8 Great PS2 Strategy Games That Are Fun from the Start

The PS2 was a surprisingly fun era for the strategy game. While there weren't quite the behemoths that the PC was fed consistently at the time, there were still plenty of games that gave you a mental workout, whether they be full-fledged RPGs or more contained experiences.

It was a time of video game experimentation for the PS2, and thankfully, that gave us some great games in the strategy world to sink our teeth into, and many of those games manage to be great even when you play them today.

We're going to check out some of the most fun from the start strategy games on the PS2.

8 Alien Vs Predator: Extinction

Extraterrestrial Territory

Developer

Zono

Release Date

July 30, 2003

Consoles

PS2, Xbox

Alien Vs. Predator: Extinction is an attempt to go full RTS on the consoles, and for the time, it was one of the first games of its kind to grace the system, and while it's not the best RTS game out there, it manages to be pretty damn fun and unique on top of that. Gameplay has you controlling groups with the analog sticks on the PS2 controller and managing your units, exploring, and dealing with the typical RTS cycle of resource management and, of course, combat.

You've got three different factions to play here: the Aliens, the Colonial Marines, and the Predators. Marines are effective with strength in numbers, while Predators are few in numbers, but incredibly deadly. The Xenomorph aliens, though, are the most interesting of the bunch because you can't just purchase new units; you have to possess them. So each victim can become a new part of your army. On top of that, the Xenomorphs can evolve too, making them the most complex but unique of the three. It's a solid time for sure, with each faction having its own way to advance and some decent visuals for the time as well. You've also got three separate campaigns too, so you definitely get your money's worth with this title.

7 Army Men: RTS

Mean and Green

Developer

Pandemic Studios

Release Date

March 26, 2002

Platforms

PS2, GameCube, PC

Army Men: RTS is a really solid strategy title on the PS2, and you know that's the case because it's one of the few RTS games that is available on both the PC and the PS2. The pedigree is there, the name is there, and thankfully, the gameplay is definitely there too.

The gameplay is your classic RTS setup of building a base, gathering resources, building your units, growing your technology, and most importantly, defending your base with a strong military presence. Thankfully, the game has been adapted masterfully onto consoles, with easy-to-use controls for everything, which is an achievement in itself. The most novel aspect, though, is that the battlefields are your typical household environments and that vibe carries over to the resources as well. The scale of the game is really cool too, not forgetting for one second that it's an Army Men game first and foremost. If you're looking to just jump in and get some fun, light RTS action in, this is a great place to do it.

6 Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits

The Forgotten Great

Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits Released March 20, 2003 Platform(s) PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits is one of the great, forgotten JRPGs on the PS2, and it also happens to be a pretty damn good strategy game too. It's a gripping and mature story about humans and Orcs and the good and bad people who are on both sides of a seemingly never-ending war. The combat takes place on a grid, and you have a bunch of playable characters here, with each having their own unique combat style and special abilities to use as well.

The narrative here is the selling point, but the bosses are no slouch either, requiring you to flank enemies and position your attacks so that you're hitting the most enemies possible, as each attack has a different amount of space it covers. On top of that, you've got environmental obstacles, making sure your weaker characters are protected, and it quickly turns into a really intense strategy game where every move you make matters and even the most basic enemies can cause a challenge. It also kicks off really fast, giving you some great story beats early on, and it keeps the momentum from there. You've also got two separate stories to experience on both sides of the war, making the tale feel that much more grand and complete in the process.

5 Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde

The Horde Is At Your Command

Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde Released November 11, 2003 Platform(s) PlayStation 2, Xbox (Original), GameCube

Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde is a streamlined RTS attempt on the PS2, and honestly it's a really fun one right from the jump. You play as Grommel, the titular Goblin Commander, who controls a variety of Goblin clans. You guide them through a variety of missions in large groups, commanding them to defend, attack, or follow you.

Each clan is its own unit class, so instead of individual units, it's groups you're managing. It's all about the Goblins here, so if that's not your aesthetic, you might not love what's going on here, but there's a decent amount of complexity here, and the missions have a good variety too, capturing different locations, taking on huge enemies, and generally just unleashing chaos on the realm. The Titans, in particular, are fun to command here, as they tower over other units, and you get direct control of these behemoths, making them much different than the other units.

