Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

[Neon Ignition]

Finished it yesterday after stringing it out a little by going in the multiplayer as well and it's a definate AAA franchise creating triumph. Visually there's nothing on console I've seen I'd say looks better with some of the area's truly showing the horsepower possible this gen, highlighting that we are nowhere near needing new consoles yet. I'd definately rate it 10/10 though that's not to say I didn't find faults with it like the original had:

-Sometimes the jumping can be a little too focused on the positioning of the camera, it's not a game breaker but needlessly frustrating in heated moments
-

->Open Spoiler<-

Whilst I'm coming to accept that monsters are part of the Uncharted universe it was still a shame to see them crop up at the end of the game. They are always the weakest part of the games and Naughty Dog aren't remotely capable of creating convincing ones to face. The first games inclusion of the mutants was disappointing and though better handled here the World of Warcraft knock offs dampened what was previously building up as proper Indy style face off.

-Though stunning, some of the last chapters don't have the smoothness of design that most of the game have and may have benefitted from some more testing
-

->Open Spoiler<-

I would have much preferred a suitable set piece at the end of the game rather than the boss fight which stands as possibly one of the lowest points of the franchise so far, shoddy as hell design. But thankfully, the ride had been so good it didn't ruin the game

They're fairly nitpicky faults but for me leave me with a comfortable feeling that Naughty Dog can top this with Uncharted 3

[MrMarbles]

Has anybody got that, 'what do I play now?' kind of feeling?



It is going to take something truly special to make me sit up and take notice.

I know what you mean: the last time I loved a game this hard and was left with the same sinking feeling on completion was when I'd finished Shadow of the Colossus. I'm probably going to end up playing both Uncharteds on an endless cycle until the third one's out from now on.

Although I might find the time to slip stuff like Modern Warfare 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction into the mix when the need arises. Y'know, just for variety's sake and for my own sanity, lest I enter some kind Uncharted-based cabin fever.

[Eight Rooks]

I just knew you were going to say something about the final boss as all of your (enthusiastic) posts seems like they were leading up to that.

I had no worries with the boss (I am playing it on Normal difficulty and only died twice before finally finishing him off). Like spagmasterswift has just written, I wonder if you were trying to shoot at him rather than the um... obvious 'targets'.

I really enjoy reading your posts though as you describe your whole (up and down) journey with Nathan Drake - it makes me smile.

Hehe, at least someone else gets something out of them.

Nope, I got what you were supposed to do, I'm not that daft. And eh, once I'd managed it I thought maybe I will try it at least on Hard, if not Crushing - it was easier once I'd turned off most of the bloody sound. Obviously I get too caught up in the moment! Still, weakest part of the game by far, and it is a shame they couldn't have thought up something better - I mean, if you're going with arcade play mechanics the mini-boss on the train played far more 'naturally', didn't feel shoehorned in.

Oddly that bit in the monastery with the two minigunners I found an absolute cakewalk, though then I watched my housemate do it and he was about to take the other way until I pointed out the easier route. Weird watching someone else go through it. The level design is frequently a joy - obviously it's basically linear but there's so many ways to fool around on the way...

[cutmymilk]

Has anybody got that, 'what do I play now?' kind of feeling?



It is going to take something truly special to make me sit up and take notice.

My next game will be The Ballad of Gay Tony, which will fit the bill nicely I reckon!

[MatWoods]

Has anybody got that, 'what do I play now?' kind of feeling?



It is going to take something truly special to make me sit up and take notice.

Got that exact feeling yesterday afternoon when i finished single player, then I started on multiplayer online - question answered!!!

Also replaying 1p to finish off the treasures (got 47 on 1st play through without help) and earn some more cash to spend on upgrades.

[Jebus]

Has anybody got that, 'what do I play now?' kind of feeling?



It is going to take something truly special to make me sit up and take notice.

I've had it for about 4 days now since I completed it.

Nothing captures me like that game did, I'm lost!

[teddymeow]

Has anybody got that, 'what do I play now?' kind of feeling?



It is going to take something truly special to make me sit up and take notice.

Yep! I couldn't think of anything so started again on hard!

[Number45]

Nearing the end of my first play through on hard (I think). Soon I'll be able to read this thread and play co-op. SOON!

[Eight Rooks]

Think I'll start another playthrough for some more cash, though I'm not sure if I want to try Hard. Probably get started on co-op in a bit, too.

EDIT: While I love Metal Gear Solid dearly for all its idiocy, Christ, it's impressive looking at the menus and seeing how short the cutscenes here are.

