Jump to content

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

James Ape

By James Ape,
in Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

FuzzyDunlop

FuzzyDunlop

Posted
Posted
Had I known that it was a shooter first and adventure tenth, I wouldn't even have bothered. I was still under the impression that Naughty Dog's '60/40 split for exploration and combat' was true. It turned out to be way off the mark, it's more like 10/90 in my experience.

If we can take that as an average, I'm several chapters in and the non-combat sections have drastically outweighed the combat ones. I condede that the non-combat sections haven't consisted of much exploration or puzzle solving, though. Well, apart from one large 'set piece'...

This does include the introduction, too.

Uncharted was all about the story though. I love a good mystery and the way it gradually unfolds. They really get the theatrical aspect down. You only need to pay attention to some of the fixed camera work and the way cutscenes are played out to really feel that Naughty Dog are trying to get the best parts of games and films together.

Mind, part of doing this well involves the script having a shocking revelation every ten minutes. This is amusing in itself and it'd all be shit without it but it's irritating at times. It's just not very subtle. Sometimes mystery like this needs to base a later plot point on something insignificant the main characters overlooked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted
I still don't get where Cyh is coming from. At all. I finished playing Uncharted 1 yesterday and the majority of the game is combat. There was no room for exploration and the weight of combat:platforming increased as the game went on to the point where the last five chapters were basically pure combat. And there was nothing in the first game that mixed up platforming and combat as well as the hotel bit in UC2 or puzzley/platformey bits like the temple that, though easy, still feel much more in-depth than anything I did in UC1. The pacing in this is just so much better, there's more variety, the aspects of the game are more fluid and less predictable. Maybe it just seems like there's more combat because it's more regularly interspersed with the platforming but that's a good thing. UC1 was way too rigid. It would go 5 minute platform section, 10 minute combat arena with endless waves of enemies, 2 minute platform section, combat arena, combat arena, combat arena, 2 minutes of platforming. And there was not an awful lot in the way of memorable set-piecing in comparison to just under half of UC2 so far. I'm kinda baffled to be honest.

Anyway, I just played chapters 5-10 and this is much more like it. The bitty beginning and mediocre jungle levels have given way to what I was expecting after reading the reviews in the first place. It's a much improved game with the most stunning graphics on consoles so far, bar none. If I was to be picky I would take issue with people saying it has a great story. It has excellent dialogue, and I think people are confusing the two. The story is blah, so far. But yeah, sorry I have to put the game down for the night really.

Agreed with basically all of this. It's indeed true that it has a simple story, but the dialogue sizzles. A bit like GTA then, without the satire.

I just had a big session and surely chapter 13 and 14 have the most amazing graphic ever? Just mind blowing. Its set pieces make the one in Resi 4 - a game I love with all my heart - look like a joke.

I can't stress how good the combat is. Seriously, stick it on Hard an don't look back.

I've only played the first Uncharted in short sessions at work, but its combat isn't even in the same league as it is in this game. It really is a game of cat and mouse at times. Just had a brill fight in the snow where I was using the trains, both vertical and horizontal, to pick off my enemies.

The Hammer btw, is a lovely weapon.

Easily the best game since Galaxy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted
Near the end but instead of trying to finish it I started another game on hard mode. Damn the combat is tough! You seem to have less than half the health and at times it can seem really relentless. I doubt I'd have a chance in hell of finishing 'crushing mode so I'm pretty sure this won't be a platinum for me as much as I love it.

It's relentless, but that's what I love about it. :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Uzi

Uzi

Posted
Posted
I just had a big session and surely chapter 13 and 14 have the most amazing graphic ever? Just mind blowing. Its set pieces make the one in Resi 4 - a game I love with all my heart - look like a joke.

Yeah 13 and 14 were nuts for graphics

Also I personally think a good few chapters have some of the games most omgwtf graphics also, namely 16, 17, 18 and the some of the views in the last few :lol: But then theres also the view at the top of the hotel :angry:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted
Yeah 13 and 14 were nuts for graphics

Also I personally think a good few chapters have some of the games most omgwtf graphics also, namely 16, 17, 18 and the some of the views in the last few :lol: But then theres also the view at the top of the hotel :angry:

Hotel is amazing. I've yet to play 16, 17 and 18. ;)

Can't wait.

Was reading the EDGE review and have to agree with this:

Crucially, what you do in these places varies too, and it’s the promise of the next expertly choreographed set-piece, the next eye-poppingly realised environment, the next story-twisting encounter between characters, that makes Uncharted 2 the most absorbing game of 2009 to date, the sort that makes three hours of play feel like one. You know when you leave the cinema with friends after you’ve just enjoyed a Pulp Fiction or a District 9, and you can’t wait to discuss the experience? You’ll get that feeling playing through Uncharted 2, just as you did playing through, say, Resident Evil 4.

It's indeed the first game since Resi 4 that gives me that feeling of encountering one amazing moment after another and saying 'wow' to myself a lot.

