Uncharted 2: Is it overhyped?
Our special edition copy of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves finally landed yesterday. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited to play a sequel but such was the quality and fun I had with the original Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, that ever since the sequel was announced I’ve been waiting rather impatiently to play it.
Firstly let me point out this is not my review of the game; this will follow later when I’ve delved somewhat deeper into everything Uncharted 2 has to offer; this is if you like, Uncharted 2: initial impressions.
To put some perspective on this, consider that here we have a game that has already seen a great deal of reviews; each universally praising this as the best game on the PS3 and some as one of the best games ever made. It’s also the sequel to what was arguably the best game on the PS3 (it’s certainly my personal favourite).
As the first level loaded in I was absolutely brimming with excitement and the opening cinematic certainly doesn’t disappoint, but what followed I have to say did leave me feeling a little bit underwhelmed.
As I climbed up the train I was initially impressed by the graphics but within minutes I was becoming frustrated due to the controls. They felt sluggish and unresponsive and this marred my initial time with the game.
Now I’m fully aware that this sluggish behaviour in this section is probably mostly deliberate but I still found it somewhat frustrating. I’ve just kicked off a much anticipated blockbuster sequel, got the adrenaline going through the cinematic introduction and now here I am wading through treacle whilst trying to figure out the right path to go.
This leads me neatly onto another area where Uncharted still feels unimproved. Essentially the path through Uncharted and (at least so far in my playtime) Uncharted 2 is linear. There’s nothing wrong with this in the slightest and certainly I would argue that in many cases being linear actually makes for a better story driven game (ala Half Life).
The problem though is that with a linear game you expect as a player to be presented with a reasonably straight forward path and in Uncharted 2 it too often feels like you are struggling for direction in the opening levels, particularly if you like to explore and find the hidden treasures.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect neon markers showing me the path but in a game where cheap deaths are aplenty I do expect it to be a bit more obvious where I can and can’t go. Uncharted suffered because of this and so far its sequel suffers too, perhaps more so.
The problem is primarily inconsistency; in some areas you can jump a good ten feet across a gap; in others barely two. And in a game where the path isn’t always immediately obvious this can be bloody annoying. Uncharted was similar in this respect but so far its sequel seems worse and this is partially due to the graphical improvement – the grippable ledges and other (some new) clambering means all blend in better to their environment making them hader to identify.
Although I found the first two levels underwhelming, I did perk up significantly when I hit the third! Back in the jungle and back with Sully; suddenly I started enjoying the game much more.
The first two levels primarily centre on the two newer associates of Drake; Harry Flynn and Chloe Frazer. Its early days I admit but so far I’ve not really been that taken by either hence why I was genuinely glad to see Sully re-appear. And in terms of a battle of the babes, at least in my opinion, Elena is far easier on the eye than Chloe!
I’m still looking forward to playing through Uncharted 2 (and a full in depth review will follow soon), but based on what I’ve seen so far I can’t help but feel slightly underwhelmed.
There’s no question the graphics are superb and I’m not doubting the production values of the game or even trying to say its not going to be anything other than excellent.
But key faults with the first title haven’t been addressed and a game can’t be perfect when it has control and direction issues, which is perhaps why I can’t quite grasp where all the 10/10 and perfect reviews are coming from.
Perhaps further play will reveal these answers to me but whilst I know I’m going to have a great and enjoyable ride with Uncharted 2, the opening levels have also shown me that I’m also going to experience some frustration and some disappointment because its issues mean it will never quite be the perfect game I want it to be.
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Nana, what you’re saying ONLY means it will never be perfect to you. but, quite frankly, you don’t seem to be much of a game player. your “issues” with the game seem to be weak and reflect more on your skill (or lack thereof) with games.
You could say it is over-hyped actually. But the reviews are here and are all praising it.
More correctly you could say it’s over-rated. But the game is here and everybody is loving it.
I guess you stand alone in this one.
It would seem nana needs to go back to playing pong, as this game seems a bit complicated for her
You’re wrong Mr. Potatohead. It lives up to the hype.
Graphically not all that i’m sorry to say makes me wonder about those 10/10 come from did they actually play the game . Uncharted 2 is defiantly overhyped like all ps3 games.
Oh cmon your trying to nitpick,if this game doesnt make you enjoy then no game will.And i completely feel unfrustrated about the starting section which you mentioned
wll if Halo ODST can get a 9/10 and 10/10. then uncharted 2 needs a score at 25/10.
I don’t know about you… but simply going through all the games released this gen that got hyped to all hell and back. I can comfortably say uncharted 2 is the one game I have played that deserved all that hype.
There is a reason its currently amongst the top 3 highest rated games on metacritic right now. From over 55 reviews. Obviously, 55 reviewers can’t be wrong right?
And your complaints? well, they seem like the true definition of a double standard and a serious case of the nostgies. Complain that its linear but accepting that linearity is the best way to make a story driven game?
Well here is my opinion on your opinion. I have long since waited for the site that would cheaply (albeit stealthily; will give you credit for that) bash this game bucking the trend of praise and acclaim in an attempt to seem different or gather hits. Neither of which matters to me in the slightest cause I have already bought the game.
My suggestion though, will be please….. lets give credit where credit is due. We really need more games like this. I mean look at gears, that game doesn’t even have a jump button or platforming elements…. it has a broken online mode, linear beyond all measure and has a non existent story and lack of deep characters. That game is the epitome of over hyped. So if that game gets 9s and 10s, what do you honestly think U2 should get? I just hope no one listens to you.
Thanks for all your replies. Please keep it nice if possible please, despite different opinions we are all gamers here.
Lorddeff thanks in particular for the time taken for your reply. Please note that if you re-read I did not complain about the game being linear at all.
Also of note, I do not state the game is not good/excellent or whatever – simply that it is not perfect as the majority of the hype suggests.
