An incredibly fast paced sci-fi shooter/action title, for me Vanquish remains Platinum’s best game. Alongside the fun selection of weapons and a responsive cover system, the boosting mechanic is what really makes this game stand out from the crowd. Zipping around the battlefield is always great fun and a number of top-notch set pieces help break up the action perfectly.
Vanquish never really seemed to find as big an audience as it deserved upon release and since it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a sequel, I’d recommend picking up the 2020 remaster.
Okami’s unique, ink painting-inspired character and environment style was not the only reason why this work of art is considered one of the best titles during the PlayStation 2 generation. The story follows that of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who has been summoned with her companion, Issun, to help rid the land of the corruptive influence of the main antagonist, Yami. Okami’s consistently beautiful design is one of its strongest features. However, the game’s well-written plot line and the novel inclusion of the Celestial Brush feature helped propel it into one of the most elegantly made titles of the PS2.
God Hand is easily one of the most overlooked and best PS2 games I’ve ever played. It’s extremely challenging (but never cheap), hilarious, and insane enough to be so unique it will leave a lasting impression. You would think that punching and kicking guys for the 12 or so hours it takes to beat the game would get old after a while, but even on the last chapter there are enough new attacks and challenges that you’ll probably be wishing the game would last a little longer. Plus, just to top an already awesome game off, the last boss is classic old school. He’s huge, tough as nails, and seems impossible at first, but like those old 16bit games, once you figure out his pattern you’ll get an incredible sense of satisfaction by finally kicking his ass. What more could you ask from a game?
Platinum Games has a way of making stylish and appealing gameplay that favors players at any skill level. It doesn't matter if someone was new, a long-time gamer who hasn't engaged with Platinum, or someone who has played their games for over 1,000 hours; the studio’s games were simply fun to play and replay.
Even in a time when video games and anime were rife with mech suits, Platinum Games still stood out with Vanquish. In Vanquish, users could activate bullet time (or AR Mode) when in the middle of melee fighting or sliding across the ground. This usability made AR Mode more than just a
cinematic mechanic; it was a satisfying way to segue between action while accentuating combos