Hands on: Is Uncharted 2 worth the wait?

(Credit: SCEA)

Making a game exclusively for a single console is a tricky proposition: it's hard to justify the multimillion-dollar budget required for a truly A-list product while limiting your potential audience to owners of only one of the three major living room consoles. Nevertheless, Microsoft has its well-regarded Halo and Gears of War games, Nintendo has a stable of famous franchises, and Sony has Uncharted (while still holding back on God of War and Gran Turismo for PlayStation 3).

Sony's Saturday matinee-style adventure was an early hit for the PS3, and its sequel has built tremendous buzz over the past year, based on carefully constructed sneak peeks and trailers. We've spent this past weekend playing Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (out October 13) in order to determine if it lives up to the hype.

The game is tremendous fun and the interactive equivalent of a big, over-the-top summer movie. It's an unashamed mix of influences from Indiana Jones to Tomb Raider, with antihero Nathan Drake playing a mix of treasure hunter and art thief. Drake is rakish and good-natured, so you don't really mind that he's essentially a hardened criminal.

This time around, Drake's pursuing ancient treasures plundered by Marco Polo, which should eventually lead to the mythical city of Shambala. Don't expect much more depth than that from the "Da Vinci Code"-like premise; the story and characters run the gamut from cliched to nonsensical, and no one ever seems to have a particularly well-thought-out reason for anything he does. At least the banter between characters and the voice acting is on par with a decent made-for-cable action movie, which may sound like faint praise, but is still a pretty high bar for most video games.

(Credit: SCEA)

It's to Uncharted 2's credit that the game is such an excellent overall entertainment product despite the lackadaisical storytelling. While it may not break any new ground (unlike, say, Scribblenauts), it's still the purest distillation of globe-trotting action/adventure we've seen in a long time. The incredibly high level of polish on everything from the scenery to the animation to the soundtrack draws the player in, creating a seamless experience that flows easily from set piece to set piece. Put simply: if you're looking for a reason to show off that PlayStation 3 console and massive HDTV, this is it. We'd be hard-pressed to think of a game that simply looks better.

Still, after several hours, a few minor flaws become obvious. The basic game mechanics haven't changed much from the original Uncharted; walk down a mostly linear path for a little while, keeping an eye out for clues or clambering over obstacles, then get involved in a firefight, requiring you to shoot back while crouching behind some crates. In the two years since the original game, the growing use of open-ended environments has made games more realistic; this feels more like a scripted amusement park ride. And many of these firefights go on for far too long, throwing wave after wave of generic foes at you in an effort to pad the running time.

(Credit: SCEA)

Also, stealth is seemingly a must-have feature for any serious modern action game (and a good idea for a guy in a T-shirt and jeans taking on an army of mercenaries), but it feels arbitrarily employed here--sometimes you're like a ninja, other times you'll get spotted through half a football field of dense foliage.

Despite those caveats, Uncharted 2 still richly deserves its spot on many gamers' must-have lists for the 2009 holiday season. From the brilliantly nail-biting opening sequence, set on a train car dangling over a frozen cliff (no, that's not a spoiler, it's depicted on the game's cover art), it's very hard to put down--something we've been able to say about only a handful of games this year.

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[thakash]

OMG, ***, uncharted 2 scored 100 on i guess 15 critic reviews, and reading ur article Dan, it seems like uncharted 2 is nothing but an avg. action/adventure game, did you even play the game? Why the hell cnet is so biased against sony, garbage, garbage, garbage

[Dan_Ackerman]

Really? I said it was "brilliant," entertaining," and, "very hard to put down." That sounds pretty positive to me...

[zmnatz]

Instead of looking at the scores. Why don't you read some of those reviews. The things that Dan pointed out as flaws were definitely pointed out by those other reviews. But they are minor flaws compared to the ultimate premise when reviewing a game, "Is this game fun?" The consensus there seems just like what Dan said in his take on the game.

[thakash]

well Dan, apart from the last 4 lines, i read this from your article, "not much depth, cliched to nonsensical, decent made-for-cable action movie, ackadaisical storytelling" and more, that doesn't sound positive to me.

