nations).

yeah i had mercenaries in my hand the day that i was minutes away from splashing the cash on a PS2. I should put it back on the list. That's the one where the whole environment is useable right? you can interact with everything...i thought that seemed pretty cool.

x-men legends/legends 2 is quite fun.. if you liked diablo on the pc you'll love it.. and i think the original is 19.99 now(legends that is)

capcom arcade collection is also 19.99.. and has tons of old games(street fighter 2.. 1942/final fight.. etc) and again.. is quite fun

The brothers in arms games are pretty overthe top.

If you like RPG-Strategy Games, I recommend Gladius. It eventually can get tedius, but I found myself entertained for at least 60 hours. I also highly recommend Front Mission 4.

as a big LOTR fan, what am I going to think of the EA games? worth it? or not even?

The LOTR action games are fun, to a point. But it's 100x worth playing with someone in co-op mode. Me and my buddy play Legolas and Gimili and race for kill-counts. (he, as Gimili, always loses due to Legolas' insane firing rate at the higher levels)

x-men legends/legends 2 is quite fun..

This and Burnout Revenge are tied for my favorite games of the year right now, with Sly 3 running close behind.

This and Burnout Revenge are tied for my favorite games of the year right now, with Sly 3 running close behind.

yea, i'd suggest trying burnout takedown first, before moving to revenge.. and at 19.99.. its a great game

Katamari Damacy is a no-brainer, buy it and love it. The sequel is out now, but I haven't got to try it as my PS2 crapped out yet again, and I don't have the urge to bother with it anymore.

My favorite RPG experience on the PS2 has been pretty far and away Shadow Hearts: Covenant, so pick that one up as well.

You'll enjoy the Pride game also, head and shoulders above the other MMA videogames out there. Still waiting for a decent career play in an MMA game though, might never happen.

The best PS2 game, imo the best console game of this generation, is Culdcept. It's a game that combines Magic: the Gathering and Monopoly in a beautifully done system. It's not a big selling game. It does have a poor translation from Japanese (there's the occasional Engrish, like calling Clay Idol, Cray Idol.) However, it is one of the deepest, most compelling games ever. It's one of the best party games for PS2 as well, which isn't much of a party game system (that would be GameCube first, XBox second, PS2 a very distant third).

Very simply, youy begin the game with a deck prebuilt. You go around a board and capture lands. As you do, you play creatures, items and spells from your hand. You try to get mulitple lands of the same type, and can upgade lands so that players landing on a sqaure have to pay you money. Alternatively, they can attack your creature on that square with a creature in their hand. After a match, even if you lose, you get cards that you can use to edit your deck. So, its a Collectible Card Game with all of the cards right there, but in distributions of common, uncommon and rare, like normal. Its a very deep and entrancing game that I absolutely adore. I've played with friends, by myself, and more.

It has more complexity than just that. For example, you can buy symbols of a color, and as that color of land gets leveled up, the symbol value rises, like stock. There are spells and effects that can cause symbol values to change and once you get a handle on the basic monopoly/Magic system, you find that the symbols add a tremendous dimension to the game, especially when playing with other players who know the game.

After you beat the campaign, you can keep playing against the computer and trying to win medallion. You get medallions for everything from rollling three 1s in a row to playing a creatureless deck or a deck with just uncommons or having a Gooba or Powder Eater on every square or winning with just symbols or whatnot. Every so many sysmbols, you can unlock new multiplayer maps and new "special" cards that you can only have one of and can't be acquired any other way.

Tons of fun.

-Culdcept player Anxiety

I am defiantely picking up the Pride FC game already
How is this game? I've always wanted a UFC or Pride fighting game.

Winning Eleven
Kingdom Hearts

The best PS2 game, imo the best console game of this generation, is Culdcept. It's a game that combines Magic: the Gathering and Monopoly in a beautifully done system. It's not a big selling game. It does have a poor translation from Japanese (there's the occasional Engrish, like calling Clay Idol, Cray Idol.) However, it is one of the deepest, most compelling games ever. It's one of the best party games for PS2 as well, which isn't much of a party game system (that would be GameCube first, XBox second, PS2 a very distant third).

