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Breaking down the multiplayer in 'Uncharted 2'

Review: Sony strikes gold with 'Uncharted 2'

By Brett Molina, USA TODAY
Updated

Just as the PlayStation 3 greets a long-awaited price cut, the console now welcomes what might be its best game. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves blends intense third-person combat and exhilarating exploration to create a seemingly unmatched action adventure for the PS3.

Uncharted 2 follows the exploits Nathan Drake, a brazen treasure hunter who teams up with a pair of mercenaries to search for fortunes tied to the lost fleets of explorer Marco Polo.

As Drake digs deeper, he learns Marco Polo embarked on a secret trip to find the mythical kingdom of Shambhala and a wish-fulfilling jewel known as the Cintamani Stone. What Nate also discovers is mercenaries Flynn and Chloe are working for fugitive war criminal Zoran Lazarevic, who also desperately seeks the path to Shambhala.

Developers Naughty Dog have not only delivered a gripping action story, but a cast of characters that are quite fascinating. Watching Nate transform from a cocky treasure hunter to reluctant action hero is entertaining. This action hero even has love interests to juggle, between fellow thief Chloe and investigative reporter Elena, his companion from the first Uncharted.

For an action experience, the dialogue is sharp and comical, delivered through cut scenes and conversations Drake will spark during the game. Drake isn't afraid to display his sense of humor even in the most tense situation, as demonstrated by a conversation with Flynn as they climb across a series of menacing temple statues. "Hey, this one looks like your mom," Drake snidely remarks.

The first Uncharted drew comparisons to titles such as Tomb Raider and Gears of War for its environmental traversal and cover-based combat. Uncharted 2 follows the same formula, but the action feels much more epic this time around. In many instances, the story is reminiscent of action films such as Indiana Jones and even Die Hard with its nailbiting action sequences.

Visuals play a big role in elevating the experience. The breathtaking mountain environments and ornate temples feel gigantic. Dilapidated downtown areas in Nepal feature crumbling structures where clouds of dust shoot up as rubble tumbles to the ground. Uncharted 2 is arguably the best looking game of this console cycle.

Naughty Dog also does a fantastic job of keeping things unpredictable. Uncharted 2 packs a ton of "action film" moments, such as Nate speeding up a bridge that's falling apart or clinging to a ledge ready to break. The game often plants doubt about whether Nate can make a certain jump or escape another harrowing scenario.

The platforming sections often include enormous environments to climb as well as steep drops to ramp up the tension. Varying camera shots taken from clever angles give these dangerous traversals more impact.

The combat remains explosive but adds refinements that fix issues from the first Uncharted. Headshots are easier to pull off, taking down enemies quicker. Drake also adds a stealth melee attack to his arsenal, allowing him to quietly take down unsuspecting enemies.

Since most foes now wear armor instead of a simple undershirt, it's more believable to watch Drake firing a few rounds into an enemy before he drops. The pacing of the combat sequences are thrilling, but there are a couple minor flaws. Dodge and cover are mapped to the same button, so there are times players will want to perform one action and will do another. Also, computer-controlled enemies don't seem very afraid of grenades, because they walk across live ones pretty often.

Uncharted 2 marks the franchise debut of multiplayer, a surprisingly robust option. The mode borrows from a variety of popular online shooters, including Call of Duty 4, Killzone 2 and Halo.

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The game features seven maps with match options such as Deathmatch, Survival and Turf War. Uncharted 2 also adds a cool Machinima mode where players can create and record their own sequences and share them with others, much like Theater mode in Halo 3.

As players notch points during matches, they'll earn cash used toward purchasing skill boosters, new characters and other perks. Players also gain experience points to boost their skill level.

What makes Uncharted 2's multiplayer unique is the ability to quickly navigate the environment and use cover in fresh ways, such as hanging off a ledge while firing with a pistol.

Uncharted 2 also adds cooperative play with its own "mini-story" that up to three players can join together. Players can purchase perks with money earned in the game to help them through the tougher difficulties.

Naughty Dog seems to have hit the jackpot with Nathan Drake's latest adventure. Not only is Uncharted 2 the crown jewel of the PS3's first-party lineup, but it's a clear-cut contender for game of the year.

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog
Platform(s): PlayStation 3
Price: $59.99
Score: 4 stars out of 4

By Brett Molina

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