RSS
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Gaming perfection.
October 12, 2009 | 1:26 PM PSTKombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.
What the Game's About
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, by Naughty Dog, follows the tales of Nate Drake and his continual quest to hunt for legendary treasure steeped in myth. This time, a simple heist of an oil lamp leads the book- and street-smart Drake on a quest that takes him from Borneo to train yards to the heart of the Himalayas with a colorful cast of companions in tow. There are heroes, there are villains, there are surprises, and there are love triangles, and those elements are all tied together in an intricately woven story that makes adventure staples like Indiana Jones look like amateur efforts. In addition to the single-player story mode that plays more like a movie than a video game, there are many reasons to keep playing with an astounding multiplayer mode as well as tons of unlockables to keep Uncharted lovers searching for treasure in all kinds of ways. It isn't a big secret; Uncharted 2 is other worldly good and it would be a crime to spoil some of the plot and some of the more exciting scenes. Read on without fear of having the game ruined with spoilers.
What's Hot
Normally, there are easily defined areas where it is possible to tell what a game did right. In Uncharted 2's case, it did everything right. Most of the buzz surrounding Uncharted 2 is centered around the fact that it feels like a movie more so than any other video game before it. The truth is that it achieves that claim and barely breaks a sweat.
You start off with Nate who is in a dire, life or death, situation. Suddenly, Uncharted 2 will flashback to a few months before the horrible event where he is met by a few friends that seem to have some history with him. You'll play up to the events when you first start and continue the story from there through expert storytelling. The script is on-point and you'll be laughing, happy, sad and all the other emotions that come with playing a blockbuster game. It all sets the mood for the grand adventure in store. Each of the voice actors behind the characters breathe personality in each scene of the game, no matter if you are in direct control or not. One of the small touches that makes Uncharted 2 endear itself more is when the characters will chat with each other while you are scaling walls, shooting enemies or looking for the next path to take. They aren't deep conversations, small quips or funny remarks, but these moments add another layer of believability as the game unfolds to the dramatic conclusion.
In conjunction with the voice acting, the visuals create the 1, 2, knockout punch that delivers top notch presentation and production value. Not only do the cut-scene moments capture emotions that haven't been seen or attempted in a video game, the gameplay moments are no slouches either. You'll actually have a hard time of telling when you are controlling Nate and when you can sit back and just watch because of the delicately animated movements and faces. There is a natural quality to the game as you shoot guns, run from enemies and climb anything you can get your fingers on. There must have been long motion capture sessions and animation tweaks to perfect the fluidity of the game and how you can transition between stealth, action and puzzle solving without ever realizing it. There are even smaller details that Naughty Dog gets right, like ammo clips littering the ground, that don't go unappreciated because you aren't distracted by larger imperfections. They might go unnoticed because the larger than life, highly detailed environments will have you admiring the work done to bring Uncharted 2 to life. Overall, the visuals and audio work make you feel along with the character; every range of emotion is explored from funny to sad to betrayed and doesn't come across any other way but authentic.
Sound and visuals are some of the most apparent examples of Naughty Dog exceeding expectations, however, that doesn't even include the gameplay. Where the first Uncharted game got us familiar with exploring and shooting bad guys, Uncharted 2 perfects that formula and adds larger stunt sequences that will blow your socks off. All the main sequences are pivotal to the story and happen at all the right times to keep your hand firmly around the controller. Naughty Dog blends the action sequences with the cinematics with the skill of a surgeon. Most video games, as an industry, have taken gamers out of the gameplay, but Uncharted 2, by contrast, puts you in the middle of impossible situations and allows you to play these moments that will have you gripping the controller more tightly, while anxiety and exhilaration dominate your senses as you navigate these thrilling scenes. Just when you think the thrills are over or the game takes another shift towards puzzles, you can be sure there will be more unexpected moments around the corner.
It is easy to see Uncharted 2 starts full throttle, and it doesn't let up until you save the world. That means there are a lot of gun fights that get between you and the end. The first Uncharted had an imperfect system of hand-to-hand combat as well as a floaty aiming mechanic that did a serviceable job but left plenty of room for improvement. Naughty Dog took that slack and picked it up with a revamped combat system that is more manageable (including some nifty stealth attacks) and a rock solid aiming mechanism that gives a unique feel to the entire catalog of weapons. There are times where gameplay calls for sneaking around but don't let that fool you into thinking that is the only way to tackle a problem. You can certainly use the environment to your advantage to silently get around but if you make a mistake, you can shoot your way out of a mess. That flexibility gives you plenty of opportunities to play through the game multiple times and experience the lush, vibrant worlds with a fresh pair of eyes.
