Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves

Overall: 10 out of 10
Gameplay: 9 out of 10
Graphics: 10 out of 10
Sound: 10 out of 10

Pros: Better Graphics, Better gameplay, awesome multiplayer, stunning set peices.
Cons: Nothing New, not the longest game ever!

Nathan Drake is back

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune was one of the best reasons to buy a Playstation 3, the exclusive title showcased the next gen hardware perfectly. It played like a cross between Tomb Raider, Assassins Creed and Gears of War. It had graphics to die for an engaging story, and loads of Hollywood style set pieces to keep you playing till the end. The developer Naughty Dog had found a new IP that was just crying out for a sequel.

It takes all the best parts of its predecessor, and improves on them, adding a sprinkle of something extra.
Fast forward a few years, and we are in fact rewarded with that needed sequel. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is exactly what a good follow up game should be. It takes all the best parts of its predecessor, and improves on them, adding a sprinkle of something extra. The original was an action platformer in the tradition of Tomb Raider/ Prince of Persia.loads of climbing, jumping, shooting and puzzle solving. It had an excellent cover system, sound combat and some great story telling.

This time around, the game starts with a stunning set piece evolving escaping a crashed train whose carriages are hanging precariously over a snow covered cliff side. It switches from this interactive jaw dropping thrill filled escape, back to events a few months previous, with Drake chilling on a beech side bar, when he gets reacquainted with a couple of old friends and is convinced to go on another life threatening adventure, this time in search of Shangri La.

Uncharted 2 has some of the best graphics I have ever seen on a home console, sometimes you find your jaw hitting the sofa just looking at the stunning water effects and ohhing and ahhing at the draw distance. The voice acting of the cut scenes is up there with the best, including the final fantasy series. The snap to cover mechanic is even smoother this time round, and there are a much more varied choice of locations. Special note must be made of the levels based in Nepal, which reminded me of Metal Gear Solid 4, with a bit of COD4 thrown in for good measure- just stunning.

For Uncharted 2, there is no need for awkward sixaxis control, to throw grenades and to balance on stuff. Grenades are thrown now just by using the L2 button, and you now just point and walk over bridges and pole/planks etc. Also this time round, you can shoot while hanging off ledges and the likes. Makes things a lot more natural. Stealth plays a bigger part for this sequel You can sneak behind faceless goons and perform silent takedowns, in the stylie of a certain "Bat eared freak".a la Arkham Asylum, which is only a good thing in my book.

Now I'm afraid there are some minus points here, in that it is not the most original game ever, there are lots of deja u moments, but it`s all done so well, that it doesn't seem to matter, and the various plot twists ensure you want to play right through till the end. Last time round, there was no multi player at all, but for Among Thieves, we have co-op and a multi player that are not just tagged on for the sake of it. You may not spend more time on it that modern warfare or gears of war, but it's well implemented, and most importantly .FUN

Review written by mrjoekerr67 for Yet Another Review Site