Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

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!

UNCHARTED 2 REVIEW

I've never played the first uncharted so i didn't know what to expect when i first played this one. Word has it that it basically was just a combination of gears of war and Indiana Jones all in one. It's so much better than both. The story stars Nathan Drake a fortune hunter who's been out of work for a while until a friend, Harry Flynn, offers him up a job to help him out on an expedition to find Marco Polo's trail to shambalaa. Eventually Nate has been double crossed and what follows is one of the most amazing,intense, and thrilling story to be told in a video game.

Gameplay consists of 4 things duck and cover gun-play, stealth, puzzle solving and parkour style navigation through environments (my personal favorite) I was just amazed on how much variety there was in the game play department and was just unprepared for it so much. The set-pieces are top notch and every single one of them feels like it's been ripped out of a summer blockbuster flick. There is a scene in the game where you are in a building trying to fight off a chopper along with soldiers pouring in until suddenly the chopper fires missiles at the building causing it to collapse and as it is being collapsed you are still trying to fight off soldiers until finally you are to take a leap of faith and BAM you are in the next step through the thick of the battle. Now keep in mind this is all happening in real time and it's not a cut-scene.

The characters in the game are developed pretty well and the voice acting is some of the best i've heard in a video game in a long time and really helps develop the story greatly when it comes to cut-scenes. This is actually one of the video games that i wouldn't mind to sit back and watch the cut-scenes it feels like you're watching a live action movie almost. I was completely hooked into it

FINAL VERDICT--9.5 out of 10

I would've given it a perfect 10 but there are a few flaws like some textures popping in but as i was playing through it all that was the only flaw i found in the game but it hardly ever happens. All in all this was one of the best games I've ever played in my life so far. definitely on my top 5 and If you have a ps3 you'd be crazy if you choose to skip this amazing title.

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

Pros:

• Great story and characters
• Simple but effective gameplay
• Great cinematic action set pieces
• A-grade voice acting and animation
• Excellent graphics
• Great level variety / also adding some level elevation also
• Companions are helpful
• Great puzzles

Cons:

• Bullet spongy enemies

Verdict: Near perfect adventure game that improves on the original in all ways possible. One of my favourite games of all time.

10/10