Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

[Cyhwuhx]

I thinks its baffling that you seemingly don't have a problem with the made-to-appeal-to-American-teenagers combat of the first game, and yet condemn the sequel for apparently having an optional alternative to the Rambo-esque combat.

Edit: I won't be online for the rest of the day, but I look forward to reading your answer because you're one of the more sensible forumites here, and as a fan of the stealth-genre I'm going to have to call you out on your statement of 'stealth=childish' and 'going in all guns blazing=mature'

.::: Because the entire game IS popcorn. The combat fitted the atmosphere and everything about it. It wasn't meant as a work of art, it was meant as a work of fun. It worked.

And where does this ahtred for the combat from the first one come from suddenly? Yes, it ripped its combat from GoW but last time I checked everybody thought this to be a good thing, which it is.

The 'childish' aspect is aimed at the industry as a whole. After MGS everybody started using stealth at random, without even thinking of the consequences. A pure stealth game? Sure go right ahead. An Indiana Jones inspired gung-ho action game with adventure bits using stealth? That doesn't gel. And that's the childish aspect.

[Uzi]

.::: Because the entire game IS popcorn. The combat fitted the atmosphere and everything about it. It wasn't meant as a work of art, it was meant as a work of fun. It worked.

And where does this ahtred for the combat from the first one come from suddenly? Yes, it ripped its combat from GoW but last time I checked everybody thought this to be a good thing, which it is.

The 'childish' aspect is aimed at the industry as a whole. After MGS everybody started using stealth at random, without even thinking of the consequences. A pure stealth game? Sure go right ahead. An Indiana Jones inspired gung-ho action game with adventure bits using stealth? That doesn't gel. And that's the childish aspect.

Yeah I agree with all of this- it was a great popcorn game. Stealth could only work in it one way in my head, if you could take specific platformy routes which could be difficult but avoid combat below- eg you need to get from A to B- you can either go on the floor and shoot everyone, or you can climb a ridge and carefully climb/jump to point B avoiding the fight below.

Forcing stealth on you would be cock though, but as an option it might be fun

[C Nut!]

Uncharted 1 was marvelous. Stellar voice acting and cut-scenes. Good dialog too. (Oh, and the gameplay, graphics, and audio were well smart too.)

Capturing the body movements and facial expressions at the same time was a great decision that really payed off.

High hopes for this sequel, then.

[hoot]

Perhaps wait until we've got some details on how the stealth element is going to work in the game before writing the entire thing off. If it's more moves for disarming and general sneaky stuff like that then that would be decent.

[Cyhwuhx]

Perhaps wait until we've got some details on how the stealth element is going to work in the game before writing the entire thing off. If it's more moves for disarming and general sneaky stuff like that then that would be decent.

.::: Sure thing. It's just that the word 'stealth' alone makes my skin crawl.

[hoot]

Gotta keep the faith!

I remember reading the thread on here for Uncharted before I had a PS3 thinking people were getting way too excited over a game that didn't look particularly special, I couldn't have been more wrong. Just having a peak on the Uncharted 2 thread over on Neogaf to see if there's any other details kicking about and it's a complete love-in there too.

All to return please!

[Rudderless]

.::: Sure thing. It's just that the word 'stealth' alone makes my skin crawl.

Ditto for me. I dread to think what would happen to you if CING released a stealth game. Wouldn't your head explode?

[Mr. Gerbik]

.::: Because the entire game IS popcorn. The combat fitted the atmosphere and everything about it. It wasn't meant as a work of art, it was meant as a work of fun. It worked.

And where does this ahtred for the combat from the first one come from suddenly? Yes, it ripped its combat from GoW but last time I checked everybody thought this to be a good thing, which it is.

The 'childish' aspect is aimed at the industry as a whole. After MGS everybody started using stealth at random, without even thinking of the consequences. A pure stealth game? Sure go right ahead. An Indiana Jones inspired gung-ho action game with adventure bits using stealth? That doesn't gel. And that's the childish aspect.

