• 26Nov 09

  Uncharted 2 Review

  Welcome to my first review blog. Long read, sorry
  
  
  
  
  
  Naughty Dog's 2007 release of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was a game that took a lot of concepts from other notable games to deliver a quality campaign in it's first outing. Two years later we have the direct sequal Uncharted 2: Among Thieves as treasure hunter extraordinaire Nathan Drake is on another adventure; this time in search of the Cintamani Stone and Shambhala. Like the previous game Uncharted 2 won't bring anything ground breaking to gaming or the genre, what it does bring is an exceptional campaign and polished gameplay.
  
  The first game was easily described as Gears of War mixed with Tomb Raider, with the narrative taking a lot of the aspect from major mainstream adventure films such as Indiana Jones. The sequal sticks to this general concept all the while maintaining it's own charm. The story itself while initially predictable does have enough twists and exciting moments to keep the player going until the end. The cast of characters may fit a good chunk of film cliches, but the voice acting is done so well that you'll hardly complain about the characters. In fact you'll probably begin to love and enjoy the characters and charm of the game due to a well done script that makes most of the dialogue(while sure at times cheesy) natural and amusing to keep the players interest.
  
  Like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Among Thieves has a nice gameplay mix of platforming, intense gun fights, and from time to time some puzzles in between. This time by though Naughty Dog took the gameplay philosophy of the original and really cranked it up in multiple different areas. The most significant improvement to the core gameplay is the tighter gunplay and feedback. The original suffered from forcing the player to use too many bullets on enemies, and the general aiming wasn't as precise as other third person action games on the market. This time by the game not only offers a gunplay that is more precise, but provides proper feedback for each hit on an enemy. This coupled with better controls for throwing grenades, and a larger arsenal of weapons only amplifies the improvement to the core action of Uncharted 2.
  
  The gunplay is matched with more elaborate set pieces and combat scenarios taht really take advantage of the gunplay improvements. You'll fight a numorous amount of enemies, in all types of environments. From the war torn streets of Nepal, inside a collapsing building, a confined speeding train to a chilling snow covered mountain in the middle of a blizzard. Not to mention one of the most beautiful environments in gaming.
  
  
  
  While majority of the game is extremely linear and usually forces the gamer to play a certain way for specific moments. There are situations where the player is given a few more options than just what the developer dictates. You can do certain enivornments the usual guns blazing route, or you can use the platforming/climbing abilities of Drake to take up higher ground so you can force all the enemies to funnel in through one area.
  
  Another tactic is to take a more stealthy approach. If done right you can turn some of the larger firefights of the game to a much more controlled and simple scenario if you can methodically take out all the enemies in an area without being noticed. For the most part the stealth mechanics of the game work just fine, although the enemy AI could be sharper at certain moments(especially an early mission that is entirely stealth). The cover system could also use some better lean and attack options but overall it is designed well enough to be a successful tactic.
  
  The final piece of the action is the melee system from the original. It's still more flashy, than something elaborate and in general finishes the job in a few button presses. Although this time there are more environment oriented melee attacks that provide potentially quicker finishes if timed right, or positioned right. The melee still comes at the expense of leaving yourself wide open to the surrounding enemies, which is a nice way to make sure the melee isn't an overpowered safety crutch for the player.
  
  The platforming,climbing, swinging mechanics from the original are all back and for better or for worse work the same way. The controls are tight enough to not be an issue, and the camera is hardly an issue like it is in other games of the same genre. The issue here might be that the game is too direct/linear with what you are allowed to climb and traverse to move forward. There are points in the game where the surrounding area could legitimately provide mutliple paths for the player, or providing mutliple areas that one could use as a strategic vantage point against the enemies. This can be frustrating as times, as sometimes it's not exactly clear what you can climb and what you can't. As a good chunk of the same types of surfaces that were allowed to be climbed in earlier portions of the game, won't be allowed in later scenarios.
  
  
  
  The other area that might be a concern to some is the puzzles of Uncharted 2. Like the original they still aren't very difficult, but this time they also don't play as large of a role. The few puzzles that are in the game are elaborate enough to be interesting. However, the lack of challenge and how they are used in a more spread out procedure this time by breaks up the pacing from the rest of the gameplay experience.
  
