For some reason unknown to me, video games have always been seen as a lower form of entertainment. The mainstream media (and even Kevin) refuse to recognize them as an art form like they do movies. Well, I think that a lot of people are going to have their minds changed when they witness the beauty of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on PS3.
Now, I won’t go as far as to say that this game has the most original idea behind it. The plot focuses on Nathan Drake, the protagonist from the original Uncharted, and his quest to find one of Marco Polo’s legendary treasures called the Cintimani Stone. And as one would expect, his quest is not an easy one. It is full of betrayal, femme fatales, and explosive set pieces.
As contrived as the setting may sound, I do have to say this game does a wonderful job of really pulling the player into the action. This game is like the perfect summer blockbuster, with everything from a explosive rescue mission on top of a speeding train to classic car chases. There were times in the game where I wasn’t sure if I was just supposed to watch a cut scene or try to control the action. You know you found something special when this happens.
As far as how the actual gameplay pans out, it is nothing short of action bliss. The gunplay is smooth and easy to get into. Ammo flows like water so there is almost never a break in the action to find more guns. It plays something like Gears of War with the cover system, but there is a lot of running and gunning as well. The fact that the game is trying to channel the excitment of Indiana Jones, there is also plenty of platforming as well. While this part is exciting and well done, I do have to say it is almost a little too easy. That is not to say that you will not send Mr. Drake plummeting to a nasty death many times, but I can’t count how many times I flew to ledges like I was a magnet.
Another thing this game nails on the head is the sound. Every gunshot and explosion sounds great and will give your sound system the workout it probably needs. The voice acting is excelent as well.
Now, no game is perfect. The main complaint I have about Uncharted 2 is that the stealth missions seem somewhat broken. I know the game is mostly focused on explosive gunplay and high flying jumps, but when the first actual mission of the game is you sneaking into a museum, it does not do the game justice to put its weakest foot forward. It seems like every guard has no peripherial vision, as I take out his buddies right next to him.
Overall, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is the killer app that the Playstation 3 needed. I may have said earlier that Batman: Arkham Asylum was my pick for game of the year, but I think we may have a heated contest with this and the impending holiday season.
Is this a game or is this a movie?
For some reason unknown to me, video games have always been seen as a lower form of entertainment. The mainstream media (and even Kevin) refuse to recognize them as an art form like they do movies. Well, I think that a lot of people are going to have their minds changed when they witness the beauty of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on PS3.
Now, I won’t go as far as to say that this game has the most original idea behind it. The plot focuses on Nathan Drake, the protagonist from the original Uncharted, and his quest to find one of Marco Polo’s legendary treasures called the Cintimani Stone. And as one would expect, his quest is not an easy one. It is full of betrayal, femme fatales, and explosive set pieces.
As contrived as the setting may sound, I do have to say this game does a wonderful job of really pulling the player into the action. This game is like the perfect summer blockbuster, with everything from a explosive rescue mission on top of a speeding train to classic car chases. There were times in the game where I wasn’t sure if I was just supposed to watch a cut scene or try to control the action. You know you found something special when this happens.
As far as how the actual gameplay pans out, it is nothing short of action bliss. The gunplay is smooth and easy to get into. Ammo flows like water so there is almost never a break in the action to find more guns. It plays something like Gears of War with the cover system, but there is a lot of running and gunning as well. The fact that the game is trying to channel the excitment of Indiana Jones, there is also plenty of platforming as well. While this part is exciting and well done, I do have to say it is almost a little too easy. That is not to say that you will not send Mr. Drake plummeting to a nasty death many times, but I can’t count how many times I flew to ledges like I was a magnet.
Another thing this game nails on the head is the sound. Every gunshot and explosion sounds great and will give your sound system the workout it probably needs. The voice acting is excelent as well.
Now, no game is perfect. The main complaint I have about Uncharted 2 is that the stealth missions seem somewhat broken. I know the game is mostly focused on explosive gunplay and high flying jumps, but when the first actual mission of the game is you sneaking into a museum, it does not do the game justice to put its weakest foot forward. It seems like every guard has no peripherial vision, as I take out his buddies right next to him.
Overall, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is the killer app that the Playstation 3 needed. I may have said earlier that Batman: Arkham Asylum was my pick for game of the year, but I think we may have a heated contest with this and the impending holiday season.