Multiple play throughs might be your style but that isn't the only way to get lasting appeal from Uncharted 2. There are tons of unlockables to collect as well as a fully featured multiplayer mode that will extend the life of Uncharted 2 considerably. Most of you probably have played the multiplayer demo on the PSN - that just scratches the surface. On top of standard multiplayer killfest modes, there is a co-op survival mode that has been made popular by games like Gears of War 2 and Halo 3: ODST. The game will track all your stats and the more ranks you achieve in the competitive modes, the more unlockables you'll receive. For a game not known primarily for being a multiplayer powerhouse, Uncharted 2 is looking to take an aggressive stance and stand with industry titans like Call of Duty as an online mainstay. If creating is something you like better than destroying, there is a machinema studio to create any sort of scenario you want.
What's Not
You need to bring out an electron microscope to find fault with Uncharted 2 and nine of out 10 times, you still won't. However, toward the back of the game, it starts to settle into more of an Uncharted 1 feel. When these moments occur, it feels like the game slips back into comfortable pajamas rather than strutting around in an expensive executive suit. Granted, this isn't a large issue since a.) this is an Uncharted game, after all, and b.) that game was awesome too. It usually seems that Naughty Dog was aware of it too, and when you think things are cooling off, something major will happen to shock you like the first opening minutes.
The only major faux pas overused by Naughty Dog is when a character runs and jumps off a ledge only to miss it by inches while another character reaches out to grab them. The first couple of times, it will catch you off guard but towards the end of the game, you'll expect it and roll your eyes that it happened again.
Final Word
Uncharted 2 can't come with enough rave recommendations. This game has something for everybody, no questions asked. The doors have been blown off the action adventure genre and the bar is set to a level that will be hard to reach for years to come. The unprecedented quality behind Uncharted 2 makes it hard to believe it will ever be topped. It seems each generation has their own action adventure explorer like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft but those names are can't stand up next to the new champion, Nate Drake. Uncharted 2 is the new standard of how video games will be judged. If other titles haven't lured you into buying a PS3, this is the perfect opportunity to find out what you have been missing.
What the Game's About
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, by Naughty Dog, follows the tales of Nate Drake and his continual quest to hunt for legendary treasure steeped in myth. This time, a simple heist of an oil lamp leads the book- and street-smart Drake on a quest that takes him from Borneo to train yards to the heart of the Himalayas with a colorful cast of companions in tow. There are heroes, there are villains, there are surprises, and there are love triangles, and those elements are all tied together in an intricately woven story that makes adventure staples like Indiana Jones look like amateur efforts. In addition to the single-player story mode that plays more like a movie than a video game, there are many reasons to keep playing with an astounding multiplayer mode as well as tons of unlockables to keep Uncharted lovers searching for treasure in all kinds of ways. It isn't a big secret; Uncharted 2 is other worldly good and it would be a crime to spoil some of the plot and some of the more exciting scenes. Read on without fear of having the game ruined with spoilers.
What's Hot
Normally, there are easily defined areas where it is possible to tell what a game did right. In Uncharted 2's case, it did everything right. Most of the buzz surrounding Uncharted 2 is centered around the fact that it feels like a movie more so than any other video game before it. The truth is that it achieves that claim and barely breaks a sweat.
You start off with Nate who is in a dire, life or death, situation. Suddenly, Uncharted 2 will flashback to a few months before the horrible event where he is met by a few friends that seem to have some history with him. You'll play up to the events when you first start and continue the story from there through expert storytelling. The script is on-point and you'll be laughing, happy, sad and all the other emotions that come with playing a blockbuster game. It all sets the mood for the grand adventure in store. Each of the voice actors behind the characters breathe personality in each scene of the game, no matter if you are in direct control or not. One of the small touches that makes Uncharted 2 endear itself more is when the characters will chat with each other while you are scaling walls, shooting enemies or looking for the next path to take. They aren't deep conversations, small quips or funny remarks, but these moments add another layer of believability as the game unfolds to the dramatic conclusion.
