The Charge:

“Aw crap.”

Opening Statement:

Back in the early days of my PS3 ownership, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was the first game I played.  It immediately shot to the top 3 of my favorite-for-this-gen list of games.  I had never before seen such a masterful approach to cinematic gaming; the folks at Naughty Dog has crafted the finest game/movie hybrid effort ever, mixing quality gameplay with an engrossing story and memorable characters.

Needless to say, since the announcement of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, I have been gripped in a churning excitement, restless with the anticipation of what delights Naughty Dog has cooked up this go-round. Click the jump for the review.

Facts of the Case

Intrepid treasure hunter Nathan Drake has cast his lot in with some shifty comrades in search of a legendary sapphire and the mythical Shangri-La.  Along the way he shoots a lot of bad guys in the head and stuff happens that blows my mind.

The Evidence

This game is great.  It’s a must-buy for PS3 owners (just as the first was) and sets new standards in a number of gaming categories.  Here, then, is my itemized list of why Uncharted 2 is a sure-fire contender for game of the year and some of the biggest fun I’ve had this generation.

The Tech

Wow, what an absolutely stunning achievement in code-slinging.  Uncharted 2 is the best-looking game ever created.  The visuals continually out-perform those that preceded them, from the shockingly detailed rendering of war-torn Borneo to the vistas of Nepal to the imaginative creations of the ice fortress and the final stage.

But where I was constantly surprised by Naughty Dog’s prowess was with respect to the little things.  Drake’s clothes get wet when he’s in water or rain.  In the higher altitudes, the snow powder sticks to his clothes, and he leaves boot-prints wherever he walks.  And all of the marvelous graphics and environments slow seamlessly with very few load screens once you get rolling.  So awesome.

The Gameplay

As much as I liked the first game, the gameplay felt like a collection of other elements from games that had done them better.  Here, it all coalesces into something that’s galactically fun.  The cover and shooting mechanics are smooth, the enemy AI is smart, but not invincible, the platforming intuitive and not overused and the rail-shooting segments brief, but memorable (convoy–hell yeah!).  Add in a sweeter combat system and some fun stealth elements, and the substance more than matches the style.

The Cinematic Quality

This has always been the big selling point for the series for me and with the sequel, Naughty Dog proves no one makes an interactive summer blockbuster better.  The cut scenes are frequent, but the production and voice acting is so top-shelf you’ll actually look forward to them.

The story is an effective globe-trotting, treasure-hunting romp that is perfectly set up to show off the amazing action set-pieces sprinkled throughout: the train chase, the truck shoot-out, two helicopter showdowns, a frantic firefight in a collapsing building, a desperate dash over a crumbling bridge and the centerpiece, Drake’s escape from a train car dangling over a cliff.

Rebuttal Witness:

Closing Statement:

Whatever.  Go buy this game.  It is the bee’s knees all the way down to the ankles.

The Verdict:

Platform: PlayStation3
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: October 13th
Rated: T for Teen