by BR88KLYN
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was introduced at a time when the Playstation 3 needed an identifiable game and character that would not only invoke thoughts of the Playstation 3, but like many characters before, capture the cultural imagination while rivaling any experience in entertainment. Kratos and the God of War franchise was the obvious choice but after releasing God of War II on the Playstation 2, Sony created a void that many thought would be filled by the God of War-like Heavenly Sword. I must admit, it was an obvious choice. Top notch voice and motion capture talent overseen by none other than Gollum himself, Andy Serkis. Uncharted at the same time looked promising but many were taking a wait and see stance on what was viewed as another Tomb Raider clone. We now know that Uncharted was that and so much more. Naughty Dog delivered not only a game, but an entertainment experience that blurred the line between films and interactive entertainment. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves looks to once again provide the ultimate cinematic experience.
Graphics. Uncharted 2 presents a lush and beautiful world, vibrant with color with attention to detail. Many times I found myself staring at the screen in disbelief at the level of realism that was achieved. Just the snow alone in this game is breathtaking, watching it adhere to clothing and melt as I progressed. Every location is filled with beautiful vistas and there is an attention to detail that extends and touches every part of this adventure. Characters are distinct and will display a level of emotional, physical distress, and fatigue as the game progresses. Clothing will tear, limbs will bruise and cut. I continually found myself finding new scrapes and cuts on Nathan Drake and the supporting cast that gives the story an even greater emotional intensity. All of the major set pieces that would put most Hollywood movies to shame are presented within the confines of the story, and it feels natural and organic. Nothing that is set before your eyes will seem as though Naughty Dog put it in the game just because they could. Every character, room, building, and vehicle tells a story that accomplishes a deeper emotional investment in some of the best written dialogue and storytelling in gaming.
Control. Controls will feel familiar to all the returning fans of the franchise and for all the first time treasure hunters, the controls feel as comfortable as an old pair of shoes. The seamless transitions from action, stealth, and platforming that can happen within a single enemy encounter are a testament to the tight responsive control. Shooting this time around is not as difficult in this iteration and blind firing is no longer a frustrating guessing game thanks to the addition of an aiming reticule. Naughty Dog has provided an easy to pick up and easy to master level of control.
Sound. The soundtrack of this game is an arresting array of audio splendor. The score is invigorating and drives the story forward capturing the intensity, despair, and triumph of every moment. Naughty Dog has accomplished with sound what most developers find difficult to do with words. The music conveys the story with such mastery that I have no doubt that if you turn the dialogue off and play through the game with just the score the story will still deliver an emotional impact. The dialogue is some of the best that you will find in entertainment but what sets it apart is the nuanced delivery and subtle inflections of voice and tone that presents each character with flaws and individual motivations.
Gameplay. Uncharted 2 is comprised of four gameplay elements. Action, stealth, platforming, and puzzle solving. Each element is something that has been done in other games, but none have succeeded in bringing together each one to achieve a level of gameplay that is greater than the individual parts. Uncharted 2 picks up one year after our heroes first adventure and finds Drake immediately thrust into action in a story that is too expansive to be contained to one location. Everything this time around has seen an increase in size. Locations, weapons, characters, and puzzles are all epic in scale and made me realize from the opening moment of the game this is not the same Nathan Drake. The first ten minutes will serves as a tutorial and fill in the gaps leading up to our treasure hunters current adventure introducing you to the new stealth gameplay.
Stealth is presented just like everything in the Uncharted series, organically and integral to the story. Moving from cover is easy and your cover position will determine the type of takedown that you execute. I enjoyed stealth and the tactical option that this new element of gameplay provides. Stealth employs a risk/reward system when dispatching enemies. The successful execution of a stealth takedown will result in receiving better weapon drops from dispatched foes which will be indicated by a blue icon on the screen. This will not happen every time but provides players with incentive that insures that stealth is always an option and not ignored for the obvious balls to the wall approach. Takedowns can be attempted from multiple positions resulting in takedowns that range from a rear naked choke, to what is only second to a takedown from cover that results in a visceral elbow to the throat. This enjoyment can occasionally be brought to an abrupt halt if you approach enemies from the side as this will result in hand to hand combat that will give away your position and more than likely result in a firefight. Platforming and puzzle solving make a welcome return with some obvious concessions in difficulty for the puzzles. The puzzles this time are massive in scale and are fun to encounter. No longer are they a road block to enjoyment. You will find yourself looking forward to the massive set pieces, although there was one that gave me pause, but not for long.