  The presentation and narrative in Uncharted 2 is amazing. Simply stunning graphics from a technological standpoint. From the animations, to the rich detail to the environments, to little things like an impressive draw distance, water effects, the way the snow reacts to your movements. There is a ton of attention to detail when it comes to the visual department of Uncharted 2. It's also awesome that the art work of the game is as impressive if not more than the technological aspects of the game because it really helps the game's environemnt come off as simply stunning. The audio work is also very good, from good voice acting, to a catch theme, to a thunderous musical score that brings in the punch at all the right times. Uncharted 2's campaign is a complete beast when it comes to the presentation area.
  
  The narrative itself is very hollywood popcorn flick. However in this case I'd have to argue for the game and say it isn't a negative. If anything Uncharted 2 embraces what it is, and doesn't try to be something that takes itself too seriously or beat in a message when it isn't trying to make one. It is light hearted fun, intense action, witty one liners, and a non stop thrill ride from start to finish.
  
  
  
  Overall the campaign to Uncharted 2 is exceptionally paced, from one thrilling set piece to another. It provides something that is filled with intense action, and designed well enough to be replayable for multiple playthroughs. The end game boss fight is a letdown for the most part, but the 8-10 hours of gameplay before that boss fight are exceptional and simply amazing. For completionists there is the option to play it on harder difficulties(hard and the far more difficult crushing difficulty) and hidden treasure chests that can be used to unlock skins, cheats, developer diaries and other extras.
  
  When you're done with the campaign there is the multiplayer experience which is surprisingly addictive and very good. It plays a lot like other third person shooters(like gears of war) but Uncharted's platforming elements provide a new layer of strategy to and vertical gameplay that changes the pace for Uncharted 2's competitive multiplayer from the other games in the genre. All the maps are designed very well and generally provide the same type of layout for both teams on each side(with a few exceptions in between).
  
  Each player starts with an AK-47 with the ability to pick up more powerful and better weapons across the map from a shotgun, sniper rifle, to something more heavy like a chain gun, grenade launcher, or the usual suspect a rocket launcher. While the AK-47 isn't the strongest weapon, and while it lacks the range of the FAL or the speed/power of the M4 it is good enough to be a productive weapon that won't make the player feel handcuffed from the get go.
  
  The game has enough game modes to keep players playing for months. All of them are team oriented in 5 versus 5 action. The different game modes cover gametypes such as King of the Hill, Uncharted's version of Capture the Flag, elimination(deatmatch with no respawns), and a territory control type game mode. No one map comes off as a bad map for either game mode, and the maps are diverse enough in design to provide an edge for a different sty-le of player on each map. There might be some balancing issues as some of the perks may provide a major advantage for players who have played the game long enough. One such example is the aim down the irons perk which improves accuracy for players who aim down the sights. This can put those under the level 16 at a disadvantage until they to can use the same perk. While only a few perks really enter major game changing territory it is enough of an issue to cause a lack of balance.
  
  
  
  The matchmaking system is very good although it is slow at times. Host dropping out isn't much of an issue, as the game has a smooth host migration that just resets all the players from the initial starting position(scores will stay the same). There is also the cinema mode for those that would like to save footage of there best moments, or would like to review there matches to see what they are doing wrong, or what they are doign right. All in all the multiplayer is design very well, and provides enough of an incentive or it's community to play months after the initial hype wears down.
  
  The cooperative is a mixed bag, but provides a solid experience overall. It allows up to 3 players to do either an objective bases coop mission or a survival mode. The coop objective missions are basically a lot of the scenarios you see in the single player campaign, but now you have 2 allies. They are however more focuses for coop and for the most part do not show a drop off in difficulty just because of the additional players. Plus the heavy enemies that came in the later portions of these levels are menacing enough to make sure victory isn't an easy task.
  
