I Googled how to rip models from PS2, and immediately got recommended Ninja Ripper.
Does anyone else have experience with this?
I'm looking to extract location models, specifically.
Not in this case. Ninjaripper relies on hooking into a .dll file, specifically a DirectX .dll file, and the way PS2 emulation works means NinjaRipper isn't going to get you anything useable. Unless something drastically changed between 2.0.4 and 2.8, you're going to have to look for a specific ripper/method for each game you want to get, because all NR's going to get you is a flat plane with all the textures mushed together instead of any proper meshes.
Ripping from PS2 games is going to vary wildly between games. Some games have utilities already in the wild, others are in-progress, others aren't being worked on at all. I'd start by searching "rip from [GAME NAME]" and see what that gets you, but there's also
this tutorial here on the forums that may be of use. Good luck!
it used to be free and now its behind a paywall, don't recommend