6 PS2 Games Free With PlayStation Plus That Are Genuine 10/10 Masterpieces

Published Aug 13, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Ben Brosofsky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2022 and editing since 2024. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's in Cinema & Media Arts. Writing serves as a much-needed distraction from tackling a backlog of Steam games that will never be surmounted. The PlayStation 2 library had more masterpieces than you could shake a stick at, but the lion's share of the selection remains unavailable on modern platforms. Even so, a select number of hits are available with a PlayStation Plus subscription, and a smaller number among those are truly legendary games. Sadly, you won't find some all-time greats here, like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 or Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. If you don't have an original PS2 on hand, though, there's no need to worry. Over the years, PS Plus has amassed more than enough games to bring plenty of fantastic early 2000s entertainment into the modern day with a PS4 or PS5. Ape Escape 2 Ratchet and Clank, Sly Cooper, and Jak & Daxter might dominate most conversations about PS2 platformers, but they weren't the only legendary PS2 experiences in the genre. The primate-collecting adventure found in Ape Escape 2 is up there with them, and when it comes to pure charm, it's hard to beat. The original Ape Escape was a true innovation, releasing as the first PlayStation game to require the use of dual analog sticks, as they were necessary to control its extensive use of gadgets. Ape Escape 2 maintains this focus on inventive gameplay while refining the overall experience, shedding the clunkier challenges of the first game for a consistently fun experience. Ape Escape 2 also trades in some of the first game's richer atmosphere for more of a Saturday morning cartoon vibe, which could hurt a lesser experience. Here, though, the game's wit and energy stop it from feeling too lightweight. Catching monkeys is fun, but there's even more joy to be found in simply watching them. Scattered about themed levels that range from the Wild West to Japanese bathhouses, the roster of primates is overflowing with unique animations, distinct personalities, and punny names. Soulcalibur 3 There's no real consensus as to what the best Soulcalibur game is, but Soulcalibur 3 is a fairly common answer. Soulcalibur 2 set a high bar to clear as the perfect sequel to the original game, and Soulcalibur 3 stepped up to the plate with confidence, delivering another excellent fighting experience. To this day, Soulcalibur's focus on diverse weapon gameplay feels unique, and Soulcalibur 3 is essentially a perfect example of everything that's great about it. With a huge character roster, robust character creation, and an extensive campaign mode, there's so much to do here, especially when compared to the flimsy single-player offerings of many other fighting games. Fighting games aren't always for everyone, but Soulcalibur 3 is one that's always worth a try, even if you aren't into the genre. In this case, the game's greatness is more due to its surplus of fun possibilities than any focus on competitive balance, giving it true widespread appeal. Even with individual preferences on the table, excellence sometimes speaks for itself. Deus Ex: The Conspiracy It feels like a miracle that Deus Ex ever made it to the PlayStation 2. In an era where PC and console gaming had very different flagship games, Deus Ex represented the world of PC possibilities at its best. Helping to define the immersive sim genre, the game emphasized complex challenges that could be tackled in free-form ways, building a cyberpunk world full of realistic reactivity. Deus Ex: The Conspiracy does make some compromises, simplifying and streamlining the game's mechanics to introduce it to the console ecosystem. It would take a lot of dilution to make Deus Ex anything but a masterpiece, though, and The Conspiracy keeps most of what makes it great intact. For newcomers or fans who have only played Human Revolution onward, it might actually be more immediately appealing, as the streamlined approach has a bit more in common with mainstream modern game design. Compared to the original game, Deus Ex: The Conspiracy might not be a 10/10. Compared to virtually anything else, though, it still feels like one. With a compelling atmosphere, fantastic story, and plenty of room for creativity, this is a game that has it all. Dark Cloud 2 Most of the PlayStation 2's fantastic RPG library is missing from the PS Plus Game Catalog, but there are a few notable inclusions. Rogue Galaxy offers an exciting space opera adventure, and Wild Arms 3 brings some polished Western flair. If any PS2 RPG on PS Plus can be called a true masterpiece, though, it's probably Dark Cloud 2. The premise of the Dark Cloud games was always unique, mixing RPG adventures with city-building mechanics. You earn Geostones from venturing into procedurally-generated dungeons, which in turn can be converted into building plans to work on a prosperous outside world. The first game could feel unfortunately repetitive at times, but Dark Cloud 2 refined things into a more consistently engaging experience. From recruiting NPCs to playing golf, Dark Cloud 2 is bursting at the seams with things to discover and activities to enjoy. Even amid the stiff RPG competition on the PS2, Dark Cloud 2 delivers a sense of variety that makes it stand out as a must-play PS2 game on PS Plus. TimeSplitters 2 After GoldenEye 007 set the tone for console shooters, the market quickly started to proliferate with FPS games that are still fun by modern standards. With so many options, however, there's often little reason to revisit the average PS2 FPS over the many games that have followed in the genre. Perhaps the biggest exception, however, is TimeSplitters 2. Building on the unique ideas of the first TimeSplitters, the sequel kicked things up a notch. TimeSplitters 2 makes the most of a unique time-travel concept, which feeds into a truly varied selection of levels and challenges that comprise a proper campaign experience rather than a simple array of missions. What really makes TimeSplitters 2 stick in the memories of many who played it, however, is the multiplayer. Fast-paced gameplay made for consistent fun, and the sheer amount of content in the game made it hard for things to ever feel stale. If that did happen, a level editor was included to pick up the slack, allowing players to hop into their custom levels for multiplayer showdowns. Sly 2: Band Of Thieves PlayStation 2 platformers have some strong representation in the PS Plus catalog, and Sly 2: Band of Thieves is another masterpiece available through the subscription. The original Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus, which is also available on the service, was already great, but Sly 2 arguably took things to the next level. Sly 2 refocuses the gameplay to more thoroughly deliver on the idea of raccoon thievery, with a varied mission structure that focuses on stealth and setting up big heists rather than standard platforming business. The overall story also set a new standard for the franchise, spanning a memorable variety of worlds and highlighting an excellent cast of villains. Ultimately, Sly 2 didn't rewrite the book, but it did what any perfect sequel should. From refining the character mechanics to striking the perfect balance between bespoke level design and open areas, it unlocked the full potential of the franchise, and it's still a masterclass of game design today. Brand Sony Original Release Date June 29, 2010 Original MSRP (USD) $59.99 (Essential), $99.99 (Extra), $119.99 (Premium) - Per Year App Store PlayStation Store