The term “blockbuster” is often used with summer movies. Within the game industry, we traditionally use “AAA-title” to reference highly-hyped and potential million-selling games. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is the kind of game that earns the title of “AAA-blockbuster.” Transcending what we think of as both a game and a cinematic experience, it is the kind of “event” that defines a generation of games. Yes, this is the reason that HD gaming exists.
There are plenty of avenues to take when reviewing this game. I could talk about how great the visuals are, how incredible the audio is, or how easy it is to have a man-crush on Nathan Drake. All of these staples of review content can be found anywhere else on the web where Uncharted 2 is talked about. If we were giving it a score it would be a ten, A+, 100/100, 5 stars. There, the traditional love-fest with numbers is out of the way.
Where Uncharted 2 succeeds is in the complete package. From the camera angles to the character development to the multiplayer, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves really is damn near perfect.
It goes without saying that Uncharted 2, much like the first Uncharted, is a video game designed like a movie: engaging characters, thrilling action sequences, and carefully designed twists and turns that make any work by Dan Brown pale in comparison. (I often found myself Googling locations and items from the game to understand their real-life counterparts.)
Traditional methodology tells us that the proper way to tell a story is with a slow buildup towards one solid climax, but UC2 throws that out of the window almost instantly. The entire game is a heart-pounding climax that rarely lets off of the pedal. From the insanely adrenaline-packed training session/opening scene to the vertigo inducing jumps in the Himalayan caves, I was left feeling as if I was going to fall off of my couch if I ever made the wrong move. I thought to myself, “They’ve gone and blown their excitement load in the first 20 minutes of the game. It just possibly can’t get any more intense.” Then, it does. Over, and over, and over again.
It is this attention to detail that attracted me most, as for the first time in ages I found myself aching to see another in-game cut scene depicting the almost mad-cap nature of whatever situation Drake was in at the moment. Yes, the cut scenes are so well-mastered that when one occurs it is like finding a $20 bill in a pair of unwashed jeans. You can’t wait to try on another pair for in hopes of the same result. I was thrilled to hear of Drake’s past with Chloe and Flynn (who, by the way, is an incredible character deserving of a spin-off), of the LOST-like use of flashbacks, and of the ability in which Drake’s actions translate exactly how I would expect them to, and yet still manage to surprise me.
With sequences that mix platforming with 3rd person shooters and even on-rails sections (literally) UC2 has a simple control mechanic that is easy enough to pick up, yet provides an experiential depth unlike many other games in the action-adventure genre. At times I just wanted the characters to play out the scene by themselves, while at others I felt right at home throwing grenades and sniping enemies on rooftops in today’s post-Modern Warfare gaming world. The high point of the single-player campaign would be a toss-up between any train sequence in the game and the incredible rooftop helicopter firefight. There is a return to the “mini-arena” format that Naughty Dog sticks to in the series. If there is a room ahead, I know that there will be a firefight and I cannot advance until all of the enemies are cleared. Although predictable, the developers stuck to the format because it worked in the original and works here as well. I’m still hoping that the next game in the series ditches the design for something more organic, but thus far my letters and emails remain unanswered. Sigh.
The absolute best part of the experience is the supporting cast of characters. Each one provides a yang to Drake’s yin and is strong enough to be burned into my gaming memory. Chloe, Flynn, Sully, Lazarevic, hell even the feeble cameraman are characters I was able to care about and look forward to their next scene. Their banter was funny, the subtle facial expressions lively, and their interactions were believable. In one sequence, a hanging Drake must take out an enemy paused on a ledge above him while Flynn guides him on radio. “There’s a guy above you, there’s a guy above you, ” whispers Flynn. Drake grabs his leg and flips him off. “There’s a guy below you, there’s a guy below you.” The character writing and acting had me smiling throughout.
It should be noted that the length of the single player game is about 12 hours or so, and ends just before the story starts to dip. You see, Uncharted 2‘s story plays the card of the constant dangling carrot: no matter how much Drake solves a riddle, the solution leads to another riddle, and another, until he makes his way to any of the enclosed rooms housing artifacts or bodies. If there is any storyline complaint it would be with this “oh wait, THIS is what he means” method of leading the narrative. It just barely borders on the far-fetched at times, but I still plan on visiting distant Tibetan villages this Summer and retrace his steps.
Uncharted 2‘s multiplayer modes are actually quite fun. Instead of being shoehorned on like so many similar modes in single-player focused games, the multiplayer modes, especially the delectable co-op mini campaigns, are fun without being overly “l33t.” I don’t mind dying several times in a deathmatch as I feel as though I always have a chance to make a kill, no matter how bad I am at online multiplayer. With only about 10,000 players online at any given time, though, it can sometimes be difficult to find a match to join.
With Among Thieves 2009 (and the early part of 2010) looks to be the Golden Age of high-definition gaming. Incredible visuals, deep and thrilling story, accessible yet professional gameplay — all combine to make Uncharted 2 an absolutely terrific experience. One that, perhaps, might place it in the upper echelon of some of the greatest games of all time. If you have a Playstation 3, thought about buying a Playstation 3, or have heard the words “Playstation 3,” then do yourself a great favor and pick this game up.
No Comments