Review: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3).
| Game Name: | Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. |
| Platforms: | PS3. |
| Publisher(s): | SCE. |
| Developer(s): | Naughty Dog. |
| Genre(s): | Action Adventure. |
| Release Date: | 13-16/10/2009. |
| ESRB Rating: | Teen. |
So many perfect scores for a game are kind of daunting when trying to write a review that lives up to the game itself. It’s impossible to completely explain my thoughts on Uncharted 2 as you really have to see it to believe it. I can tell you this though: Naughty Dog sure poured there heart into this one.
The game isn’t particularly clear as to how long it sets after the first Uncharted, but you are left to believe it’s been a while. The opening cinematic is executed brilliantly, as it switches back and forth from the past to the present, where you are hanging off a cliff dangling from the railing of a destroyed train. You are then sent backwards four months in time, playing as Nathan Drake, when you are introduced to some well done tutorial missions.
The story is probably the weakest aspect of the game because it practically rips off of tired movie clichés and never truly stands on its own. But, between the outstanding voiceovers and the great writing, you really can’t complain.
The first thing you’ll notice while playing is the graphics. Arguably, they are the best of this generation, without any inclination of a pop-up in the adventure. The character models are terrific and the environments really stand out this time around. The water effects were already amazing in the first game, but somehow the developers have been able to make them look even better.
As a whole, the way the environments react to their surroundings is just mind boggling. The way your feet shuffle through the snow, how the plants react to the propellers of a helicopter; everything is brilliantly designed. The train and convoy levels are simply astounding proofs of this, and are sure to be the highlights of the game.
Controls were already close to perfection in the first game, and they are even more refined for the sequel. Sliding from cover to cover has never felt so fluid. Aiming has even been tweaked, making those headshots simpler to pull off. Now, throwing grenades is so much simpler than the SIXAXIS mess before, and you can finally cancel your throw instead of wasting them those times you accidentally take one out.
The hand to hand combat has also been changed. No longer are you forced to suffer through clumsy combos and broken counter attacks. The system now allows for more accurate take downs and the slow motion makes for some great eye candy.
As far as game play is concerned, Uncharted 2 delivers on all fronts. In the previous game, there were puzzles, shootouts, and platforming sections. Among Thieves blends all three elements in such a way, it’s impossible to tell them apart. Everything is seamless this time around, which really says something about the quality of the overall experience.
As I stated before, the environment makes for some wondrous game play mechanics, and the level design is absolutely stunning. No other game has exploited the third person shooter to their fullest until now. There was a time, about midpoint, when I had to stop.
I almost wanted to cry, because you can tell that Naughty Dog loved making this game. The effort into making this into such a rollercoaster ride paid off more than they will ever know. Hell, once I came across the convoy level, I lost it. I threw my controller down and pranced around my room like a schoolgirl. I couldn’t believe this was really happening. The feelings of living out my fantasies were all unveiling right before my very eyes…in a video game!
This is the part where I dread; where I talk about the flaws. No game is perfect, but Naughty Dog does a damn fine job of covering up the games few problems.
Platforming, though fun, is hampered a bit with the fact that not everything is climbable. More often than not, I would find myself using trial and error to find the next platforming section, resulting in frequent falls to my death. Sometimes you are left with where to go next. In a game that is so linear, it would have benefited to point a finger in the right direction once or twice.
My other minor complaint lies with the music. It’s purely my opinion, but being the soundtrack buff that I am, I just didn’t get into it like I did with the first game. There were more memorable pieces before, and I was hoping for a stronger effort from Greg Edmonson, especially being the blockbuster this game is.
If the single player experience had been enough, I would have been happy, but the developers decided to throw in the best multiplayer I have ever played. Because it sticks with the same game play from single player, it sets itself apart from the likes of other multiplayer games. Deathmatch, Elimination, a different take on Capture the Flag, and objective based competitive game play provide a well rounded multiplayer component.
But again, Naughty Dog didn’t stop there. There are also three co-op maps that should take a few hours to complete and a mode where you survive an onslaught of enemies with up to two other people. They are tough, time consuming, and a hell of a lot of fun.