I loved Uncharted but at the same time it could use better controls and the sequel is no different. The environments are gorgeous and beg for exploration but yet there is no consistency to what Drake can do as I explain by the differences in his jumps as one example. These are areas I had hoped they would improve and yet if anything they are worse.
That’s not to say U2 isn’t great or won’t be enjoyed by myself but it will not be as perfect as it should be because of these reasons. Look at the true great games; the implementation of great controls is often one of the factors that make them great, the Uncharted games are great despite poor controls, imagine how good they’d be with good ones.
I totally agree with Dan. If these are going to be your complaints about the game, you obviously aren’t that much of a gamer. I mean jumping gaps? struggling with direction? these are the most basic of game playing elements. If these things are confusing you then it seems you’ve just bitten off more than you can chew.
How about the aiming controls or the physics? Do these not impress you? And to say that they have not addressed the key faults from the first game is just laughable, it just makes me think you either didn’t play the first one or that even the first one was above your skill level.
Now I have finished the game and I can say that in my opinion it is one of the best games made simply because of how they combined so many different and great working aspects into the game. The story, cinematics, voice acting, graphics, controls (although at times not as responsive as I would like) mechanics and physics combined the way they are I personally haven’t seen anything else like it.
Having said that I can see how some people can say it may be over hyped. The campaign isn’t very long and like I said some response time issues with pressing buttons are my only complaints, if you can call them that. I still feel the game is at least a 9.0 and in my book a 10 simply because we’ve never seen anything like it before. Now go back to your PS2, you’re not ready to hang with the big boys yet!
This seems like a sensationalist article which inevitably comes out just after a blockbuster game is released. There’s always one site which wants to buck the trend and try and create an uproar.
Your opinion make you look stupid…even the big name in game industry praise it…and you just say it underwhelmed? Every review praise it…and not complained about the controls…just you alone…What’s wrong with you?
DAT_NEW_YAWKER – You are missing the point on the jumps (perhaps my fault, apologies) – there is no consistency as to Drake’s ability to jump and grab as evidenced in the first game which hinders exploration and leads to cheap deaths. Jumping across a gap ND want you to jump across isn’t a problem; I’m not that bad
As you say “some response time issues with pressing buttons” is partly what I criticise
Too many people here are not reading the article, I may well rate this eventually as a 9/10, I’m questioning the 10/10 perfect scores which omit the obvious flaws.
I hope I didn’t initially come across as being too harsh. If I did my apologies.
I did read your article, and while you didn’t outright bash the game my problem with it is simple.
You are a gaming journalist; which means that you are on the fore front of gaming news and trends. You should have more of an understanding on not just how all this works but why. Cause you will end up being the one that can sway the decision of the average joe consumer. And that is my problem with this article.
The greatness (or quality) of a game can only be measured by the games before it. Should only be looked at as a sum of its parts and not what it could or should have been cause you are basically (hopefully) getting exactly what the devs wanted you to get. When a game, somehow transcends this, somehow is better than the sum of its parts… then that game has truly attained greatness. But above all else, you should know that there is no such thing as a perfect game. At the end of the day, the most important question should be; does the good outweigh the bad? And, does the bad, make the game unplayable? or affect the gameplay experience so much that it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth?
I get what you mean about the jumps thingy though, basically U2 is not a true platformer where you know you have measured jumps based on input pressure or entry speed. Its… like most games this gen, simplified. But thats just the way things are these days. Don’t expect to see games like shinobi/rush”n”attack/tomb raider 1 anymore.
you got butter fingers Nana, even my friend who sucks at jumping and climbing games don’t have a problem with this.
Re: Advocate of enough is enough
At least you have taken the time to digest what I’ve read and for that I’m grateful regardless of differing viewpoints.
Your right in that there isn’t a perfect game but would UC and UC2 be better with a greater degree of control, or as you put it, less simplified?
For now though I’ll go hide under my n00b rock whilst the rather unexpected hysteria dies down.
Quite why an opinion which doesn’t even slate the game in a major way is causing such an influx of insults both here and at N4G is beyond me and from a global gaming community perspective, it’s rather saddening.
JAPANESE GAMES FTW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am 1/2 through uncharted 2 and the hype could not have prepared me for how good this game is. it goes above and beyond and it is mind blowing. i have no idea how they will turn a profit on this game becuase it must have cost a billion dollars to make. this game is epic like you have never experienced before in any media form.
First I thought: there you go… a game gets good reviews so, inevitably, someone will come up with a “overhyped?” article… And then I start to read and it reminded me of my first impression of the game… a first impression I had almost forgotten because the game really picks up and when you get to the end, you completely forget this small section where Drake is so beaten up he can barely walk straight… So my verdict: you were a bit too fast on the trigger and should have played a bit more before posting your thoughts… I know twitter is fashionable but, honestly, do we care about every single thing going through someone’s mind???
Hi kapy and thanks for the comment and for keeping it civil. As I have pointed out and you seem to recognise, this article clearly states it’s not a review.
I stand fully by my control comments; these are not based on the opening section alone as the article does point out and at no point are the aiming/shooting mechanics criticised.
Again I re-iterate, no ones saying UC2 isn’t a great game, simply it’s not perfect in the same way that UC wasn’t.
Simple observation. The controls were sluggish in the beginning because he was injured. DONKEY!
ITS FUNNY THE MIN. PS3 GETS A TITLE THATS AWSOME 360 FANBOYS TRY TO KNOCK IT DOWN SO THEIR PRECIOUS LITTLE HALO DOSENT LOSE ITS SPOT LOL BUT AS YOU CAN SEE YOU PRACTICUALLY THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS THAT. TO ME AND ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THE CONTROLS ARE PERFECT SO…
STOP DEFENDING A GAME THATS GOIN DOWNNNN
That’s not because you can’t use correctly a stick that the game have a problem. Majority of players have no issues with the game, me neither, the controls are smooth, no problem at all. Perhaps you should considered the fact that you are not the middle of the world and doesn’t really know how to play.
