This Underrated PS2 Classic Deserves A Modern Reimagining

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The PlayStation 2 is still considered a benchmark for gaming consoles, largely because of its incredibly extensive game collection. With everything from quirky independent games to major blockbuster franchises, the console had so many titles that it’s no surprise some great games flew under the radar. One of the most well-remembered hidden gems is also known for having a huge roster of playable characters.

Launched in January 2003, War of the Monsters aimed to capture the fun and energy of classic giant monster movies and 1950s science fiction on the PlayStation 2. With its bright visuals, playful attitude, and well-designed gameplay—which let players destroy a city in epic battles—War of the Monsters stood out as a truly original fighting game. Though it’s still somewhat overlooked, a remake could be exactly what today’s gamers are looking for.

War Of The Monsters Was A Building Bashing Good Time

Created by Incognito Entertainment, War of the Monsters was a hugely fun fighting game for the PlayStation 2 and should be remembered as a classic. The game is set in a retro sci-fi version of the 1950s, where Earth is under attack by aliens. Though humans manage to shoot down the alien ships, the toxic debris transforms various creatures into giant monsters. What made War of the Monsters unique was its combat. Instead of typical fighting game stages, battles took place in large, detailed city environments that could be completely destroyed.

Battles could involve up to four fighters, creating a fun and chaotic experience that set it apart from other fighting games at the time. Players could choose from a surprisingly large cast of characters inspired by classic B-movies, letting them live out their giant monster dreams in a game that didn’t take itself too seriously. What really made the gameplay special, though, were the levels. Players could climb buildings for strategic jumps, use vehicles and debris as weapons, and even topple skyscrapers for instant knockouts.

The game has a lighthearted and silly tone that prevents the action from feeling too intense or scary, making it consistently fun to play. Each single-player chapter starts with a preview that looks like a movie poster for the upcoming fight. The variety of enemies – ranging from classic monsters like giant apes and robots to more unusual foes like mutated insects and living energy with an eye – keeps things interesting. While reviewers generally liked the game, some criticized the challenging computer opponents and sluggish camera, resulting in an overall score of 80/100 on Metacritic.

Why War Of The Monsters Deserves A Modern Revival

War of the Monsters was a really fun and original fighting game, particularly for its time. However, it eventually got lost in the shuffle as other, similar games came out. Although it’s been re-released on later PlayStation consoles, it never became popular enough to warrant a sequel. The original game was quite impressive for the PS2, and a modern version could be even more amazing with today’s technology and the larger scope developers can achieve. Gaming has come a long way in the past two decades, especially in creating expansive game worlds, and a new War of the Monsters could really benefit from that.

Future battles could capture the style and feel of the original game, and even embrace the over-the-top fun of classic Godzilla films. Imagine bigger monsters, more detailed environments, and more spectacular attacks! If the sequel kept the focus on multiplayer combat, and truly utilized online features to create huge, destructible cities for monster clashes, it could be incredibly exciting. A new War of the Monsters game has the potential to be a blast.

Instead of a retro-inspired approach, developers could create monsters that are truly frightening and impressive, then let players battle to become the ultimate monster. This could add a horror element and give the game a more serious and impactful theme. The recent success of the new Godzilla and King Kong movies shows there’s an audience for this kind of monster action, and video games could be a perfect platform to explore it.

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2026-01-15 02:16