Sly 2 - The most underrated game of a generation?

Sly 2 has somehow never been picked up on my radar until 2022. I know people love it, but does it hold up almost 20 years later? There is certainly an argument to be made that this could be one of the best games to ever come out for the PS2.
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Hope you enjoy the video, come say hi in the comments and leave a like if you want to support my channel growing. Subscribing if you like the content helps even more! Lesgooo

[@rily2885]

this game felt like a cartoon, not just by character designs or graphics but how it plays and deliver so many surprises and constant changes to the gameplay, it makes a great work telling the story and making their characters funny and endearing, it definitely deserves recognition

[@HowGoodGames]

Agreed, even just the way it’s broken up into 1-2 hour episodes makes it feel like you are playing through a cartoon series as well. So much style to this game

[@seeslug]

It’s so weird because I had the thought to look up a video on Sly 2 today because I couldn’t shake the thought that it was criminally underrated. I’m so happy I found this video and I am so BEYOND happy that you had a good time. This game was just a fantastic part of my childhood and I played it all the time. Everyone knew about Ratchet and Clank, or Jak and Daxter, but they always stopped knowing when I mentioned Sly. This game is so good. I hope that it gets more love despite being as old as it is because it aged incredibly well.

[@HowGoodGames]

Lesgoo! Super happy you found the video as well! Yeah, I had a great time with it, and since I only played it last week can definitely testify that it plays incredibly well today. Being able to play a game that’s been around for that long and have it be just as enjoyable as anything coming out today is a huge achievement from sucker punch. But yeah, totally agree with you, incredibly underrated and a real shame it didn’t get more attention back in the day

[@raresmacovei8382]

Sly 2, as a sequel, is equivalent to the Portal 2, Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Witcher 2, Assassin's Creed 2 games of the world, that made their predecessor almost look like a prototype.

[@HowGoodGames]

Boy there’s a video idea, which franchise has the best sequel, it’s like the polar opposite to movies and tv shows in most cases

[@DarkKirby14LP]

this game had Carmelita's best voice acting. Alesia Glideswell did it so well

[@davidb-h6709]

Sly 2 was amazing. It had the needed innovation/jump we needed from Sly 1 to Sly 2. The open world concept felt better than Sly 1's hub world style. Bentley's character arc is amazingly written. The story develops better than the other games of the series. It breaks the common trope of having 1 area dedicated to 1 boss. Not every episode ends on a high note. The game consistently has bittersweet moments and has a sense of serious stakes especially when Bentley has to break the others out of prison. The missions in each episode felt like they were tied together to accomplish something greater, like you said.

[@HowGoodGames]

It was the episode endings that you mentioned that made me go, ohhhh this is doing some big stuff. I also love that the game takes the time to show you after missions how the crew unwinds and has fun together because they are actually friends. Most game tells you that their characters are friends, and the best you get is some banter between them. Here it genuinely feels like Bentley has lost his best friends, instead of just his ‘team’ and it hits so much harder. Great writing and design and yeah, huge step up from an already outstanding original. Thanks for watching and commenting though!

[@elharvey5032]

If there's any game franchise that needs revival it's Sly Cooper, the gameplay and graphics in modern days would be absolutely phenomenal, also great video by the way I just subscribed

[@HowGoodGames]

I agree, I have literally not known what I was missing until playing this last month. Thanks for the sub! I promise I am going to be finishing Sly as well, just might finish Ratchet and Clank first but it is coming!!

[@LeifUnni2]

Incredible video! Definitely one of your best. I loved your high energy, quick-fire style. Great to hear how much you enjoyed Sly 2! PS: that Baron Praxis bit was gold. I laughed out loud

[@HowGoodGames]

That’s super helpful feedback as well, I’ll make sure to keep it up! I’ll admit, I laugh at my own jokes, I really enjoyed that one too

[@raresmacovei8382]

That Praxis bit always makes me laugh in any video regarding PS2 platformers, especially Sly and Ratchet. And Jak.

