Best PS2 Split-screen Action RPG Games
Published: Thu Oct 26 2023
Table Of Contents
Metrics
| ✓ Story | ✓ Co-op Gameplay | ✓ Players |
| ✓ Graphics | ✓ Challenge |
Introduction
To bring you the best PS2 games for split screen action RPG gaming, we’ve ranked them based on metrics that lead to both an enjoyable gameplay and co-op experience. This list also includes underrated PS2 games to dig into with a friend. As a sidenote, a lot of the games featured have sequels/prequels so if you enjoy them, you should check those out as well!
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 5
Play Time
- Main Story: 10 – 15 hours
- Side + Main: 20 – 30 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
- 20 characters
- Marvel
- team attacks
- multiple endings
Impression
Marvel Ultimate Alliance presents a solid ARPG split screen experience and an absolute treat for fans!
The story follows your team of superheroes coming together to fight off Dr. Doom and his team of Marvel Villains. The side quests also play a vital part in the story as they effect the ending.
The game features splendid graphics and lots of recognizable characters from marvel as well as a setting faithful to the Marvel Universe and beautiful cutscenes.
The game allows players to control a team of 4 superheroes and players can choose from a roster of over 20 characters, each with their own skills and combos. Characters can jump, double jump and even fly on top their attack combos and special powers. Another cool aspect is special team attacks that dish out a lot of damage. While the AI leaves something to be desired, playing with friends can be a total blast and Bosses are a challenge, rightly so.
Lord of the Rings: Return of the king 4.5
Play Time
- Main Story: 8 – 12 hours
- Side + Main: 15 – 20 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
- 9 characters
- Hack & Slash
- LoTR
Impression
Fans of the LoTR franchise are in for a real treat with this entry! It’s based on the final chapter of the trilogy and uses the same digital assets as the movies, on top of providing an extremely enjoyable split screen experience. The only con is game only supports 2 player co-op.
The story is true to the amazing LoTR storytelling and covers the epic finale to the trilogy. It follows 3 paths (wizard, king and hobbit) and 9 characters including Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas to name a few.
The gameplay is a solid hack slash, where each character has their own combos and skills, including those unique to race. Levels can be gained by killing enemies, of which there are a good variety and many epic bosses. The challenge provided is just right, as it requires a good amount of strategy and teamwork, where just charging in is bound to get you overwhelmed.
The graphics are also amazing for the PS2 and use digital assets from the movie as well as lots of extras, such as interviews with the cast playing the game.
Champions of Norrath 4.2
Play Time
- Main Story: 10 – 15 hours
- Side + Main: 20 – 30 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
- 5-Classes
- Dungeon Crawling
- Character Customization
- D&D
Impression
COR is another great option for those looking for some split screen action rpg goodness. Featuring 4 payers as oppose to 2, amazing graphics and solid yet cliche story, the gameplay holds it all together with your fun but standard ARPG goodness.
The story featured is solid, while being relatively cliched. The realm faces danger from an evil alliance forged by Orcs and Goblins, laying waste to the wood elves, and urging the need for a hero; One that will traverse all types of dangers, including forests, dungeons and lava to say the least.
The gameplay also follows the ARPG tried and true formula, it features 5 races that have their own play styles and roles within a party. To add more variety, it also allows for character customization.
The Graphics in COR are really nice, the quality of water, animation, level design and more are all high quality, with the exception of some blurring here and there.
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance 4
Play Time
- Main Story: 20-30 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
- 3-Classes
- Dungeon Crawling
- D&D
Impression
Baldur’s Gate is an incredibly fun experience, made better with a friend or family member. The ARPG formula works, the story is kept interesting and the graphics are amazing. Its only cons are its linear story and limit of 2 players.
The story is interesting and brought together really well, it follows the cliche of fighting against the darkness that threatens the peace of Baldur’s Gate. However it does lose points for a linear story telling experience and does not include any side-quests.
Gameplay relies on hacking and slashing your way through waves of enemies in dungeons on your way to the next objective. It features 3 characters to choose from including: Dwarven Warrior, Elven Sorceress and Human Archer. Skills are gained upon level up from killing enemies. It stays true to ARPG formula and brings it together in a way that’s really fun. The only con is that it’s limited to 2 players as oppose to 4.
The graphics in this game are beautiful for the PS2, it has a variety of settings such as vast forests, snow mountains and ice caves to name a few and includes details such as ripples when walking through ponds.
Gauntlet: Dark Legacy 4
Play Time
- Main Story: 10 – 15 hours
- Side + Main: 20 – 30 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
- 16 classes
- Arcade
Impression
If you’re looking for an arcade hack and slash action rpg, Gauntlet is your game! What it loses in the visual department it makes up with a huge roster, fun gameplay and an engaging story.
Gauntlet provides an engaging story true to the series. It features a powerful wizard Sumner who rules 8 realms. His younger brother who is jealous of his older brothers power and position, sets off in search of powerful magic, so that he can challenge the throne; and in doing so, lets the mighty demon Skorne escape and threaten the 8 realms.
The gameplay is where this title shines, it provides an arcade like type of hack and slash and a generous starting roster of 8 different classes including valkyries, jesters, dwarfs and more. You unlock more as you progress through a series of 60 levels with many epic bosses to slay.
The Graphics are not the most impressive on this list, as the characters tend to come out blocky and the first few levels are too detailed. However the backgrounds do get better in the later levels.