Uncharted 2 is the master of its genre (Adventure game). The game has flaws, and I have minor gripes with portions of it, but the entire package makes its blemishes go unnoticed.
The single player portion of Uncharted 2 is one of the best I’ve ever played. The beginning start off a little slow, but once you reach Chapter 3 everything kicks into high gear and never lets up. It’s like going to see Indiana Jones, but being able to control him. The gameplay mechanics and animations have been overhauled making climbing and using grenades easier, and giving the character movements a sense of unparalleled realism. The campaign last for about 10 – 12 hours, and is one of the most fulfilling accomplishments in gaming, not because it was difficult, but because the game is that much of a joy to play. The single player campaign is epic in every way, and I can only imagine what Naughty Dog has planned to top this masterpiece.
This go round Uncharted 2 included multiplayer to extend the life of the game (which part one was criticized for). Competitive multiplayer takes all the gameplay mechanics for the single player and pops it into an arena where 2 teams of 5 battle it out in different match type. There are your standard matches Deathmatch, Zones, and Capture the Flag (Plunder), but there are also special matches like Elimination (where once you die you’re dead to the next round), Only Pistols and grenades (and various other types such as Sniper Rifles and Pistols). One thing that I enjoyed about multiplayer is that the maps are randomly chosen so you can’t stick with your favorite stage. The game automatically selects 2 maps for players to vote on whichever map receives the most votes wins. Competitive multiplayer is a nice addition and succeeds at giving Uncharted 2 more life.
But it doesn’t end there. There’s also a co-op mode, which to me is the best part of the multiplayer package. There are two modes Co-op Objective and Co-op Arena. Arena is basically Uncharted’s version of Horde mode where wave after wave of enemies attack you as you play through survival mode or basically Plunder. Co-op Objective is by far my favorite multiplayer section of the game. You and two other players go through scenarios set in locations from the single player campaign. This mode revives the memories of the challenges you had to overcome in the single player, but let’s you enjoy it with two other players (I have yet to find out if you can play a level similar to the final chapters).
Now the bad. Uncharted 2 starts off kind of slow and cuts back and forth from present to past events. It’s not game breaking at all, but it’s the only damper on the single player. Climbing is far superior this go round, however, after playing games like InFamous and Assassin’s Creed you expect to be able to climb the majority of things in the environment, not here. Some things look like they’re meant to be climbed and when you jump BOOM you fall to your doom (a little rhyme :). It’s not bad, but Uncharted 3 should fix this. And that’s pretty much it.
You have a great game when the only complaints are improvements that can make the game better. Uncharted 2 is one of the best single player experiences ever, and the multiplayer is a great and fun addition to the franchise. Naughty Dog all I ask is that you give Drake and the crew a break (another rhyme:) so that their next go round is as epic and brilliant as this one.
Chris, Joseph, and Josh celebrate Active Quest’s 100th episode by discussing their favorite games of all time.
Nevada Dru from Bits & Pieces revisits Uncharted 2: Among Thieves to see if this legendary game has stood the test of time.
Currently playing Drakes Fortune on crushing, next will be to replay Among Thieves, but I'm sure it still holds up today.
Recently re-platinumed 1-3. Uncharted 2 aged better than I even expected. I enjoyed it more now than I did a decade ago. It’s more polished than 1, tighter than 3 and Yemen in 3 was gorgeous. Shambhala out-prettied Ubar though. 60fps w higher res’ made for a damn good rerun.
Question: When you say Uncharted2 aged better than expected, are you talking about the original PS3 game or the remastered collection on PS4. I ask because I think that a remastered version of the game would look and play better than the original.
I doubt that the original ran at 60 frames, how many years old is the remastered collection anyway.
I need to replay the original trilogy along with the collection, not a fan of the collection trophy of beating levels in a set time and don't think the originals required that for platinum.
@abnor_mal
It’s true that the remasters have upped the resolution and given it 60fps, but the base game is the same. The art design and base textures/physics/ animations are the same yet still look contemporary. More-so than UC1 which isn’t as tight, or UC3 in some cases which I found a bit clunky in close quarters.
UC2 level design was a great evolution in bringing the verticality from the jungle into rural/urban settings while maintaining smooth animation transitions. Drake still moves better than the ginger in Star Wars Jedi. Outdoor areas are better lit.
UC2 also has more action and better pacing imo, which helps when replaying a game 10 years later. Kept me engaged.
You don’t need to time trial for platinum. They stuck the speedrun trophies in a seperate extended dlc category so have no fear.
I thought the originals were good, but not great. I understand that puts me in the minority here. That said, Uncharted 4 was freaking fantastic.
Yeah I understand the hate for 4 prior to playing it I was firmly against it and felt like 3 wrapped things up already but now after playing it I think it was the best in the franchise.
Now I look back at two and I feel like I'm playing an on the rails shooter everything is so tightly scripted including the infamous train scene you simply can't make a mistake
I think Uncharted 2 is a lot like AC2. Both games took the idea and basically improved it in every single way.
Uc2, AC2,Halo2, Soul calibur 2, Killzone 2, Infamous 2 , Dishonored 2 and a few more. The only negative thing I have against uc2, and imo it annoyed me,are the blue apes, uncharted 1 handled the super natural far better.
Cultured Vultures: What's your favourite moment from the Uncharted franchise? Here are 15 that got our blood pumping.
The entire final chapter of The Lost Legacy is the best setpiece in the series and it wasn't even mentioned.
At first I gave Uncharted 2 the same score as I gave MGS4 (9.4). But I realized I've played through Uncharted more than I did MGS4, and I'm hooked to the online (almost as much as I am with Warhawk). So I had to Give it a 0.1 higher score (in my book 0.1 means a lot).
Uncharted 2 is my favorite game so far this generation. The game that has the chance of topping it is God of War 3, but I think even it will fail at beating Uncharted.