[CnetWorks4Microsoft]

I've got to agree the article seems biased as usual. The author responded to your comment by quoting himself in order to lessen the sense of biase but he quoted himself out of context. "entertaining" should read "excellent overall entertainment product despite the lackadaisical storytelling" and "brilliant" was only used in reference to the opening sequence. This game is on my must have list and I hope that it is entertaining despite the fact that Dan has written an entire article listing it's flaws but is somehow trying to give that a positive spin.

[thakash]

@ zmnatz, i did read all the reviews and yes they did point out the minor flaws but nothing like this article, i mean this article only pointed towards flaws and nothing else.

[Renegade Knight]

@ thakash

A certain English Playright had these problems. Heck he invented most of them. Somehow people like his work. Sometimes things rise above the flaws. It's one reason marriage works as well. At least for the folks with enough wisdom to do that.

[porky247]

cnet favors apple more than anything else

[darcal123]

@thakash - Geeeez!! You sound like such an Uncharted fanboy I would think you actually had a hand in developing the game!! Why can't someone just produce an honest review?? God forbid he actually say something negative that ruins your perfect perception of the game, I mean c'mon!! Some of us don't want to hear nothing but positive takes in a review... we want an unbiased honest review.

[izmickey]

@darcal123
Isnt having an opinion biased? No such thing as having an UNBIASED review. either you like it or hate it. Dan doesnt seem to like it. The game is cliche, predictable and lackadaisical storytelling, but worth the wait? its like a dog chasing its tail, aint getting nowhere.

[darcal123]

@izmickey - Not true. This is a REVIEW not a PREVIEW meaning he's actually played the game meaning he's actually providing facts from the game. Sure, I can dwell on just the negatives he mentioned like you have and say "He obviously didn't like it"... but you act like he said absolutely nothing positive about the game!

[sav1981]

Sony really needs to start doing their part and help advertise this masterpiece of an adventure game so that all PS3 gamers can enjoy it.

[ace10134]

+1

[Ray180]

Unless Dan screamed in all capital letters UNCHARTED 2 IS THE MOST PERFECT GAME EVER MADE!! some Sony fanboy would come along to whine about it. Sounds like a pretty honest review to me and don't forget it's just ONE point of view. If you want nothing but the sugar coating, read the back of the game box. I look forward to hearing Joseph and Julie's impressions on a future Digital City.

[chrkeller]

Personally I loved the first Uncharted. It wasn't perfect, but quite enjoyable, so I am definitely getting this.

[sav1981]

I agree with you. Despite it's minor flaws, Uncharted is one heck of an enjoyable game. Uncharted 2 should be even better. This is one of the few games that I would gladly pay $59 for.

[Absolution2009]

I love the storyplot on these games, not sure what you mean by lackadaisal but this game is one of those that makes a gamer want to finish it in one sitting.

[grissomb]

Ya my only real issues with the 1st one were pointed out by Dan --- firefights go on too long, and not the best storytelling-- both easily overlooked because the game was otherwise fantastic :-)

(though maybe some adaptive gameplay would be nice...some of us aren't soo good with a jets ski)

[1812dave]

Geez people, lighten up! Dan characterized his caveats as "minor flaws" and had praise for the game.

His mention of issues that potential purchasers might want to know about is not a crime.

[playadel2001]

Damn, I have a PS3 as my only console but don't slam the guy for posting an honest review! I'd rather hear that that some unmitigated praise that sounds like a Sony press release. I read great reviews of Saints Row 2 that compared it favorably to GTA IV, but SR2 SUCKED.

[parallelrhymes]

LOL @ people getting mad that he pointed out the flaws of a game and then resort to calling him biased


I'm a firm believer that no game is a perfect 10/10, 100/100, 5/5...because every game has at least 1 flaw (we now know gaming scores as generalizations)...get over that ****

I'd rather hear (read) Dan pointing out the flaws before I spend 60 dollars on the game then have to find them all myself...I'd also rather read an article that points out flaws then one that dwells on how great a game is, okay we get it the graphics are good but damn how about the game play...wait what am I talking about I plan on buying the game and just leaving it on as a wallpaper for my HDTV, carry on.