Action in this game comes in many forms that are a blend of all the aforementioned gameplay elements. At times you may be required to shoot while traversing the environment then transition to cover and blind fire to keep enemies at bay. Thankfully, blind fire is no longer a frustrating guessing game and is a viable option with the welcome addition of an aiming reticule. Verticality will feature heavily and delivers more options in dispatching enemies. The verticality allows combat options but the adventure is still linear. Superb enemy A.I. will take advantage of every opportunity to flank and overpower you, do not assume that the new vertical gameplay is only achievable by our hero, enemies will use flanking maneuvers to distract while another uses the opportunity to gain access to your vertical position and infiltrate your defensive perch.
Enemy AI is aggressive and dynamic and will utilize a multitude of moves to press the advantage. Don’t be surprised to see a combat roll or a soldier with a shotgun rush in. Enemy variation and weapons have been improved, grenades will be your greatest asset so pick them up whenever you can and use them frequently. Every fight will force you to constantly switch weapons so don’t get attached to a particular gun and remember melee combat is always an option. Melee combat has been improved but there is still not a true combo system. The combos that are in the game result from pressing square until an enemy grapples you forcing you to hit the triangle button to counter which is fun but it does not provide the level of control that I expected from this game. Even with the limited melee, combat feels fresh because the AI wants to prevail as much as you do.
Throughout this globetrotting odyssey you will always be accompanied by an NPC character that accomplishes the task of deepening the emotional story while making the events of this adventure feel much bigger than Nathan Drake. In every part of the story you are entrusted with the fate of another, this gives your actions greater consequence that breathes life into the NPC’s. One of the characters that will undoubtedly live an indelible mark is Chloe, a character that provides greater insight into the past of Nathan Drake and is one of the most memorable female characters of any franchise who I can say I would not mind seeing in a game of her own. The question that I did find myself asking throughout the game and that I am still asking is: Why is there no campaign co-op? This game and story is tailor made for two player campaign co-op, and this is the only complaint that I can level.
Co-op and multiplayer are featured separately and could have been released on a separate disc and many including myself would have paid for it with no problem. Thankfully Naughty Dog has included this robust multiplayer with the single player experience. Co-op allows up to three players to tackle objective based missions or test their skills in a survival arena. Each mode will test your cooperative gameplay skills, so stick together and work as a team. Enemies are unforgiving and are more difficult to put down as they should be with three skilled players working together. My personal favorite is survival which is wave upon wave of enemies that increase in difficulty as you progress through the rounds. I personally made it to round 10 (what’s up PSN MHBigBoy) with the help of two other skilled players.
Multiplayer pushes Uncharted 2 among thieves even further into game of the year territory with variations on the traditional capture the flag with the game type known as plunder that requires each team to move a treasure back to their base to score, all while fighting the other team who has the same objective. The best part is the treasure can be thrown to move the treasure a greater distance which will allow you to relay if necessary. Traditional death match and all other game types that are expected in multiplayer are here along with a Call of Duty 4-like perk system that will keep players coming back for more as all the game types can be experienced across maps that range from a snow covered mountain to a village. Add in the ability to create your own Uncharted 2 videos with cinema mode and you have a single player/multiplayer combination that is a bargain.
Overall. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves has solidified Nathan Drake as the face and franchise of the Playstation 3. Naughty dog has provided the ultimate cinematic gaming experience. For years developers have been trying to bridge the gap between films and games, and now that gap has been bridged and that bridge is Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The race for game of the year has begun.