I can only Completely agree with Nana’s observetions. I finished the game yesterday and felt cheated, all these “Perfect” reviews convinced into dropping $60 on this game and I’m not sure if it was worth it. I did enjoy the game very much yet the controls can get freaky at time, the graphics while beautiful has been done before not the mention the length, 8 hours on normal difficulty setting. Uncharted 2 was painted as a second coming of Jesus Christ and it did not deliver, sorry.
Are you kidding me? And Czech Monster, you’re just as stupid as this person here.
hello nana
you stand by your comments and believe what your saying is genuine opinion. i stand by my opinion and say your a stupid son of a bitch.
Its obvious that this person is only looking for hits to his/her site….. i mean… you start by criticizing the game befere you’ve even played through half of it…. It just seems like this person is itching to get a controversial story out there to draw attention…. get a life!!
jellybalboa – Thanks for the insult.
I’m sure you will go very far in life with that attitude; is it so hard to be civil?
Would help if you actually read the article rather than just comment on the title.
It is so sad that we dont look at things objectively any more but only nick-pick at things just because everyone else is doing it .My challenge to everyone is to be honest just don’t ban-wagon because everyone is but be dare to be different.Too many so called game Journalist have an opinion and this article is classic its an opinion that can sway the average Joe from enjoying a pretty good game.And its just that a good game and what matters is not if its over hyped but is the game good and thats my question to you Nana.
At the end of the day is this game good if it is yes or no then that’s it .
We are getting to the point that people are seeing through the negative and forming their conclusion.It will only get clearer as we see more good games.
David Banner, thanks for the comment but please, for the love of god – read the article
If half the people commenting actually read what I wrote they would quickly realise it does NOT bash the game but states nothing more than it is not perfect.
Don’t agree, that’s fine and you are welcome to say so.
But people could at least show some maturity and be polite about it rather than resorting to childish insults; this doesn’t show the gaming community in a good light and isn’t called for.
Great !! But people could at least show some maturity and be polite about it rather than resorting to childish insults (unless of course that is what they are).who is the child here?
What a surprise that some no-mark blog owner attacks what is almost certainly the game of the year in an effort to gets hits.
Is it overhyped? Not in the slightest. There are loads of games which have had far more hype and delivered far less so if anything Uncharted 2 is seriously underhyped.
Seriously, you talk about the controls at the beginning being sluggish and non responsive.
As the player, you have been shot and in a huge train wreck. I am sorry if you feel this should not hinder your movements… but thats how it works. You acknowledge this but still find it frustrating. Seriously, it only makes sense that it would be frustrating… Honestly your entire article just reaches for faults and nit picks on things. Yes the game is not “perfect”, there is no such thing as it is entirely too subjective. It is as close to that though as possible. The fact that you reach soooo hard for these faults shows that.
@David Banner
How is having an opinion being childish?
Apologies for my edit though; did not see your comment before it was made.
@Karlo
Having issues with the game controls but still stating the game is excellent is attacking Uncharted 2? Sheessh!
I have to disagree here. I found the controls incredibly smooth. The only time that I found them to be “sluggish” was when swinging on a pole and trying to jump off. That is not a game breaker. I mean have you played Killzone 2? That had sluggish controls, this responds beautifully. Czech monster, where have graphics like this been done before? I can not think of one game this gen that has the rich colors U2 has. It is a great break from the different shades of brown that plague this generation. We all new this game was short, and linear. I am having a blast on normal and will play it two more times on the higher difficulties. The coop modes offer a lot of playability as well. I feel nowhere near cheated.
The sad part is that the majority of the people that act like little kids at a theme park have not even played this game. For some reason PS3 is a sacred temple and no one dare to touch it. We are all entitled to out opinion and I feel I was misguided by the somewhat inaccurate and hyped reviews, I did enjoy the game but there is nothing revolutionary about it, I had as much fun playing Arkham Asylum. Is that a crime?
Hi Nana…. i think the problem here is that you have to remember is that this game is about the experiance as a whole .. just like a movie…. at the beggining it is slow… i agree with you…. but like a good film.. you have to start slow and develop the characters and the chemistry between them… i mean … the part that you got to in the jungle is when we first get introduced to the evil bad guy…. in terms of controlls.. i think the issue is that there is a bit of a learning curve… specially at the beggining when the camera seems to be fixed in certain parts…. well i hope you enjoy the rest of the “experiance”
have fun
I did read the article and i just posted what is an observation i wish that you would take the comments for what they are someone else two cents in reply to an article that reads UNCHARTED 2 IS IT OVER HYPED…….and contue with the following …
“As the first level loaded in I was absolutely brimming with excitement and the opening cinematic certainly doesn’t disappoint, but what followed I have to say did leave me feeling a little bit underwhelmed.”
Hummmm!!
“I’m still looking forward to playing through Uncharted 2 (and a full in depth review will follow soon), but based on what I’ve seen so far I can’t help but feel slightly underwhelmed. ”
Hummmm!!!
Very good choice of words for someone who not bashing a game .
@Klownboots
Appreciate the trainwreck situation – movement/platform controls after that point, just like UC are still not great (imo).
“Seriously, it only makes sense that it would be frustrating… ” – well yes thats what I said.
@Nana
Calling it overhyped and writing an entire article dedicated to that ignorant accusation is attacking it.
SHEESSH!
@ DB
Yes I was underwhelmed, does not mean that I won’t enjoy the game.
The hype has made this into something so huge that I expected UC’s faults to be fixed and was disappointed to find they were not.
That’s my issue but like UC I doubt it will actually stop me enjoying the game.
Again this is put across in the article
@Karlo
So unless I grade it the best game ever and 10/10, I’m attacking it?
An attack is based on content not an assumption of content based on a title.
The sluggish controls? Drake is bleeding and has lost a lot of blood, yes its deliberate. Are you blind to that fact he’s not going to be able to run at full speed or move with grace. Come on surely that was easy to see, being your game journalist.