[@jacobnapkins1155]

Such a beautiful work of art combining The cartoonish style of tex Avery and Chuck Jones with the dark surrealism of the expressionists it really was tonally such a beautiful experience and I really wish they'd do more. Plus that soundtrack mwuh.

[@karenfromaccounting1132]

I’m still only halfway through playing Sly 1 after your glowing review last week, and here you are already with the Sly 2 video!! No one can claim that you don’t work hard on this channel lol

[@HowGoodGames]

oh mate, outside of my 9-5 it is YT, its exhausting but I love it haha. Are your thoughts on Sly 1 still roughly the same as when you gave it a crack the first time?

[@karenfromaccounting1132]

@@HowGoodGames oh I totally get it, I just got back to 9-5 and started commuting again. I’ve had the will to sit down and record / edit maybe twice in the past few months, honestly not sure how you pull it off. I love these regular uploads but hope you aren’t straining yourself I’ve definitely changed my tune about Sly. I think the comparison to spyro helped; with these sorts of collectathons, I can just do a few levels at a time rather than pushing myself through it in one sitting. Also I didn’t quite realise how useful some of the unlockable moves were, so I’ve made more of an effort to collect the book pages. That has helped a lot and made some parts less tedious, especially the water resistance perk. People say Sly 2 is even better so I’m pretty excited to move on to that

[@HowGoodGames]

@@karenfromaccounting1132 it's definitely a grind isn't it sometimes, but very rewarding at the of the day. Yeah the stolen pages are suuuper worthwhile getting, and I totally agree around Sly 2. Id recommend jumping into it as soon as you have finished Sly 1 because I think the direct contrast really gives it a huge impact as well. If you were playing it after a bunch of other games, then I think it wouldn't hit as hard

[@quintennobbe]

You are the reason I bought a ps2 last month. Amazing content man! Also if they used your videos as advertisement back when those games came out, they would probably be way more popular now. I am curruntly halfway through jak 3 and will play the sly series afterwards.

[@HowGoodGames]

Dude I’m stoked to hear that! It’s honestly the whole reason I started making these in the first place so I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them enough to play them yourself! Definitely keen to hear your thoughts on games as you get through them mate, thanks for sharing!

[@smoogieboogie1694]

Super excited for you to do Sly 3! If you liked these games, that one's always been my favorite.

[@HowGoodGames]

Yeah me too! I’ve shifted my focus lately to finishing ratchet and some Jak stuff, but definitely going to use sly 3 as a reward for myself getting through that work. I still know and am expecting nothing from it and was blown away by the first two games so can’t wait for 3!

[@Trvjillx]

Sly has a vibe to it no other game could compare

[@victorjurgensen8518]

you are so underrated my man keep up the good work. you just erned a subscriber

[@HowGoodGames]

Thank you dude! So glad you enjoyed the video, means a lot. And thanks for the sub!

[@kaoticchris1249]

Ah sly 2, took what came before, added more and was pretty amazing, had some tough spots that I always have trouble with (2nd spider lady area and train air fight) but still a great game though I enjoy sly 1 and 3 more than this one

[@HowGoodGames]

That makes me keen for 3, i've been seeing mixed opinions on it in the comments

[@DearSis]

Games from the PS2 era of gaming were crazy awesome! It was a golden age of gaming!

[@joshhider7362]

love your videos man, keep it up!

[@HowGoodGames]

Thanks for the encouragement dude, glad you’re enjoying them!

[@hotshot7970]

Hey man I've been liking all your videos I've seen thus far but you need to look at the background music volume levels but keep making vids you're doing grate

[@HowGoodGames]

Hey thanks for the feedback Hotshot, I completely agree. Im pretty disappointed that I let that slip for this one, but something I still haven't quite gotten the hang of. Hopefully they're better going forward, thanks for the encouragement!

[@hotshot7970]

@@HowGoodGames the hardest part is going to be that first 1k mate but if you keep up what you're doing you'll be there in no time

[@HowGoodGames]

@@hotshot7970 Really appreciate that mate, you're spot on too.

