RELATED: PS2 Games That Looked Amazing For Their Time (But Didn’t Age Well)
The cutscenes had a massive improvement in expression and vibrancy. This made for more purposeful storytelling and infectious charm right out of an animated movie. More and more people began seeing video games as a narrative medium. Countless great examples exist on the PS2, but some stand above the rest.
7 Jak 3
The second Jak & Daxter title already dials up the number of cutscenes, but Jak 3 is where the developers learn how to fully utilize them. Character blocking, cinematic shots, snappy editing, and musical accompaniment combine to give each scene its due impact.
Never has this ancient world been more engrossing. Even moments of conversation manage to hold players’ attention, as the characters could be fiddling with a tool or expressing themselves through subtle body language. The above elements enhance these actions, making every sequence feel alive.
6 Devil May Cry 3
The third Devil May Cry title sets the tone right away. Dante cranks up his jukebox and slays some demons to a heavy metal beat. The kinetic energy is matched only by his flourish–showing the superhuman balance and coordination only the son of Sparda can muster. As the hero slides around on an assailant while shooting others to gain momentum, he sends a clear message to just go with the silliness and have fun.
The game keeps up that attitude throughout. The animators pepper every exchange with the same demented slapstick and witty one-liners. Miraculously, it never loses its punch and remains a joy to watch. No wonder this irreverent tone has defined the franchise ever since.
5 Kingdom Hearts 2
Games from Square Enix are usually feasts for the eyes, but their most eye-popping title on the PS2 is Kingdom Hearts 2. This sequel improves on its predecessor in numerous areas, with the most notable being the cutscenes.
RELATED: PlayStation 2 Games Turning 20 In 2022 (That You Should Replay)
The first entry’s awkward pauses and lifeless lip flaps are virtually nonexistent here. In their place are fluid animations packed with emotion. In addition, the brighter aesthetic ensures the Final Fantasy characters are just as appealing as the Disney ones. Of course, the icing on the cake is the direction. Tetsuya Nomura’s talent for flashy action is always a treat, and Kingdom Hearts 2 is the generation’s best example of that.
4 Sly 2: Band Of Thieves
The Sly Cooper series has aged well in many respects, and that goes double for its presentation. The games bookend each chapter with 2D animated cutscenes. Though these sequences are somewhat short on movement, each motion has a purpose. As a result, they’re dripping with personality. It’s as if a comic book has come to life.
The second game implements that style with the most skill. The prominent shadows and dynamic angles give it a distinctive film noir flavor, which is perfect for the suave thievery at the center.
3 Ultimate Spider-Man
This Spider-Man title takes that concept of a living comic book and dials it up to eleven. The cutscenes present each shot as a comic panel, often having multiple ones onscreen. They conjure images of Ang Lee’s Hulk film, except the approach is more appropriate for a high-octane Spider-Man story.
The style gives the cutscenes an infectious energy. On top of the format, that charm comes down to the cell-shaded graphics and dynamic angles. These would amplify the excitement on any page, and they do the same in the game.
2 God Of War 2
The God of War games hinge on myth, and the second entry truly captures the feel of an ancient Greek epic. Much of that is thanks to scale, particularly with the Titans and colossal structures throughout. The developers brilliantly use sound, movement speed, and perspective to convey true enormity.
RELATED: Things The PS2 Did (That Were Way Ahead Of Its Time)
They also achieve this through detail. God of War 2 is a PS2 swan song, and that shows. Everything has more definition than the first game. These range from character expressions to textures on a Titan. What’s more, they all aid in attaining the grandiosity that the series has become known for.
1 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
Plenty of Dragon Ball games came before and after Budokai. However, this fighter holds a special place in fans’ hearts due to not only a solid gameplay foundation but also a robust Story Mode. The title retells the tale of Dragon Ball Z up to the Cell Saga, and it does so with a presentation that rivals the anime.
These cutscenes all have ample impact. They streamline the narrative to eliminate padding, allowing the detailed character models to reenact the most iconic scenes. These, in turn, benefit from slick camerawork, bone-crunching sound design, and a rocking score that still gets the blood pumping (despite the unfortunate plagiarism). For these reasons, many fans still hail Budokai as the best in-game recreation of the DBZ story.
MORE: Things You Didn’t Know The PS2 Could Do