The combat didn't work for me. I don't know where any sudden hatred for the combat of Uncharted 1 came from, but my hatred was there since day one. I loved the first half of the game, but I eventually stopped playing because the further I got, the more the combat became the primary aspect of the entire game. Clearing an area of enemies, only to immediately wander into an area with even more enemies and so on. I never finished the first one because of that. Not because it was difficult, but because the entire 80s adventure movie atmosphere didn't fit well at all with a bodycount that was close to reaching genocidal levels. I loved the atmosphere, the silly storyline, the platforming, the simple puzzle-solving, and the exploring. The combat should have been secondary to all those things, and stuff like solving puzzles to open a door that apparently hasn't been opened in centuries only to find a shitload of enemies inside that immediately start shooting at you really ruined the atmosphere.

I agree however, that ill-advised stealth-sections that developers sometimes add to games that don't need them at all are always shit. But I was thinking more in terms of what Uzi says here:

Yeah I agree with all of this- it was a great popcorn game. Stealth could only work in it one way in my head, if you could take specific platformy routes which could be difficult but avoid combat below- eg you need to get from A to B- you can either go on the floor and shoot everyone, or you can climb a ridge and carefully climb/jump to point B avoiding the fight below.

Forcing stealth on you would be cock though, but as an option it might be fun

Instead of enemies magically knowing exactly where you are after crossing a certain invisible but embarrassingly obvious trigger point, instead of combat overshadowing all the other aspects of the game, I would love it if Uncharted 2 included stealth as a viable option to avoid combat. And of course also focus more on platforming, exploring, and general adventuring. It would elevate the game from 'good' to 'fucking brilliant' imho.

[Cyhwuhx]

Instead of enemies magically knowing exactly where you are after crossing a certain invisible but embarrassingly obvious trigger point, instead of combat overshadowing all the other aspects of the game, I would love it if Uncharted 2 included stealth as a viable option to avoid combat. And of course also focus more on platforming, exploring, and general adventuring. It would elevate the game from 'good' to 'fucking brilliant' imho.

.::: Of course! Everybody would love that, I think. But... can Naughty Dog pull that off? I mean, that's been the holy grail ever since stealth got introduced and very few (if any) can offer the correct alternative. Here's to hope.

[Mr. Gerbik]

I'm pretty sure that there has be at least one game that pulled it off convincingly... when I think of one I will post it here. Like you, I really hope that Naughty Dog understands what this sequel needs that they're actually able to do it.

[hoot]

Some more details apparently:

- The biggest thing in the article IMO is that there's a new girl named Chloe Frazer. GI asked about Elena and Sully's return but they had no comment.

- The story is about looking for the ships that Marco Polo "lost" while returning home to Italy.

- Melee combat is more dynamic now.

- They mentioned they were using only 30% of the PS3's power with Drake's Fortune and are planning to use nearly 100% with Among Thieves.

- A demo was shown to GI with Drake going through a city (I believe in Nepal), and he's stealthily taking out guards and escaping the city.

- Nolan North returns to be Drake and Chloe Frazer is played by Claudia Black (Stargate SG-1, Fargate).

- The Sixaxis mechanics were ditched for such things as throwing grenades.

- One of the weapons revealed is a rocket launcher that Chloe uses (might only be for the cinematic).

- There are no load screens.

- The score is being composed by Greg Edmonson (same guy from the first one).

- Weapons can be used in any stance (running, behind cover, hanging, climbing a wall, etc.).

- You can now move while aiming behind cover.

[Uzi]

Sorry there, accidently hit Edit instead of Reply

- The biggest thing in the article IMO is that there's a new girl named Chloe Frazer. GI asked about Elena and Sully's return but they had no comment.

- The story is about looking for the ships that Marco Polo "lost" while returning home to Italy.

- Melee combat is more dynamic now.- Cool was kinda pointless in the first one

- They mentioned they were using only 30% of the PS3's power with Drake's Fortune and are planning to use nearly 100% with Among Thieves.- Could this be true? I hate reading shit like this at face value- it seems like such hyperbole, its not saying this will look 70% better but it's trying to sell that leap

- A demo was shown to GI with Drake going through a city (I believe in Nepal), and he's stealthily taking out guards and escaping the city. I hope stealth is optional rather than forced

- Nolan North returns to be Drake and Chloe Frazer is played by Claudia Black (Stargate SG-1, Fargate).- Looking forward to more good voice acting and character interaction

- The Sixaxis mechanics were ditched for such things as throwing grenades. Thank Fuck

- One of the weapons revealed is a rocket launcher that Chloe uses (might only be for the cinematic). Grenade launcher last time with Elena right? So vehicle section confirmed?