[Mikeybabes]

Me too. Won't stop me getting the game, but you're right no game deserves 10/10. An unbiased unobjective review, that points out the flaws - that's what we want. And if you point them out, then maybe the developers will listen and take note for Unchartered 3!!

[chrkeller]

Also I feel like I am one of the few that doesn't want ever game to be open. I have no problems and sometimes prefer linear games. I personally don't see how being linear can be considered a flaw.

[nYtrus112]

OMG...you took the words right out of my mouth. What in the hell is wrong with a linear game???? Does that somehow make the game less fun??? Not everyone is craving a Gran Theft Auto or Infamous...heck, I HATE games that open. They feel detached and I'm too easily distracted from the things in the game that can actually make me feel like I'm accomplishing something. That's just me. How successful have these "open" games been compared to some of the linear titles of our time? (hint: Super Mario bros. franchise)

[RockaTech]

I personally don't like linear games because the story isn't that great for most games. But there are exceptions like Zelda Ocarina of Time which was AMAZING and after playing that as a kid everything else seems lackluster. Until Shadow of Colossus came out for ps2. That has to be one of the best linear games behind Ocarina of Time. But I rather play a game like Fallout 3 then many of these boring linear games that are being pumped out constantly with no multiplayer. Its good to see at least Uncharted 2 has a mulitplayer mode, now if I only had a ps3

[chrkeller]

I don't have a problem with people preferring open games over linear, however being linear is no more a flaw than being open is. I feel linear games are far more exciting and offer a lot more tension. Games like God of War, Resident Evil 5 and Dead Space all have an exceptional sense of atmosphere because they can script important scenes, while open games are missing something given it can't be scripted. I enjoy both, neither are flaws.

[Atari05]

I giggle when I see things like , "The basic game mechanics haven't changed much from the original"
stated as "flaws". Why is keeping original control schema that bad? Especially if it worked??!!!!

I think Dan overall wrote a good article for uncharted 2. One mans 100 or 5 out of 5 might only be a 4 or a 90 for another. Its all subjective!

[Shinobi2099]

I'll take this article with a grain of salt. It's is kind of negative but I'll let it go... this time... But it is a really great game. They need to make an Uncharted bundle pack... Pleeaaase Sony?

[DEVILSxxxFLAME]

This article is pathetic. Dan really goes out of his ways to elaborate on the flaws while undermining the accomplishments. You get the impression, from reading this article, that this game is only sligtly better than any other average game. Maybe if this game were a Mac exclusive the tone would change.

[Real Dufour]

There's two type of reviews...

One that will nitpick on all the negatives for 5 chapters, finish with a great line so they still look good, and don't even give the game a rating (too risky? or too obvious?).

The other will highlight all the great things about a game, finish with all the little flaws (so the reader knows where they are), and usually will give some sort of rating of the game

I do prefer to receive the flowers first rather than the pot. I think most people do!

[Parapraxis]

"Still, after several hours, a few minor flaws become obvious. The basic game mechanics haven't changed much from the original Gears of War ; walk down a mostly linear path for a little while, keeping an eye out for clues or clambering over obstacles, then get involved in a firefight, requiring you to shoot back while crouching behind some crates. In the two years since the original game, the growing use of open-ended environments has made games more realistic; this feels more like a scripted amusement park ride. And many of these firefights go on for far too long, throwing wave after wave of generic foes at you in an effort to pad the running time."

Sounds about right.
And seriously.
"Making a game exclusively for a single console is a tricky proposition: it's hard to justify the multimillion-dollar budget required for a truly A-list product while limiting your potential audience to owners of only one of the three major living room consoles"
Can be said of ANY exclusive.

Why wasn't there an article about whether or not Gears or HALO lived up to the hype with the same slant?

[Absolution2009]

I have to agree. Despite the author posting that the game is brilliant on reviews, he gave his viewpoint taht sounded really biased. Still, people are free of opinion but the way you wrote it is what people are yelling about I think but hey, everyoen has their own opinion. Shouldnt' get too detailed into his opinion, it's what you feel the game will be like and worht the wait. Me? I hella think so.