Very simply, youy begin the game with a deck prebuilt. You go around a board and capture lands. As you do, you play creatures, items and spells from your hand. You try to get mulitple lands of the same type, and can upgade lands so that players landing on a sqaure have to pay you money. Alternatively, they can attack your creature on that square with a creature in their hand. After a match, even if you lose, you get cards that you can use to edit your deck. So, its a Collectible Card Game with all of the cards right there, but in distributions of common, uncommon and rare, like normal. Its a very deep and entrancing game that I absolutely adore. I've played with friends, by myself, and more.

It has more complexity than just that. For example, you can buy symbols of a color, and as that color of land gets leveled up, the symbol value rises, like stock. There are spells and effects that can cause symbol values to change and once you get a handle on the basic monopoly/Magic system, you find that the symbols add a tremendous dimension to the game, especially when playing with other players who know the game.

After you beat the campaign, you can keep playing against the computer and trying to win medallion. You get medallions for everything from rollling three 1s in a row to playing a creatureless deck or a deck with just uncommons or having a Gooba or Powder Eater on every square or winning with just symbols or whatnot. Every so many sysmbols, you can unlock new multiplayer maps and new "special" cards that you can only have one of and can't be acquired any other way.

Tons of fun.

-Culdcept player Anxiety

I couldn't agree more. The game is a BLAST.

and while its rare, it could be found for $10-$15.

- Culdcept player Ramzavail

Check out greatest hits bin at whatever store you go to. Lots of great games for $20 or less.

Games I recommend (in no particular order):

Burnout 3: Takedown
ICO
Silent Hill 2
Ratchet and Clank
Timesplitters 2

۩

any more to add to the list? just got a ps2 and i'm getting hooked. Which NHL game is teh best?

Dunno about NHL games, but Shadow of the Colossus needs to be mentioned here - fantastic game.

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=42750

Dawgfan just beat me to it. Shadow of the Colossus and ICO were both great games.

Both of the Kingdom Hearts games are great. For sports, the current NCAA Football game is great. NFL 2K5 is a great game. MLB '06 The Show is easily the best baseball game. All of these games have probably been traded in a lot and can easily be found for relatively cheap at any of the Gamestop-like stores.

screw all of those.

be a rock star and get guitar hero, or wait til november 7th and get guitar hero 2.

There are so many great games for the PS2 at $20 or less right now. Most of the greatest hits title are good if not great games. And, most of the new games are only $40 now. So, the PS2 is an excellent system to own.

Many of my favorites have been listed by others. I probably own about 90% of them. Here are some more titles that I don't believe anyone listed above that I would recommend, and that have received good reviews. They are probably all "must have" games in their specific game category (fighting, platform, RPG, etc.).

Resident Evil 4
Virtual Fighter 4: Evolution
Soul Calibur II
Tekken 5
Dragon Quest VIII
NBA Street Vol. 2
Prince of Persia series
Sly Cooper series
Ace Combat 4
Champions of Norrath or Champions: Return to Arms

And here is a list of games that are probably not "must have" games, but they are currently in my play rotation and have probably not been listed by anyone above.

Monster Hunter
World Championship Poker 2
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Dynasty Tactics 2

In the déja vù category, I'm hooked on Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories these days.

In the déja vù category, I'm hooked on Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories these days.

I actually think that this is a great game, along with DQVIII, but being that it's on the PS2, I'm playing infinitely more of my DS than any other system lately, so the PS2 games I have (and think are good) are collecting dust.

/tk

Disgaea 2 is a good game. It is in my current play rotation. Not as funny as the original, but the game play is as good if not better than the original.

I bumped this thread earlier today since I had just purchased 4 PS2 games this morning. Grandia III, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, Burnout: Revenge, and Justice League: Heroes.

Burnout 3: Takedown has been in my play rotation for a long time. Burnout: Revenge will probably replace it.

Justice League: Heroes was not on my purchase list, but then I saw it was developed by Snowblind Studios while in the store. I had forgotten that fact. So, even with the not so great reviews I decided to buy it.

I might buy Bully next week. I didn't plan on buying it, but so far the reviews have been really good. I will give it a week, and see if I still want to buy it.