  
  
  Survival is fun for the most part, but unfortunantly doesn't hold up to superior modes like say a FireFight, Terrorist Hunt, Horde, etc that is found in other games. Although there is the nice addition of being able to buy upgrades for your cooperative weapons with the money you earn while playing the campaign/cooperative/competitive modes of Uncharted 2. These upgrades can improve accuracy, damage, or range of your weapon and can make passing the cooperative objectives or survival a much easier task.
  
  Uncharted 2: Among Thieves isn't a game that will revolutionize it's genre. It isn't a game that takes existing game design and improves in a dramatic fashion. What it does do is take a lot of the best designs in gaming and puts it together into one exceptionally good package. The campaign is intense, tightly paced, thrilling, and brilliantly designed from start to finish. The narrative is charming, cheesy at times, and provides a lot of the same joy you can get from a summer popcorn flick.The competitive multiplayer is addictive and designed for a long haul, and the coop is good enough to be worth some play time. If you enjoy third person action games or love adventure films like Indiana Jones than this is a must buy game.
  
  

  • Posted Nov 26, 2009 7:30 pm GMT
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• 13Nov 09

  WHAT IS LOVE, baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me..no more.

  THEME
  
  Those of you that don't head bob to that song, you suck. Click the link and you'll understand
  
  LINK
  
  
  
  

  1- REVIEWS

  
  Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots- 9.0
  
  Assassin's Creed- 8.0
  
  Please take a look if you have some free time, comment on some things if you would like. From now on all my future reviews will be done through the blog.
  
  My next review coming is Uncharted 2, followed by COD 4 and Modern Warfare 2. I might even avoid giving scores entirely. Scores are such a flawed concept to me that honestly I don't want to do scores.
  
  
  

  2- Grand Theft Auto 4 Retrospective
  

  
  
  
  Metacritic Score=98
  Gamerankings= 96.31
  Gamespot Score= 10
  
  The reviews called the game something ambitious, deep, well designed, thought provoking, emotionally strong, exciting, etc.
  
  A quick look back I have to say they may have bought into the hype of the game. GTA 4 is a game that put an easy 60 hours into in my first(and only) playthrough of the single player campaign. I'd go as far as to argue it maybe one of the 10-20 best games of this generation depending on how you look at it. Unfortunantly GTA 4 is also one of those games that does as much wrong as it does right.
  
  The heart and soul of GTA 4 is Liberty City itself. The Parody, the satire, the atmosphere, the life that the city has is what makes the game so impressive. Very few game worlds have the life of a GTA 4, but even that is countered with how few activities there are in Liberty City. The Episodes help up on the activity department, but that doesn't necessarily really put this world where it needed to be. Compared to what the Saints Row franchise has done(A GTA Clone in every sense of the word) it just doesn't come off as impressive.
  
  The City itself lacks the sheer stupidity, wreckless fun, and ability to just go nuts that other GTA games had. Then there is the arguably the most over praised portion of GTA 4. The narrative. As satire it's brilliant to be quite honest, but overall story arch I'd say the game falls flat by the end. First majority of the game is just spent doing pointless crap that by the end of the game were meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The narrative was to cluttered overall, it needed more focus.
  
  The conclusion itself was just unsatisfying, and the "choices" were just too simple with similar consequences. Rockstar to me missed the ball on it. I plan on going over more when I do a review of it. The MP is fun at times, nothing special. Would I give GTA 4 a 10? NO, not at all. Would I argue that it's a great game though..Yes, yes I would.
  
  Gritty and realism in a GTA type game could and will work in my opinion. I applaud Rockstar for being ambitious with GTA 4 and not just doing what they did with 3, VC, and SA which really just did more of the same with steady natural progression. I thought GTA 4 switched the whole sty-le up. Now if GTA whatever the next game is can take the GTA 4 formula and fix alot of the flaws, and be mroe focused we could be in for some Sandbox Bliss.
  
  

  3- Call of Duty 4 Defense
  

  
  Oh yes, Organic-Machine(and Mitu) I said Defense.
  
  COD 4 has been ripped a new one for many things. It's generic(true to a degree), unbalanced(true), takes very little skill(true), is arguably inferior to COD 1(I'd argue it might be true), and hasn't changed the COD formula which has been around since Medal of Honor: Allied Assault(which yes, is also True).
  
