PixlBit

I'm looking at the Metacritic list of best PS2 games. I'm choosing games largely exclusive to Sony since I always played multiplatform games on Xbox and cartoony ones on Gamecube. These are of the highest interest to me. It glosses over some of what is considered the best for the system, since those aren't generally my favorites, like the Metal Gears, Resident Evils, GTAs and the numerous sports games that take up 50% of the Metacritic list. But you might see something here that you find interesting. 

GTA: Vice City (#6) - This is the only GTA I got into largely because of the 80s soundtrack and the zany radio DJs. I used to own the CD box set of all the music. I haven't played much of the game yet and my PS2 copy crashes whenever the radio plays. Either I need a cleaner disc or get the bundle on Xbox which never seems to go on sale. 
Devil May Cry (#10), DMC 3 (#89) - I've been trying to get deeper into this series since 2001. I have the collection of 1-3 in HD on my X360 but not yet on XSS (apparently not back compat). 
God of War (#15), God of War II (#18) - Always my favorite PS2 games. The gameplay just feels so good every time I go back to them. I'm just thrilled after only minutes.  
Okami (#21) - I played this Clover Studios (now Platinum Games) game when it came out and loved it; although, I never finished it. I have since got it on many other systems. The brush stroke controls seem to be a perfect fit for Wii, but it works fine with a normal controller. I've yet to pull the trigger on the HD version on XSS. 
Final Fantasy XII (#30) - I used to own this. I was wowed by the graphics of the opening cut scenes, but I could never quite enjoy the battle system. It was a flurry of confusion to me at the time. I'm keen to play it again though. 
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (#36) - One of the few platformers I go back to regularly. I love whacking things with my Wind Ring ability. I don't own it anymore, so I play it in the HD digital collection on Xbox. 
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (#37), Going Commando (#48), R&C (#79) - I used to have the first three games on PS2, but I have only played a few hours of each for whatever reason. I have the PS3 Collection now, but I'd like the originals again. I have Going Commando so far. Such a great series of action platformers. 
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (#54), 3 FES (#67) - I used to have these back in the day, gotten cheaply on a Gamestop sale just after the PS2 era ended (worth some $ now). Now I play the Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable versions on Xbox. I've never gottten very far in them though. Not sure why, but I'll always seek an opportunity to return to them. 
Dragon Quest VIII (#59) - My friend Mad Krammer and I played this in tandem back in '07 a couple years after it came out and really loved it. I just saw his and my save files on my current PS2. He logged 150 hours and I 91. I really couldn't finish it at the time. DQ games are looong. I'm waiting for the remaster for consoles since I just saw the remaster for DQ VII coming soon.
Silent Hill 2 (#69), SH3 (#141), Shattered Memories (#405), SH4 The Room (#466) - I've been meaning to get to these since I discovered I loved the first game not all that long ago. I have the HD collection (2-3) on X360, but just like DMC, it's not back compat, and I'll have to buy it again to play it on XSS. I'm waiting for a sale. 
Red Faction (#77) - Like Half-Life, this was a Sony exclusive for consoles back then. I played it on PC first back in '01 and then was one of my first games bought for PS2. I'm having trouble with my copy at the moment, but I will get it working again. 
Dark Cloud 2 (#97) - I couldn't get into the first one, but I love this sequel. I played it again recently, and I am just beginning to understand the controls for it. They are a little involved but they give you a lot of optinos when you get used to them. The games looks gorgeous too. Level-5 never make bad games, I've found.
Kingdom Hearts 2 (#99), KH (#127) - I keep trying to get farther in this series but some platforming trickiness always gets me. I played them when they were on GamePass, but now I have the HD versions on my wish list. 
Half-Life (#101) - Another exclusive PC port like Red Faction to PS2 in 2001. It was one of my prime reasons to keep a PS2 around. However, I now don't own the game anymore. I hope they remaster it someday. It's long overdue for that. 
Rogue Galaxy (#191) - Another Level-5 RPG I've always had but never finished. It has a similar look to DQVIII, which is maybe why I got it back then. 
Odin Sphere (#203), GrimGrimoire (#308) - I was entranced by the graphics in these Vanillaware games and have followed them ever since. These two games are side-scrolling beat-em-ups with RPG elements. The sprite design is wild. I love them and still have the originals. 
Ring of Red (#220) - I used to have this strategy game. It reminded me strongly of Valkyria Chronicles with its art style and mix of turn-based and real-time combat. I traded it for some reason though and now I'll probably not have it again because it's pricey. 
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (#262), III (#356) - I was always curious about these photography/horror games. I never got them and won't now because they are expensive, but I'm glad to see a remaster of II is coming soon. It's on my wish list. 
XGIII: Extreme-G Racing (#263) - This is the third game in the Extreme-G futuristic motorcycle racing game series. The first two were out on N64 and one of those is on the Switch sub where I got into it. I like the fast speed and controls even better than Wipeout or F-Zero. I have the fourth game now, XGRA, and am looking for this third one. 
Grandia III (#425) - I've only played a little bit of this RPG so far but I'm intrigued and can't wait to dig in deeper. I have a loose disc of this still. I'm glad to see I and II have been remastered. They're on my wish list. 

 And those are my selections from all the games rated 75 and up, colored green, top 507 games, on Metacritic. I'm sure there are more if I dig deeper but then this would be way too long (already a bit long). 

What's your favorite PS2 games?