Over 20 game of the year awards... But does it live up to the hype that the gaming world has given it?(Single Player)
Uncharted 2 again has you following the footsteps of Nathan Drake as he sets out on one of his treasure hunts. But no simple treasure hunt this is. You are looking for the mythical city of Shambala which is said to hold the Cintamani Stone, a huge raw sapphire. But you're not the only one seeking this stone. A mad man name Lazerevic who has an army of mercenaries at his disposal.
The adventure is full of moments that will not cease to wow you. From a train hanging of the edge of a cliff to being chased down an alley by a truck. What really puts this game ahead of many others are the characters. They act like real humans. They are surprised by things and have genuine reactions not some macho-man "I'm not scared of anything reaction." Examples are when Drake narrowly escapes his death, he'll say things" No no no." in a hurried frightened tone. The characters are also likable in how the interact.They all play off of each other and it works out really well.
Game play: 8.5
This is a third person shooter with platforming elements to it. You take cover and pop out to shoot people. You get a variety of guns that are all fun to shoot and there are plenty of scripted events that you use some big toys to take out your enemies with a smile on your face. There is some problems with the covers system sometimes when you're too close to multiple places to take cover where Drake will jump into the wrong area. . It can be annoying and may lead to a cheap deaths but it is rare when it happens and you can easily overlook it.
The platforming in this game is limited but it is very fun and full of scripted moments. You'll climb many, many, MANY things. Wrecked trains, moving trains, temples, and falling bridges are just a few. Things will also happen during your climbing adventures. You may be shimming across a pipe then it will break and slam Drake into a wall which alters the route you'll have to take.
Visuals: 10
This game is beautiful. You cannot deny it. It has a variety of environments for you to shoot, jump, and climb through. From wet green forests, to snowy mountains, to urban cities, this game is full of great areas.
Also the character animations are just gorgeous. They move extremely smooth and realistically. Nate will flinch if a bullet whizzes by his head and duck lower behind his cover if he is under fire. Also the facial animations are top notch. Emotion is clearly displayed upon the faces of the characters. Nate will smirks, cock his eye brow and do other things naturally. One of the greatest things about the facial animations is that you can see worry for loved ones on his face and it helps pull you into the adventure ever so more.
Overall: 9.1
This is an amazing adventure that all PS3 owners should enjoy. O was skeptical a first but the beautiful presentations, amazing gameplay, a great story, and AMAZING characters convinced me that this game deserves all the awards it has achieved.