  I on the other hand do not hate the game. I appreciate what it does well and what makes the game fun. (This might end up being reviewed so I'll try to keep it short).
  
  Campaign wise I would say major issues fall under, Respawning Enemies, Bad AI, poor overall narrative. That said while the gunplay is rather weak I have to say the bombarding you with enemies to make up for it works. I mean Call of Duty since day one has been about intensity and levels like Charlie Don't Surf, Warpig, GHillies in the Mist, One Shot, One Kill, etc are intense as you can get.
  
  Some would argue CODs campaign is too scripted(same people who like Half Life of all things) but then you have something like Halo 3 which is built around the concept of being as replayable as possible. Now that's all fine and dandy but if we were to judge each game on one playthroguh. Halo 3 comes off as anti-climactic and a let down. Where as COD 4 comes out as this intense thrill ride from start to finish.
  
  The game is polished, the mutliplayer had a lot of unlocakables, a lot of maps, good amount of different modes, and was just fun. Skill is something everyone is all raging over, yet I'd argue most of you suck anyway. If you want skill go play Raven SHield, Red Orchastra, Ghost Recon, Counterstrike or something.
  
  COD 4 isn't the ground breaker some people make it out to be or this epic FPS. It isn't even the best MP game out there. WHat it is though is a short but thrilling campaign packed in with a content loaded multiplayer that at the least is fun.
  
  I would also say that while MW2 improves upon the MP, it missed the ball when it came to the campaign.
  
  THat is neither here nor there though.
  
  What needs to be fixed in COD going into Modern Warfare 3(trey arch crap doesn't count)
  -Balance out the multiplayer. You fleshed out the parts that made COD 4 good, but you hardly fixed the flaws I-Ward
  -Intensity, you missed it in MW2.
  -Less scripted, it works for intensity and it makes certain missions memorable, but there needs to be a balance of scripted set pieces, and more organic gameplay in these games.
  -Make it feel like a war again, MW1 around the end started getting very Tom Clancy, and MW2 might as well have a Tom Clancy logo on top.
  -Gunplay. Dear Valve(half Life), Bungie(halo), and I-Ward(Call of Duty). Your gunplay sucks. Stop making it dog trash and fix it.
  
  Now for all the fine things you wanted me to talk about
  
  

  4- What you guys wanted me to talk about.
  

  
  A)- Megan Fox being Hot
  
  She is, but she has a fake tan. I don't like fake tans. Have you seen her with out it? she looks like a ghost. I don't bang ghosts.
  
  B) Never seen flight of the conchords
  
  C) Herpes...they suck....seriously burning crotch doesn't sound fun. Plus who wants a zit on their wang? you know what i'm saying that's kind of gross.
  
  D) Why is the world Flat?
  
  Because if it was round, than that means Antarcitica is is upside down, and come on now that's just not possible so obviously the world is flat
  
  E) Why do Birds have eyes?
  
  Because honestly they are the most useless animal next to a flamingo. They would be an annoying nightmare if they were blind. They aren't badass like bats, using soundwaves to see what is ahead of them. Birds are stupid. They are the deers of the sky.
  
  F) Fanboys= Morons. That about covers that
  
  G) Most beautiful Woman in the World. Liz
  
  H) Not sure...try harder next time Mistress Minako
  
  The overrated part is coming. just hold on.
  
  5) Mind of Champ
  
  This is going to be quick moments of things i just think about under pure randomness. You ever have that day at work when it's all boring and nothing to do? Well i have those days here and there while bartending or waiting tables. Things I think about are the following
  
  -I wonder if I can get Liz into a 3-way with blank
  -I wonder if it is possible for my customers to be anymore stupid
  -This lady is huge, she needs to jenny craig
  -lol at Diet Coke
  -Oh my god, MILF!!!
  -What if Zombies attacked right now...what would I do?
  
  This is but few of many quick and pointless thoughts i have in my head from time to time, kind of like "why the hell am I not drunk right now?"
  