Even though I still think it's expertly paced with quite a bit of downtime, there's no denying it contains an awful lot of action. Brilliant action and if you love games of that ilk, you're in heaven. If you don't really like the genre it's probably not the game for you, so I can see were Vincent (Cyhwuhx) and others who want less combat and more exploration are coming from.

But, man. -_-

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NecroMorrius

NecroMorrius

Posted
Posted

This is just incredible. I don't recall ever being so impressed by a sequel before. This is the kind of game which continually throws new things at you for the whole duration, reminiscent in that regard of Resi 4 or Half Life 2. I've yet to find a single thing about it that hasn't blown me away, and I'm really quite picky. Anybody even mentioning Tomb Raider in the same sentence needs a slap, and I'd consider myself a long suffering fan of that particular dead horse.

Though opinions are entitled to and I'm glad people are playing the game, I just don't agree with or see much accuracy in any of the reported criticisms throughout these pages. Perhaps this is a Goldilocks game for me, or perhaps people went in with unmatchably high or specific expectations.

The people complaining about too much combat must be playing something different to me - the combat sections are much more tightly focused and over much more quickly than U1. In U1, particularly towards the end, a cavalcade of enemies flooded a room and you were forced to stay bedded-down in cover for ten-fifteen minutes at a time while you chipped away at their numbers. In U2, you're constantly pushing forward through the combat, or at least the illusion of doing so. Besides, there seems to be plenty of climbing, swinging and puzzle solving alongside the combat, it's strongly reminding me of Half Life 2 in terms of pacing.

The characters are great, the dialogue is great, the sound and visuals set a new high watermark for console production. At the half way point now (ish), I can't see U2 as anything but a complete and I daresay unparalleled success, with so little to complain about that I'm wondering how half the Rllmuk crowd are getting any pleasure from it at all.

This is a sequel done right. Every facet of the original is improved and expanded upon without losing the identity or charm of it's original endeavor. I'm stunned at both how good this game ended up being, and the reaction of anyone who would try to argue it's in any way inferior to it's predecessor. Make no mistake, Uncharted has evolved from a scrappy underdog with plenty of charm to match it's rough edges, to being THE flagship title for the Playstation brand circa 2009 and beyond.

(But seriously, what's up with Chloe's bum? That's not normal.)

Add me to PSN below for some multiplayer. Which is also great. I really like the slower pace of it, it seems very consistent and unpretentious.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted

I can see why some people have issues with the start of the game though. I enjoyed it and I actually loved the first bit of the game, but in hindsight they don't come even close to the stuff the game throws at you from chapter 5 onwards.

Train and snow excepted.

Considering you spent so much time in the jungle in the first game, it's a bit strange it ends up being the low point of the sequel. I like the birds though.

As for the

museum scene

, I quite enjoyed that, mainly because of the banter and the fact it had a different feel to the other levels because you take opponents out in non lethal ways. Luckily the AI in that levels is less good as it is in the rest of Hard mode, cause otherwise it could have been a pretty frustrating level.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly

Philly

Posted
Posted

Just got up to chapter 7, not really feeling it.

The graphics are great, but there's not much puzzle solving or mystery adventure i was (unrealistically?) expecting.

Seems 90 percent has been shooting. does it change?

Positives: Love the water effects and the mood of the environments, and the script is great.

Negatives: Too much shooting, the same 2 enemies. I want to get the game over with so i can hear the story more. spin on.

Feels like the PS3s version of Gears 2.

Good comparison Morrius, intentional of not.

Both games feature running down scripted corridors,

Climbing up native type structures,

and fighting similar enemies.

except the graphics are MUCH MUCH better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted
Seems 90 percent has been shooting. does it change?

I'm not really sure it's 90 percent and there certainly are quite a few slower paced sequences, but in general it's pretty damn action packed and it stays that way. They do introduce a few new enemy types though. :lol:

And there are some pretty open ended fights, especially in the larger areas. It's a grand adventure and if it doesn't cock up spectacularly it's my fave game of this gen, along with Galaxy. But if you bought it for puzzle solving and exploring and don't enjoy the combat, I'm afraid you won't really like it that much. Fun as the characters are though.

Even though there is not that much real exploration, some of these treasures are pretty well hidden. I'm not exploring every nook and cranny but I have less than 20 so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly

Philly

Posted
Posted

I can see a LOT of people enjoying this, but it's not for me.

It reminds me of Broken Sword 1 and 2, but as a Gears of War style 3rd person shooter in place of the adventure bits.

Naughty Dog are very talented with the atmosphere and voice acting. I'd love to see a film of this (with Nathan Fillion obviously)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NecroMorrius

NecroMorrius

Posted
Posted
I can see a LOT of people enjoying this, but it's not for me.

It reminds me of Broken Sword 1 and 2, but as a Gears of War style 3rd person shooter in place of the adventure bits.

Naughty Dog are very talented with the atmosphere and voice acting. I'd love to see a film of this (with Nathan Fillion obviously)

Fillion or no movie. Them's the rules!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted
I can see a LOT of people enjoying this, but it's not for me.

