I’ve not finished the single-player campaign of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, but I’m a good bit of the way there and wanted to share my thoughts.
I’m thrilled that Sony’s got a successful new IP – MS having all the best exclusives has gotten to be kind of a drag – and though I never found time to pick up the first Uncharted title, this one had me right off the bat.
The game owes a lot to Tomb Raider (a lot of serious climbing/hanging, dark temples, archeological artifacts, etc.), with a good dose of third-person gunplay. The combat is well executed and fun, and the combination of these two styles of play manages to keep things enjoyable. So far, there haven’t been any sections where I got frustrated or bored, wishing that the next challenge would come along. In fact, I expect this will be one of those rare instances where I finish the game and wish there was more story.
To this end, perhaps, there are a variety of multiplayer options presents – both co-op and competitive – and while this may have been viewed with suspicion pre-release (Uncharted was a single-player only game the first time around, and often times it seems like multiplayer modes are tacked on in sequels where they don’t belong) I’m genuinely excited to do battle alongside or against friends. It doesn’t hurt that the majority of my friends list can be seen engaged in Uncharted 2 on any given night. It looks like there will actually be a community to support the online sections for a change.
The game’s strength is its presentation – cutscenes are in-engine and blend with the interactive portions in a much more seamless way than I’m used to. During play, the camera is generally adjustable with the right stick, but at some points the game places the camera very specifically to allow for cinematic reveals that add to the excitement of the game. In one memorable moment, the player is climbing a ladder (yeah, that happens a lot) when the camera slyly pulls back to reveal a hidden danger unknown to the hero. It’s a hack move in a film, but might be a first for a game, and it’s pulled off with enough style to give it that Hollywood impact that you want from this type of material.
The visuals are excellent, as would be expected given the praise heaped on the first installment’s looks. The aforementioned directorial control that sometimes takes over the camera is also used to great effect when you crest a hill or reach a high rooftop and suddenly see the beautiful landscape or city stretch to the horizon in vivid detail. The look is similar to Resident Evil 5, but without the light-bloom and grainy texture – Uncharted 2 has a colorful, crisp sheen that really pops. Distances look detailed in the same way you’d expect from a racing title, something that can’t be said of many other action games.
Great new IPs are not exactly a dime a dozen, so it’s good to see that the much-loved Drake is coming into his own as a continuing character. If you’re a PS3 owner, you need to get Uncharted 2. If you’re not, Sony might finally have a system-seller that pushes you to take the plunge.
Posted by Chris Stucky
