Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Well, some of us here own both PS3 and 360. So, some are neutral.

I mean, MC is cool. He's just faceless. He's all mysterious. Fenix...is kinda like a JCVD character or something. Which is awesome, so whatever.

Drake's witty. Funny as hell. That's what wins me over about his character, I think.

 

[Mario_Galaxy]

See, this is why I wasn't going to bother saying that Drake was a far more interesting hero than those 2, because I knew I'd just get this dumb response.

Nathan Hale and Sev, there you go, 2 cardboard cut out PS3 heroes identical to Fenix and Cheif. At the same time, 360 has people like Commander Shepard, who's involved in an epic plot and acts like the player wants him to, making him a more unique hero.

Nathan Drake, is straight up, one of the better heroes in video gaming, he's a likeable guy for once. No one who has said this has meant it with any fanboyism whatsoever, he is completely different to "Space Marine 215541".

We're not being fanboys, we've all experienced Uncharted, we all know how Naughty Dog crafted an excellent character. Gears of War, isn't focused on this, it offers great gameplay, but:

Fenix: Yeah, I'm Marcus Fenix

Guy: ****, that's cool

Fenix: Not really

Isn't exactly the fecking height of literary works.

So no, it isn't typical of us saying Nate is a more interesting hero than Fenix or Chief, its almost frickin' common knowledge. Its not a sleight on Gears or Halo, they're both fantastic games. When Killzone 2 came round, did anyone give a frig about Sev? No, but Uncharted 2 pops up and we all can't wait to see Nate again. There's a BIG difference.

EDIT: Of course, I'd written this before you edited your post to have it make more sense damn you!

This.

 

[Soapy]

The news of multiplayer has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Aside from great gameplay the first game is mostly well known for it's fantastic single player adventure and it's smartly written story and dialogue. This doesn't even take into account that the gameplay in Uncharted doesn't seem very conductive to good multiplayer. The shooting in Uncharted was very loose and imprecise. Which was fine! It was designed to be that way and it felt good and different. This leads me to the concern that with multiplayer, by necessity, they are now focusing purely on shooting and minimizing the platforming and puzzle solving elements. And if you take those away, then all you have left is Gears of War in the jungle.

The co-op is the big thing, that's always fun (Well, 90% of the time) and could really work very well if done right, the other stuff is just standard, it doesn't have to suck. I mean it's not like they are minimizing or taking away from SP either, it's just a bonus thing. As long the single player is as fun and interesting as the first who cares if they throw in some poopy deathmatch-ish stuff for online



[...]

I'm sorry, but it just doesn't work that way. Look at it like this: In Uncharted 1 they focused 100% on single player. If you figure that they're now focusing 20% on multiplayer and 15% on co-op, then we're basically going to get 65% of the single player game we got in the first game. And that's with fairly conservative estimates. And even if those estimates are completely wrong, my point is that you can't just pull time and resources from thin air. If you want to add something, then you have to take away from something else.

If ever there was a game that doesn't need multiplayer, Uncharted is it.

 

[KALEL114]

But the staff on this one is larger than the one working on the 1st one. From my understanding they took certain levels from the single player game and tuned them for MP/Co-Op. To me that says that single player came first with them, then MP/Co-op. They have made it very clear that SP was their main focus. I enjoyed the shooting mechanics, but some didn't. I would think that they would tweak it a bit.

I have plenty of faith in ND and think they will blow us away.

 

[Havok83]

I'm sorry, but it just doesn't work that way. Look at it like this: In Uncharted 1 they focused 100% on single player. If you figure that they're now focusing 20% on multiplayer and 15% on co-op, then we're basically going to get 65% of the single player game we got in the first game. And that's with fairly conservative estimates. And even if those estimates are completely wrong, my point is that you can't just pull time and resources from thin air. If you want to add something, then you have to take away from something else.

If ever there was a game that doesn't need multiplayer, Uncharted is it.

well with the first game, it was a brand new IP and they were starting from scratch. With this second game, they already have a great base to expand from and they can afford to do new things with it now through the multiplayer components. They have the time and resources now for that stuff. The studio has grown since then, their budget has increased and seem to be getting alot more support from Sony after the succes of the first title.

