VideoGame Definitely an Improvement
Having finished Uncharted 2 recently, I felt like writing a review in order to explain my feelings on the game. I played the first Uncharted late last year and it had some things going for it(good graphics, a decent story, and likable characters). However it also had a lot of flaws which included clunky controls, annoying QT Es and pretty forgettable villains. Also, the final boss fight was pretty underwhelming. Overall, I found the first Uncharted to be just okay. Not bad but not amazing either. When I bought Uncharted 2, I didn't know if I would like it or hate it. Needless to say, I definitely liked it. It's a fun game and one of the best games on the PS 3.
The graphics are still very good looking. It's hard to believe that this game was released in 2009. The graphics are clean and have a cinematic look to them. They definitely fit the type of game that this is. Every thing looks detailed and well done. Overall, the graphics look great.
The story, while not deep, is entertaining and I really liked experiencing it. The story deals with main character Nathan Drake along with his companions looking for the mystical city of Shambhala that was found by Marco Polo. They also fight an evil war criminal who's also looking for the city. Again, the story is not the most deep but I really did like playing through it. It had some pretty awesome moments and plenty of funny moments. I also really liked the ending. Playing through the story felt like I was watching a Summer Blockbuster movie. In general, it was fun and delightful.
The characters are also quite good. Nathan Drake is still a likable, charismatic protagonist and Elena and Sully (though he doesn't show up as much in this game as the first one)are great characters as well. I really like their dynamic with Drake. I also liked Chloe and thought that she was an interesting character due to her interactions with both the main characters and the villains. Speaking of the villains, both Lazarevic and Harry Flynn are much more interesting villains compared to the ones in the first game. They are definitely the type of villains you'll love to hate. The fact that I really wanted them taken down by Drake and company while liking every moment they were on screen shows how much better they are compared to the villains in the first game(I can't even remember the names of the villains in the first game). Overall, the characters were quite good.
Finally, the combat has improved from the first game. Playing Drake's Fortune, I felt like the controls were clunky and did not feel smooth. I also felt that the climbing wasn't all that good. Thankfully, the combat was a lot smoother and less clunky and the climbing feels a lot faster . Overall, the combat was a lot better.
As much I like gushing about this game, it still has some flaws. Namely, the final boss could've been better. The final boss is basically you running from Lazarevic while Shambhala crumbles.
Uncharted 2 is a good game despite that.
VideoGame What Do You Mean It Gets Better?
So, with all the praise I had for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, I felt like doing a marathon and share my thoughts on it's sequel, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Honestly, I think this game is even better. It ups the story, the stakes, the action, and the characters.
Nathan Drake is back and this time with his eyes set on a new treasure, the legendary Cintamani stone. However, he soon finds out that the stone is also being sought after by Zoran Lazarević, a Serbian war criminal and his army of mercenaries. From there, it's a race to see who will come on top.
Now, there are a lot of things that this game does better than the original. First, there's the levels. A good chunk of the first game mostly took place on an Uncharted island. Here, the game takes you all over the place, spanning different countries and land masses. One of the levels even takes place on a moving train, and that was awesome.
Next, of course, you have the characters. The game goes a lot deeper in developing Nathan Drake as a character. Even though he is a thief, he has a good heart and will always go out of his way to help someone in need. Plus, he almost always has something witty or entertaining to say. I just love the guy.
Elena Fisher and Victor Sullivan also return (although Sully only appears in one level), and they introduce us to several new characters as well. First, there's Chloe Fisher, a professional thief and sort-of professional treasure hunter. She's a bit more morally grey compared to Elena, creating something of a Betty and Veronica dynamic with Nate. Then there's Harry Flynn, another fellow treasure hunter and thief, except much like Chloe, he's more of a thief than an archeologist.
Then you have the villain. While I thought the first games antagonists were serviceable at best, Lazarević is the exact opposite. He's ruthless, he's cruel, he has an entire army at his disposal, and he admires the likes of Hitler, Gengis Khan and Stalin. Sure, there are a few moments of Bond Villain Stupidity with him, but it never really bothered me. Out of all the villains in the game, Lazarevic always came off as the most threatening and imposing.
Again, the game offers a lot of replayability, collecting artifacts, unlocking skins, game modes, etc. I absolutely love every part of this game and would happily play it again anytime.