Uncharted 2

Nothing is going to be shocking here in this review as nearly everyone who owns a PlayStation 3 has already either tried the demo or the full version. However, for the rare few of you who are out there, this should clear up any doubts of whether you should go get yourself a copy or not. The answer is yes. Run to the store. If you don’t have legs or they are just completely numb from sitting around all day still playing the demo, roll there. Get a copy of Uncharted 2 and be a better person.

If you own a PlayStation 3, you should have no excuse as to why you aren’t finishing the final few missions, collecting the artifacts you missed on the first go-through or blasting some fools in the face online in the numerous multiplayer modes. Without a doubt, Uncharted 2 is the best looking video game I have ever played. I’d also like to state that I am a self-proclaimed XBOX guy. I’m not a fan boy, but I rarely show love for the PS3 like I probably should. However, Uncharted 2 has changed everything. Since the release of this game, I’ve spent the majority of gaming this week on Uncharted 2 with a smidgen of Brutal Legend. Typically, I’m bored with a game after a few hours of gameplay and either put it down for weeks or simply give up on it. Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 2 has open-hand spanked my brain.

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What’s Good

It’s like Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, except wayyyy better: Having recently picked up and played the first version of Uncharted, it is safe to say that Uncharted 2 provides an improved experience in every category. Staring at the screen and thinking about where to begin was pretty much the only taxing part of playing the game. I spent nearly half an hour just looking at the cities from the rooftop of the hotel level thinking, “Sweet beans, this game looks F’ing good.” That is because it does.

Uncharted 2 looks/feels like a movie: This is due to the superb voice acting, dialogue, and story. Naughty Dog went above and beyond providing an adventure with outstanding moments of thrills and jaw-dropping suspense. Gamers will experience the search for Marco Polo’s treasures and the lost city of Shamballah. Hats off to the writers and developers for pulling such expansive scenery into a single title without ever having a repetitive moment. There have been many titles where you see a village where every wall looks identical or the layouts are so monotonous, but in both the single player and multiplayer maps, each piece looks strategically placed with a purpose.

I’ll take the 12 ounce cut of style with a side of humor: The character interaction in this game is perfect. From the not-always cheesy dialogue to the way characters interact even in single player mode, the game feels like a well oiled machine. Not often did I feel lost when finding my way to the next area and generally, the person waiting on me would offer hints to figure out where to go. The interactions between Drake and Chloe near the hotel swimming pool were enough to make me laugh out loud, which typically doesn’t happen in action games. Hell, I would have rather watched someone play Uncharted 2 for a few hours in a theater than have to re-watch Indiana Jones 4 aka X-Files the Movie.

These controls feel juuuuust right: Uncharted 2 takes a fairly simple set of character controls and makes it easy to jump in the game and just go. The learning curve due to the controls is simple enough to hand a control to a dumb relative or n00bie spouse and say just try it. Little description is needed and the layout keeps the gameplay simple, yet keeps the gamer having the right amount of control over Drake and his cohorts.

Hi, I’m Drake, could I be having any more fun?: Uncharted 2 has a variety of different game modes in multiplayer, along with added options upon beating the single player mode. The depth of multiplayer and incentives to replay single player mode will keep Uncharted 2 in your disk drive for months to come. I spent countless hours leveling up in multiplayer during the demo to access that next weapon upgrade or character attribute. Needless to say, I will never reach the almighty highest level online or beat the game and find every single artifact. But it goes to show that developers like Naughty Dog really care that the gamer is treated to a lion’s share of replayability full of hidden treasures, character perks and outfits and the occasional one-liner you may not have caught the first time.

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What’s Bad

Match maker match maker make me a match: Online play is extremely good; however, on the rarest of occasions, finding someone to play an online mode through Uncharted 2’s matchmaking abilities took longer than desired. This was much worse in the demo than after full release, but still maybe they were just having a hard time finding someone as good as I am to match me with. Not likely, as I’m a self proclaimed “terribad” gamer when it comes to shooters.

Can’t a brother just have a hug?: When the story was being written, Naughty Dog must have determine to have fifteen betrayals in the plot for twists, so the story can last longer. In all honesty, I don’t have a problem with the general single player story only lasting around eight hours, as I don’t like investing too much time in a single player mode where you can’t really advance the main character without leveling. However, Uncharted 2 did seem a bit short if you were to play through a second time knowing exactly where to go. Granted, the hardest mode of the game is a real bitch to survive; adding completion time when trying to clear a level without getting royally F’d up.

Just jump to the right… damn you!: At times, the camera angles can cause a bit of confusion for both the player and Drake himself, as he can’t determine whether to jump straight up reaching out to nothing or try to slyly run up a wall like a mongoloid sprinter. Honestly, this was only slightly frustrating at times, but typically was just being lazy on my part in not wanting to follow where the wire led to the box that opened the next door. Trial by error as I like to call it!

I’m really struggling here: In all honesty, this game freaking rocks. I can’t help but describe how awesome it is to friends who don’t have a PlayStation 3. Basically, the only problem for people is that it is system-exclusive, but with the reduced price of a PS3 nowadays, why doesn’t everyone just get one and pick up a copy of Uncharted 2 at the same time?

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Worth Remembering:
Everything! This game is as good as it gets when it comes to PlayStation 3 games. You will not find a more enjoyable all-around total package of a game this year. I spent 30 minutes just jumping Drake to death off of the tops of buildings and setting up five or six gas cans on the edge of the highest building then blasting myself halfway across the city just because the game looks so damn good. With a single player mode that is fun, hip and rather enjoyable, a commercial as funny as the game and a main character that is a true bad ass, Uncharted 2 delivers the goods.

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Worth Forgetting:
The way Drake looks like a complete douche-bagel when you jump on regular ground is pretty hilarious. Also, if you get matched up with people at a way higher level than you in multiplayer, you may as well kiss your ass goodbye if you’re only a mediocre player, but in all honesty, you (I) should just get better at shooters and QQ less.

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Uncharted 2 is easily my favorite PS3 title and will be for a long time. I’d gladly have paid $80 for a title this complete, but appreciate getting to keep the extra twenty bucks. The multiplayer is so addicting, it is hard to put down. We enjoyed the title so much, we almost think it would be unfair to use this Revenge Attribute code we got for pre-ordering ourselves and would like to share it with you, the MMOMFG reader. If you have any moments in the game that either had you laughing out loud or thinking I’ve got to see that again, leave us a comment below for a chance to win the Revenge Attribute multiplayer code. Honestly, who doesn’t want to drop a grenade while dying just to ruin everyone else’s experience if you’ve got to die anyway?

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3. We’re thankful for free Uncharted 2 DLC
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