- There are no load screens.- Awesome, were there any in 1 though?

- The score is being composed by Greg Edmonson (same guy from the first one). Nice

- Weapons can be used in any stance (running, behind cover, hanging, climbing a wall, etc.).

- You can now move while aiming behind cover. That should make combat a bit more flexible

[Ferine]

Could this be true? I hate reading shit like this at face value- it seems like such hyperbole, its not saying this will look 70% better but it's trying to sell that leap

I believe any time anyone refers to the usage of a console's power in a percentile form it's complete and utter balls. I mean, why would you go, "We've used 33% of the PS3's power, guys! We'd better stop and wait for the sequel now." Engines improve and are made to run more efficiently, but a machine's 'power' is an empty pseudo-technical term that gets thrown around to try and impress people like me that don't know all the ins and outs of it.

Anyway, in terms of presentation I'd expect a Gears of War scenario: you don't notice how much the sequel improves upon the original until you put them side-by-side.

[Uzi]

I believe any time anyone refers to the usage of a console's power in a percentile form it's complete and utter balls. I mean, why would you go, "We've used 33% of the PS3's power, guys! We'd better stop and wait for the sequel now." Engines improve and are made to run more efficiently, but a machine's 'power' is an empty pseudo-technical term that gets thrown around to try and impress people like me that don't know all the ins and outs of it.

Anyway, in terms of presentation I'd expect a Gears of War scenario: you don't notice how much the sequel improves upon the original until you put them side-by-side.

Yep, I'd agree with that- well said

[Vemsie]

All the numbers talk is cobblers, but the game itself should rock.

[merge]

Magazine scans

[Uzi]

That looks really good.

Not 70% better though lol

[hoot]

Be sure and tune into the Video Game Awards on SpikeTV this Sunday for your first look at Uncharted 2: Among Theives gameplay.

[Corleth the Fey]

Man - at least buy Nathan some new threads, eh Naughty Dog.

Uncharted - fun old game - it's Romancing the Stone characters and storyline were the best thing about it though.

[Sng]

Edge 10/10.

[Uzi]

Edge 10/10.

STOP JINXING THE GAMES!

[James Ape]

they haven't mentioned Elena or Sulley yet have they? So is this going to be a prequel? Or maybe they get kidnapped/go missing near the start somewhere

[Sng]

they haven't mentioned Elena or Sulley yet have they? So is this going to be a prequel? Or maybe they get kidnapped/go missing near the start somewhere

They said they didn't want to comment. So it's safe to say they will be making an appearance I reckon.

[hoot]

Elena best be back, best female game character up there with Alyx.

[Monkichi 3.0]

When I got my PS3 I asked on here what game I should get, and pretty much everyone said Drake's Fortune. Having heard pretty much nothing of it at the time I took a gamble and paid £45 at Game that very day. Worth every penny for me, I really enjoyed it. I'm really looking forward to this new one too

[Spacehost]

Edge 10/10.

I'm with Uzi. Remember when you kept going "Home this week!" in the PS3 thread? How long did that get delayed for?

[Mr. Gerbik]

Edge 10/10.

I'm with Uzi and Spacehost: I was all optimistic about Uncharted 2 but you predicting an edge 10/10 pretty much guarantees a mediocre edge 6/10

[Digger Smolkin]

Fair dos, Uncharted 2 looks absolutely incredible. Goes to show that you don't need four years and unlimited financial and technical support from Sony (hello, Guerilla!) to make something that shames the best the 360 has to offer.

[Mr. Gerbik]

Indeed the more I read about this game, the more I'm looking forward to it. It looks and sounds extremely promising (well, apart from Soong jinxing it). Thanks to this and Yakuza 3 (and Way of the Samurai 3) 2009 could very well be the year that my PS3 finally starts impressing me.

[Pupponvesh 2]

This is an easy Edge 10/10. That's 2 Edge 10/10's for the PS3 in 2009 already (Killzone 2 has already been confirmed 10/10 in the next issue right?).

Uncharted was an awesome game though. It had some amazing artwork throughout. The unlockable concept images are superb. In fact, I refuse to get rid of the rid just so I can go back and look at all the making of stuff.