Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a likely contender for being the best game this year. Award-winning developer Naughty Dog has done an amazing job with this title, bring action, humor, and romance to the PlayStation 3 in an almost movie-like experience. The game was released in Europe on October 16th 2009 and was met with many perfect reviews. The Official PlayStation Magazine (the US, UK and Australian editions) gave Uncharted 2 100%, as did EuroGamer, CVG and many other critics.
Nathan (aka Nate), Sully and Elena all appear in the sequel to Drake’s Fortune, as well as two new “heroes”: Chloe and Tenzin. Just like the previous title, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a third-person action-adventure/shooter. This time, Nate embarks on a journey to find the legendary Himalayan valley of Shambhala, hidden somewhere in Inner Asia.
Synopsis
Down on his luck, Drake is lured back into the treacherous world of thieves and mercenary treasure-seekers he had sought to leave behind. When a mysterious artifact propels Drake on an expedition to find the legendary Himalayan valley of Shambhala, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse against a fugitive war criminal who’s after more than just the fabled riches of the lost city. Caught in a web of deception and plunged into an increasingly deadly pursuit that tests the limits of his endurance, Drake will be forced to risk everything – but has his luck finally run out?
Once again, you play as Nate, who always manages to get himself into one ridiculous situation after another. The storyline is interesting and very similar to movies like Indiana Jones or National Treasure. The story also has it’s own share of twists and surprises. The voice acting is fantastic and so is the script – we’ve found ourselves chuckling to several lines in the game, even after playing it twice over.
The single player campaign is a must to experience the full experience of the game. There are four main difficulty settings for you to use – Crushing is only unlocked after beating the game on Hard. On you first play-through, you are recommended to play on Normal or Hard difficulty. The Easy difficulty isn’t much of a challenge, but it just as enjoyable.
Just like the previous title, the gameplay is a mix of platforming action, puzzle solving and firefights. A large selection of weapons are available for you to use, from pistols to shotguns, RPGs and rifles. Among Thieves also introduces a few new weapons not found in the previous title.
The environments are lush and beautifully detailed. The platforming action takes you through the forests of Borneo to the mountains of Tibet. Each of the environments look amazing. The character models are crisp and highly detailed. The cut-scenes are equally as good, most of which are rendered in real-time with no obvious loading or lag.
Aside from completing the story objectives, there are other elements in the game to keep you occupied. Over 100 items of treasure are scattered through the game, some very difficult to find, but not impossible. The game also features lots of unlockable trophies, including the coveted Platinum trophy.
In addition to the single player component in the game, a new multiplayer mode is also available. You can team with with two other mates and take on a co-op mission, or gather up to nine mates and enjoy the competitive mode. You can play head-to-head or in teams, with game modes like Deathmatch and a variation to Capture the Flag.
If you have yet to experience Uncharted 2 or the previous title, we highly recommend you pick up a copy. If you have played Drake’s Fortune, this title will certainly live up to your expectations.