Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a thrilling experience that delivers some of the most intense setpieces in modern gaming.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves revisits the globetrotting adventurer Nathan Drake, who gets a wake-up call during a pretty harrowing situation. Drake awakens on a wrecked train car with a bleeding wound in his side, while the train is hanging over a colossal mountain cliff. Though the player isn't immediately informed to how Drake got in such a predicament, a series of flashbacks retell the story leading up to the hero's dangerous awakening. Turns out Drake's fellow treasure hunter Flynn and his female companion Chloe are out for a secret treasure involving a vanished fleet of ships owned by famed traveler Marco Polo. Things appear to be going well with Nathan Drake on board. However, everything takes a turn for the worse for Drake when alliances break, enemies appear, and old friends are roped into dangerous situations. The entire storyline is so full of twists and revelations that it could easily be broken up into multiple game stories, but Uncharted 2 offers so many over-the-top scenarios that it becomes very difficult to see what's coming next. The returning cast of Nathan Drake and his jaded friend Sully are always fine to see and the newcomers like Chloe add new dimensions to the already stellar Uncharted formula. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves revels in the Hollywood blockbuster groove and to amazing effect. No game really moves as intensely as Uncharted 2.
Much like its predecessor, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves divides up the gameplay styles into two forms: climbing and shooting. Climbing lets Nathan Drake be your typical treasure hunter. He solves puzzles, scales walls, and leaps gaps like your everyday explorer. His skills are complimented by some very inventive world design. From Borneo to Tibet, there are always caves, buildings and ruins to check out, each with fluid and creative ways to keep the player on edge. The controls aren't the smoothest (there were some rather tricky jumps that ended up a bit on the frustrating side), but they keep the level design front and center, right where it needs to be.
The shooting is Uncharted's second set, where the cover-based gameplay pioneered by titles like Gears of War is given another go for the second in the Uncharted series. Drake can aim, shoot, blindfire, toss grenades and all of that good stuff, but the firefights do drag on a bit too much more that preferred. It's definitely not done to death like in the first Uncharted, but with so many enemies that can take so many bullets, the shooting drags on a bit too much. Fortunately, stealth kills and melee moves keep the gameplay going, so it's not all about shooting from cover. Though it has its moments of frustration, the shooting feels like a solid progression from the battles of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.
But Uncharted 2: Among Thieves biggest strength by far is its knack for the harrowing. From the very start, Nathan Drake is forced to climb a wrecked train which is literally on the edge of disaster. The climb isn't near what you'd expect; broken beams, collapsing interiors, they all will catch you off guard. Every single movement is riddled with a stunning tension and that's just the opening scenario. Nathan Drake will climb huge towers, dash across the tops of railroad cars, and leap onto collapsing ruins with ease. Moments like these will keep you on the edge of your seat, gasping nervously while waiting to see what other impossible stunt Drake will tackle next. Every cliffside, every rooftop, every action will reach out at the player, more than likely leaving them saying, "how did he do that?" Uncharted 2: Among Thieves always pushes Nathan Drake and the player to their farthest limits, instantly shattering expectations and going even further. As a harrowing adventure game, no other title comes close.
Mixing up the single-player intensity is a surprisingly good multiplayer mode. Taking trappings from cover-based shooters like Gears of War, Uncharted 2's multiplayer includes the same kinds of firefights as seen in the single-player. Shooting from cover and tossing grenades is fun, but adding in a new dimension with the exploratory elements makes the game stand out from the crowd. Players can climb ruins, leap over gaps, and shimmy along walls to get a good view for taking out an opponent or to cover a teammate. The vertical element changes the cover-based template considerably; climbing becomes essential and offers a new way to play. In addition to the shooting and climbing, a solid matchmaking mode and the typical equipment skills will let players duke it out among friends and rivals fluidly. Maps take advantage of the dimensionalizing of the gameplay and offer remarkably immense construction, from underground tunnels to tremendous towers. It's not the most original multiplayer setup, but it's entertaining and offers a solid amount of depth to play through.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a fantastic-looking game. Though that could easily be said about the first Uncharted, it's easy to say that Uncharted 2 boldly pushes the hardware to a furious peak. The dynamic setpieces like Nathan Drake holding onto the side of a moving train or climbing a colossal underground city are unforgettable. Nathan Drake's movements are realistic and acrobatic all at once. The cutscenes are detailed and captivating, the weather effects so rich with intense texture. Both technically and design-wise, the graphics simply cannot be denied their high quality. Following the amazing graphics is an impressive collection of voice work. Nolan North has officially solidified his place as an incredible voice actor with his role as Nathan Drake. Hearing Drake's dialogue is never overdone; North captures Drake's character without any missteps. But denying the supporting cast their dues is unfair; every role, big or small, is presented with refinement and respect. The epic scores and authentic-sounding themes are equally ambitious and bombastic. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a crowning achievement for Naughty Dog, one that does everything in its power to make a graphical showcase and a captivating story.
Considering how quiet of a storm Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was, I really didn't expect Uncharted 2: Among Thieves to blow down the doors the way it did. As a single-player adventure, Nathan Drake's second odyssey takes the edge-of-your-seat action of a hit blockbuster film and makes it accessible and exciting enough for a gaming audience. The nail-biting scenarios cannot be topped by any other game in its class. A beautiful graphic design, stellar script and voice acting, and solid multiplayer component all come together seamlessly into one amazing Playstation 3 title. The slightly drawn-out firefights and occasionally finicky controls do hold the game back, but that would be unfair to say that they hurt the end product to a significant degree. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves surpasses its predecessor at every opportunity and is never afraid to push further and further into the most intense forms of game design ever seen in an action game. If you own a Playstation 3, you simply cannot miss Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.