Preamble: Forgive the lateness of this review (and my tardiness in joining the N4G community), I will attempt to win you over with my charm and... good looks (also with a slew of PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii reviews, as I own all three)!?
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was without a doubt one of the best PS3 exclusives to be released for Sony in 2007. It not only had a Hollywood style plot and received solid reviews; but it became a graphical benchmark for the companies exclusives games stable up until recent years. The thing is, I didn't know this when I picked it up in 2007... I didn't even know it was an exclusive title. I had already played the likes of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Gears of War 2, and the only reason I picked up Uncharted was because the cover (and I quote myself) "Made it look pretty decent", and I enjoyed it while playing, but it didn't hold my imagination for more than a few months afterward. You can imagine then, that while people were wetting themselves in giddy excitement over Uncharted 2, I wasn't even aware there was a sequel on the way until mid 2009.
-- Graphics --
The long story short (too late), is that my Mother (yes I am still in school) picked it up for me as a Christmas Present in 2009, because she knew I enjoyed the first one. I was quite happy, gave her my many profuse "thank yous", and later that morning I popped it in. The graphics were the first thing to take my by the collar and say "PAY ATTENTION TO ME!" The breathtaking vistas dared you to try and go high whenever possible (the scripted nature of the game was usually more than happy to help in that regard). In addition the animations were fluid and silky (they were like buttah!), and I couldn't put the controller down.
-- Gameplay--
These jaw dropping graphics weren't the only thing that captured my imagination, however. The aforementioned controller remained firmly in my hands because the gameplay was fluid and responsive. I never felt as though the game's controls were the cause of my demise (which is a BIG pet peve of mine). I enjoyed the "scripted yet loose" feel to the gameplay; in which one could attack like a thief in the night (read: with stealth), go in guns blazing (Halo style), or take a few pot shots (i.e: Gears of War). The platforming sections were never overly difficult or frustrating, but the ability to fall over the edge of a beam or ledge kept the sense of danger alive... unlike some other games I have recently played (*cough* Enslaved *cough*). The pacing kept character stories at the forefront without letting the game slow down (with one exception being near the beginning where the cutscene to gameplay ratio is rather lopsided).
--Story--
Speaking of character stories, gameplay and graphics wouldn't have kept that controller in my hands if I didn't care about the little digital puppet I was manipulating, and Uncharted made me care about their story! It was a bit cliched at certain times, and it did more or less follow the same "skeleton" as Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, but the quality of the voice acting (as well as a masterful musical score), and the likeable nature of each character made me care about Drake and his cohorts. Flawed as they may have been (Sully, don't bring Hookers to church, honestly). The first half of the story, I believe, is the stronger bit. It lags a little in the second act, but for the finale it finish stronger than many games I've played.
--Online--
That would have been enough to keep my gaming superego chuffed and happy for some time to come, but then I saw on the back of the box, MULTIPLAYER! I assumed it would be tacked on, so I kept my expectations low as I connected. I was surprised and delighted to find a pretty well fleshed out (if simple) multiplayer option that kept myself, my best friend from back in High School, and my brother hooked until this very day! The one problem I have with online is there can be issues with spawns (enemies literally spawning on top of/right behind you at the same time you spawn), lag sometimes, and occasional connection issues. Other folks I have talked to haven't had these, and they've only effected me probably once every 4 or so months. However, it is enough to be annoying.
--Conclusion--
Needless to say (if you hadn't read any of the review up until now), I was absolutely hooked, from the first time I saw the dastardly Lazaravic to the bit where I got soo excited because I knew that one of the voice actors was Rene Auberjonois! The game topped its predecessor in almost every conceivable way (quite a feat considering the first one was not horrible by any stretch of the imagination), and creates one of my personal (read: my opinion... no need for death threats/namecalling) favorite games of all time. It falls ever so slightly shy of gaming nirvana, due to some technical hiccups and a FEW (very few) pacing issues.
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.
Great review, great game.
"A Surprise Delight!"
the title sounds like a Martha Stewart recipe or something lol
Hah! I suppose it does doesn't it? "First, take your base, a heap of Nathan Drake, boil for 42 minutes until handsome. Then you'll want to sprinkle in some Chloe and Elana, mix them carefully... they can be temperamental when put together, and there ya go, GOTY 2009... this has been gaming with Martha, 'night!"
... yeeeah... <.<
Great review, and I agree with the score.
A 10 for gameplay would suggest it was perfect, when really I would have considered the shooting mechanics to have been sluggish. A great game, but nowhere near perfect. Too many gamers views are blinded by the games visuals, the game is stunning yes, the animations are slick, yes. But there is much to improve upon. The shooting mechanics were sluggish, with poor hit detection...