Any new console generation signals advancement and the PS2/Xbox generation was one of the greatest leaps. This era pushed the boundaries in many areas. The gameplay evolved; the scale became larger; the genres expanded beyond belief. One aspect, however, was noticeable even to a layman.
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 thePS2, but some stand above the rest.
7Jak 3
The secondJak & Daxtertitle already dials up the number of cutscenes, butJak 3is 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.
6Devil May Cry 3
The thirdDevil May Crytitle 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.
5Kingdom Hearts 2
Games fromSquare Enixare usually feasts for the eyes, but their most eye-popping title on the PS2 isKingdom 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 theFinal Fantasycharacters are just as appealing as theDisneyones. Of course, the icing on the cake is the direction. Tetsuya Nomura’s talent forflashy actionis always a treat, andKingdom Hearts 2is the generation’s best example of that.
4Sly 2: Band Of Thieves
TheSly Cooperserieshas 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.
3Ultimate Spider-Man
ThisSpider-Mantitle takes that concept ofa living comic bookand 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’sHulkfilm, except the approach is more appropriate for a high-octaneSpider-Manstory.
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.
2God Of War 2
TheGod of Wargames 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 Titansand 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 2is 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.
1Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
Plenty ofDragon Ballgames came before and afterBudokai. 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 ofDragon Ball Zup 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 reenactthe 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 hailBudokaias the best in-game recreation of theDBZstory.
