One of the games that have garnered multiple Game of the Year awards as well as others. Is it even better than Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, or worse?
Storyline
Nate returns in this game, as well as Sullivan and Elena.
The game begins after the events of the first game, and it is not a direct continuation. Harry Flynn and Chloe Frazer met Nathan Drake and told him that someone rich hired them to steal an artifact from a museum. Nate agrees when he saw what the artifact is, and went to museum to steal it. However, something unexpected happen in the museum, and Nate has to get to the treasure before his enemies, the Cintamani Stone.
As in the first game, the storyline is awesome, mixed with plenty of humour, seriousness, mysteries, and etc. This is well complemented by the excellent voice acting by the voice actors. When they joke about something, it is usually funny. When they talk about something serious, it is serious. There are also a few plot twists, but some people may expect them from the start, if they are used to Metal Gear Solid games crazy plot twists.
Every characters are instantly likeable, with awesome voice acting and characterisation. Each of them give life to the characters with good voice acting. Nolan North is notable, as he can be sarcastic, funny, serious, and awesome at the same time as Nathan Drake. The great voice acting along with great production values make this looks like a high budget Hollywood movie.
Gameplay
Gunfights are intense in this game. Use any cover to prevent yourself getting killed easily or to regain health during gunfights.
As in the first game, this game is a third person shooter with platform elements. Nate can equips a one handed weapon, a two handed weapon, and a stock of grenades. Handguns and sub machine guns are classified as one handed weapons, while AK-47 and sniper rifle are considered as two handed weapons. Nate can only holds up to 4 grenades, but this time, it is much more easier to throw one.
This time, you do not have to equip the grenades to throw them. You just simply aim the crosshairs, and press the grenade button to throw one. Simple as that.
You have two hot-keys for your one-handed weapon and two-handed weapon fixed to your Directional Buttons. This allows you to change weapon quickly according to the situation (not to mention there is no weapons menu). For example, you may want to quickly swap your weapon to a shotgun as there are a lot of enemies close to your position, and etc.
The enemies in this game are smart, and will often tries to flank you from different routes. Even if you use a cover to hide, that doesn't mean you are safe. They will try throwing grenades to you, and this is dangerous if you do not run.
Nate also can dodge using the Dodge/Cover button. This is useful to prevent your enemies target you easily, especially the snipers or Desert Eagles users.
Cover is important in this game to conserve your health as well as to regain health. Staying in one cover can be dangerous as they can just throw grenades to you, so keep moving in different cover areas to prevent yourself getting killed easily. If you see the screen is getting whiter, that means Nate is close to death. If you stay cover for a certain period of time, Nate will regain his health gradually, so remember this.
Nate often gets himself stuck at many undesirable situations, and this is just one of it.
The platforming in this game is similar as to the first game You can jump and grab on ledges, climb on walls, swing on ropes, etc. The only difference in both games thatt I noticed that is the slightly more responsive of Nate's jump, swing, and climb actions in Uncharted 2, which is a good thing for me.
Unlike many other games, Nate does not survive a crazy high jump like Desmond Miles from Assassin's Creed series (especially in AC: Brotherhood, where he can survive a ridiculously high jumps during his gameplay session), so you have to make sure every of his jumps are timed properly and there is something for Nate to grab on.
If Nate really dies out of jumping too high or other reaons, you have to restart to nearby checkpoints. There are a lot of checkpoints in this game, and most of it are conveniently placed to provide players more chances to attempt. This also applies when Nate and his friends need to fend off waves of enemies.
Melee combat is much better and intense. Just don't melee your enemies when there are a lot of armed soldiers chasing you.
Like the first game, you can take out your enemies using melee attacks. But this time, they can counter your melee attacks. To counter his counterattack, press the Counter button to counter his attack, and continue to pummel him using the Melee button. In harder difficulties, it is way harder to counter your enemy's melee attacks, and they can kill you easily if you are not concentrating their pattern of attacks.
Nate also can take out enemies stealthily by using the Melee button. However, to do this, the enemies must be not aware of your presence. Taking enemies down stealthily is sometimes a better alternative then just shoot your way out, as many other enemies will become much tougher with better weapons. This is also recommended to use in harder difficulties, such as Crushing! mode.
The puzzles in this game are creatively designed, and can be challenging. Worry not! Professor Drake has all the solutions in his small little book.
There are a number of puzzles scattered in this game. All puzzles are creatively designed and can be challenging. Like the first game, you can access to his small little diary that contains all the clues to solve the puzzles by pressing the Select button. There are also some things you can check on his diary, such as pictures of Sullivan with different moods. It is hilarious to see how Nate 'modified' his emotions.
Many levels are different. There is one chapter where you need to solve a puzzle to proceed, a chapter where you need to travel on a moving train, etc. The level designs in this game are simple awesome, and creative.
Uncharted 2's gameplay has improved beyond the first game. Better controls, better cover system, great action, etc. My minor complains are there are few bosses, and disappointing final boss fight. There are not many bosses in this game, but they are challenging. I only wish that there are more bosses to fight in the next Uncharted game. The last boss fight is rather disappointing. The tactic needed to defeat him is rather simple. The only thing you need to concern is to run while he is attacking.
Regardless of my own complaints, this game is awesome. I definitely agree that this game deserves Game of the Year awards, along with many other 2009 big hits, such as Batman: Arkham Asylum and Assassin's Creed II.
