Uncharted 2: Among Thieves begins with wounded hero Nathan Drake hanging on for dear life off a train on a cliff somewhere in the Himalayas. As he fights for survival, the train is fast deteriorating and 'Nate' must summon every ounce of strength he has left to make it out in one piece. And really, that's the epitome of this PS3 exclusive: Pure, edge of your seat action you wouldn't be hard pressed to find in your run of the mill summer blockbuster film.
That's not to say that the tag 'Run of the mill summer blockbuster film' isn't a bad thing though. Because Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is really an amazing game.
As the game flashes backwards to four months before the aforementioned scene, the player really gets the feeling that they are watching a movie. No stilted dialogue or bad voice acting heard in other games, it's clear that there's been an effort made to really engage the player, through the smooth and believable banter of Nate as he discusses with fellow treasure hunters Harry Flynn and Chloe Frazer about the legend of Marco Polo and his fleet. As the game progresses, there is never a feeling that these characters were programmed to say their lines, but rather they are true, experienced actors. As an example, Nate and Harry attempt to break into an Istanbul museum and steal an oil lamp that can reveal the secrets of Marco Polo's fleet, they continually exchange lines that bring a smile to the face of the player, because the deliverance is so natural, and as a result, really brings the experience alive.
When all is said and done, it's amazing to be reminded that Uncharted 2 is still a game, and a damn good one at that. Even if the effort hadn't been strong in the acting department (ok I'll stop harping on about it), gameplay is balanced superbly. The player never gets the feeling that a particular section is dragging on, because of how well paced the game is. When climbing the buildings and street signs of Nepal starts to feel samey, a large shoot out involving a whole heap of cover and gas containers (Naughty Dogs version of red barrels) will be thrust upon the player. When running between cover, engaging in a fist fight and finishing off the stragglers with a well paced grenade starts to grind on the nerves, it'll throw up a puzzle that might induce some head scratching/chin stroking, but won't bring the game to an utter halt.
However, it's the action that really elevates Uncharted 2 to classic gaming status. As Nate, you'll be thrown into a variety of locales and scenarios that ultimately, make the gamer's jaw drop. Take the scene where the player is chased by an SUV down the streets of Nepal, as he attempts to gun it down, while the camera is perfectly positioned in front of Nate to give that element of a life threatening chase. Or the train sequence, in which a helicopter continually pursues Nate, firing wave after wave of rockets...until he gains access to a turret and the odds are evened up. It's hard not to spoil the other sequences, because each one is crafted with one aim in mind: to wow the player. And it definitely succeeds. Cover shooting is also well designed here, as Nate can easily slip in and out of cover, as well as move from cover to cover through the intuitive system, in which a simple lean of the stick and circle is required. The only gripe here is that some enemies seem a bit tough, and often require a whole heap of ammo to take down. That coupled with some big shotgun wielding henchmen who have the ability to take Drake out in a few hits, can induce some frustrating moments. However it's lost in the big picture, and ultimately, the action sequences are really a treat, and in the end it really achieves that status of 'summer blockbuster film'.
'Run of the mill summer blockbuster film' is what makes Uncharted 2 so unique though. It’s the perfect antithesis for this game, because it is littered to the core with all the elements that make up a 'summer blockbuster film', but also what makes the game so unique. You've got your explosions, your breathtaking scenery and your wisecracking, likeable hero. More importantly, you've got your great dialogue and your amazing voice acting, which brings alive the experience of Uncharted 2. So while it may be your 'Run of the mill summer blockbuster film', it certainly isn't your run of the mill action video game; it's actually one of the best games of the year.
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