[@Ray.M.12345]

Love your channel so damn underrated. Just like the sly cooper franchise.

[@HowGoodGames]

Thank you mate! I was just saying to my wife that you’ve been binge watching my videos which still feels pretty surreal to me! Glad you’re enjoying them all!!

[@SS-eq8cb]

Really enjoying the content. Just subscribed. You're reviewing all the games that I loved in the 00s - Jak and daxter, ratchet and clank and Sly. Are you aware of any modern games that are similar to these? I'm tired of buying new consoles to just play remakes haha

[@HowGoodGames]

Thanks mate, really appreciate that and glad you’re enjoying the vids! I think there definitely are some (obviously like the newer ratchet games like rift apart or crash 4) but new platforming games like these are becoming rare! I might do something on this topic down the track, but I think the modern open world game (Spider-Man, ghost of Tsushima, etc) is the new platformer

[@Ray.M.12345]

Try Kena Bridge of spirits it really reminds you of the early ps2 era games. Kena Bridge Of Spirits really gives you Jak&Daxter The Precursor Legacy vibes.

[@suuri_johtaja]

My favorite game of all time and one of the first games that i ever played

[@HowGoodGames]

I’m super glad that I got around to it, better late than never!

[@ConnorKrohnicles]

The thievery in Sly 1 wasn’t optional. You had to steal the treasure keys to reach the boss.

[@plantcat6036]

sly 2 absolutely is the best of the bunch! engaging and fun. 3 has a bit too many gimmicks which lessens the cohesion for me.

[@HowGoodGames]

Yeah definitely planning on getting back to Sly 3 and finish that off, but yours seems to be the common sentiment. I had so much fun with Sly 2 though, thanks for watching!

[@Nico-the-Nacho]

Music kinda overpowered your voice in this one. Other then that, hyped for the inevitable Sly 3 video.

[@HowGoodGames]

Haha damn, thanks for the feedback. Definitely something I still haven’t found a good way to consistently do yet but going to keep working on it! Thanks Nico!

[@connerSphotography]

Me and my friend were always up each other’s necks about who was gunna finish this game first he ended up winning but man this game was awesome!

[@HowGoodGames]

I remember playing a demo for this game back on ps2 but that was all I had played of it. Can’t believe it took me a good 20 years or so to get around to actually playing the rest of it, but I agree, this game is so awesome!

[@newyorkgirl1997]

This game is simply iconic. I finished it like 10 times and it never got old. My favourite game of all time 🤍

[@davidb-h6709]

Regarding the pacing, I think if episode 8 was one of the better episodes of the game, there wouldn't be that feeling of pacing issue with 8 episodes. The problem is that episode 8 was arguably a bottom 3 episode. The area though unique with the sky blimp, didn't feel as interesting as the other episodes. The mission's did not feel as exciting and just the layout of the area felt bit lacking compared to the other episodes imo.

[@HowGoodGames]

Yeah completely agree, when it started I was like ‘oh this is rad’ and it sets up for an awesome set piece at the end, but the more time you spend in that level the more you realise, it’s a bunch of rooms with levels just connected by walkways. From a design point of view, if you took it out of the air it would feel like a test level compared to the other levels they had put together.

[@Tacom4ster]

LOL that Jak 2 clip

[@tygergamer]

Glad you enjoyed Sly 2. Hope you enjoy Sly 3 as well.

[@HowGoodGames]

Thanks man! And thank you for the last comment as well haha

[@OrbitalDropper]

I think Sly 3 will disappoint you, by "some things" but it has some of the best chapters in the franchise, in my opinion. You'll see. Minor spoiler: It has some of the last two game's villains making a comeback. HGG, hope you will see this.

