Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2 Among Thieves may well be the best PS3 game to date, although such a compliment will raise the skepticism of both XBOX fans and some MGS fans in your living room.

I have to admit that included me, a MGS fan who considered MGS4 the end of my gaming career. However, some articles also placed Uncharted 2 as "the first video game ever to make a block-buster achievement". That was an exaggeration for sure. I can name several games which contain good involving stories, kicking-ass presentations and terrific visual effects that made a bundle of production values and blockbuster qualities. MGS series, Escape form Butcher Bay, GTA4, etc. Besides, I can find some underdeveloped parts and potentials as well, like the organic combination of platforming and gunfights can be better, blah blah blah.

That's all the negative side. Now, we can talk about the good side of the game. First off, Uncharted 2 might be the first "Jaw-dropping" visual experience I've had in playing a video game. All the visual-excellent games were prematurely over-hyped and got your eyes saturated, therefore the actual experiences were not so shocking. However, still images or one or two typical scenarios don't do Uncharted 2 justice, you'd have to play it through yourself to get this one-of-a-kind experience. It's a proof that graphics alone can make a difference in a game and make a game shine.

That's not saying the other parts of Uncharted 2 are not good. The actions and platforming are also really engaging, if not a little too adrenaline-bumping. And the story is also well thought-out with a loads of fun. The characters-centered presentation never gets old, just like the distinctive personalities of Nathan Drake, Elena and Chloe. After all, they don't want to get too serious.

I guess IGN and Gamespot both gave GTA4 and MGS4 a perfect 10 for these games' depth and game-play. Now they both gave Uncharted 2 a 9.5. In my opinion, it's not essentially for game-play, but for the core value of it--jaws-dropping graphics and presentation that could keep you coming back.

10/10. The most satisfying gaming experience I had in a while. P.S. I am also a movie fan.

When Uncharted was first released back in 2007 it initially came under fire as a Tomb Raider clone. Critics said based on the trailers that it looked like Lara Croft had a sex change and that it would lack originality.

When the game was actually released however the critics were silenced and the title was critically acclaimed.

A sequel was inevitable and unsurprisingly was met with positivity once again, but why?

Uncharted can be compared to Tomb Raider, they are hugely similiar titles but in this guys opinion Uncharted has far better plots.

Uncharted 2 see's Nathan Drake and familiar faces travel the world in search of Marco Polo' lost fleet. Once again the game is enormous in size, wonderfully written, full of likeable characters, decent puzzles and a wealth of originality.

Ontop of this is flawless voice acting led by Nolan North and the husky goddess Claudia Black.

Uncharted 2 delivers as successfully as the first game and as a whole is near flawless. A fantastic addition to a franchise that is nothing short of phenomenal.

The Good:

Incredible score

Very good voice acting

Perfectly crafted level design

The Bad:

Couple of frustrating moments

Things I Learnt From This Game:

Claudia Black could tell me I have cancer in my butt and I'd still melt

I had to give this game a 10. I really enjoyed this game, even more than I enjoyed Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. The nice thing about the new game is that the graphics and cut-scenes are to die for. Also, there is an auto target option which eases your misery of targeting enemies. If you are a fan of adventure and thriller games, this is definitely the game for you. All new characters that will make the story even more interesting and also, the music used is amazing.

Uncharted has done it again, by far, the best PS3 game released in 2009. I am sure it will be very difficult to build a better game, that's why I gave this game a 10 as I cannot even find one negative thing about it.

Excellent job Naughty Dog, you did it again!

-Title: Uncharted 2. -Rating: 16/RP. -Director: Amy Henning.

A Summary:

Uncharted 2 is a perfect mix of action, puzzles, funny moments, and multiplayer, You play as Nathan Drake, Who is basically the personality and sense of humour of John mcClane (Die Hard), The Charm of Indiana Jones, The gun-slinging-ness of James Bond, and The Climbing talents of Lara Croft (Tomb Raider), Faith (Mirror's Edge), Ezio Auditiore (Assasin's Creed 2), and Altiar (Assasin's Creed) rolled into one.

Characters:

This game has LOADS of characters, some old, some new, and all brilliant, the voice acting is spot on, and you will never find friendlies running into your line of fire.

Animation/Graphics:

An awesome frame rate, excellently smooth 720p graphics, and Bright colours, along with the same wet engine (your clothes get saturated when you decide to take a swim) and with a new snow engine,(you get coated in snow, then it melts, and then your wet)

Plus, all environments are colourful and interactive.

Handy things/fun gizmos:

There is a machinima mode that lets you create films with the characters (check out "Drakes Ps3" on YOUtube for a brilliant example)

There is Lip-syncing, meaning what you say moves the character's mouth.

26 story-mode levels, (26!!) and loads of maps online.

Many varied online modes, Eg: Plunder (C.T.F with a small, heavy golden statue)

There are also co-op modes, but, instead of playing the story mode, you play in segments.

There is a costume select in the online mode, from Jeff to Skeletons and everything in between!

There is even an Uncharted 2 Twitter account built INTO THE GAME that lets you post your progress through the game.

Critisisms: Very few, I found that online, many times you can be shooting at an enemy, yet they never seem to die, there is a martyrdom-esquire perk called Revenge, (I think thats what its called) The characters online, and in the single-player costume select, don't get wet. This happened to me once, I was demoted because I quit an online match early, going from rank 7, back to rank 1, thats quite a harsh punishment, for such a small accident.

Overall:

I loved this game, and I've gotten over some of the criticisms, and the game has a lot of replay value, so, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting ready for my 5th playthrough of Uncharted 2: AMONG Thieves, on crushing. I give Uncharted 2 a well-deserved 10/10

Critic: Mike

Uncharted 2 has easily been this years most anticipated title for the PS3. Not only because of the mind-blowing presentation Naughty Dog gave the gaming-press during the E3 event, but also because of the games' predecessor with which, despite having it's share of mistakes, they've set a pretty high standard for themselves.

Well, Uncharted 2 blows that standard completely to pieces. The formula used in part 1 has been tweaked & perfected in every aspect of the game-play, characters, plot, visuals, voice-acting, humor and the list just goes on. They have listened to the criticism concerning mistakes made in the first Uncharted & corrected them where needed. (For one, the exploring/platforming/puzzling & gun-play parts are well balanced now.) From the gorgeous, epic graphics & score to the smallest audio & story details, you can just sense the love they've put into making this game..which is not just a game anymore, really. It's more of an interactive movie, and one that can easily compete with a triple-A, Hollywood production; a bit predictable and maybe a little cheesy at times, but pumped full of action. Add to this an addictive online multiplayer and co-op system, and you've got yourself a winner.

The story is about the charismatic treasure hunter, Nathan Drake, whom gets sucked into yet another epic, thrilling quest. This time he sets out to find the lost ships of Marco Polo, after being recruited for a job by an old friend. His quest will take Drake all over the globe, from the wet, suffocating jungles of Borneo, to the icy Himalayan Mountains around Tibet. So you can expect more jaw-dropping views, eerie ancient temple sites, inventive Indiana Jones-style puzzles, bone-dry and cynical humor from the protagonist & some very fun gun-play. I doubt veterans of part 1 need any further details, and as for the rest of you..well, you'll just have to believe me when I say I really can't give away too much about the plot. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor. And just in case you're wondering, you don't necessarily have to play Drake's Fortune before playing Among Thieves, although I highly recommend it.

So, the conclusion is pretty simple and straight-forward; If you are a PS3 owner, go and buy this game today!