Yeah, I can see why. Just glad it's pushing all the right buttons for me. I pretty much bought a PS3 for this game and I'm so glad I did. It's the best action movie I ever played. :lol:

With better acting and dialogue than most Hollywood movies to boot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Uzi

Uzi

Posted
Posted

Man, even though I completed this almost a day ago I'm still buzzing from it. It's weird how some of the negative things people are saying either didn't register for me or I just loved those bits. Even the early part that is the stealth tutorial, it just felt so fucking cool. To those expecting more of a puzzle/exploration thing, please- get Tomb Raider Anniversary. Uncharted is not a tomb raider clone, no matter what people will say. If anything the first game shares more elements with TR (and heavily Gears) than 2.

To me 2 was one of the most exciting, funny, ball tuggingly intense action adventure game. It was like a constant barrage of stuff for me to digest. Cool set piece, nice stealth take down, great headshots, amazing scenery, funny one liner, great cutscene, cool terrain climing- just constant BANG BANG BANG of moments I personally loved. It just all gelled (is that how you spell gelled? jelled? anyway) together sublimely for me. The game is like a ten hour wank that just doesn't stop tugging, it keeps on tugging!

And you know what else is brilliant. Once you finish it you're confused what to do- too many options. Should I go pick up remaining treasures or medals in invidual chapters? Should I buy some cool cheat options/filters from the store and mess around? Should I start a new playthrough on hard or crushing?

Or maybe I should play some MP. Some deathmatch or co op or horde or objective modes? TOO MANY THINGS TO DO

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SteveH

SteveH

Posted
Posted

Only two disappointments for me so far. The guards at the museum kept spazzing out and not walking as they should. Took an hour of trying before finally they moved into position and I could get past them. I'm hoping it was a one off with mine as I haven't read of anyone else having issues.

Second, although I really like Claudia Black, I do wish they had used an unknown. I just keep thinking "oooh, Claudia Black", and it spoils a little of the immersion in the cutscenes.

Only niggly problems, but hey.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vemsie

Vemsie

Posted
Posted
Man, even though I completed this almost a day ago I'm still buzzing from it. It's weird how some of the negative things people are saying either didn't register for me or I just loved those bits. Even the early part that is the stealth tutorial, it just felt so fucking cool. To those expecting more of a puzzle/exploration thing, please- get Tomb Raider Anniversary. Uncharted is not a tomb raider clone, no matter what people will say. If anything the first game shares more elements with TR (and heavily Gears) than 2.

To me 2 was one of the most exciting, funny, ball tuggingly intense action adventure game. It was like a constant barrage of stuff for me to digest. Cool set piece, nice stealth take down, great headshots, amazing scenery, funny one liner, great cutscene, cool terrain climing- just constant BANG BANG BANG of moments I personally loved. It just all gelled (is that how you spell gelled? jelled? anyway) together sublimely for me. The game is like a ten hour wank that just doesn't stop tugging, it keeps on tugging!

And you know what else is brilliant. Once you finish it you're confused what to do- too many options. Should I go pick up remaining treasures or medals in invidual chapters? Should I buy some cool cheat options/filters from the store and mess around? Should I start a new playthrough on hard or crushing?

Or maybe I should play some MP. Some deathmatch or co op or horde or objective modes? TOO MANY THINGS TO DO

You are me, dude. :lol:

I feel exactly the same.

Except that I started on Hard after reading how good it is on GAF and I really recommend it if you like the combat. It makes for some very memorable battles, because the AI puts up a damn good fight. I love how I'm constantly ducking, searching for cover, picking up weapons left and right, climbing structures to get some shots in from above and performing melee attacks when I can. Nate's drop kick is class. :angry:

Oh, and slowly moving around with the riot shield while picking off opponents with headshots is so good. Much better than it was in Gears.

And I haven't even touched the multiplayer yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
James Ape

James Ape

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I found the stealthy start a little off putting, but once I got into the jungle I didn't stop playing until I got to back to where the game opens.

I had trouble at the beginning figuring out whether the enemies could see me or not, they are far shorter sighted than what I was expecting. I only started enjoying the "stealth" parts later on once I had got used to the rules. Being sneaky on the train was really great fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
daddyorchips

daddyorchips

Posted
Posted

I'm still up playing this. Can't stop! It's sublime. Game of the year AND the generation for me. I'm grinning like an idiot typing this. First game I've played that lives up to the hype generated by Sony prior to their console's release, IMO. There's SO many moments I have to stop and wonder how the HELL the dev's are doing this. System seller? Hell yes!

Last game that felt like this was HL2. This is a much bigger SURPRISE though.

Bedtime? Nah... just one more go!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cassidy

cassidy

Posted
Posted

Managed to get a few hrs in yesterday night. But only upto C14 or 15

mingun dude has turned up on the train

My god though getting to this bit has been intense, relentless action, all the way

Jumped a bloody mile, when I was walking across the second blade in the temple and it breaks off

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Use of this website is subject to our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Guidelines.

  I accept