The first Uncharted was a bit of a watershed game for me. It’s cinematic presentation and astronomical production values heralded a new era and it felt like the next generation of gaming had arrived. That said, for all the lush graphics and “performance captured” cut-scenes it wasn’t without its flaws – mainly repetition and a disjointed combination of gameplay elements.
The sequel has certainly upped the ante. The graphics are preposterously good – slick animation, gorgeous lighting effects and jaw dropping vistas that seem to go on for as far as the eyes can see. The cut scenes are brimming with character and really help drive the sprawling narrative without interrupting the action too much.
The juxtaposition of gunplay, platforming and, the newly introduced, stealth elements has been crafted to achieve a healthy balance with only the odd puzzle-based scene going against the flow. The stealth-based gameplay has been introduced in as an optional approach and can be seen as more of a “how far can you go before you’re spotted” challenge with only the introduction chapter requiring you “ace” it.
However, despite the new variety of approaches to certain situations this is still a very linear experience. A few of the larger scale gunfights allow you some room to manoeuvre but that is about as far as it goes.
That’s not to say your blinkered ride through the several gorgeous environments isn’t an absolutely bar-storming one! The set-pieces are among the best the genre has to offer, from infiltrating enemy camps to the highlight of the game that sees you clamber and fight your way along a moving train chock-full of terrorists, they are all executed with aplomb.
The only problem is that Naughty Dog seem to have put all the most inventive and memorable scenes throughout the first 75% of the game with the last quarter mainly consisting of long shootouts against copious numbers of enemies. These scenes can become a bit of a trudge and certainly get repetitive as having just slugged your way though a small army of heavily-armoured foes you turn the corner only to find another entrenched force of balaclava-wearing goons! Still, the gunplay is very solid and holds up regardless of scale or situation.
Probably the biggest addition to the Uncharted franchise is that of multiplayer and certainly with the robust fire-fight mechanics of the single player its set on firm foundations. The maps are suitably small (as they are limited to ten players) but the multi-storied layouts coupled with the characters’ climbing abilities certainly brings something different to the experience. Co-op mode sees a team of players conduct one of several linear missions which is maxed out with bad-guys. This can be very intense but rarely does it require any kind of teamwork bar reviving your partner(s).
The slightly underwhelming multiplayer and the less than stellar ending to the single player game don’t take away from what is surely a must-have title for anyone who’s fond of the odd ripping yarn perforated with as many fireworks as the current gen consoles can throw at you.
