Okage: Shadow King (PlayStation 2, 2001)

Okage: Shadow King is one of those beautifully bizarre PS2 RPGs that makes you wonder how it ever got made — and then thank the gaming gods that it did. Released in 2001 by Sony and developed by Zener Works, this gothic comedy RPG oozes weird charm from every polygon. It’s got the heart of EarthBound, the style of a Tim Burton movie, and the sense of humor of someone who’s been awake for three days straight writing dialogue. In other words: it’s amazing.

You play as Ari, an awkward kid whose shadow gets possessed by an evil demon named Stan — a self-proclaimed “Overlord of Darkness” who’s way more talkative than threatening. Together, they set out to defeat other evil kings so Stan can regain his lost power. It’s a road trip through a world full of strange characters, absurd side quests, and enough dark whimsy to fill a haunted circus. The turn-based battles are classic RPG goodness, but the real magic comes from the quirky writing and offbeat art direction that makes every town feel like it was built by eccentric puppeteers.

The cel-shaded visuals still hold up beautifully, with exaggerated designs and expressive animations that give the whole game a dreamlike, slightly spooky feel. The soundtrack matches perfectly — equal parts eerie and playful — and the dialogue is pure gold, mixing sarcasm, melancholy, and sharp wit in equal measure. It’s the kind of game that feels like a cult classic from the moment you start playing it.

If you love RPGs with personality, dark humor, and a touch of twisted fairy tale magic, Okage: Shadow King deserves a spot in your PS2 collection. Buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange and step into one of the strangest, funniest, and most underrated adventures of the PlayStation 2 era.

1. Play as Ari, a boy possessed by a sarcastic demon shadow named Stan.
2. Turn-based combat mixed with exploration and puzzle-solving across a whimsical world.
3. Distinctive cel-shaded art style that feels straight out of a gothic storybook.
4. Dark humor and offbeat storytelling full of quirky, unforgettable characters.
5. A true PS2 cult classic that blends RPG depth with surreal, comedic charm.