Let’s just start that Uncharted 2: Honor Among Thieves is not a game, it is actually one of the best movies of 2009, on the same ground as District 9 and the Star Trek reboot. I’ve always been as huge fan of the first Uncharted, and was thrilled that Naughty Dog was making a sequel, but who would have guessed that it would be on the level of The Empire Strikes Back. Adventurer Nathan Drake is back for a brand new adventure, which would bring a big smile to Indiana Jones’ face. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves a Playstation 3 exclusive, that will give owners bragging rights over Xbox 360 fan boys who always claim that they get the best titles. Was Uncharted 2 worth the wait and conquers its hype? You damn right.
gameplay
Let’s assume that if you desire to play Uncharted 2, you’ve already played and mastered the first Uncharted. If you haven’t played the original, then lets assume either you’ve just been released from prison or you’re just a brand new PS3 owner. If so you are forgiven just as long as you play the original now to warm up for the next chapter. The latest Nathan Drake adventure begins with our hero with a bullet in him waking up on a crashed cargo train that is hanging from the side of a mountain. If this is not the set up for something that is going to be kick ass, then I don’t know what is. Via flashbacks you learn that Drake has been convinced by two fellow adventurers, Harry Flynn, a British rogue, and Chloe Frazer a tough hottie who he’s getting some action with on the side, to go on a quest to retrace the path of Marco Polo to find a treasure that will bring them all fortune and glory. The only catch is that they may all die a horrible death attempting to retrieve it, but that’s just a day’s work for people like them.
Uncharted 2 uses the ‘if it ain’t broke , don’t fix it’ method of gameplay, so if you played the first, you’ll be able to jump right into this one with no issues. Drake is controlled from a third person view, allowing you to see every leap for life he makes, every grip he takes as he hangs and climbs structures, and every shot he fires in a gun battle. The controls are silky smooth, which would have turned this game into a disaster if they were not responsive, because so much of Drake’s movements relies on premise timing and reflexes.
Instantly, you are drawn into this adventure because of its story. Sure most games have a storyline, but you are always aware of where the cinema cut scenes end and the gameplay starts. Uncharted 2 fleshes into one big cinema production and molds itself like a bib budget Hollywood production. You’ll find scenes rivaling anything you’ve seen in an Indiana Jones or one of the Mummy film’s, but you’re controlling the action. Some sequences will have Drake hanging from the side of a vehicle during a massive truck chase just like Indy did, and another has him jumping across the moving cars of a cargo train as a helicopter gunship hunts him down. Uncharted does a great job of mixing up the action, even throwing in situations where Drake is running towards the camera as speeding truck attempts to mow him down and he’s desperately trying to get out of it’s path.
Familiar faces from the first game also return for the ride, such as Drake’s mentor Sully, and Elena, the tough reporter who Drake still seems to have a thing for. These characters pop in and out throughout the story to give Drake a hand when he gets in tight spots, Elena in particular could be the blonde Marion Ravenwood, because when the action breaks out she quickly steps up to the fight. Uncharted 2 also covers more ground than the first game, because Drake is venturing through exotic locations such as Tibet, Borneo, and Nepal. So you will always get a sense that Drake’s quest is much larger and deadlier than before, because the stakes are so much higher.
There is plenty of gunplay in this adventure compared to the last one, so Drake will have access to pistols, M-16’s, AK47’s, rocket launchers, sniper rifles, grenades, and even harpoon guns. When situations are tight, Drake can also pick up a tank, toss it at a group of gunmen and fire a shot to blow them into pieces. Like the first, things do calm down and Drake using his wits to figure out a puzzle, such as in the snow level, which provides a better payoff than the ending of the last Indiana Jones film. Drake also must be the most in shape adventurer out there, because he must do so much climbing and jumping, whether it is across the side of a building, or up the face of a mountain structure, that Spiderman would be jealous.
Though smooth is most places, there are some minor issues with the game, such as the cover system which at times gets frustrating because it can take several button clicks before Drake actually obeys and ducks behind a structure when he’s a shoot out. And at times when there are multiple characters on the screen with you, such as Elena and Chloe, they can get in your way and block your path; you will literally have to shove them out of the way. But again these are minor because the overall package quickly makes you forgive these issues.