  

  6- OVERRATED!!

  
  Ah yes everyone's favorite word to use when talking movies, tv, music, games, sports, or hell even food. Quite frankly I'll stick to the SW definition of it. Now first of all I'm not too fond of taking Reviews so seriously, you can't possible expect every review or even most reviews to be on point.
  
  We love complaining that certain games are overrated, that certain franchises aren't as good as they are made out to be. In some cases might be true, but most of it is usually subjective. Such and such game has an awful story, well very few games have good stories in the first place
  
  Such and such game is a rehash of the same genre, this rule applies to other genres as well. People love bagging shooters yet the highest rated RPG of the year in DragonAge is arguably a rehash of so many elements that have been in PC WRPGs for the past Two Decades
  
  The game takes no skill. So it doesn't matter if the game is fun? if it takes no skill it automatically sucks
  
  The game was hyp.....ok shut up right there. Listen to me. STOP FALLING FOR THE HYPE!!. Hype is exactly what it is. Hype. It can mislead, and promise something that no game can live up to. THose Halo 3 ads, not one videogame on the face of this planet offers the epicness that those commercials promise. NOT ONE.
  
  Overrated is a matter of perspective, you don't necessarily need to like Halo, Call of Duty, GTA, Half Life, Mario, Metroid, Zelda, what have you but your opinion hardly makes something overrated.
  
  Now am I guilty of this? ofcourse I am. That's the issue though, we like to rip a new one first before we think our thoughs through. The way it is used in most cases is just way too pretentious and way too subjective. For every one person that uses the word and makes a point, there is like 20 people who use it in a manner that hardly justifies the statement.
  
  So I'm not saying don't use the word, I'm saying if you are going to call a game overrated, make a point. Also don't contradict yourself by liking something, that has the same freaking flaws as something you just burned. Be willing to elaborate on your statement, and don't disregard another opinion(assuming it was told in a correct manor) just because you don't necessarily agree.
  
  Subjectively everything on the face of the planet could be overrated. Opinions are opinions and everyone is entitled to one. Just next time if you are going to use the word, make a damn point.
  
  Saying "Barbie's Horse Adventure is the most overrated game ever, it sucks" is not a point
  
  Make valid points.
  
  Don't just say it has a bad story, lots of games have bad stories. What makes this story exceptionally worse? or what makes the story so bad in the first place?
  
  Don't blame the game because you don't like the genre...that's just stupid. Just spamming the word is getting annoying, if you aren't going to stop using it atleast do it right.
  
  
  anyway I'm done for now. Enjoy your weekend
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Rundown
  
  1- Things that come to your mind when bored?
  2- Why do flamingos suck?
  3- Your current Game of the Year?
  4- Stupidest thing you did in the past week?
  5- Suggestion for nice chick of blog? I honestly couldn't think of one that hasn't been done yet.
  
  Random Fact- The 57 on heinz ketchup bottles represents the varieties of pickles the company once had.
  
  2009 Year of T1ts
  
  
  

  • Posted Nov 13, 2009 6:25 am GMT
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• 1Nov 09

  It's my blog, do I even need titles anymore?

  THEME

  Easily Eminem's best track, I was wanting to put up some Rakim or Raekwon, but this track came on and I felt it was too awesome to pass up.
  
  Happy Halloween oh by the way
  
  
  
  
  

  1- Shameless Promotion Yo

  
  Link
  
  Another podcast from Checkpointreached.com. This time, I'm on it as well. So give them some shoutouts. Also if you would like to have them to have some topics that interest you(videogame related, and not Ray's penis size) email them at
  
  checkpointreached@yahoo.com
  
  Keep a lookout for them, because I'm sure they are going to do another review podcast. One of the games is guaranteed to be Uncharted 2, the other one they haven't completely decided on yet. So come on show me some love, by showing them some love.
  
  Edit- They have the Uncharted 2 review up, Here is the link folks enjoy LINK
  
  
  

  2- Hercules and Xena
  

  
  So yes me and my girlfriend have found a new TV show to watch through netflix stream. Xena and Hercules, remember those shows?
  