I enjoy this game very much. It makes you feel like you are watching and playing a movie which is pretty amazing with no load times and the cut scene to game play and gameplay to cut scene is amazing. The controls ARE smooth the probelm lies in the camera angles That you control. Sometimes you are looking one way and jumps funny another but rarely. All my deaths have come from jumping to the wrong place on my own from trying to rush some areas.
The only other area I have control problems and i think it is me cus my friend has no problem is in the cover to cover movement, i have issues. But so far i am on chapter 19 almost done, most enjoable game i have played in a long time. Great story and makes you drawn into the charaters.
The linnear game play is good but yet open enought to MAKE you explore for TREASURE which is a good part of the game as you are a treasure hunter. So that is why they make it where you dont know exactly where to go because generally the way you shouldnt go leads to a TREASURE to find. So you should go explore all areas to find TREASURE. You have 100 to find.
If you didn have treasure to find then sometimes not know where to go couldbe a pain but if you pay close attention the games moves your view to where you have to go by either activating a enemy sequence, of snaping the camera over a view, or your ai buddy goes ahead and does an movement or climbs something and you are to follow suit. Or even at times Drake or the AI buddy says you should find this to need to figure out that…
this game wants you to explore so maybe if you dont like that concept and just want to go from Point A to point B by following down a direct path or have what ever this isnt that game. They want you to climb,jump,roll, shoot and find the TREASURE
At the beginning the controls are sluggish to give you the feeling that drake is hurt badly and I do agree I found myself jumping in and out of cover or even taking cover in the line on fire but that is it. The game is solid cosmically and the characters are outstanding unlike ODST witch seemed like the same ol’ just with health Drake is undoubtedly GOTY multiplayer is fast pace Co Op is awesome and single player lives up to and passes the original
@pabs
Missed it with all the flaming at first, apologies.
Thanks for the sensible comment
I will enjoy the game, never doubted that
Perhaps I expect too much, with the production values it has and the hype maybe it was too much to ask for controls like Lorddeff (Advocate of enough is enough) describes.
Good one Dave
“The sluggish controls? Drake is bleeding and has lost a lot of blood, yes its deliberate. Are you blind to that fact he’s not going to be able to run at full speed or move with grace.”
I guess its not so easy to see from a game journalist.
Do half the posters on here work for Naughty Dog or something? I assume that they must do as they seem to think that a person’s SUBJECTIVE OPINION of a game is a personal aside to them.
Amazingly, not everyone in the world will think that this game is the greatest thing since the discovery of fire. Even if they hate it will that affect your enjoyment or otherwise of the title?!
The one thing I would say though is that 10/10 does not necessarily mean a game is perfect. I would classify the likes of Resident Evil 4, Oblivion Shadow of the Colossus and, yes, the first Uncharted as 10/10 games for me personally. Are they perfect? No. However the minor faults within each of them were not sufficient to detract from the enjoyment I had playing repeatedly through each of them on numerous occasions.
Wow, I read a lot of reviews of this game and this articles gave the most number of criticisms…
Nana….Whats your take on Halo 3: ODST is it a little bit underwhelmed. your take if you dear..
I have a couple issues with this article.
First and foremost is the fact that obviously no game will ever be perfect. I highly doubt anyone has played even their favorite game of all time without having at least a few issues with the game. We all know that no game is perfect. A 10/10 score, in my mind, does not denote a perfect score. A movie getting 5/5 stars from a site does not denote a perfect movie. Think of video game scoring in the same way. This isn’t like grading a test where the only way to get 10/10 is by getting every answer right. Getting a 10/10 is received by providing a rich enjoyable experience where the sum of everything that’s done right far outweighs the sum of everything negative you can say about the game.
Now, if you really feel that the game does not deserve a 10/10 score, then fine. But it’s a tad ridiculous to complain about the perfect scores it has been receiving from so many sites. I would love to see you take the “perfect score” fight to movies as well.
My second issue is that the main focus of the article seems to stem from the fact that you don’t see how any game can score a 10/10. Unless you really found absolutely nothing wrong with Super Mario Galaxy, GTA4, and Halo 3, I don’t see why you chose to focus solely on Uncharted 2. Yes, Uncharted 2 has flaws, and if we were grading it like a test, there would be no way for it to score 10/10. But every game before it that has received critical praise should be a target as well.
Instead of addressing the issue at hand, the article basically picks on Uncharted 2. Instead of talking about how games can never get a perfect score, you instead say Uncharted 2 does not deserve a perfect score. And I think that’s why a lot of people are going to take issue with what you’ve said.
@DB
ODST Review: http://nanasparadox.com/2009/09/review-halo-3-odst-360/
In short: Expansion pack packaged as full price game.
The constant reference everyone makes to ODST irks me though; unless you are intent on some PS3/360 war, I fail to see how it’s relevant? Their not even in the same genre.
Wow…okay this is why i don’t take game reviews so seriously. It’s all about whether you feel the game is fun for YOU. Basing on buying a game just because one out of how ever many million people play games says it’s great and you should is just stupid. Grab it off a friend or something/rent it and try it out before you complain about how you “wasted” cash on it because a few people out of the whole freaking world says “It’s great!”
…But Uncharted 2 is great imo!!!
Nana the largest reason your getting so much venom in peoples replies is two fold.
A) Right now as far as gaming is concerned Uncharted 2 is the holy grail of this gen and anything against it is going to be met with criticism.
B) Your arguments reveal not specifically a fault with Uncharted but more a problem of your own.
The reason we are all coming to that conclusion is that to the vast majority of people the controls never become a issue. So while I am sure you are legitimately having a hard time with it we have to assume the error is on your part and not Uncharted. No matter how great something is someone will always invariably not like it. I don’t care if its movie, music or even food someone will always come along and proclaim “The plot was full of holes!” , “The songs are a meandering mess” , “I thought the steak was undercooked!”. However, because they are in the minority their opinion will not be heard and is quickly drowned out by the majority’s opinion.
Having beat UCD2 already twice since picking it up I feel truly bad for you that you don’t get to experience this game as the rest of us.