[crocky-chocky]

I usually trade these things in after finishing the story mode, but this is probs the only game I've ever played where I've felt compelled to play through again on Hard almost immediately after finishing it. Such is the radness.

Do agree that the last boss wasn't so good (thought the first Uncharted's was executed better, really)...But it's easily the best action game I've ever played.

Multiplayer is good fun, too. Though there doesn't seem to be a massive community on there...which I wasn't expecting. Also, there's a bucket-load of sweary mongo's.

[Eight Rooks]

What do bonus weapons stop you from earning, if anything? I'm assuming they don't, because, say, the only other way to get fifty kills with the tranq gun would be to play the game three times over. Or I suppose you could do those chapters multiple times, but still...

[JP]

In the first game they'd stop you unlocking trophies so I suppose it's the same in this. I've not used any but I suppose it's possible that using them may stop you from earning cash that you'd normally get from completing tasks.

Weapons such as the tranquilliser gun don't have trophies.

In reference to the bosses in this game I really don't like them but it's fair to say that I really don't like the concept of boss fights in any game and I've not found these to be any better or worse. The idea of them just seems really out of date and at odds to the general feeling of play in a game.

I suppose at least in this they're easy enough to get through so it's not long before you can move on and forget about them.

[MrMarbles]

I'd have loved the

->Open Spoiler<-

pseudo-boss encounter on the train

to have been a prolonged fisticuffs battle in the same spirit as that against the bald chap in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Perhaps even having it on the

->Open Spoiler<-

roof of one of the carriages, ending with the guy getting wiped out by a tunnel when it looked like he was about to have the upper hand.

Something like that would've suited the action vibe perfectly.

And, again, the final confrontation against Lazarevic could've surely been handled better in a dozen other ways - even having

->Open Spoiler<-

Drake and him duking it out on the collapsing bridge or somesuch

would've been preferable and certainly more spectacular.

The problem is that those two encounters - particularly the second one - were so pointedly lacking in flare compared to the rest of the game that they just stuck out like two sore, swollen, bloated engorged thumbs.

Nowhere near enough to spoil it for me, though.

EDIT: In fact, it says it all about the game and the engine alone that I'm able to make those suggestions without hesitation as, going by the rest of the game, those two scenarios would undoubtedly be possible.

[rmoxon]

I'd have loved the

->Open Spoiler<-

pseudo-boss encounter on the train

to have been a prolonged fisticuffs battle in the same spirit as that against the bald chap in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Perhaps even having it on the

->Open Spoiler<-

roof of one of the carriages, ending with the guy getting wiped out by a tunnel when it looked like he was about to have the upper hand.

Something like that would've suited the action vibe perfectly.

And, again, the final confrontation against Lazarevic could've surely been handled better in a dozen other ways - even having

->Open Spoiler<-

Drake and him duking it out on the collapsing bridge or somesuch

would've been preferable and certainly more spectacular.

The problem is that those two encounters - particularly the second one - were so pointedly lacking in flare compared to the rest of the game that they just stuck out like two sore, swollen, bloated engorged thumbs.

Nowhere near enough to spoil it for me, though.

EDIT: In fact, it says it all about the game and the engine alone that I'm able to make those suggestions without hesitation as, going by the rest of the game, those two scenarios would undoubtedly be possible.

The guy on the

->Open Spoiler<-

train

wasnt a boss really, he didnt take many more bullets than the guys with the mini guns, im not sure how you can say it lacked polish compared to the rest of the game when he was really just another enemy to shoot/punch. I killed him first time and was suprised to come on here seeing people calling him a boss.

Besides the final level, the only bosses in the game were vehicles, and destroying them was certainly more fun than in most games that feature simular moments. As for the ending itself, it did lack cinematic flair compared to much of the game, but if there wasnt some type of boss fight at least like it, im sure people would feel the ending anticlimatic.

Overall I didnt mind either encounter really.

[spagmasterswift]

I was struggling to recall a boss battle on

->Open Spoiler<-

the train

so I'm glad that you mention that rmoxon.

There was something wonderful about the toys in this game, the

->Open Spoiler<-

first time the helicopter appears right ****ing above you and the blades are whipping up the pot plants on the window ledges - man that was stunning - and then every time it showed up I was like, OK lets do this!! The tank was a cheeky bastard too and felt great taking it out after being griefed on all through that village. Even the train set was fun, longest train I'd ever seen though...