Uncharted 2 is the master of its genre (Adventure game). The game has flaws, and I have minor gripes with portions of it, but the entire package makes its blemishes go unnoticed.
The single player portion of Uncharted 2 is one of the best I’ve ever played. The beginning start off a little slow, but once you reach Chapter 3 everything kicks into high gear and never lets up. It’s like going to see Indiana Jones, but being able to control him. The gameplay mechanics and animations have been overhauled making climbing and using grenades easier, and giving the character movements a sense of unparalleled realism. The campaign last for about 10 – 12 hours, and is one of the most fulfilling accomplishments in gaming, not because it was difficult, but because the game is that much of a joy to play. The single player campaign is epic in every way, and I can only imagine what Naughty Dog has planned to top this masterpiece.
This go round Uncharted 2 included multiplayer to extend the life of the game (which part one was criticized for). Competitive multiplayer takes all the gameplay mechanics for the single player and pops it into an arena where 2 teams of 5 battle it out in different match type. There are your standard matches Deathmatch, Zones, and Capture the Flag (Plunder), but there are also special matches like Elimination (where once you die you’re dead to the next round), Only Pistols and grenades (and various other types such as Sniper Rifles and Pistols). One thing that I enjoyed about multiplayer is that the maps are randomly chosen so you can’t stick with your favorite stage. The game automatically selects 2 maps for players to vote on whichever map receives the most votes wins. Competitive multiplayer is a nice addition and succeeds at giving Uncharted 2 more life.
But it doesn’t end there. There’s also a co-op mode, which to me is the best part of the multiplayer package. There are two modes Co-op Objective and Co-op Arena. Arena is basically Uncharted’s version of Horde mode where wave after wave of enemies attack you as you play through survival mode or basically Plunder. Co-op Objective is by far my favorite multiplayer section of the game. You and two other players go through scenarios set in locations from the single player campaign. This mode revives the memories of the challenges you had to overcome in the single player, but let’s you enjoy it with two other players (I have yet to find out if you can play a level similar to the final chapters).
Now the bad. Uncharted 2 starts off kind of slow and cuts back and forth from present to past events. It’s not game breaking at all, but it’s the only damper on the single player. Climbing is far superior this go round, however, after playing games like InFamous and Assassin’s Creed you expect to be able to climb the majority of things in the environment, not here. Some things look like they’re meant to be climbed and when you jump BOOM you fall to your doom (a little rhyme :). It’s not bad, but Uncharted 3 should fix this. And that’s pretty much it.
You have a great game when the only complaints are improvements that can make the game better. Uncharted 2 is one of the best single player experiences ever, and the multiplayer is a great and fun addition to the franchise. Naughty Dog all I ask is that you give Drake and the crew a break (another rhyme:) so that their next go round is as epic and brilliant as this one.
In a list of games that defined the PlayStation 3, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves would certainly be one of the top contenders. The blockbuster sequel to 2007’s Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune not only received critical acclaim and became a massive hit for Sony’s third console when it was released 15 years ago on October 13th, 2009, but it also cemented Naughty Dog’s future as a developer of cinematic, story-driven action-adventure games as opposed to its history of colorful platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter from previous PlayStation generations. To this day, Uncharted 2 stands as one of the PS3’s best exclusives and one of the most important PlayStation games of all time.
I loved this era on multiplayer games from Sony. People used to call the modes tacked on multiplayer but they were enjoyable. I loved Factions even more. I'm Still gutted that the second one isn't coming out.
Yeah, that one game where it not only has an amazing single player but the multiplayer was also just as good.
A fresh a breath air with it's more "skill focused, less is more" multiplayer in a time during COD fever where every other game with online was trying to be like it.
Shame NaughtyDog eventually did do COD like things with Uncharted 3 and 4, they ruined what made the original so good. It become an over the top arcade fest in the end.
Ironic cause the MP was basically Halo, and Bungie helped on the technical side of things too. MP was more simple back then, I've said this before but I played U2 MP religiously. I sucked at it like you have no idea, but mah gawd did I have so much fun. Can't find an MP game that hooked me like U2s these days. Then Factions came along and while it had its problem I found new religion with it. Agh damn it why did they cancel Factions 2 bruhh.
It is for sure my favorite game in the series. It's such a blast to play. The train levels still hold up and are fun as hell as well as the entire game.
Still remember the first gameplay video ... shooting the chasing truck and then the beautiful visuals & details whilst traversing the dilapidated Nepal streets ... perfection
Too bad Sony never ported the trilogy to PC ...
I'll say, the PS3 really did sequels better than people give it credit for. Resistance 2, Uncharted 2, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, Infamous 2... all were better than their initial offerings and still hold up to this day.
During MCM Comic Con London X EGX, CGM got the chance to be part of a press group interview with the stars of the Uncharted titles, namely the legendary Nolan North, who played protagonist Nathan Drake, Emily Rose, who portrayed Elena Fisher and Richard McGonagle, who took on the role of Victor ‘Sully’ Sullivan,
Chris, Joseph, and Josh celebrate Active Quest’s 100th episode by discussing their favorite games of all time.
At first I gave Uncharted 2 the same score as I gave MGS4 (9.4). But I realized I've played through Uncharted more than I did MGS4, and I'm hooked to the online (almost as much as I am with Warhawk). So I had to Give it a 0.1 higher score (in my book 0.1 means a lot).
Uncharted 2 is my favorite game so far this generation. The game that has the chance of topping it is God of War 3, but I think even it will fail at beating Uncharted.