Hi Jason and thanks for the comment.
I do believe the controls in both UC and UC2 (primarily related to movement/platforming) are far from perfect.
This doesn’t stop the game being great, but it did disappoint me as I expected the sequel to improve it.
If you read quite a few comments here of people defending the game, many admit the controls can be unresponsive and cumbersome at times whilst attacking me for essentially saying so under some belief I am calling the game terrible (which I am not).
hotpastrami
It will get even better cause the public are getting “underwhelmed” at articles that takes shots at the wrong things and journalist that pretend to be .This article has its issues too its not perfect lol a 10/10 of inciting a riot and a 1/10 for encouragement and enlightenment .
@DB
A genuine lol
What are you talking about? I’m up to chapter 5 now and so far I haven’t noticed sluggish controls and I haven’t had any trouble figuring out where to go. Maybe you just aren’t a vry good gamer?
“Graphically not all that i’m sorry to say makes me wonder about those 10/10 come from did they actually play the game . Uncharted 2 is defiantly overhyped like all ps3 games.”
Spoken like a true Xbot who hasn’t even played the game PP. Now go back and play one of your 100 Halo games.
Ok here’s something for you all
IF someone here wishes to write the full on PS3 Uncharted 2 review for this site (under their own name and account, unedited and on here) – tell me and I’ll publish it.
Only proviso is no insults aimed at other systems (no fanboy rubbish) or anyone personally, you can score it and describe it how you wish.
Lmk.
You understand where were coming from though right? I mean I remember when Zelda Ocarina of Time came out and while we were all collectively shitting ourselves and lost in the world of Hyrule I had a friend that thought the camera was junk and that Links jump was to short. Once I entertained his notions I could see that yeah the camera could be annoying and I guess I could see how the jump was off but how how in the world of all the things about the game that was the stuff that stood out to him. Anyways no game can be perfect and if you really go in trying to find something wrong of course you will and I am not saying you did but come on man go back to your 12 year old self that didn’t give a shit out analyzing stuff so closely and just get lost in it.
Nana …
Controls is not the issue if the game is good then say that. I’m sure Halo ,Mario,these have issues but they are good games .The question is Nana whats your point of the article that’s the billion $ question .
You might be right about it being overhyped, because I felt that way too when I first popped in the disk. But that is anything. I don’t care how awesome it is, but anything that is hyped up so much will leave a sour taste in your mouth when it doesn’t turn out to be exactly as you envisioned it. In all that time waiting for the game, you will have already decided in your mind what would make this an awesome game; what would make this your favorite game of all time. And in that frame of mind, you might be disappointed to find out that the developers haven’t read your mind and implemented your dreams. However, in my case, After the opening train sequence, I completely changed my thoughts on the game. And once the train and convoy sequence started up, I practically gizzed myself. Never have I seen such brilliant work on a game in my life. So really, its not so much of it being overhyped, as it’s more of your frame of mind when you go into it. You and I both LET the hype affect us! In my opinion this is my favorite game of all time though!
Wait did you say write a review for this site? I’d love too, if the option’s still available!
@Jason/Geoffrey
Good posts
Yes– Its awesome and worthy of every perfect score
Also, man people are spoiled, lazy and jaded. I grew up on the Atari 2600! Go play Night Driver till your cross-eyed and then look at need for speed shift and see how far we have come in such a short time. Just play the damn games (on any system) and enjoy. Quit being so damn analyzing that you don’t remember how to enjoy a game. I can’t see how people can look at some games today, the animations, music, game play, graphics and complain. We were thrilled when a came had two screens!!!
Now if you excuse me I’m going to play some games just for the sake of playing!
This is a twist
Nana …..” IF someone here wishes to write the full on PS3 Uncharted 2 review for this site (under their own name and account, unedited and on here) – tell me and I’ll publish it.”
My dear the kitchen gets hotter
An “Overhyped” game is one that recieved bucketloads of media attention months before it’s release and then went on to fail miserable – some examples include Too Human, Haze and Mirror’s Edge.
Naughty Dog NEVER made a load of crazy promises before it’s release and the reception this game recieved is the best for ANY exclusive game this year.
In short – Uncharted 2 is far UNDERHYPED, not overhyped.
@Geoffrey Prout
Account log in detail sent. Enjoy!
I’m sorry but this is such an obvious attempt at getting traffic. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, but saying Uncharted 2 is overhyped is like saying BioShock is overhyped. They aren’t, generation-defining games like these come once in a blue moon and they deserve the acclaim.
If you want to talk about overhyped games there’s a handful of series that are way overrated, like Halo and GTA. I’m not saying they’re bad games, but they don’t deserve the critical acclaim they receive. Uncharted 2 took everythign the original did right and improved on it: better visuals, more polished controls, clever level design, and a much more interesting story. You can say you don’t love it, I’d even understand if you didn’t even like it, though I’d have to respectfully disagree, but saying it’s overhyped is just ridiculous.
@Nick S
I still have my Atari 2600 VCS Woody.
Nana…”The constant reference everyone makes to ODST irks me though; unless you are intent on some PS3/360 war, I fail to see how it’s relevant? Their not even in the same genre.”
Good to see you have feelings Nana I read your link and the beef was price point full game price for what you consider DLC i hear ya .The relevance is been objective and focusing on a common principle to measure the way in which you review /opinion a game.
You don’t think ODST was over hyped its a DLC in your book.But UC2 is a full game and the feeling you express is underwhelmed.Oh please. We need GENUINE something is wrong here.
The writter of this editorial is sooo wrong on all acounts, if you were paying attention to the opening cinematic you’d notice that Nate, is WOUNDED,” Lots of blood, thats alot of my Blood” remember that line? naw you didn’t.. the game tried to pass it over as realistic in that being sooo wounded it would make the controls feel sluggish and some what unresponsive simply because you are WOUNDED, didn’t you notice how hung over he was after i got off the train? naw…. you didn’t..
