Uncharted 2: Among Thieves review (PlayStation 3)

All of these different elements, along with the lighthearted story, are mixed together perfectly, providing an intoxicating pace that continually builds upon the previous section. The incredible rate at which Uncharted moves is staggering, seamlessly urging players from one incredible experience to the next, without ever staying on one mechanic for too long. This effortless pace is showcased exceptionally well during a stage that takes place on a train halfway through the adventure. It seems like your options would be limited onboard a narrow vehicle, but every new car you leap to has a surprise, and the sheer breadth of different actions makes this one of the highlights of a fantastic quest. Whether you're gunning down enemies in a tight passenger car, hanging desperately on to handholds on the outside of the train, sniping enemies way off in the distance, trading punches with a hulked-up mercenary, or dodging fire from a pesky helicopter, this section is an adrenaline rush. And the scenery is just as varied. You will fly past a wide variety of backgrounds, which gives the impression you really are onboard a fast-moving vehicle. From beginning to end, Uncharted 2 keeps up its brisk pace, creating an experience that is exhilarating, thrilling, and never boring.

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All of this incredible action is complemented by some of the most impressive visuals on PlayStation 3. As you travel through lush rain forests, into snow-covered wastelands, across the ruins of a crumbling city, and to the many other places Drake ventures in his quest, you will be treated to a huge array of breathtaking sights. It's easy to get lost in the atmosphere, swinging the camera around to admire the sights while briefly forgetting about the angry man with a gun shouting at you in the distance. The animation is particularly impressive. Drake moves and reacts with eerie believability, whether he's stumbling realistically after a long jump, quickly reaching behind his back to grab a weapon, or just walking up a long flight of stairs. The attention to detail during the cutscenes is just as striking. The characters move and interact with each other with subtle touches that make them seem almost lifelike. There are lots of little details that add even more to the experience. When you're in the jungle, you can see squirrels scamper up the towering trees, and you get wet when you wade through a river. And even with all this detail, the game runs smoothly, even during the most hectic fights.

If you're hankering for some more treasure hunting after finishing the campaign, there's a three-player cooperative mode as well. This mode places you in modified levels from the main quest, and you must mow down a bunch of enemies on the way toward achieving your ultimate goal. The exciting combat makes the transition intact, and playing through these gorgeous locations with a few buddies is certainly fun, but it's not quite as engaging as the main adventure. Enemies swarm from all around you--throwing grenades from the front, sniping from above, and unleashing torrents of Gatling gun bullets from behind--and it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. The sometimes finicky cover controls don't always function during the heat of these ultraintense battles, and it can feel claustrophobic as you desperately roll out of the way to avoid a screaming rocket blast. Despite the small problems, this is a welcome diversion for people who love the main quest but crave sentient companions.

The competitive multiplayer is even better. The levels are once again modeled after the environments from the main quest, but your impressive agility in battle combined with the powerful weaponry make for explosive competitions. There are a number of gameplay types, which are variations on such popular formulas as Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Territories. But the sheer thrill of battle raises these beyond the forgettable squall of other shooters. Your agility is the main differentiating factor. It is simply incredible to spring away from your vicious buddy who is happily wielding a shotgun, leap across a gaping ravine, and grab on to a far-off ledge with just your fingertips. Frantically slamming on the X button to hoist yourself to safety while your opponent comes storming after you is a heart-racing experience, and turning the tables on your pursuer as he tries to make the same treacherous leap is so satisfying. There is also a perks system that gives you rewards beyond mere fun for sinking time into this endeavor. These rewards increase your killing power and make the mode even more fun.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a complete package. The perfectly paced campaign is pure joy from beginning to end, seamlessly combining top-notch shooting, smooth platforming, clever puzzles, and a playful story into one of the most engaging and satisfying adventures around. Competitive multiplayer is just as compelling, displaying the same fun gameplay elements from the main quest in a chaotic battle against other players. The cooperative mode has its own unique pull, letting players merge their efforts to take down an unrelenting force of angry attackers. The few flaws--touchy cover controls in tight spaces and linear platforming sections--are so slight they barely stand out among the sea of fantastic features. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is an incredible game.