The PlayStation 2 wasn’t quite as big of a leap forward when compared to the PlayStation 1, but it was a worthy follow-up for fans who were hungry for the next generation of gaming. The PS2 managed to solve a host of inadequacies and limitations found in the original, while delivering much better looking, far more immersive titles.

A lot of groundbreaking games came out for the PS2 which permanently changed the surface of the gaming landscape, for the better. On the flip side, some games failed to do anything new or inventive but were still worth a playthrough. The list contains 5 of each, so be sure to read on!

10 Great: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto enjoyed a huge shot in the arm thanks to the third installment which shifted the gameplay to a 3rd person perspective. Several titles ended up seeing release, including San Andreas, arguably one of the most groundbreaking in the series.

Not only did San Andreas take the franchise into even more adult territory (count the F-Bombs, if you can), but it also tacked on a ton of gameplay mechanics featuring everything from fitness levels to swimming prowess and weapon skills. This on-the-fly RPG skill system was leaps ahead of the GTA titles that came before it, turning San Andreas into a near-perfect hit.

9 Generic: Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence

After the runaway success of Symphony Of The Night on the original PlayStation, fans were clamoring for a Castlevania follow-up on the new PS2. Unfortunately, they got a 3D action platformer instead. While Lament Of Innocence did keep a lot of the Metroidvania style approach of Symphony, the sudden shift to 3D felt too foreign.

In the end, the game scored modest reviews, but the technical limitations of 3D games from that time period were no match for a straight-up 2D platformer.

8 Great: Resident Evil 4

The first three Resident Evil games had done their job solidifying the success of the franchise, but it was time to take things in a new direction. Capcom wisely shifted the game engine away from the fixed-camera style that drove previous titles and opted for a much more dynamic 3rd-person engine with vastly better visuals.

The result was an RE title that did away with almost everything the original had going for it (including shuffling zombies), in favor of a new chapter with a brand new kind of foe to fight. To this day, RE4 remains a huge fan favorite.

7 Generic: Silent Hill: Origins

Silent Hill was a major hit on the original PlayStation. The disturbing Clive Barker-inspired visuals drove a story of psychological madness, all set within a little foggy town known as Silent Hill.

Unfortunately, Origins really failed to live up to its predecessors and offered nothing new in terms of gameplay or surprises. It would get a decent shake from critics, but those looking for something more bold and inventive were left to fend for themselves.

6 Great: Shadow Of The Colossus

There’s nothing quite like Shadow Of The Colossus, and the fact that it debuted on the PS2 rather than a future system is astonishing, to say the least. Not only was it groundbreaking on several fronts, but it became so popular with fans that it sparked an HD remake.

Shadow Of The Colossus focused entirely on gigantic set pieces and grandiose battles against singular foes that were mind-blowing in both size and ferocity. Each one required the player to seek out specific weak points in order to slay each Colossus, which further drove the story. It might sound simple, but there’s a lot more to it than face value.

5 Generic: Killzone

Killzone wouldn’t truly become a hit until its sequel dropped on the PlayStation 3 some years later. The original was a rather generic, by-the-book FPS with an average framerate, less-than-stellar graphics, and very little of the cinematic flair that drove the follow-up.

It’s a shame because the series could have got off to a thundering start. Luckily, the sequel would pick up steam for the franchise, leaving the original an oft-forgotten and overlooked proof of concept title, at best.

4 Great: God Of War

God Of War was the PlayStation 2’s most iconic paradigm shift and helped define not just the console, but every PlayStation that would ever follow in its wake. Gamers never saw anything quite like it, from the insanely entertaining story to the mind-blowing boss fights.

In fact, the spectacle was so important to God Of War that each installment tried to one-up what came before and somehow managed to succeed. The original would show developers what was possible if one simply put their mind to it.

3 Generic: XIII

XIII was an intriguing take on the FPS formula, but there was little depth to be found when one scratched the ultra-lacquered veneer of its cell-shaded graphics. There was a fun story to be had, but it was a typical run of the mill “secret agent with amnesia” formula popularized by Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne novels.

Still, XIII was quite fun to play, and the upcoming HD remake is a testament to its status as a cult favorite. What a shame it didn’t offer more in the gameplay department.

2 Great: Psychonauts

This little gem was the product of Double Fine Productions, a company created by LucasArts’ Tim Schafer. Beloved by fans for its clever writing, one-of-a-kind style, and inventive gameplay, Psychonauts focused on exploring the minds of other characters by diving into their consciousness, which was a brave take on traditional game formulas.

Although Psychonauts didn’t perform nearly as well as expected in terms of sales, that says little about its impact as a groundbreaking platformer that was quite far ahead of its time. It also foreshadowed the level of creativity that would blossom within the video game world, most notably from indie developers trying their hand at new concepts.

1 Generic: Silpheed: The Lost Planet

Game Arts’ Silpheed series had been going strong in the PC gaming community since the 1980s, and a Sega CD follow-up in the early 90s would help bring the franchise back into relevance, yet again. Renowned for its customizable twin-weapon system and oblique overhead cam, Silpheed is a unique take on the traditional shooter formula.

The PS2 release of Silpheed: The Lost Planet attempted to build on the mechanics of its Sega CD predecessor and succeeded, but there wasn’t much there, to begin with. For all its perks, Silpheed has its limits, and there was nothing groundbreaking about Lost Planet save for its unique storyline. Still, it’s well worth playing, even if it doesn’t do anything groundbreaking with the established formula.

NEXT: The 10 Best PS2 Racing Games, According To Metacritic