Simply put, Uncharted 2: Honor Among Thieves will make you happy that you own a PS3, and if you were on the fence about buying the mighty Sony system, after playing a couple of chapters you will be convinced. Naughty Dog has delivered not only a solid sequel, but also a game that will advance the gaming industry itself. This is literally an interactive movie that is better scripted, paced, acted and more fun than most of the stuff coming out of Hollwood. Naughty Dog must have a third adventure in the works for Nathan Drake, and after playing Uncharted 2 you will definitely want more. Uncharted 2 is the reason why I play video games.
graphics
The first Uncharted offered good graphics, but they were a bit choppy in places, but Uncharted 2 has ironed out all the graphical kinks to deliver a visual tour de force that will immerse you in the game. Developers are now much more comfortable with the PS3 hardware, so the team over at Naughty Dog have utilized what’s under the hood to produce some of the best eye candy you’re going to see on the system. Character designs are simply amazing, right out of an animated film with detailed textures on faces, clothing, and hair. The levels themselves are works of art, with huge backgrounds featuring such visions as snow covered mountains, villages, underground caves, and just wait until you play the train sequence. Also, make note of the expressions on the character’s faces, in particular Drake, where you can see his features change when he’s being sarcastic, scared, or pissed off. These are not the typical one size fits all rubber faces, these expressions flow naturally. The lighting also stands out, because just watch as shadows and light direction shift naturally as Drake runs through the jungle, leaps from rooftops, or travels through dark caves. Basically, this is one of the best-looking PS3 games period.
sound
Yes, the game looks great, and to compliment the visuals the sound is also fantastic. The voice acting is outstanding, rivaling anything you’ll hear in a big budget Pixar or Dreamworks animated film. This is one of the main reasons you’re drawn into the story, because you believe these characters, and each one has a different identity and are not spitting out basic generic dialogue as most games offer. The best thing is that it doesn’t stop there, because sound effects and music are also top notch to match the cinematic atmosphere the game is going for. Whether a helicopter gunship is firing away, a train crashes, trucks roll over, structures collapse, or a weapon recoils, it all sounds convincing. If you have your PS3 connecting to a surround sound system, then crank this one up, because it’s worth it.
replay value
You can probably knock this game out in about ten to twelve hours, depending on the difficulty, but once completed you have various options to explore. There are 100 hidden treasures in the game, and no matter how good you are, there is no way you will find them all by playing the game only once, so replay is a must. Unharted 2 offers trophy support, so all you junkies who must have to have them all including the infamous Platinum trophy will have to keep going back. The newest feature that was not available in the first Uncharted is multiplayer. Various modes are available including Deathmatch, Capture the Treasure, and a Halo-like ‘Protect-Your-Turf option. Also, included is a co-op mode that allows you and buddy to work together in selected levels of the game to perform task. Honestly, if only there was only a single player mode you would be plenty satisfied, but the multiplayer in Uncharted 2 is actually extremely fun and doesn’t feel “tacked-on.” This multiplayer addition adds plenty of extra mileage to an already excellent game, and will keep this Blu-ray spinning in your PS3 for months to come.
bottom line
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a videogame masterpiece that must be experienced by all PS3 owners. Sure, this game started out as a Tomb Raider clone, but it has surpassed Ms. Croft’s adventures tenfold by pushing it beyond the limit. Visually it’s one of the best looking games you’re going to see on any system, and its movie style presentation is the icing on the cake. Toss in the addictive multiplayer modes and you have a complete package that is well worth the $60 price tag. The team over at Naughy Dog should definitely pat themselves on the back and have some celebratory drinks, then quickly run back to their desks to get the ball rolling on Uncharted 3, because we want more of the man named Nathan Drake. This one is a must own.
Review by: Johnny McNair
Posted: 11/16/2009
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Gameplay:
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10 |
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Graphics:
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10 |
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Sound:
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10 |
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Replay Value:
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10 |
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Bottom Line:
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10 |