Did you play the rest of the game? perhaps not. tell you what, play the entire game and then comback and tell everyone if it’s over hyped. i doubt you will. this is just another attempt at pulling it down… but nice try though. shakes head.
please don’t confuse 10/10 (highest score possible) with a perfect game.
10/10 means only that the reviewer like the game very very very much. no game is perfect.
personally I see all you points but I loved the first one and as far I can see Uncharted 2 is more of the same, better.
a good point is though that the new characters aren’t as likeable as Sully and Elena. this is a concern to me too.
@Sevir04
like i said Nana gets 10/10 of inciting a riot and a 1/10 for encouragement and enlightenment .
Include me for shakes head
So you used more than 10 paragraphs just to say that you found the game like it is overhyped because the opening had sluggish controls and you get constantly lost… In a liner game that it even has a button you press that shows you the way? Wow. Lol
You want to talk about over rated? Try the HALO series.
(and on a side note, the controls are slugish in the beginning because Drake is BLEEDING TO DEATH!)
Well Geoffrey Prout has taken me up on handling our review of Uncharted 2, look forward to it. If anyone else wants to write a gaming article lmk.
I not responding anymore to the ‘wounded’ comments – this is stated in the article (which clearly most have not read fully) and is not what the article is about regarding controls – that was about pacing.
@Jim – fair good post, thank you
@Sevir04 – clearly didn’t read article
@WWII – clearly didn’t read article
@beatboy – clearly didn’t read article
@DB – Hype makes you think something will be amazing and I was let down as the issues (mainly control) I had with UC were not rectified. This does not mean to say I will not enjoy UC2 or think its excellent – but it could have been better. Nothing more, nothing less. I am grateful that at least you read the article
PP you’re either blind, retarded, or a 360 fanboy, or maybe you’re all three of those. Uncharted 2 has the best graphics for any console game out there.
Can I just say as a freelancer that to post such a controversial article then be surprised at the uproar is baffling. It’s also pretty bad form to keep coming back to defend yourself too, it looks embarrassing.
Wow. I’ve never heard of this website before. It looks stupid. How much do you wanna bet that this reviewer for this crappy website put this on n4g for hits. He probably is 13 and his mommy limits his playtime on his xbox because he plays halo too long.He probably eats elmo vitamins and is allergic to everything. He will grow up to be a failure and will become homosexual because of his lack of interaction with females. Go play your pokemon and leave uncharted alone.Just kidding.Or am I?
Stupid hit-bait article by somebody who hasn’t even played through the game and is already considering it “over-hyped”.
The game has problems, like the poor cohesiveness of the storyline and some frustrating UC1 style arena sections towards the end but taken as a whole it’s a completely new level of AAA gaming that blows anything previously released in this genre out of the water.
@Tom
It’s called interaction. Active topic debate is the future of journalism but perhaps in some respects given the vulgar comments you are partly right, enough is enough.
@moe
Your comments show you to be what you write. Adults can justify their actions, opinions and themselves without resorting to profane comments.
Some points you have made are right, like jumping 2 feet and then jumping 10 feet etc.. But I can’t help but disagree that Uncharted 2 is underwhelming, because it certainly isn’t. After an awesome first installment in the series, I couldn’t help but by the 2nd. So I did, and damn, it’s the best game I’ve ever played. Enough said.
@Dion
Try the review, you’ll like it better – I never wrote it!
Again, I was underwhelmed by certain elements, still think the game is great.
Hey, Nana, I just wanted to let you know that I have tremendous respect for you not simply marking it as a perfect merely because popular consensus dictates it. This, to me, is true gaming journalism. You air minor grievances with a game that you basically say you like, overall. But, most people don’t understand what first impressions – let alone a review – are.
When people criticize you for having an opinion, it’s more than a little sickening because that’s by definition what you’re doing here. Some people will fire off potshots about how you’re just “going against the grain” or “being rebellious,” but most those people are the type of people who are mere consumers rather than lovers of the art. People who slam you for having a dissenting opinion are the same type of people who think blink-182 is definitive punk rock or that the Mona Lisa is a penultimate art piece. Nothing will please them unless your opinions and beliefs accord with what they know to be true.
Of course, opinions by their very nature can neither be proven true or false, but don’t tell the review gestapos that. They know that the tastemakers have their interests at heart and there’s no dissuading them. Suffice to say, if there was a kudos button, I’d mash that thing into next week for you for actually sticking to your guns and voicing your opinion even though I may or may not agree with it.
Wow! PS3 owners are quite sensitive aren’t they? (Myself excluded) Any time someone criticizes (not even bashes) a game they lose there minds. I own a PS3 as well as Uncharted and Uncharted 2 and understand exactly what Nana is saying. Anyone who played Uncharted had to be extremely impressed, especially with the graphics. Now that I am playing Uncharted 2 I can say that it really is about the same as the first installment, which isn’t bad, but somehow, I was expecting a little more. I think anyone who is being honest would say the same thing. I guess its just human nature. The more you have the more you want.
All the hype for the game didnt let me down at all.
Okay here is the most important part of all this. Everyone remember Nana. Basically never come to this site again or come to it for any type of good literature. I’m not sure I can even being to argue this moronic author or article. I literally feel less smart having read this.
The controls are done just perfect and the story is the most enticing and well written I have ever played – hands down, bar none. For its genre it exceeds in every element. Nana has probably written articles on how the invention of the wheel was horrible and how shoes are unnecessary.
U2 is easily a 10/10 and deserves every point of it. Sucks you in right from the get go. I understand everyone has there opinion but this one is just horrid. Really Nana, stop reviewing, your horrible at it and look extremely foolish to anyone that has played the game.
It’s simple Nana.I’ve read your article but you’re not giving a constructive criticism.
If you think,the control is sluggish or the exploration,you should give one other third person game that we can compare to.
If you don’t give any example at all,it is almost impossible for a reader to draw a line.