Next week is Ultimate Alliance and dot Hack G.U. followed by Final Fantasy XII the week after. There should be plenty of good games to keep everyone busy this winter.

Disgaea 2 is a good game. It is in my current play rotation. Not as funny as the original, but the game play is as good if not better than the original.

Dead-on assessment.

If you've never played it, I would recommend picking up a copy of Final Fantasy Tactics instead of Disgaea.

If you've never played it, I would recommend picking up a copy of Final Fantasy Tactics instead of Disgaea.

Lies and blasphemy.

Report to your nearest re-education center for processing.

Lies and blasphemy.

Report to your nearest re-education center for processing.

Completely disagree.

IMO Tactics is the best game I've ever played, but while they have similar battle systems and gameplay, they are different games in the type of storylines. It all depends on what tickles your fancy.

Tactics is mature and interesting, Disgaea is childish and funny.

also, I re-up my vote for Culdcept which is further down this thread.

Completely disagree.

IMO Tactics is the best game I've ever played, but while they have similar battle systems and gameplay, they are different games in the type of storylines. It all depends on what tickles your fancy.

Tactics is mature and interesting, Disgaea is childish and funny.

also, I re-up my vote for Culdcept which is further down this thread.


I also agree with your disagreement. Tactics is one of my favorite games ever.

Justice League: Heroes was not on my purchase list, but then I saw it was developed by Snowblind Studios while in the store. I had forgotten that fact. So, even with the not so great reviews I decided to buy it.

I might buy Bully next week. I didn't plan on buying it, but so far the reviews have been really good. I will give it a week, and see if I still want to buy it.

Next week is Ultimate Alliance and dot Hack G.U. followed by Final Fantasy XII the week after. There should be plenty of good games to keep everyone busy this winter.

How is Justice League Heroes?

Agree that Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a must buy. Bully can probably wait for christmas or my birthday.

Lies and blasphemy.

Report to your nearest re-education center for processing.I didn't think any one aspect of Disgaea was better than Tactics, except possibly the translation. In particular:

1) I didn't find the character development system nearly as flexible or intuitive. It didn't seem to allow for as much customization and I found my characters reverting to level 1 for changing classes a pain.

2) One aspect of the Tactics series I find huge (for whatever reason) is turn order. In almost every other SRPG I've played each side takes turns moving all of their characters. I find allowing characters for both teams to move at any time based on their speed a great improvement.

3) The story in Disgaea didn't keep me nearly as interested as FFT's. Not that I ever got to much of the story thanks to the ridiculous amount of leveling required to progress in the game. In Tactics your party progressed at a reasonable rate throughout the main storyline. I'll pass on playing missions over and over to level up or playing a bunch of randomly generated maps to level up my items.

I didn't think any one aspect of Disgaea was better than Tactics, except possibly the translation. In particular:

1) I didn't find the character development system nearly as flexible or intuitive. It didn't seem to allow for as much customization and I found my characters reverting to level 1 for changing classes a pain.

Yes, but the other half of that is that certain classes retained some of the skills of their previous class, such as the mages, allowing you to ultimately create far more powerful magic users than you would otherwise have had.

Additionally, the tutor/pupil system means that class changes could potentially benefit characters who *weren't* changing classes.

2) One aspect of the Tactics series I find huge (for whatever reason) is turn order. In almost every other SRPG I've played each side takes turns moving all of their characters. I find allowing characters for both teams to move at any time based on their speed a great improvement.

My rebuttal here is that the geo panel system makes that impractical; if you're attempting to solve the geo puzzle, you might spend some time figuring out how the panels interlink. Reacting to real-time movement distracts from that.

Doesn't mean Disgaea's answer here is a better one, simply that the way Nippon Ichi set it up makes the two fairly incompatible.

3) The story in Disgaea didn't keep me nearly as interested as FFT's. Not that I ever got to much of the story thanks to the ridiculous amount of leveling required to progress in the game. In Tactics your party progressed at a reasonable rate throughout the main storyline. I'll pass on playing missions over and over to level up or playing a bunch of randomly generated maps to level up my items.

