Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

-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

Having played the first Uncharted and enjoying it very much, I was very excited to hear that there was to be a sequel.

After waiting several months for Uncharted 2 to be released I finally bought it. That's right. I went straight out and bought it. I didn't play it safe by renting it first. I knew it was going to be a great game. Hell was I right.

The graphics are the best in a game I have ever seen. There was nothing that I thought was lazily made and designed. It all looked stunning. From the water flooding out of a destroyed laundromat,to the trees gently blowing in the wind, to the birds flying in the sky, to the snow, to the building textures...Uhh its all amazing! Oh and of course the characters.

The characters are the most believable and likable I have ever seen in a game (except of course maybe Metal Gear Solid. But even while playing this game, I began to doubt the greatness of the MGS series). Each character has their own personality and characteristic that makes them ...A PERSON! You really feel for the characters and enjoy them on screen, oh I mean in-game.

The story is engaging and entertaining with thrills, suspense, romance and comedy. There are moments in the game that I actually laugh out loud to because the voice actors deliver their lines so brilliantly.

The gameplay is superb. From shooting over the shoulder, to beating up mercenaries with your fists, to traversing along ledges and cliffs, to leaping from carriage to carriage onboard a train. Okay, there were some moments that were a bit difficult due to game design, but hey, who cares? This game is outstanding.

I could write more, but I can't be bothered, I want to go and play this game again! I highly recommend Uncharted 2 to any PS3 owner. It is a must have.

10/10

This game is great to say the least and is a awesome modern day adaption of the infamous Indiana Jones film; for a game of course. Granted some call it a rip off of the Indy series, I call it picking up where Indy left off. Nolan North does a great job voicing the character Nathan Drake and his dialogue is superb; very realistic. I've read reports of a film adaption for the first game. Personally I'd love to see Nolan North play Nathan Drake in the movie. If the fans reviews of the Drake series are any consolation, the film will be a hit. I think a BIG part of the Drake Series success is highly in part do to the fact SCEA is the maker of the games. Sony Computer Entertaimnet America or SCEA, the creators of the Playstion 3 system essentially, know how to make PS3 games better than anyone pretty much. Why's that you ask? They know how to build a game to it's strengths. Working with what they know the system is capable of and making sure the layout of the buttons is easy to get used to. This is grade A gaming in my eyes. Action, Adventure, Great Story Line, and some humor mixed in to boot. This series is great and is only getting better.

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!

For those of you who have a PS3 at home---Uncharted II: Among Thieves is the Action/Adventure game of a lifetime.

The writing is far superior to any game ever made. The story is as rich as a movie and the characterization is more developed than you could ever imagine in a game. The main character is witty and likable---with a touch of smart ass intertwined. The supporting characters are well acted. Claudia Black, of Farscape fame, is tremendous as Chloe and Emily Rose is excellent as Elena. You actually see the character interventions develop their relationship --- something you don't even see in movies nowadays.

The action is superb. Though you have to laugh that someone hired hundreds upon hundreds of thugs to stop one man.

There are a few tight spots that frustrated me in the game, but the overall experience was excellent. A game that once you are done you feel good about it.

Of course it is only on the PS3 and it will be the best Action game of all time---I feel sorry for those who do not have a PS3 to experience it---but if you have a friend who has one, see if he/she will let you come over and experience one of the best console games of this generation.

Uncharted II:Among Thieves----10/10 stars---awesome If this is made into a movie, the voice actors look the part and would be the best choices for the roles.