by Ryan Henson

Created on: November 07, 2009

Game Rating: 9/10

There have been some good Playstation 3 exclusive titles, but "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" finally gives PS3 owners what they have been waiting for. An exclusive title that will leave all the other gaming platforms drooling. The developers of the game set out to create a visual experience that rivals big-budget Hollywood action-adventure movies, and casts you in the lead role, taking care of all the swash-buckling and death-defying escapes. The result is a gaming event that should be a dream come true for the popcorn-movie fan in all of us.

The story is fleshed out well, even if it is a bit campy You fill the shoes of Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter/explorer who loves money, trouble, and snarky one-liners. You are on a quest to find a gem stone of mythical power, and what stands in your way is a lot of "National Treasure"-style historical mystery and some obligatory European criminal masterminds, You travel through various exotic locales, such as snowy Himilayan peaks, and huge, cavernous ancient Buddhist temples adorned with giant looming monuments, created with gorgeous detail and faithful to traditional Buddhist art. The scenery and settings in the game never fail to be jaw-dropping in detail and size.

The gameplay is an equal mix of platforming and shooting. The platforming controls are very simple and intuitive. You rely mainly on a one-button control system to get around. All you have to do is lean drake towards the next ledge or handhold and press the X button. This simplicity allows you to navigate the most treacherous terrain with cat-like agility. The combat controls are a little more complicated, but easy to get used to. Combat is mostly cover-based, pressing the circle button to stick to corners or boxes, and leaning out to shoot. There is a nice variety of enemy types that help to keep combat fresh, along with a simple hand-to-hand combat system that flows well.

The highlights of the game-play are some brilliantly staged chase sequences. What seems to start out as an ordinary gunfight can take immediate, dramatic turns. A tank may bust through a wall, sending you scurrying between narrow alley-ways and buildings in a cat and mouse chase as you look for an RPG. In another instance you have to dodge gunmen, low overpasses, and helicopter fire as you make your way from car to car on a moving train. Dring key moments the camera angle pans and swoops to pick up the action, adding to the visual impact. The immediacy of the way these sequences develop gives the game a kinetic energy that keeps you engaged in the game and on-guard.

There are some minor negatives in the game. For one, the average enemy takes an enormous amount of bullets to drop, which cuts in to the reality of the game a little bit. Also, the climbable areas of buildings and walls aren't always apparent, resulting in a lot of trial and error leaps to your death. These are minor annoyances, however.

The on-line mode of the game is solid but not a stand-out. The ability to climb most surfaces adds a fun dimension to combat, and you can gain special abilities and perks as you gain online experience points. however, there are a variety of drawbacks that keep it from being entertaining for long. The matchmaking system is very limited and slow; hit detection in the game is not very good; and there is a small selection of maps and weapons.

Bottom Line: Though the on-line mode leaves a lot to be desired, Uncharted 2 is nearly perfect as a story-driven, cinematic, single-player experience. Visually stunning and fast-paced, this exclusive title gives PS3 owners something to gloat about.

Learn more about this author, Ryan Henson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.