In conjunction with the voice acting, the visuals create the 1, 2, knockout punch that delivers top notch presentation and production value. Not only do the cut-scene moments capture emotions that haven't been seen or attempted in a video game, the gameplay moments are no slouches either. You'll actually have a hard time of telling when you are controlling Nate and when you can sit back and just watch because of the delicately animated movements and faces. There is a natural quality to the game as you shoot guns, run from enemies and climb anything you can get your fingers on. There must have been long motion capture sessions and animation tweaks to perfect the fluidity of the game and how you can transition between stealth, action and puzzle solving without ever realizing it. There are even smaller details that Naughty Dog gets right, like ammo clips littering the ground, that don't go unappreciated because you aren't distracted by larger imperfections. They might go unnoticed because the larger than life, highly detailed environments will have you admiring the work done to bring Uncharted 2 to life. Overall, the visuals and audio work make you feel along with the character; every range of emotion is explored from funny to sad to betrayed and doesn't come across any other way but authentic.
Sound and visuals are some of the most apparent examples of Naughty Dog exceeding expectations, however, that doesn't even include the gameplay. Where the first Uncharted game got us familiar with exploring and shooting bad guys, Uncharted 2 perfects that formula and adds larger stunt sequences that will blow your socks off. All the main sequences are pivotal to the story and happen at all the right times to keep your hand firmly around the controller. Naughty Dog blends the action sequences with the cinematics with the skill of a surgeon. Most video games, as an industry, have taken gamers out of the gameplay, but Uncharted 2, by contrast, puts you in the middle of impossible situations and allows you to play these moments that will have you gripping the controller more tightly, while anxiety and exhilaration dominate your senses as you navigate these thrilling scenes. Just when you think the thrills are over or the game takes another shift towards puzzles, you can be sure there will be more unexpected moments around the corner.
It is easy to see Uncharted 2 starts full throttle, and it doesn't let up until you save the world. That means there are a lot of gun fights that get between you and the end. The first Uncharted had an imperfect system of hand-to-hand combat as well as a floaty aiming mechanic that did a serviceable job but left plenty of room for improvement. Naughty Dog took that slack and picked it up with a revamped combat system that is more manageable (including some nifty stealth attacks) and a rock solid aiming mechanism that gives a unique feel to the entire catalog of weapons. There are times where gameplay calls for sneaking around but don't let that fool you into thinking that is the only way to tackle a problem. You can certainly use the environment to your advantage to silently get around but if you make a mistake, you can shoot your way out of a mess. That flexibility gives you plenty of opportunities to play through the game multiple times and experience the lush, vibrant worlds with a fresh pair of eyes.
Multiple play throughs might be your style but that isn't the only way to get lasting appeal from Uncharted 2. There are tons of unlockables to collect as well as a fully featured multiplayer mode that will extend the life of Uncharted 2 considerably. Most of you probably have played the multiplayer demo on the PSN - that just scratches the surface. On top of standard multiplayer killfest modes, there is a co-op survival mode that has been made popular by games like Gears of War 2 and Halo 3: ODST. The game will track all your stats and the more ranks you achieve in the competitive modes, the more unlockables you'll receive. For a game not known primarily for being a multiplayer powerhouse, Uncharted 2 is looking to take an aggressive stance and stand with industry titans like Call of Duty as an online mainstay. If creating is something you like better than destroying, there is a machinema studio to create any sort of scenario you want.
What's Not
You need to bring out an electron microscope to find fault with Uncharted 2 and nine of out 10 times, you still won't. However, toward the back of the game, it starts to settle into more of an Uncharted 1 feel. When these moments occur, it feels like the game slips back into comfortable pajamas rather than strutting around in an expensive executive suit. Granted, this isn't a large issue since a.) this is an Uncharted game, after all, and b.) that game was awesome too. It usually seems that Naughty Dog was aware of it too, and when you think things are cooling off, something major will happen to shock you like the first opening minutes.
The only major faux pas overused by Naughty Dog is when a character runs and jumps off a ledge only to miss it by inches while another character reaches out to grab them. The first couple of times, it will catch you off guard but towards the end of the game, you'll expect it and roll your eyes that it happened again.
Final Word
Uncharted 2 can't come with enough rave recommendations. This game has something for everybody, no questions asked. The doors have been blown off the action adventure genre and the bar is set to a level that will be hard to reach for years to come. The unprecedented quality behind Uncharted 2 makes it hard to believe it will ever be topped. It seems each generation has their own action adventure explorer like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft but those names are can't stand up next to the new champion, Nate Drake. Uncharted 2 is the new standard of how video games will be judged. If other titles haven't lured you into buying a PS3, this is the perfect opportunity to find out what you have been missing.
November 20, 2009
