@PerfectDark There are two Tenchu games on the PS2, but I loved that one because the one character (Rin I believe was her name) was a lot more fun to play somehow. Couldn’t say how, just was.
It’s a stealth game though, so if you don’t like stealth you probably won’t like Tenchu. You can technically play it without stealth, but it’s not going to be much fun…
Persona 3 is excellent. I think, depending on preferences, 3 and 4 are the best in the series. 5 had its moments, but it was like 75% of 4 to me story-wise. Between 3 and 4 it depends on what you like. 4 is a bit lighter-hearted and more “Japanese culture” whereas 3 is much darker and more directly “save the world” type stuff.
@PerfectDark Got my HD hooked up. I need to reinstall some stuff among other things, so now was a good time.
Add to my earlier list:
Ico
Shadow of the Colossus
Dragon Quest VIII (don’t worry, zero connection between DQ games of this range, so it doesn’t matter where you start)
Drakan - kind of fun game, but don’t play on disc, use a harddrive
Need for Speed Underground 2
Odin Sphere (hard to believe this is a PS2 game graphically! But sadly gameplay does get grindy and repetitive. Heck of a story and graphics though.)
R-Type Final
Rule of Rose (might be hard to find)
Ys VI: Ark of Napishtim
Baroque translation
Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter
Phantasy Star Universe (undub)
Star Ocean 3 (undub)
Wizardry - Tales of the Forsaken Land
Rogue Galaxy
There are more!