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.

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.

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

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

-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