[Gadget70]

because Gears and Halo both lived up to the hype.

[bplewis24]

If you think Gears and Halo lived up to the hype, you're probably delusional.

[Gadget70]

Gears of War - 2.1 million units sold 1st day
Halo 3 video game set an opening-day US sales record of $US170m ($194m), outdoing any video game or movie debut.
Delusional? Talk about an epic fail of a comment. At least I can back up my comments instead of spewing randomness.

[Gadget70]

and Halo 3 as of March 2009 has had more than 1 billion online matches. I wonder why all these delusional people are playing a crappy game like Halo 3?

[Parapraxis]

Gadget70,
Play games...not sales.
Wii Play sold far more than both Gears and Halo, therefore it must be a better game huh?

You fail.

[Parapraxis]

Wii Play.
Best game ever then?

[Gadget70]

@parapraxis; Ok good point. Sales do not make a great game. Why have there been over a billion online matches for Halo 3? Because people love it and it lives up to the hype.

[Gadget70]

and that parapraxis is why by your own standards "play games", Halo rules all.

[make_or_break]

Geez...I never would've thought...did Sony's past dismal profit reports do all of this to you? There are some seriously damaged Sony fanbabies here. Seriously, seek well-guided treatment and therapy; it just might lessen your dependence upon needing to superficially pump up the image of Sony in order to justify up your own self worth.

[Rod Roddy]

@ CnetWorks4Microsoft , judging on the GINORMOUS ad plastered on the CNET home page, I think it's safe to say they work for Apple as well. ;-)

[douggdangger]

PS3 fanboys are like Obama supporters.

They can't take criticism.

[kewell82]

Wow, I thought the same thing about Apple fanboys.

[MastrCake]

Hey now, I'm a PS3 fanboy AND an Obama supporter, yet I can take criticism.

What does that make me? Part of a very small minority?

[whoadude1]

Let me answer his Headline question in 2 words...... "Hell NO"....any title on a ps3...aka...Play Beyond, is NEVER worth the wait unless ya get it for free like the famous PSN. and that we know isnt worth any wait. keep it simple....just rename it the PS3....Play Behind!!!!!

[ArsFragica]

360 & Halo ODST just purely fails against Uncharted 2 & PS3

[itchy18]

how about try playing the demo and see for yourself if this game is a must buy or not. I'm really enjoying the demo right now(lvl 42) and it's a day one for me.

[nYtrus112]

Hmmmm....I dunno. I thought the review was pretty decent. I mean, NONE of us have actually PLAYED this game yet, except for Dan right? And for me, it sounds alot like what someone would say in a review about the first Uncharted. I don't think Dan was being biassed....I just think he's a little overly picky in this review. The game is what it is. It's loads of fun and beautiful to look at, with tasks/puzzles which are easy yet fulfilling enough to keep you playing to the end. That's what makes Uncharted as a franchise a winner. Not deep, mature screenplay or wide-open worlds (like certain games where a man shoots electricity out of his body - NOT my style at all).

Bottom line is that even with all these so-called "flaws", the game is still worth the full scores it's been granted by critics (I bet). It's not a movie or screenplay or documentary. it is what it is...a great GAME...got that? GAME! Mine's reserved! ;-)

Just my 2 cents.

[solid-snake1975]

How about we all play the game and then come back and tell Dan how right/wrong he was? Sounds better than arguing about a game the general public hasn't played yet. Besides if it was from the makers of Gears or Halo Dan wouldn't have to play it, he'd just write a review giving it the first 11/10 and call it a day, saying things like " Videogame Perfection" or "Microsoft did it again!" or "Wow eventhough this game is short and repetitive, and kinda clunky with unrealistic characters I loved Gears...I mean Uncharted 2."

[nYtrus112]

Muahahahahahahahahah....oh crap. Well you're right dude...we should wait and play it and see what is what. In fact I kinda wish Dan had waited til it was out for a day or two before posting this article. But CNET has a way of encouraging discussion/reviews/ratings from the public on merchandise that they CAN'T/DON'T have in their hands as yet...which is in some ways good, and in some, NOTSOGOOD! I'll come back in 2 weeks.