Reviews

Better late than never...

Noel Clarke is a BAFTA Award-winning British actor best known for his appearances in TVs Doctor Who. What many people don't know, however, is that he's also an avid gamer. So when he offered to share his opinions with us on the year's biggest games, we jumped at the chance! First up, the year's biggest PS3 release...

So I’m shooting a movie and have hardly any time to do anything when Uncharted 2 arrives. Then the day I finish the film I’m on the game. Here’s what I thought...

Uncharted 2 sees Nathan Drake return to the gaming fore with Naughty Dog’s sequel to 2007’s Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

His latest journey sends you all across the middle-east and south-east Asia, to discover the lost city of Shambala/Shangri-La and a treasure known as the Chintamani Stone. The stone happens to be hunted by the villain of the piece, an ice-cold soldier called Laserevic and his private army who believes that with the stone comes ultimate power.

Mr lover lover

Our hero, Drake, is once again a reluctant one, swayed at first by the promise of treasure and adventure, but later turned by the sense of responsibility of stopping an ultimate evil. Along the way, he’s joined by the bawdy Sullivan, the tougher-than-she-looks Elena, and by a one-time lover, Chloe.

Let’s start with the looks of the game. Uncharted 2’s scenes range from lush forests in Borneo, to the war-torn streets of Nepal, to the glistening ice and snow of the Himalayas; at one point you actually become snow blinded, and all of this, amazingly without a hint of repetition.

The graphics are beautiful, expansive, and incredible detailed scenes regularly draw out, up and down to reveal vast backgrounds, monstrously tall heights to climb, and deep drops down cliff-sides. Drake’s adventure is truly epic. I’d say that the PS3’s graphical limits have been pushed by Uncharted 2. If they haven’t then god knows what else it can do. The sound hasn’t been ignored either, with emotional and sweeping orchestral pieces adding to the drama.

The gameplay of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is familiar, featuring controls that are easy to manage. Whilst not as gymnastic as his rival, Lara Croft, there is no doubting Drake’s athleticism as he springs between pillars, ledges and crumbling platforms.

Gunplay is also very satisfying with frantic changes between side-arms and main weapons, as well as scrambling for ammunition and grenades. A great addition here is the use of cover in firefights. Riot shields can be picked up and used, as well as corners and obstacles to hide behind; great detail has been put into this with moments like Drake sliding to low cover. My favourite sequence involved being chased by a tank around a small Nepalese village, scurrying for cover and fighting past dozens of soldiers. Your AI partners are all intelligent (a problem in other games) and a genuine asset in tight squeezes.

Tomb Raider meets CoD

The adventuring side of the game is subtle and forgiving, providing the player with several hints along the way about the correct path to choose. There is a very linear feel to the game, with one correct route through, but there is a genuinely huge pay-off at the end of each scene, with terrific cut-sequences which add to the storyline. Uncharted 2’s puzzles meanwhile are massive and require a genuine eye for detail and the use of Drake’s notebook where he records, scribbles and doodles.

The storyline is gripping, starting with a trainwreck on a mountain side and then going to flashback, before leading us to his current state. The script is lively, with banter and remarks all adding to the characters.

To wrap up, with its stunning visuals and score, massive set pieces, fun sense of adventure and gripping storyline, Uncharted 2 superbly surpasses the original. If Tomb raider had the thrill and excitement of call of duty modern warfare, you’d get and idea of how good this was. Who wants to make movies when you can play games?

GAME's Verdict

• One of the best games on any platform.
• Amazing look, feel and sound.
• Easy to get into – especially if you’ve played the first.

• Felt like I wanted more, could have done with more hours.
• Some voice acting could be a little better (I’m being fussy).
• Now I want a third game. Oh the wait!

Review by: Noel Clarke
Version Tested: PS3
Review Published: 05.11.09