Just name any game that you think have some better aspect like better controls or better exploration and then readers,including me will give reasons why Uncharted is not on the same level compared to them.Or in fact,Uncharted is a very different game from them.
Uncharted is a not a third person sandbox game, and for that reason obviously there’s no exploration at all but it is merely experiences.But experiences in Uncharted is like nothing every critic ever saw in the entire gaming industry.
Like I’ve said,you need to give example of better game and for what reason,and it’s easier for us readers to give opinions.
Let me guess, you guys needed some hits today on your website, so you made an idiotic news article?
Its times like these I really hate being a sony fanboy. People really need to get a grip. And before you regard my comments as saying you didnt read the article… I did.. all of it. I think the problem people are having, is basically that you are basing your opinion mainly on the first level. If you look at your article… it entirely compromised reviewing the controls and gameplay of the first 2 levels(save for the last paragraph when you say you perked up). If you really wanted to question whether the game is worth the hype.. dont you think you should have played more than 7% Storywise… 10-12% Timewise? Your complaints on the gameplay (controls) were all relegated to your time climbing up the train. Your complaints on linearity could have been spaced between the train and the stealth mission. And it seems your complaints is that it was linear and you didnt know where to go. You were probably really frustrated not seeing the proper path (especially when you had to climb up the boxcar and could not see it.. all the while walking really slowly). Im sure you were expecting a bang right from the get go.. maybe like UC1 with the boat and pirates.. but this story is different. I would really advise you to play more of the game.. and see how the controls fair in the levels that arent so dark and you’re not injured to see how it plays. Especially if you are to spend time creating an article and publishing it on your site. Just think of the time you could be fighting in the jungle… or going off to nepal.. instead of writing this article.. for whatever reason you felt it necessary. You really owe it to yourself.. and you gamers in general… to actually play a good portion of a game, before you make up your mind if its hyped or not.
It is obvious, all faults you mention are not the games but your own, the game does not expect a person with an IQ of 12 to be playing the game. In terms of it being over hyped, if the game recieved scores of 8 or even 9 it could be considered over hyped, but since alomst everyone gave it 10/10 means it cannot be over hyped if it got a perfect score. Not saying it wasn’t hyped a lot, but so was Halo 3 and no one complained about that being over hyped when it got such rave reviews despite having a few minor flaws here and there (most being due to a persons personal prefrence). If any faults of Uncharted 2 should be mentioned it should be the ones that can’t be controlled by the player like the cover system ocasionally is un-responcive or something like that. I’m not a fanboy so don’t bring that up, I own a PS3 but also go around my mates place just to play some 360 exclusives like Halo 3 and Gears of War which i think are great. No matter which console you own a great game is a great game period.
I also dont like the determination of hype.. because obviously.. the review scores of a multitude of respected game reviewers are generating this hype… instead of the say… gaming fuel hype.. if you catch my drift.
best controls in any game seen on PS3…. BY FAR
i wonder how you do online? You keep going to the short vs long jump and i never ran into that problem… guess my 20+ years of gaming made me judge what im meant 2do in certain games. The controls are butter smooth and i would know after spending 10.5 hours on my 1st run! Now im playing it online and the controls are awesome
anyway
last time i visit this site
…..Nana, the fact that you haven’t played the entire game leaves me questioning why you think you can pass judgement on the proffesional thoughts of other reviewers.
Meh, opinions are like a–holes, everyone has one and they all stink. Sucks for you man, because I, and many others, have had nothing but fun with the game. I love that there is more platforming, but I am only about halfway through and I just hope it doesn’t devolve into a strict TPS like the first one kind of did.
Nana I didn’t miss your point at all regarding the “jumps” I do think that you missed mine though. This is not an open world game, as you mention it is a linear game, which if done right can help a game greatly (now where did I read that?) Let me say that I respect a persons right to speech whether I agree with them or not, and I couldn’t agree more with you that there is no need for all the name calling. Unfortunately these are the same assholes that make online gaming almost impossible to deal with.
The biggest problem I have with your article is that I just don’t see the point in writing an “op” piece on something that you admittedly haven’t played through. It’s almost irresponsible of you to do this, I mean you should know by now how dedicated and passionate some fans are, did you really expect positive responses to this piece?
Bottom line is you said repeatedly that this is not your review yet you publish your criticisms about the game when your not even a couple of hours in. What if by the time you finish the game you absolutely love it and it’s you’re all time favorite game. Should we expect an honest review now? After all the crap you’ve gotten for this piece I will bet there is no way you will be able to turn back and admit that you were wrong. This in my opinion is were you blew it, you did it assbackwards(sorry but it’s true). Review first then “Overhyped op-piece”
if u say uncharted 2 is over hyped then something must be wrong wit your gaming expertise.. honestly.. ARE U SERIOUS..stop wasting your time writing such articles you can find something else to do.
how can you possibly be disappointed with the train scene?
seriously your climbing up a train half way off a cliff something NO game has ever done before, but not only that a few times rocks fall down and knock you lower down, or the pipe breaks.
seriously if your disappointed with that, your in the wrong industry.
In answer to many comments, I am enjoying the game so you’ve no need to worry about that; my comments relate to the game not being quite as good as it could have been because areas from the original which could have been improved were not. This is quite clear if you read the article.
@Tom
The cover system that you mention as occasionally being unresponsive is a control issue is it not?
@DAT_NEW_YAWKER
Glad at least some people can debate things in a civil manner
I can see your point regarding timing but I do not see why I cannot comment on what I feel are less than perfect controls after a few hours playing the game. These controls do not change mid way through so the comments remain perfectly valid. What people miss is that I am not saying the game is not fun, simply its not perfect and given my high regard for the original I had expectations for this which were perhaps too high; I expected the originals niggles to be fixed. Obviously I now write having played much more of the game which I am enjoying but nonetheless I am still disappointed by the controls.
@name
The train is impressive but after such a dramatic introduction which filled me full of adrenaline, I found the slow down in pace and sluggish controls I was presented with somewhat underwhelming.
