The Best PS2 Adventure Games
Escape from Monkey Island
Released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, this return to the classic series is all a fan could ask for. Guybrush Threepwood is back with even more quirky adventures as he returns from his honeymoon to find the island he once called home completely changed. His peaceful little island has been turned into a tourist attraction and some new faces have raised some suspicion. Guybrush needs to return everything to the way it was soon or his sleepy little home may never be the same again!
Returning players will recognize the same quirky dialogue, exciting story, and fun puzzles that made the Monkey Island games classics. Players can explore the world of the Monkey Island games in 3D for the first time with a new dynamic soundtrack to make suspenseful scenes create even more tension and peaceful scenes even more tranquil. This is a great return to a beloved series and is highly recommended.
Indigo Prophecy
2005’s Indigo Prophecy is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. The game starts when your character, Lucas Kane, comes-to in front of a mangled corpse in a public restroom. He has no recollection of what happened, but knows he is in a lot of trouble. You must piece together how this gruesome killing took place, and what happened to you in this amazing, story-driven adventure.
This game plays very similarly to Heavy Rain in which the player must react to context-sensitive events in order to drive the story. Follow Lucas through a thrilling story in which you must piece together how these mysterious events transpired and meet others who have had similar strange experiences.
Shadow of Destiny
Released in the year 2001 for the PlayStation 2, Shadow of Destiny is a thrilling, story-driven adventure game with a gripping narrative that will keep players enthralled for hours. You play as Eike Kusch, and you were just murdered. The objective is to find out who killed you and try to stop them. In stopping your murderer, you will travel through multiple eras, affecting the past in order to change the present. The player must solve puzzles in each era in order to change their destiny and stop this murder.
This game is very similar to Silent Hill in terms of gameplay and holds a somewhat dark aesthetic. There are multiple different endings and new scenarios to play through after beating the game. This game is perfect for anyone who is a fan of Silent Hill, Murdered: Soul Suspect, or Ghost Trick Phantom Detective.
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
The Lego adventure games of this era are some of the best in the whole genre. These games never took themselves too seriously and were a great entry point for casual players. For years, Traveller’s Tales have been mashing together two beloved icons and creating some of the most memorable games of the 2000’s.
2008’s Lego Indiana Jones is no different, with familiar faces, fun gameplay, and engaging missions. You follow Indiana Jones through his original three adventures as he recovers the Ark of the Covenant, escapes the Temple of Doom, and finds the Holy Grail. Complete brick-based puzzles, find hidden easter eggs, and collect tons of recognizable characters. Return to the world of action-packed, Nazi punching archaeology in familiar brick form with this awesome entry in the Lego library of games.
The X-Files: Resist or Serve
The truth is out there in this 2004 return to the mysterious world of the X-Files. Follow Mulder or Scully in some more spooky adventures as they try to solve another mysterious murder. Drop right into the seventh season of the acclaimed TV show with three whole new episodes, written by the show’s screenwriters and voiced by their actors, and discover a slew of secrets hidden in this mysterious town.
This game has been compared to Resident Evil in terms of gameplay but with a greater emphasis on solving the mystery by searching for clues. The player is even able to autopsy bodies to discover secrets hidden within and come closer to solving another case.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
2008’s movie tie-in game, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, follows the story of the film through puzzle-solving, two-player, action-packed adventures. The game also features a level that takes place before the events of the film in which Narnia falls to the Telmarine hordes.
This is a perfect pair to the movie, with awesome action and puzzles that go beyond the movie’s scope. There are also twenty playable characters, each with their own abilities, to choose from in fun action-packed cooperative play.
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius: Attack of the Twonkies
Return to the world of the boy genius in this action-packed game based on the awesome Nickelodeon show. You play as the titular Jimmy Neutron as he goes around Retroville exterminating the Twonkie infestation.
Similar to the Gremlins from the movie of the same name, Twonkies become dangerous if the instructions are not followed exactly. After Sheen loses his Twonkie, they multiply and overrun Retroville. If they hear music, then they become even more of a threat. You must use your high-tech gadgets and inventions to figure out how to dispel these Twonkies and save Retroville. This game is a must-play for fans of 2000’s Nickelodeon.
Dog’s Life
Dog’s Life is one of the quirkiest adventure games in the PlayStation 2’s library. In this 2004 release, you start as Jake who sees the dog of his dreams taken by a dog-catcher. You must track her down, all while rescuing fellow canine friends in this awesome game.
There are fifteen different dog breeds to choose from, all with their own abilities and perks. You must also collect bones from completing missions in order to boost your dog’s stats and come closer to returning the love of your life. Each dog has Smell-o-vision which allows the player to access challenges against other dogs in the area. If you are looking for a fun, quirky and lighthearted adventure game, then Dog’s Life is a definite pick up.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
This movie tie-in developed by Sierra is an awesome, light-hearted adventure through the world of Spiderwick. The game takes you through multiple levels of exploration, puzzle solving, and action as you explore the Fantastical World Around You. After three siblings move to the mansion, they discover Arthur Spiderwick’s Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. They learn that they are not alone in the yard, and the entire property is inhabited by magical creatures.
The player is able to upgrade their character by beating up evil goblins, gain power-ups from magical Sprites, and find items hidden around every corner. This game is engaging all the way through and an awesome fantasy adventure.
Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law
This take on the classic Adult Swim series drops the player in as the titular Harvey Birdman as he solves five crazy court cases. The player must investigate crime scenes for evidence and face off against long-time rivals in the courtroom.
Harvey Birdman is very similar in gameplay to Phoenix Wright in which the player faces-off in the courtroom after investigating the scene of the crime for evidence. The game is fully animated and features many familiar voices. This is a fantastic game for fans of the show and fans of courtroom drama. If you enjoyed Phoenix Wright, then this will be right up your alley.
