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[bomblord1]

As you may notice if you recognize me at all I've been on PS2 kick recently.

My latest thread is about PS2 Graphics.
For the sake of discussion art is just as important as technical achievements as a game can be doing a crap ton on the technical side but still look bad. So when I use the term "graphics" I'm referring to how good the final output looks not necessarily just what's going on behind the scens.

The PS2 despite being the weakest on paper of it's gen had some visually stunning games that absolutely pushed the technical boundaries of it's day. There were stunners after stunners being released on the system. With everything from the massive worlds of Jak 3 to the jaw dropping visuals of GOW 2. Looking through the library my personal vote goes 2.

....

Wait for it

....

Valkyrie Profile 2.

Not only did the game seemingly irk out every lat polygon the PS2 seemed to be capable or producing it also supported 525p/1080i output.

However, my opinion is not the be all end all obviously or I would not be making a thread. What does gaf think is the best graphics of the PS2 generation?

 

[Wasp]

Black

I miss the time when Criterion were a state-of-the-art developer.

 

[Style]

I haven't actually played the game, but Final Fantasy 12 looks like it could be a contender for the title.

 

[Mattakuevan]

It was probably either VP2 or God of War 2.

I think VP was more dense visually, so I'll go with that and agree with you OP.

Edit: wait, it was probably this:

Silent Hill 3.

 

[Shmuppers]

Silent Hill 3.

 

[JaseMath]

BLACK.

Still looks good even today.

 

[jerry1594]

Ghost Hunter

 

[Jaded Alyx]

oldman.gif

 

[Fancy Clown]

Shadow of the Colossus is certainly up there.

 

[Ishida]

Zone of the Enders 2 is up there.

Best use of particles of its generation. The game looks INSANE. And it runs at 60fps.

 

[Daria Morgendorffer]

I always found SMT: Nocturne te be quite nice and clean looking.

 

[whyreggielie]

Kingdom Hearts 1/2 without question.

 

[hydruxo]

I'd go with God of War II

 

[JoshHood]

Black

I miss the time when Criterion were a state-of-the-art developer.

First post nailed it. That game was fantastic and stunning. Don't think there's been a game since that has had such a wow factor for me.

 

[Taruranto]

Silent Hill 3.

Character-models wise yeah, not sure about environment though.

 

[StefanTheMongol]

Burnout 3

 

[EBE]

Black didnt even look like that on xbox.

 

[MagnoSauce]

Kingdom Hearts 2's stylization really did well for it.

 

[Corpsepyre]

God of War 2. that scene on the chain, when you're moving towards the Steeds of Time, is proof enough.

 

[Seven Force]

I still don't get how Silent Hill 3 looks as great as it does on the hardware it's on. Insane.

 

[Bronetta]

God of War 2 for sure

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

Shadow of the Colossus is certainly up there.

I mean, any game could be the best looking on its platform if the devs are content with 20 fps.



I'm voting GOW2.

 

[mazpratim]

Black and SotC are up there for sure

 

[batbeg]

I came in here to say Valkyrie Profile 2, but my job was done before I even arrived...!

 

[Elios83]

Okami
Silent Hill 3
Kingdom Hearts 2
God of War 2
Final Fantasy XII
ZOE 2

are definetly among the best on the system.

 

[BabyFaceKillah]

Black

I miss the time when Criterion were a state-of-the-art developer.

black was on ps2 lol?? i thought that was an xbox exclusive.


they need to make a sequel to this game...

 

[Super_Cobra]

GoW 2.
I also remember Smackdown: here comes the pain to be a good looking game.

 

[TheMoon]

I'd vote for Okami.

 

[SebastianM]

Black, God of War 2 and San Andreas (for real)

 

[The Praiseworthy]

I remember I was like ( Next Gen what .. ? ) "

 

[JordanN]

Transformers (2004) has a huge draw distance and lush foliage.

For best artstyle, Auto Modellista. It literally looks like anime.

 

[angelic]

These are emulator shots though, even though theyre purty theyre not "real".

Transformers would be my vote, 60fps too

 

[DMiz]

Silent Hill 3.

This.

Don't get me wrong, VP2 is a stunner and is capable of some jaw-dropping moments, even now - but in this day and age, I'd argue that Silent Hill 3 and the oldman.gif still gets people mixed up in their generations.

 

[Lizard with a ladder]

I remember Onimusha 3 looking really good for it's time.

 

[Wasp]

First post nailed it. That game was fantastic and stunning. Don't think there's been a game since that has had such a wow factor for me.

Yeah, Black did CoD4 before CoD4. Yet it's largely forgotten by most people. The only thing it didn't have was aim down sights or multiplayer.

 

[Style]

oldman.gif

This.

Don't get me wrong, VP2 is a stunner and is capable of some jaw-dropping moments, even now - but in this day and age, I'd argue that Silent Hill 3 and the oldman.gif still gets people mixed up in their generations.

So are any of you going to post oldman.gif for those of us who don't know?

 

[TheChaos0]

If I had choose, I would probably say Odin Sphere. That game was gorgeous.

 

[ZeroRay]

SH3
MGS 3
GOW 2
FFXII

Are all up there.

Character-models wise yeah, not sure about environment though.

I was actually more impressed with the environmental textures and lighting than the character models back when it came out.

 

[edornob]

Any game that's running in 60fps

I remember when Square first unveiled Final Fantasy 12, I was wowed

 

[Fbh]

Most have already been mentioned.

I also remember being really impressed with Genji: Dawn of the Samurai when I played it. But it looks better in motion than in SD screenshots

It helped that animation were pretty fluid

 

[Jaded Alyx]

So are any of you going to post oldman.gif for those of us who don't know?

 

[Burgess_101]

Gran Turismo 4 looks fantastic.

 

[DanielMann]

It's hard to find a direct PS2 screenshot, but there were things about Black that in hindsight did scream "look at what is to come in the next gen."

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Transformers (2004) has a huge draw distance and lush foliage.

We usually have moments of wild variance in what we agree on and not, but if talking tech I have to agree with you completely on this one.

The verts and transparencies this game was throwing out at a pretty well locked framerate (minor dips if I remember right) on huge scales was mindnumbingly impressive.

 

[SmackAttack]

Black

I miss the time when Criterion were a state-of-the-art developer.

That game was quite a looker. Criterion were destined for so much more.

I still don't get how Silent Hill 3 looks as great as it does on the hardware it's on. Insane.

That's because Team Silent were wizards.

 

[bigjig]

FFXII wowed me the most

 

[Valkerionseven]

Valkyrie Profile 2 was the first and only game my family commented on about the visuals when they saw me playing it, thats a pretty big indicator of a great looking game imo since they largely ignore them.

Other than that, yeah the others have been named. Going to ditto ZoE2 again, cell shaded dust/smoke effects on top of the awesome 3D.

I almost want to say The Bouncer as well given how great the visuals are considering how early the game came out in the console life cycle. Crappy mechanics aside they made a great looking game. A lot of the main character models hold up pretty well in my opinion.

 

[Springy]

I never played it, but I remember thinking Rogue Galaxy looked utterly gorgeous in screenshots.

 

[RPGCrazied]

Dragon Quest VIII and Final Fantasy XII.

 

[hatchx]

As far as character models go (especially faces), probably Silent Hill 3.

I was really blown away by God of War 1 and 2 though.