[@HowGoodGames]

Definitely seen it and definitely appreciate for you even taking the time to comment Shockwerk! I’m very keen for Sly 3, but honestly, it’d do good for my own sanity to not have to make a third video by starting it with ‘this one’s even better than the last two!’ So I’d be ok with a bit of disappointment lol

[@McWickyyyy]

Fellas. I always heard about sly series when I was young. Always watched trailers/marketing for it but never actually got around to playing it. Which game is best on the ps2? Should I play all three? I have been seeing a lot of people saying sly 2 is the best. Any thoughts? I’m always down for different perspectives

[@HowGoodGames]

I’m yet to tackle 3 or 4 myself but I had a blast playing 1 and 2. I was blown away by 1 and then 2 topped it in just about every way for me. With that said, I think that for that reason, if you’re planning on doing the whole series (or at least a few of the games) I would play 1 before 2, just since it might be a bit harder to go back since you’ll feel like things are missing. If you are just going to play one sly game though, I would say 2. It’s reasonably self contained and does a good job of filling you in on the important events of 1 and is just a great time in general

[@zoxgamecompletion6192]

sly 3 feels like a mini game collection than sly 2

[@HowGoodGames]

Yeah I’m keen to check it out, already so many changes between 1 and 2 I honestly have no idea which direction it’s going to go

[@P1NKPVNK_]

Oh boy I can't wait for Sly 3 to disappoint yet another person!

[@HowGoodGames]

I can't wait too. Thanks for watching!

[@shadienights]

How did you play sly at all??? On a ps2 or 3 or a pc??? I need to know how to get it for windows 11😫

[@HowGoodGames]

I bought a ps3 and did it through that my dude, can’t help from personal experience for pc, but I would say surely there are some emulators out there that would get the job done for you

[@michaelstaton1999]

before you play 3 there are optional diologue choices in certain spots try to see all the responses. i wouldnt get your expectations too high but i did like the 3rd one and it honestly did seem to add more variation and additional playable characters however i felt it wasnt as good as this one. can't wait to watch your review though maybe youll change my mind. these games make me hate a lot of modern-day games just because of variation. too often i feel like im doing the same thing over and over looting and shooting and looting and shooting,

[@HowGoodGames]

Ahh, so you’ve played borderlands I see haha. I can’t help but just love games, old and new, just always keen to experience different things. Even though I’ve only played the first 2 Sly games, I’ve been obviously blown away by them so whether they’re as good or not, I know literally nothing about the next to games so keen to work through them as well!

[@jobennebur]

Do a video on lord of the rings third age plz. Game was gold

[@HowGoodGames]

You don’t even have to twist my arm on that, I’m just looking for an excuse. You’re now my favourite store on the citadel

[@playerback7722]

Sly 2 is soooo good and does the characters well.

[@HowGoodGames]

I know, the cooper gang actually feel like they are friends and the story even tells you about them hanging out between missions. Most other games just tell you people are friends and expect you to believe it

[@playerback7722]

Yep

[@prod.seabass5803]

My personal favorite ps2

[@HowGoodGames]

I can't believe I hadn't played it until this year! So glad I did

[@00dreamer00]

Bro, I remember seeing the trailer for this on TV as a 10 year old and I thought this was the coolest game. Lol but I've never played it

[@HowGoodGames]

Hahaha do what I did then bro, play it now! It’s definitely still a great game playing it for the first time today

[@christianthinker1492]

Please play Sly 3 and give it a review. ❤️

[@Unknownplayer_0117]

You might want to play rouge legacy 2 next it’s fun little game although it’s newer.

[@HowGoodGames]

Not familiar, I’ll give it a look and sus it out, thanks for the recommendation and coming back for sly 2!

[@Unknownplayer_0117]

@@HowGoodGames it’s a fun little platforming game that takes place in a dungeon. You might also want to look into darkest dungeon 1

[@erasedxbl8281]

1:35 💀💀💀

[@thelastarcadegamer6655]

Hey I’m the 666th sub! Nice!