I was more than just pleased with Uncharted 2, I was shocked. Its few flaws are like chipped paint. If you were to analyze every detail, you’ll notice them, but more than likely you’ll get lost in the experience. Kudos to Naughty Dog for delivering a masterpiece, because of you guys I have a new favourite game!
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I’ll tell you what I told Nana about the platforming:
#1: Drake will tell you when a jump is possible and in which direction. If you tilt the analog stick in that direction, he will extend his arm indicating that he’s able to make the jump, or do nothing, telling you NOT to jump. For left and right jumps, you must be at the edge for this to work.
#2: ALWAYS look around. There may be ledges, ropes etc. that you can’t see from your initial camera angle. If it looks like a huge leap, take a look around in all directions first.
I keep hearing people have problems with the platforming, but honestly, that is a user fault 99% of the time. Following my tips, I never once (okay, maybe once) suffered a “cheap death” due to the platforming.
Hope that helps.
Sorry for the DP, but I’d also like to add that ND (mostly) “color-codes” the scalable environment. Red, white, yellow and blue are used frequently, and most climbable objects resemble each other – i.e. scalable ledges differ from curved, unscalable ones.
It’s all a matter of paying attention to the details, which this game clearly wants you to do, am I right? God, I love it!
lol, your right about the color coded objects, but I’m particularly talking about the ice palace..That seemed to give me the most issues, as every edge looked climbable when in fact they weren’t….and again, a minor complaint…
i was just finishing uncharted drakes fortune for about the tenth time today and kept dying in the church gallery part. I must have had BPD (bad platforming disorder) It happened in that game and no doubt it will happen again in this. That won’t stop me from playing the hell out of this one though. Mines should be arriving in a few hours
Nice review however I was looking forward to hearing(reading) what NANA had to say about it. After all the crap Nana took for the “overhyped” piece. I mean Nana took a beating. Plus I did challenge Nana ( I keep writing NANA because I don’t know if it is a male or female) to try and write a fair review after criticizing it (albeit not to much) so early without playing the whole game.
I’ve been away and haven’t been able to check in in quite a while. A response would be appreciated if possible, maybe with Nana’s score. Thanks.
Glad you liked the review, it was most kind of GP to write it given the hysteria and it is appreciated. I will not personally be reviewing the game as GP’s review is the sites official review.
I’ve been playing Uncharted 2 myself on and off between everything else, and to date I have completed the game on Normal and played some multiplayer. Currently on second play through (Hard, Chapter 25).
Whilst I’m sure I’ll need to get my flame retardant ready after this, I will say I 100% stand by my original article. Uncharted 2 is without doubt a great game, but it isn’t perfect and I take back none of my original comments.
The game is certainly spectacular although the first few levels are somewhat slow and the last few (compared to the brilliant mid section) are a bit of a let down, particularly from a narrative perspective. Uncharted 1 has the better story of the two games and I prefer the characters and use of them. Flynn (in particular), whats-his-face-o’vich and Chloe really didn’t cut it for me personally.
The aiming mechanics are brilliant; the movement mechanics need work as they can be sluggish and erratic at times. That said this is quite common with games which use the run and cover control scheme. Consistent and precise controls would improve Uncharted as a game which was partly my original point based on my clearly noted ‘initial impressions’.
If I made any mistake in the original article it was perhaps not clearly defining between my comments on the controls being sluggish (which I stand by) and the intended sluggish movements of Drake due to injury in the opening level.
Score wise, I would score it 4.5/5 or 9/10 if you prefer. Score matters not in many ways; I would still wholeheartedly recommend the game.
Will it be our game of the year though?
Believe me, I kept switching back and forth between a 9 or a 10 for this game then i said whatever…if Grand Theft Auto 4 and Metal Gear Solid can get a 10 with the amount of problems they have from so many reviewers, it is only right to have Nathan Drake sitting amongst them.. It is the most fluid third-person game to date, and even with the problems, Its cinematic moments were so fresh and original that I thought that when all was said and done, I just couldn’t pull myself to downgrade such an amazing game.