Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Overview -
When the Playstation 3 first came out, it suffered from the same issue that most new consoles face: A lack of quality launch titles. Even worse, the system exclusives were weak. God of War II had recently come out…for the PS2. For a system that cost three times the amount of the other new kid on the block, the Nintendo Wii, the PS3 was in a very perilous position. Sony did eventually turn their fortunes around, in large part thanks to a little action adventure game called Uncharted. The game, in which you played treasure hunter Nathan Drake on a quest to find El Dorado, was the biggest hit the system had at the time, selling over 3.5 million copies and becoming the first must have exclusive for the next gen system. However, the game didn’t quite live up the hype, being fairly short and often repetitive. Despite this, the amount of time and detail that went into the game was evident, and even if it wasn’t spectacular, the characters were endearing and the atmosphere was stunning. So when developer Naughty Dog announced a sequel, anticipation was high.
Video Review
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves makes full use of the Playstation 3’s powerful innards, presenting one of the most visually stunning and immersive graphical experiences available on any existing console. The graphics run at a consistently smooth, high rate, no matter how much is happening on screen. The environments are varied and lush, ranging from thick jungle to mountaintops to war-torn urban areas and caves long thought abandoned. The characters are detailed and expressive. You buy each and every one of them as a fully developed person. Drake and Chloe especially are endlessly fascinating to watch. Even their body language looks fluid and natural. Naughty Dog has set the bar incredibly high with this release, and I hope they can at least match it with the next one.
Audio Review
Of course, the prettiest of pictures aren’t as impressive without some convincing sounds to go with them, and in this area Uncharted 2 does not disappoint. Each environment comes complete with its own unique sounds, whether it be jungle wildlife or the sounds of distant bombs in the urban sequences. The weapons, especially the pistole, pack an appropriate punch, and the explosions will be sure to give your subwoofer a workout. Still, for me, the best part is the expressive and memorable voice performances. Every character gets their chance to shine, and they do so with aplomb. Half the fun of the game is simply hearing these well-developed characters interact with each other.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves isn’t a game that breaks new ground in the video gaming world. Rather, it’s a game that takes a tried and true method and polishes it to a high sheen by not cutting any corners in the gameplay, the design, the writing, or the acting. In every way that counts, Uncharted 2 consistently impresses, making it one of the most exciting and entertainment games I’ve come across this generation. With Uncharted 3 looming on the horizon, there seems to be no better excuse than this to play Among Thieves again or for the first time.