[@HowGoodGames]

LESGOO! Appreciate you taking on that burden mate lol

[@thelastarcadegamer6655]

@@HowGoodGames happily lol

[@StankGremlin]

To be honest I don't like sly 1 that much But Sly 2 is amazing And Sly 3 is even better

[@thelastarcadegamer6655]

I imagine you’ll be disappointed with Sly 3 if you loved Sly 2

[@HowGoodGames]

Yeah I’ll be interested to see, I gravitate to so many types of games, but when playing through a series it’s only natural to compare them too

[@Byyte]

Tbh I read somewhere they were working on another installment but it was fake. :( honestly after the latest one I was itching for another one but it's probably just a dream at this point.

[@HowGoodGames]

I’ve still only just finished 2 and haven’t checked out 3 or thieves in time yet, but as soon as I’m done with rift apart it’s next on my list. It’s one of those series that I think there will forever be rumours about new entires until we finally get one, kind of like all the rumours about a crash reboot back in the day as well

[@shocknawe]

Definitely not? Sly 1 was more charming and Sly 3 had more character and better mechanics. That's not even counting other non-Sly PS2 games, love. Each one to their opinions, though.

[@HowGoodGames]

‘Underrated’ is hard to tackle right, because it’s super subjective. For me, I’d heard no one talking about sly, never played and and didn’t know anyone else that had either. I think there are better ps2 games and others that are my favourite, but I definitely think for me at least this fits the bill of being hugely underrated. Thanks for watching!

[@Eren-lg2zg]

I don't like the music you use as background, it's too loud and distracting

[@whocallinsimon5946]

Sly 3 was even better

[@HowGoodGames]

I am VERY excited to play that and cover it soon. Once I am done with Ratchet it's my next on the list to finish

[@jankjason]

How was Sly 2 underrated?

[@HowGoodGames]

Not enough people played it, myself included. It just came out at a time Ratchet was first choice, Jak was second and by the time 3rd choice came around people were probably getting tired of platformers. Plus I think the stealth-platformer genre was super niche back then for the audience it was marketed for. Certainly not underrated by sly fans obviously, but definitely in the wider platforming genre

[@HowGoodGames]

Plus I think I make other points in the video. A week is a long time though so can’t confirm that 100%

[@Ben-ei9vq]

great game but it's no crash bandicoot.....

[@HowGoodGames]

ooh there's a franchise. Definitely going to get to that one at some point!

[@jacobnapkins1155]

Crash was amazing it's really apple and peanut butter

[@sLw1337]

Your pauses for lame memes are pathetic. So original

[@HowGoodGames]

Yo thanks man!

[@yeetusdeletethis9697]

NOPE!!! Sly 3 has nothing on 2 now, that might be the nostalgia talking... but sly 2, just.... works! ya know? sly 3 is great! yeah! but like... i dunno, it just isn't on the same level as 2

[@HowGoodGames]

Im yet to play 3 still, ill be honest though, Im still pretty excited to after the first 2. I have heard that 2 is arguably the best in the series though and to temper my expectations haha

[@yeetusdeletethis9697]

@@HowGoodGames now, I don't meant to spoil! but the 3rd just isn't really the same The jobs don't have the same "fun" factor The music is.. kinda... lackluster, comparatively And characterization is also a bit less then ideal, opinion wise. Now, 3 has its own ups, yes, undeniably! but coming off of 2. the downs of 3 just far outweigh the ups. Again, I have a personal love for 2, and based on my obvious bias, whatever I say cannot be ever considered factual. But I just feel as though that 3 fell a small bit short of 2 under certain areas.

[@HowGoodGames]

@@yeetusdeletethis9697 not spoiling at all, I like having an idea on what others opinions are before jumping into something so thanks for sharing. Keen to get to that video soon and share my thoughts back!

[@yeetusdeletethis9697]

@@HowGoodGames Well thank you! I apologize if what I say conflicts, or dare I say, hinders what you may think of the 3rd game! I don't want to try to... uhh... lets say, "insinuate" anything! Sly 3 is FANTASTIC!!! A good point being: Some of the twists it takes, (you'll see what I mean), are amazing!

[@billwoods7578]

Damn your really not gonna play Sly 3?

[@zzay3345]

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