Games as gifts recommendation thread

[Hoax]

Ok so I'm going to buy some older PS2 games for people for xmas, hopefully keeping the cost per person under $30 because I already spent $300 on myself in computer stuff and apparently I need to buy a PS3 because Sony is gay and consoles are lame.

Person A:  Loves giant robots like I do.  Enjoys Gundam games.  jRPG's are sort of ok, but should involve robots on some level.  Plays sport games with the rest of us.  I'm not sure how he feels about console shooters, but I think he would enjoy shooter/story games ok ala RE or whatever.

Person B:  Likes almost every kind of game, loves games that he can play and master the fuck out of.  I've watched him put ungodly hours into Prince of Persia (the new ones), that Gladiator game, Tiger Woods golf, hot shots golf, bass fucking fishing games, etc.  jRPG's are out.  He does like Oblivion style stuff though, esp DnD related.  He does not hate console shooters like he should.

Person D1:  Loves sports games and thats about it.  He does things like Family Feud, You dont know Jack, Trivial Persuit etc.  Does not enjoy games with story.  This will be a hard one.

Person D2:  Jrpgs ok, though preferably westernized quite a bit.  Ditto's person B's love for D&D and takes it even farther.  Dragons knights elves etc = good.  Game with story = good.  Console shooters are no go.

So help me buy them gifts by recommending some titles.  PS2 only.  I'm going to be searching used bins / online retailers so super new shit is not good.  I'm looking for great older games but I'll need a decent list for each person so I can actually find one or two of them.  These don't have to be AAA titles just something fun, we dont' take xmas gifts too seriously.  Also they will all be getting a good bottle of liquor as well so no comments about me being cheap.

Thanks everybody.

[schild]

Person A:  Loves giant robots like I do.  Enjoys Gundam games.  jRPG's are sort of ok, but should involve robots on some level.  Plays sport games with the rest of us.  I'm not sure how he feels about console shooters, but I think he would enjoy shooter/story games ok ala RE or whatever.

Unfortunately, Another Century's Episode 2 did not come out in America, otherwise this choice would be easy. That said, not so easy. There weren't that many good robot games that came out of the last year or two. And the new Armored Core was next-gen. Front Mission didn't come out here either. Nor did Armordyne. Basically, we were fucked on robot games. So this is a crapshoot. In fact, I really don't know what to recommend this guy assuming he's played Resident Evil 4. Oh, also, MS Saga. It's a straight Gundam JRPG. But it's very heavy on the Gundam stuff. It's the only Gundam game I've ever tolerated. It also has the best box art I've ever seen for a Gundam Game.

Person B:  Likes almost every kind of game, loves games that he can play and master the fuck out of.  I've watched him put ungodly hours into Prince of Persia (the new ones), that Gladiator game, Tiger Woods golf, hot shots golf, bass fucking fishing games, etc.  jRPG's are out.  He does like Oblivion style stuff though, esp DnD related.  He does not hate console shooters like he should.

Assuming he's played God of War 1 & 2, actionwise it's sort of a crapshoot. He might like Shadow of the Colossus. I don't know how much challenge he likes, but Devil May Cry 3 is also on the list. Which gladiator game did he master, Shadow of Rome (Capcom), Gladius (Lucasarts), or Colosseum: Road to Freedom (Ertain)? All three are great in their own way, the first being action, the second being tactics, and the third being an outright gladiator simulator. Shadow of Rome was by far the best. Colosseum has the highest learning curve. If he hasn't played Shadow of Rome, I suggest you get the for him, no question. Anyway, whichever one he's played, buy him the other two.

Person D1:  Loves sports games and thats about it.  He does things like Family Feud, You dont know Jack, Trivial Persuit etc.  Does not enjoy games with story.  This will be a hard one.

Neh. Why even get him a game? Really, you're only actual "choice" is Buzz.

Person D2:  Jrpgs ok, though preferably westernized quite a bit.  Ditto's person B's love for D&D and takes it even farther.  Dragons knights elves etc = good.  Game with story = good.  Console shooters are no go.

Valkyrie Profile 2 was more western than JRPG. Mostly action. There's always Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land. It's only $12.99... if you can find it. You'll need to have an EBGames do a search in their district. It's from Atlus and super rare. There's also Rogue Galaxy, which is pretty western all things considered. Short of a weird frog. Finally, there's also fallbacks like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2. And if he's into that sort of half RPG/half Dungeon Crawl, you could always go for Shining Force Exa (vastly superior to Shining Force Neo).

[Hoax]

Awesome Schild, but please other people are welcome to provide thoughts.  It was the Road to Rome Gladiator game, he's beaten tons of other crap too but those are the ones that were interesting enough that I played them also during the year we lived together.

As for D1, yeah I could buy him another fucking sports jersey but really I need to mix it up this year.  Unfortunately I don't really have the time or mental energy to think of clever shit also shoestring budget lala can't believe I need to shop for a ps3 I don't even want...

[Strazos]

Awesome Schild, but please other people are welcome to provide thoughts.

Heh, why? Schild destroyed the fuck out of this one.

MS Saga? Seriously?

Unfortunately, I don't have much to contribute, as I've honestly played more Xbox than PS2 games of the types you're asking about.

Best I can do is second everything he said.

Also, it's a shame you don't live near me, or I could probably hunt down almost any title you need.

[schild]

I have a batallion of store managers who will find everything I need, however I'm having trouble, IRONICALLY, finding a title for a board member, BUT I SHALL.

[Strazos]

Inter-store Transfer - Abuse It. 

[schild]

Inter-store Transfer - Abuse It. 

I do.

[stray]

I'll reiterate what Schild said about action. God of War, Devil May Cry 3, RE4.

Also... Just in case they passed them by..
 

Ace Combat Zero
Bully
Red Dead Revolver
Viewtiful Joe

I'd be surprised if they didn't already play GTA:SA, MGS, Destroy All Humans, and the like.

RPG's: I'll second Rogue Galaxy and Dark Alliance (might want to get both DA's, they're short). X-Men Legends and Marvel Ultimate Alliance aren't bad American rpg's either.

Sports: An older Winning Eleven maybe? Umm.. Fight Night Round 2 or 3

[Hoax]

Status Report:

Bought:
DMC3 - $13
Wizardry(Tale of the Forsaken Land) - $13
FFX - $15
FFX2 - $10
Samurai Legend Musashi - $8
Genji(Dawn of the Samurai) - $10

Things I've almost purchased and may still go back for:

Shadow Hearts: Convenant - $24
Zone of the Enders - $24
Shadow of the Collossus - $18
X-Men Legends - $20

I've still got 2 stores to go though, one tomorrow one Friday.  Also I almost bought a ps3 tonight, fuck I hate xmas...