The only fight in Disgaea that ever required a "ridiculous amount of leveling" for me was the final boss fight. I was able to defeat the evil angel, albeit with much difficulty, but could not defeat Master Lamington without levelling way the hell up. But that was it as far as 'required leveling' went for me. I progressed normally throughout the rest of the game. Yes, I later hit much higher levels as I re-played the game to unlock the different endings, but that's because you start the game over with all of your previous stats and such.

Going through the Item World, yeah, it leveled up weapons, but it also allows you to capture specialists who grant you bonuses that aren't related to the item. Basically, for the people who want to engage in a "ridiculous amount of leveling," it gives them a way to do that with fresh maps instead of fighting on the same map over and over, as you say bugs you.

Now, Disgaea 2 adds in the Dark World with the Dark Sun, which is basically the regular maps with much stronger enemies and sort of the 'judge' element from FFT. Also adds the Stack Attack and some other elements. Story's not as strong, but the gameplay is, I feel, much stronger in Disgaea 2 - and I already liked the first game better than FFT.

It's been a while since I've played Disgaea so my memory may be a bit fuzzy on the leveling. From what I remember though, I was having to do it within the first couple of chapters because the enemies seemed to get 2-3 levels better each mission.

I hated the judges in FFTA. In fact, that whole game was a huge disappoinment for me. It's frightening that other games are starting to take elements from it.

Each mission, the enemies gain what's referred to as a "bonus rank." They gain a level, but that means more experience and faster leveling for you when you defeat them.

As to the judges, yeah, that's why I prefer Disgaea over FFT, but the Dark Sun isn't *quite* the same. While it occasionally can set mandates for the map - say, no stack attack - mostly what it does is causes random effects. Enemies leveling up automatically, reviving dead enemies, things like that.

That said, the Dark Sun is only within the Dark World, and you're only in the Dark World if you're looking for added difficulty/challenge in the first place.

So it's far from the ubiquitous presence of the Judge in FFT.

How is Justice League Heroes?

Agree that Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a must buy. Bully can probably wait for christmas or my birthday.

I have only played it for about an hour. I am still on the first mission. It's seems to be a super hero version of Champions of Norrath. It has the leveling system of Champions. Earn experience gain a level. New level equals more skill points to spend on powers. Though, you can also collect boosts that you can place into a power to improve them.

You also collect shields that are a form of currency to unlock alternate costumes and super heros.

The music along with the sounds seem appropriate for the DC universe. I think they are pretty well done. When you let the characters just stand there, they occasionally utter witty remarks like...

Batman will say, "You are wasting my time. Don't make me climb out of this screen and slap you around." or "You know Robin use to keep me waiting too. Ever wonder what happened to him?" Or Superman will say, "You know who is really cool? That Clark Kent guy, got to love him." or "Ever notice how much Kryptonite is lying around? Does that seem right to you?"

The game engine graphics are pretty good, but the cut scene graphics are not a favorite of mine. The cut scenes seem to be going for a gritty image as opposed to a cartoonish image.

The first level I started on medium difficulty and it seemed real easy killing the robots that were running around. I was basically just punching the robots and destroying them easily. Granted the first mission you play with both Superman and Batman, and I was using Superman. I thought I might have to restart at a higher difficulty level, but then I encounter the first boss. I actually had to use some of Superman's long range attacks. And after the first boss, I actually died when I forgot to pay attention to my health while fighting a minor horde of robots.

Edited to add: I don't know if the game will have long term playability. Though, you can play with 2 players offline which is probably the best way to play, since then one of the heros is not controlled by the AI. Also, there is no online play. If you want online play wait for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Each mission, the enemies gain what's referred to as a "bonus rank." They gain a level, but that means more experience and faster leveling for you when you defeat them.

As to the judges, yeah, that's why I prefer Disgaea over FFT, but the Dark Sun isn't *quite* the same. While it occasionally can set mandates for the map - say, no stack attack - mostly what it does is causes random effects. Enemies leveling up automatically, reviving dead enemies, things like that.

That said, the Dark Sun is only within the Dark World, and you're only in the Dark World if you're looking for added difficulty/challenge in the first place.

So it's far from the ubiquitous presence of the Judge in FFT.Except judges weren't in FFT. They were introduced in the lame pseudo-sequel.

But at least it looks like a step up from Superman 64 ;)

SI