  
  
  
  
  These shows were fantasy action/adventure shows based on Greek Mythology, but they have enough episodes that deal with lore of other religions, egyption myths. etc.
  
  Now most of this started with me wanting Liz to rock a Xena outfit for Halloween. Yes I do have a dirty dirty mind, and no the mission was a failure. On the bright side I got to watch shows that I enjoyed as a kid in a new light I guess.
  
  They have aged poorly, they really don't hold up against some of the modern shows because of how cheesy and limited some of the storylines are. WHat makes them awesome though is there cheesyness, how campy they are, and just how non-serious business they are. They are fun TV Shows.
  
  Not every show needs to be thought provoking or trying to evoke deeper emotions in every episode. This is my way of saying I would like a modern day show that isn't necessarily a remake of these shows(no please do not give me a new whored up version of Xena) but something that is as anti-serious and more about fun.
  
  Sadly these types of shows usually require higher budgets than most TV producers feel like shelling out money for.
  
  Oh well, atleast there is netflix and my hope for Halloween 2010....what did you honestly think I'm going to drop the Xena outfit idea? seriously?
  
  Oh and Kevin Smith was such a badass Ares. Oh and I don't got the long hair to rock a Hercules outfit, now if I could get a good deal on a wig, I'd rock it.
  
  

  3- World Series

  
  My Yankees are up 2-1 in the series. AJ Burnett rocked in game 2, and we got into a nice hitting groove in Game 3. Cliff Lee was a beast though in Game 1.
  
  Here comes Game 4 with CC on the mound, and no Cliff Lee in sight until Game 5. THIS IS A MUST ONE as far as I am concerned.
  
  

  4- Dexter Season 4 thoughts.
  

  
  I also started Watching Dexter Season 4 on Youtube, so I am caught up on every episode so far. My complaints are the ones everyone else is having the Leguerta/Angel angle is lame, Quinn and the reporter(she's so hot) are more annoying than interesting, Debra..seriously go DIE IN A FIRE
  
  I will say that I do not agree with the people who aren't fond of Rita. She honestly doesn't bother me, all her reactions are just natural stuff. I don't blame her, the writers just really haven't done anything interesting with Rita since season 1. Season 2 had the whole Lila/Drugs thing, and then Season 3 she got prego. Season 4 was just natural evolution of her into house wife who is getting annoyed with the Lies.
  
  Also IGN's reviewer is on something, the fact that they keep talking about the dark passanger as a member of the family is an issue to me. We the audience accept the dark passanger it's what makes us really like Dexter, but can we honestly expect Rita and her kids to accept that he's a murderer? I mean seriously.
  
  What is good about the season is the usual stuff. Dexter is still the freakin man, and the killer this season is much better than Miguel and other dude from last season. The show isn't going to dethrone Supernatural for my favorite show, but Dexter delivers for the most part each season.
  
  
  
  

  5- Exactly what I want to talk about ahead
  

  
  Well System Wars has hit some high levels of stupidity before, and trust me 2009 is no different. SO let me just breakdown the next blog.
  
  -Uncharted 2 review
  -A few other reviews
  -A look back at GTA 4 and MGS 4
  -Call of Duty 4, defense(yes I said defense,)
  -My sheer annoyance from the word overrated
  -Halo(yes Halo)
  -Expansions
  
  oh and since that blog sounds too serious. I'm adding a Mind of Champ section to that blog, and we can all take some guesses where that is going
  
  So yeah for something on a ligher note. Supermodel.

  Alina Puscau
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  and then we have Nina Mascunana, a recommendation by Kage. Most of her pics scream, hooch. So this would be one of my least favorite additions, but hey whatever.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Rundown
  
  1- What were you for Halloween?
  2- Favorite Halloween Candy?
  3- Topic you want my pretentious opinion on?
  4- Most annoying thing people argue over the internet(specific topic)?
  5- Hercules or Xena?
  
  Random Fact: The lifespan of a taste bud is ten days
  
  2009 Year of T1ts

  • Posted Nov 1, 2009 2:19 am GMT
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