But the staff on this one is larger than the one working on the 1st one

Exactly. They have more people working on Uncharted 2. They arent pulling numbers away from the SP to focus on MP

 

[KALEL114]

New vid with Lead Game Designer Neil Druckmann.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/05/01/uncharted-2-among-thieves-your-questions-answered/

 

[Tron Bonne]

I'm sorry, but it just doesn't work that way. Look at it like this: In Uncharted 1 they focused 100% on single player. If you figure that they're now focusing 20% on multiplayer and 15% on co-op, then we're basically going to get 65% of the single player game we got in the first game. And that's with fairly conservative estimates. And even if those estimates are completely wrong, my point is that you can't just pull time and resources from thin air. If you want to add something, then you have to take away from something else.

If ever there was a game that doesn't need multiplayer, Uncharted is it.

EDIT: Nevermind, they beat me to it

It would be weird if, in the PS3 forums, people actually thought that MF or MC would be far more intereting characters than Drake.

Oh, ********. Anyone outside any fanboy mentality can clearly see that Drake is just more of a character. A better character, that's up to personal opinion, but he actually has more then a 'hit'em in the head' personality and he actually is a character that's not near as interchangable

The all cared part was about that fact that you know who the characters are, not that you think about them.

Yeah, I know exactly what you meant, but what does it matter about either of those characters? They have no real personality. Would it matter at all if you swapped one character in Spartan armor with MC? Not at all. Same with Fenix, there's just nothing much to either of.

I haven´t played Uncharted, so, i might the wrong here, but from what i could see, Uncharted is a "character driven story", when Gears and Halo are a "situation driven story", so, of course Drake would come out as more interesting, but doesn´t mean that MC or MF are not also interesting in their own right, even being able to surpass Drake in the future.

Of course they could in the future, but as of right now neither of them have a shred of personality worth noting. I personally have yet to see anything to even bring a spark of anything besides generic and stiff macho cliche-types. Don't give a **** what system of who's preference they appear on.

You like them that's fine, I have no problems liking them, but as of right now there is nothing that makes either Chief or Phoenix even remote distinguishable or un-interchangable. Let's not put these characters to something they aren't

 

[KALEL114]

Qore annual subscribers are already getting the Uncharted 2: Among Thieves multiplayer beta vouchers via email. If you are a Qore subscriber you will be getting this in the next few days (or you already did):

Spoiler

Subject: Here is your UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Multiplayer Beta voucher

Body:

——————————
—————————————————————–

Only On PlayStation(R)
PlayStation(R)Network

———————————————————————————————–

Thank you for subscribing to Qore(TM): Presented by the
PlayStation(R)Network.

Here is your voucher code for the Multiplayer Beta Test for UNCHARTED 2:
Among Thieves(TM). The Beta runs from 6/3/09 to 6/28/09 only.
Don’t miss out!

####-####-####
You can redeem this code by selecting the PlayStation(R)Network icon on
the XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar), choosing Account Management, then
selecting Redeem Codes.

Fortune hunter Nathan Drake returns in UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves(TM),
a pulse-pounding third-person action-adventure/shooter created by
award-winning developer Naughty Dog. Down on his luck, Drake is lured
back into the treacherous world of thieves and mercenary treasure-seekers
he had sought to leave behind. When a mysterious artifact propels Drake
on an expedition to find the legendary Himalayan valley of Shambhala,
he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse against
a fugitive war criminal who’s after more than just the fabled riches of
the lost city.

This beta invite is the latest in a list of exclusive content we’ve brought
you over the past year, including Beta Tests for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs
Confrontation and Resistance 2(TM), the full games of Calling All Cars(TM)
and High Velocity Bowling(TM), and demos of MotorStorm(R): Pacific Rift, Naruto(TM)
Ultimate Ninja(R) Storm, Flock! and Red Faction(R): Guerrilla(TM).

We hope you enjoy the Beta Test! Look for an in-depth feature on
UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves in an upcoming episode of Qore.

http://www.nextgn.com/2009/05/09/uncharted-2-multiplayer-beta-vouchers-already-being-sent/

 

[KALEL114]

Nate looks like he's been through Hell and back.

 

[Gallagher]

Also looks as though whoever that woman is just stabbed his mother... and then sodomized her. Jesus thats quite a look he's giving her there.

 

[Mario_Galaxy]

His hair looks real.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Drake is a fantastic character because hes an Indiana Jones for the 21st century. Playing thro the first game i kept thinking, "all this guy needs is a whip and a hat". I loved that. The story was ripped straight from an Indiana Jones movie and it was fantastic. Drakes Fortune is easily one of the best titles this gen and he is easily the best new character of this gen.