@A dude
I can pass comment on other reviews because after a few hours play I can be fairly sure the control and physics mechanics of the game are unlikely to radically change.
@SmokeyMcBear
Thanks for the considered comments. As I have said several times my control comments are not simply related to the opening section of the game – both Uncharted games suffer from movement control mechanics which are far from perfect. I am still enjoying the game though
@Carlos/Fireace
Thank you.
DID YOU KNOW BILL GATES HAS A BROTHER CALLED WILLIAM
I was disappointed with Uncharted 2. I mean i like charts and the lack of them in a game make me mad. Bring back rayman i say. Oh and fuck gran turismo
nana,
You say that Uncharted 2 is overhyped… and your reason is because it has flaws and is not perfect.
In that case, i beg you to write an article about how GTA4, MGS4, GoW2, Halo series, GodoWar series and every single game out there is overhyped…
Because nothing is perfect… Now get to work!!
@joey
I agree completely that most games have flaws; therefore what exactly is everyone’s problem with people writing their own thoughts about them?
Video games and gamers have for many years wanted their media to be taken more seriously by a broader audience and yet when any critique dares to disagree with their own viewpoints and feelings, a childish name calling behemoth emerges.
This is why despite superior monetary sales in some areas; Video Games are still considered adolescent toys rather than a platform capable of art by non gaming circles.
if uncharted 2 does not deserve a 10 nothing does.
i mean come on this game has so much action its not funny, in my first playthrough 4 times i said ok im turning it off now then something happened and made me play on.
i just got past the boss battle on the train and that helicopter battle is EPIC!
i have no problems with the controls or the cover system.
my only 2 gripes are.
1 ill take cover, push the analogue stick towards a enemy he will be right next to me i hit square to do a stealth attack and drake swings at the air.
doing this on crushing ive died so many times because of that.
2 it takes a bloody long time to recover your health, i found in the first you recovered health quite fast but in uncharted 2 it takes bloody forever.
that said, every game has its faults and these faults U2 has are not big enough to detract from the score it deserves.
i had impossibly high expectations with uncharted 2 because uncharted is my favorite PS3 game, and ND are my favorite devs because of crash bandicoot.
despite my impossibly high expectations ND some how managed to blow me out of the water.
plus you have to love drakes attitude, hes always joking.
never has a game made me laugh so much, not even R&C
marco,MARCO, O come on.
FINE polo.
come on in the waters fine.
no way, you just want to see my Tshirt wet.
drakes jokes plus the constant action scenes make uncharted 2 a perfect game, nothing can take away from those.
uncharted 2 is actually the jack of all trades, no game has made me feel so many emotions.
fear when you see the hellis.
anxiousness when im on the side of a train with a tunnel speeding towards me.
joy/laughter from drakes jokes.
anger from the betrayals.
no game has given me so many experiences, the only game that can match the different emotions this game offers is heavy rain.
another game im really excited for. and again exclusive to the ps3.
“and again exclusive to the ps3.”
The article has nothing to do with any perceived console war or fan boyism, sorry.
Check out the review by GeoffreyP: http://nanasparadox.com/2009/10/review-uncharted-2-among-thieves-ps3/
Just popped open this bad boy yesterday and I have to say I am very impressed. Its fun, graphics are great, smooth, and a good story. I agree that at times it can be hard to figure out where you are going/where to jump etc but the controls (in my opinion) were fine. I can’t say I have really had any frustration with the controls and if I had to rate it, I would say 9-9.5/10. Excellent game and def worth a play through.
Also you are entiled to your own opinions and I like hearing them before I spend 60$ on a game. Thank you for your insight and don’t worry about people flaming you. Although I don’t fully agree (particularly with the controls), theres nothing wrong with that!
Thanks Andrew for your comment
I am enjoying the game myself as I keep pointing out but this seems to fall (mostly) on deaf ears; also I have to say the aiming and weapon mechanics are superb.
The review we have posted up here is rather more positive than my own critique and was kindly written by guest author GeoffreyP: http://nanasparadox.com/2009/10/review-uncharted-2-among-thieves-ps3/
Well..thanks for your rebuttal Nana.. but I would advise you to read your own article again. Your main argument for the controls was climbing up the train.. read it again, you dedicate about 25% of your article to this complaint. If you didnt like the controls at all. even with the first game.. then I would have put that first and foremost in your article, instead of a line or two, while dedicating the majority of the complaint to this climbing up the train part. In fact.. you should have just taken that out of your article entirely, because the controls of the game when you climb up the train are entirely different from the rest of the game, which Im sure you know because you have played. So again, you should have not even mention the controls of the entire first level, because they are not indicative of the entire game. And number to.. it is really hard to believe the controls of the game are the problem, being my experience with the game, as well as many comments from professional game journalists regarding the controls. I believe your main complaint would be the platorming aspects (including pathway recognition), as well as on screen indication on whether a jump is possible or not. Im sure the controls you dont like are when you are platforming and try to go to the other path, while hitting x to jump.. you simply hop up over and over gain, all the while not being able to go the grip hold to your side. This would I guess technically be the control of the game.. but also factors in on user input, being direction of analouge stick as well as being on the same level of the grip you wish to reach. I would advise a more detailed explanation of your concerns and complaints with the game, as well as focused on what exactly is the problem, instead of calling out the hype based on how the first level controlled (over 50% of your entire article).
Nana,
I believe the main problem here is the title of your article. Every game has flaws as we had both agreed upon and many games have hype. Control flaws in the case of Uncharted 2 does not hamper the experience, that I think you would agree.
It is the word overhyped in your title that’s causing all the stir. In fact, your thoughts conveyed in this article seemed more like a tweet in the middle of the game about your frustrations… like “OMG I CAN’T MAKE THIS JUMP!! CRAP!! Damn controls… this shit is overhyped!!!” or….. “Dammit SAGAT IS OVERPOWERED!!! THIS GAME IS OVERHYPED!!!”
I think my Sagat comparison has a good point. Don’t you think so?