Storyline
Nate returns in this game, as well as Sullivan and Elena.
The game begins after the events of the first game, and it is not a direct continuation. Harry Flynn and Chloe Frazer met Nathan Drake and told him that someone rich hired them to steal an artifact from a museum. Nate agrees when he saw what the artifact is, and went to museum to steal it. However, something unexpected happen in the museum, and Nate has to get to the treasure before his enemies, the Cintamani Stone.
As in the first game, the storyline is awesome, mixed with plenty of humour, seriousness, mysteries, and etc. This is well complemented by the excellent voice acting by the voice actors. When they joke about something, it is usually funny. When they talk about something serious, it is serious. There are also a few plot twists, but some people may expect them from the start, if they are used to Metal Gear Solid games crazy plot twists.
Every characters are instantly likeable, with awesome voice acting and characterisation. Each of them give life to the characters with good voice acting. Nolan North is notable, as he can be sarcastic, funny, serious, and awesome at the same time as Nathan Drake. The great voice acting along with great production values make this looks like a high budget Hollywood movie.
Gameplay
Gunfights are intense in this game. Use any cover to prevent yourself getting killed easily or to regain health during gunfights.
As in the first game, this game is a third person shooter with platform elements. Nate can equips a one handed weapon, a two handed weapon, and a stock of grenades. Handguns and sub machine guns are classified as one handed weapons, while AK-47 and sniper rifle are considered as two handed weapons. Nate can only holds up to 4 grenades, but this time, it is much more easier to throw one.
This time, you do not have to equip the grenades to throw them. You just simply aim the crosshairs, and press the grenade button to throw one. Simple as that.
You have two hot-keys for your one-handed weapon and two-handed weapon fixed to your Directional Buttons. This allows you to change weapon quickly according to the situation (not to mention there is no weapons menu). For example, you may want to quickly swap your weapon to a shotgun as there are a lot of enemies close to your position, and etc.
The enemies in this game are smart, and will often tries to flank you from different routes. Even if you use a cover to hide, that doesn't mean you are safe. They will try throwing grenades to you, and this is dangerous if you do not run.
Nate also can dodge using the Dodge/Cover button. This is useful to prevent your enemies target you easily, especially the snipers or Desert Eagles users.
Cover is important in this game to conserve your health as well as to regain health. Staying in one cover can be dangerous as they can just throw grenades to you, so keep moving in different cover areas to prevent yourself getting killed easily. If you see the screen is getting whiter, that means Nate is close to death. If you stay cover for a certain period of time, Nate will regain his health gradually, so remember this.
Nate often gets himself stuck at many undesirable situations, and this is just one of it.
The platforming in this game is similar as to the first game You can jump and grab on ledges, climb on walls, swing on ropes, etc. The only difference in both games thatt I noticed that is the slightly more responsive of Nate's jump, swing, and climb actions in Uncharted 2, which is a good thing for me.
Unlike many other games, Nate does not survive a crazy high jump like Desmond Miles from Assassin's Creed series (especially in AC: Brotherhood, where he can survive a ridiculously high jumps during his gameplay session), so you have to make sure every of his jumps are timed properly and there is something for Nate to grab on.
If Nate really dies out of jumping too high or other reaons, you have to restart to nearby checkpoints. There are a lot of checkpoints in this game, and most of it are conveniently placed to provide players more chances to attempt. This also applies when Nate and his friends need to fend off waves of enemies.
Melee combat is much better and intense. Just don't melee your enemies when there are a lot of armed soldiers chasing you.
Like the first game, you can take out your enemies using melee attacks. But this time, they can counter your melee attacks. To counter his counterattack, press the Counter button to counter his attack, and continue to pummel him using the Melee button. In harder difficulties, it is way harder to counter your enemy's melee attacks, and they can kill you easily if you are not concentrating their pattern of attacks.
Nate also can take out enemies stealthily by using the Melee button. However, to do this, the enemies must be not aware of your presence. Taking enemies down stealthily is sometimes a better alternative then just shoot your way out, as many other enemies will become much tougher with better weapons. This is also recommended to use in harder difficulties, such as Crushing! mode.
The puzzles in this game are creatively designed, and can be challenging. Worry not! Professor Drake has all the solutions in his small little book.
There are a number of puzzles scattered in this game. All puzzles are creatively designed and can be challenging. Like the first game, you can access to his small little diary that contains all the clues to solve the puzzles by pressing the Select button. There are also some things you can check on his diary, such as pictures of Sullivan with different moods. It is hilarious to see how Nate 'modified' his emotions.
Many levels are different. There is one chapter where you need to solve a puzzle to proceed, a chapter where you need to travel on a moving train, etc. The level designs in this game are simple awesome, and creative.
Uncharted 2's gameplay has improved beyond the first game. Better controls, better cover system, great action, etc. My minor complains are there are few bosses, and disappointing final boss fight. There are not many bosses in this game, but they are challenging. I only wish that there are more bosses to fight in the next Uncharted game. The last boss fight is rather disappointing. The tactic needed to defeat him is rather simple. The only thing you need to concern is to run while he is attacking.
Regardless of my own complaints, this game is awesome. I definitely agree that this game deserves Game of the Year awards, along with many other 2009 big hits, such as Batman: Arkham Asylum and Assassin's Creed II.
