REVIEW: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Developer: Naughty Dog| Publisher: SCEE | Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher There’s no point in beating around the bush so this reviewer will just come out and say it, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is one of the defining games of this generation. It successfully manage to marry the thrill of cinema with the immersive nature of video gaming. There is no other game on any console atm which comes close to matching the game for sheer thrills, chills and depth. Among Thieves is that most elusive of things a near perfect gaming experience.

Picking up a year or so after the first Among Thieves finds Drake searching for the whereabouts of the 13 ships Marco Polo lost on his journey from China to home. Over 600 passengers were lost as well as untold treasures. As is the case in most adventures the initial premise quickly grows and soon Drake is searching for the mythical lost city of Shambhala.

The games greatest asset is it’s story, which puts to shame many of the Summer Blockbusters in recent memory. Playing the game you find yourself longing to see the action on the big screen, it’s the way Indiana Jones 4 should have be done. The characters are all multi dimensional leading you to never know who to trust as well as genuine hair on neck moments when certain characters end up in life or death situations.

Some have criticised the game for its elements of repetition. Granted gun fights are similar, you kill baddies, pick up their weapons and repeat but when he action is so this much fun you really don’t care and never tire of it. There is a simple pleasure gained from any game which does what it does well and doesn’t get bogged down in trying to constantly alternate the on-screen mayhem. Among Thieves makes every gun fight fun and when it comes down to it that’s all you can ask from any title.

Graphically Among Thieves is gorgeous, it’s environments are the most realistic and awe inspiring vistas ever seen and push the PS3 to it’s limits. So beautiful are the environments that you do wish the game slowed down long enough to let you get a proper look. This reviewer has repeatedly played the last level simply to marvel at the backdrop.

Multiplayer is also introduced in this sequel and like the rest of the game it’s top notch. The cooperative mode allows 3 players to play simultaneous. Adding just another reason to replay the game, not that you need one given how fantastic single player is. Plunder mode is this reviewers personnel favourite multiplayer mode. It’s by far the most entertaining online gaming experience around.

The mark of a truly great game is how well it manages to combine all the elements into one. Among Thieves does this to perfection. Among Thieves doesn’t reinvent the adventure game, what it does is take everything that has went before and perfect it. There is no other game out there which will have other people drop what they are doing so that they can watch you play often for hours on end.