Unflawed heroes need not apply

Around a year ago, I picked up a cheap as chips PS3 but I’ve struggled ever since to find exclusive games that interested me. The PS3 has actually had far more use as a media centre as opposed to a console, the exact opposite of the Xbox 360 which has so many fantastic exclusives, but limited appeal as a media centre.

Cue surprise hit, Uncharted. This was and still is a must-have title for any PS3 owner, showcasing some of the finest production values for a game. It’s received near perfect reviews and praise and when Naughty Dog dropped the bombshell of a sequel, I know I certainly jumped for joy.

The game had some big shoes to fill, laid out by its big brother, and its surpassed the first game in every conceivable way. Naughty Dog have listened to the criticisms and have taken them on board, without diluting the features that makes Uncharted what it is. They’ve removed all the stupid Six-Axis pad stuff and have made grenades far easier to throw in the middle of a firefight. They’ve mixed up the puzzles and gunfights, making both balanced and a refreshing change from each other when they occur. The multiplayer is a nice addition, and does not dilute the single player experience at all. In fact, to get the most out of the multiplayer game, one has to first complete the single player game to unlock various abilities to avoid being crippled immediately online. And the graphics, wow, the graphics! Easily best looking game of this generation by a country mile. The vistas are stunning and simply go on forever (do a slow 360 when you’re on top of the hotel).

The voice acting, dialogue, and animation are as tight as ever. All the characters are very believable, especially Nathan as the flawed hero that does make mistakes and doesn’t always do the right thing. The love triangle between him, Elena, and Chloe is also a joy to watch, with all three clearly trying to hide their affection.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to forcibly remove myself from the console because a game was eating up too much time, but each chapter of Uncharted 2 is perfectly crafted, seducing you to play just a little more. Uncharted 2 is game of the year material, through and through, and makes me proud to own a PS3. If you’re considering a PS3 purchase (Mike…), then this and the first Uncharted definitely deliver the goods.

EDIT: I’ve been playing the online multiplayer loads recently, trying to grind my level higher. The number of players online have dropped significantly since Modern Warfare 2 came out, but those left behind are the hardcore community, well most of them at least. Uncharted 2’s matchmaking system is broken, creating seriously unbalanced matches due to giving priority to partied up teams; Halo at least breaks up parties to create an even battle. I always seem to end up on the significantly weaker team, and to make matters worse some people drop out because they can’t be arsed to fight a losing battle, thus leaving me with a weaker team than before. Still, I’ve managed to win a few one-sided matches, which is so rewarding!