4 Suikoden Tactics

A More Involved Affair

Suikoden Tactics RPG Strategy Tactical Released September 22, 2005 ESRB t // Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language Developer(s) Konami Publisher(s) Konami Franchise Suikoden Platform(s) PlayStation 2 Genre(s) RPG, Strategy, Tactical

Suikoden Tactics is a really fun title in the Suikoden series that focuses more on combat than any other entry in the series. Here, it's all about elemental affinity and terrain. It's such a unique approach to a tactics game, and one that I don't really see in a game that manages that same level of interactivity and complexity. There's also permadeath, so it makes you pay attention to every single encounter because if you forget a particular environmental detail, it could mean losing a party member permanently.

This is a blast to play right from the start, as it gets you into the action superfast, and there are a ton of characters to play as here, which is what we expect from Suikoden games. There's also a complex relationship system which you should invest in because better relationships result in far better outcomes on the battlefield. You've also got the trademark great writing the series has always been known for, and it all combines to make for one of the most underrated titles in the whole series and just a damn good strategy game in its own right.

3 Ring of Red

Full Metal Chaos

Ring Of Red Strategy Tactical Released March 12, 2001 ESRB t Developer(s) Konami Publisher(s) Konami Engine Unreal Engine 3 Platform(s) PS2 Developer KCE Studios Genre(s) Strategy, Tactical How Long To Beat 60 hours

You know how I mentioned that the PS2 was a time of wild, experimental gameplay across genres? Well, Konami's 2001 product Ring of Red is some great proof of just that. It's a strategy game at its core about a fictional version of the Cold War that is set in a divided Japan and involves other real-world countries as well. The gameplay, though, is absolutely awesome, and it lays the groundwork for later series like Valkyria Chronicles to take the ball and run with it.

Here's how it works: you have your typical grid-based strategy game, and here, it's done with AFWs, which act as the mechs you do battle with. When you interact with an enemy on the field, instead of watching a canned animation play out like usual, you take full control of the fight. That means you'll be aiming and firing your weapons in some pretty cinematic sequences that are nonetheless compelling to play through. There is a real sense of impact you feel when fighting in this game that makes every combat encounter worthwhile.

2 Kessen II

The Feeling of War

Kessen II Released March 29, 2001 Platform(s) PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3

Kessen II took the ultra-popular Dynasty Warriors series and turned it into a tactics-based war game. I'll admit at the time, I was bummed I couldn't really go boots on the ground like I'd been accustomed to, but once I got over that, the game was a great time. Things are taken a bit more seriously here on the story side of things, which I appreciated, and the strategic freedom in the game is something I'd never experienced in the other series.

You have to match up your units carefully here, as each has its strengths and weaknesses, and your officers have special attacks that can completely turn the tide of a battle on a dime. Some of these are charges through waves of soldiers, but others go way over the top and call in freaking meteors to ruin enemy troops. It's epic, and your control over your army is amazing here. It's slow-paced, but watching your plans unfold is a ton of fun. The sequel might've done things bigger and more involved, but this is the entry in the series that nails that epic war feeling the best.

1 Front Mission 4

Battle Tested

Front Mission 4 RPG Tactical Adventure Released June 15, 2004 ESRB t Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine unreal engine Platform(s) PS2 Developer Square Enix Product Development Division 6 Genre(s) RPG, Tactical, Adventure How Long To Beat 50 hours

Front Mission 4 was the series' jump to the PS2 hardware, and for fans of mech anime or strategy games, this is a game you should absolutely experience. It's a deep, political, and serious-toned story that you don't get all that often when it comes to JRPGs, and it's a breath of fresh air in that regard.

The main event is, of course, the combat here, as that's what you'll be spending most of the game doing. It's deep, tactical, and most importantly, easily accessible. You can customize the hell out of your Wanzers (the mechs in this game) to your desire, but once the sparks start flying, the strategy combat on display here is some of the best in the genre. You can target specific limbs of enemies, knock the pilots out of their Wanzers, and have to hunt them down before they get a new one and control an impressive squad each mission. The game is a little bit gray-looking, but it fits the dour and serious atmosphere that the story has to offer.