As for the MP. Ill take it or leave it. This series will always focus on SP but if the MP is good, hey bring it on. I generally dont like third person MP and like MP thro the PSN even less so i prob wont play it much.

 

[Spider-Jay]

Bah, I've wanted to buy the first game for a while but its still full price!

I mean, MGS4 Limited Edition is $ 34.99, why is Uncharted still $ 69.99?

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I have no idea. I remember wanting to wait or it to drop, but I gave in this past Christmas.

 

[KALEL114]

Bah, I've wanted to buy the first game for a while but its still full price!

I mean, MGS4 Limited Edition is $ 34.99, why is Uncharted still $ 69.99?

I think the price will drop before 2 hits. Why don't you buy it used?

 

[Havok83]

Bah, I've wanted to buy the first game for a while but its still full price!

I mean, MGS4 Limited Edition is $ 34.99, why is Uncharted still $ 69.99?

where are you from? Uncharted never retailed for more than $59.99 here in the US

 

[TheBat812]

IMO, this was the most ridiculous announcement in a very long time.
But i don´t blame Sony nor Naughty Dog for it, this just shows how bad gaming got when MP is, actually, a gigantic announcement that needs to be teased a week earlier.

I will never get the excitement behind Multiplayer.
It´s cool and all and fun for one week or so, but to be excited because i can play the same crap i play in other 10.000 games....i don´t get.
Sure, it has some new weapons, new skins, new settings, diferent rules, but c´mon...
Do you know who Nathan Drake is? Master Chief? Marcus Fenix?
You do? You care for them?
So, guess that the single player, by other words, story and characters are far more important than to play virtual paintball.

Ok, i just needed to take this out of my chest, i´m glad you guys are hyped and all, so continue....

For single player that is a huge part. But for me, the biggest part of video games is the immersion of the world graphically and audibly and the fun of the gameplay. The story is secondary. That's why Metal Gear bores me, but Gears rocks. Why Killzone 2 beats Halo (although I still think that series is terribly overrated). Why GTA is so replayable. Why sports games always kick ass. And while I don't enjoy multiplayer myself, I can see why the gameplay mechanics and the challenge of smarter than AI foes can be appealing, especially if the game quality does not dip (why GTA online blows).

 

[Spider-Jay]

where are you from? Uncharted never retailed for more than $59.99 here in the US

I'm in Toronto, Canada.

As for buying used, I had a bad experience once and I've decided to stay away from used games.

 

[KALEL114]

I'm in Toronto, Canada.

As for buying used, I had a bad experience once and I've decided to stay away from used games.

Was it with a PS3 game? Blu-Ray discs are near impossible to mess up.

 

[Dark_Lord]

Single-Player Footage

 

[KALEL114]

Sweet. That's the GDC footage that leaked out back in March. It looks so good in HD.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/49242.html

 

[The Guardian]

Sweet. That's the GDC footage that leaked out back in March. It looks so good in HD.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/49242.html

Meh, I can do better, *sees footage, faints from the awesomeness* ok maybe not!!!

 

[The Guardian]

Something I noticed, which is awesome, is that there seems to be a little Killzone 2 influence in the blood animations as well as the death animations from the guys Nathan is shooting at, which if I'm right would be fantastic news!!!up: Since it's widely known that Sony's studios work together from time to time this wouldn't be unusual, I hope I'm not the only one that notices this!!!

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Was it with a PS3 game? Blu-Ray discs are near impossible to mess up.

Haha, just touch the disk and everything goes to hell. Iv had Blu-Rays mess up for some of the smallest smudges iv ever witnessed.


The only thing i ask of Among Thieves is that the enemies dont absorb as many rounds. I hate seeing a shirtless pirate eat 4 rounds to the chest before dropping. I think they have talked about this, so im hopeful theyll take care of that.

 

[Havok83]

Haha, just touch the disk and everything goes to hell. Iv had Blu-Rays mess up for some of the smallest smudges iv ever witnessed.


The only thing i ask of Among Thieves is that the enemies dont absorb as many rounds. I hate seeing a shirtless pirate eat 4 rounds to the chest before dropping. I think they have talked about this, so im hopeful theyll take care of that.

3 headshots with the pistol pretty much killed everyone in the game. I thought the damage in the game was perfect. Anything more forgiving would make the game too easy and it was already easy as it was on normal.