Forums > Submission Feedback > zigfried's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves review

Also, SuckingDick, any chance you could sign up with a new username that isn't vulgar? Message board posts are one thing, account names are another. The grace period has just about worn out. I just wanted to give a fair heads up before your account is shut off later today.

//Zig

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Zig, you disliked Fallout 3? Interesting. I really enjoyed the game. It did tend to get slightly laborious and at other times, slightly aimless. That said, I love the world that was created, the characters within it, and the sense of scope to it all. I also felt the amalgamation of action/fps elements intertwined well with the RPG aspects.

In respect to Lewis' post. Quote..

"Zig's review, but completely neglected, on three occasions, from answering a straight-forward question: why does he feel it matters that Zig's review disagrees with the majority vote?"

Either you have not been reading my posts properly, or you haven't read a single other Uncharted 2 review besides Zig's and maybe Tom's (there are another 81+ out there for you to read). Because you yourself are quite clearly missing large chunks of information. I have said, on numerous occasions in this thread, which elements of Zig's review go against the majority consensus.

The majority of reviews, claim U2 is one of the, if not the best looking game to date, they also imply or directly state it IS ambitious, and conceptually innovative (though not in all regards), most imply that the game does excel at shooting, most don't think all the characters looked like plastic skinned dolls and so on.

Naturally, Zig is completely entitled to having these opinions, I was merely stating that they were quite "unconventional". To you Lewis, my recommendation would be to actually play the game, and read some other reviews. Unless of course you think everyone else but Zig and Tom are rambling over hyping idiots, which I hope for your sake you don't. Because that would be countless (100+) professionals and thousands upon thousands of Uncharted 2 playing, forum posting gamers you'd be damning.

It would be interesting to hear Zigg's take on this.

Uncharted 2 group discussion

And/or this.

Uncharted 2 IGN group discussion

--- Avid honest gaming fan ---

MoreHonestGamer ---- I did not watch the G4TV video, but here are my impressions on the IGN article.

Person one:
Although I've only just scratched the surface of the Among Thieves experience, I can already tell that this could be one of the finest third-person action/adventure games ever made.

Yeah, it's an excellent experience. After he's spent more time with the game, I expect him to still be impressed. I was.

Person two:
Most impressively, though, is how the epic scale that is established in the narrative translates to the gameplay. This game is a blast to play. The environments are expansive, and although the game is still extremely linear, the paths you follow to get from point A to B are so well designed that you feel like you are exploring significantly more than you are.

I mentioned this too. The game does a good job at masking its linearity (the first time through).

Of course Uncharted 2 has its faults, especially towards the end. Even the beautiful scenery of the final locations couldn't distract me from the tedium of dispatching wave after wave of enemies before walking ten feet and repeating the process.

I thought the finale was pretty satisfying, actually. It was the platforming-only levels nearish the end that wore on me.

Person three:
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves might indeed be one of the prettiest games ever released on a console.....But the brilliance of Uncharted 2 goes beyond just the aesthetics, and beyond its seemingly-ancillary features. It's an engrossing experience, hands down.

That's what I said, although I think the word "brilliance" is too strong. It's engrossing, but the methods employed didn't require brilliance (although they certainly required talent).

While not a game without its flaws (most glaringly its sometimes-shoddy platforming and inconsistent cover controls), the good still far outweighs the bad.

That's what I said.

Person four:
The Uncharted experience received subtle tweaks in the visuals and in the gameplay, but the story and the acting are definitely the highpoints of Uncharted 2. I was absolutely engrossed in what was happening from start to finish, and the cutscenes were fantastic breaks to the intense action.

I'd agree with all of that, except for the cutscenes bit and the implication that the action was so intense as to become unbearable. The cutscenes were fantastic, but I didn't really need the action broken.

Person five:
The strength of the first Uncharted was unquestionably its presentation and I'm happy to say that's still true with the second game. The only difference is that this time around the presentational strengths are able to bring everything else to an entirely new level.

Yep, I mentioned this as well, using Chloe's early laughter as an example.

I'm about halfway through Uncharted 2 and I just hit my first holy **** sequence that really has me wanting to leave work early and continue playing.

My first "holy ****" sequence was about 25% into the game, so it sounds like I enjoy the game more. He admits that he has just been impressed for the first time. Once he comes down off his exuberant gaming high, I expect him to still be impressed. I was.

Person six:
Naughty Dog really brought their A-game for this title. Part of this is due to the mix of cinematic sequences that you play (and frequently fight your way through), many of which are so striking that you can't help but feel the same kind of adrenaline rush that Nathan gets during some of these sequences.

I agree. Example: the convoy scene that had be on the edge of my seat was a fantastic cinematic sequence, basically a modern Dragon's Lair. I would caution that part of the illusion is broken once you realize how cinematic it really is.

Apart from the action, the story seems just as solid as the first, which is definitely anchored by the characters, who are just as strong, if not stronger, than before.

The characters are definitely strong. I, too, pointed this out.

Person seven:
Due to the ever growing stack of games I've been trying to get through I've only had a chance to play about an hour of Uncharted 2 ..... But at the end of the day when I game for fun I'm almost always looking for something that will wow me with visuals. Give me hyper-realism and stunning landscapes. Uncharted 2 does this well enough that it makes me feel like I'm travelling to exotic locations with a beautiful side-kick in toe.

When I game for fun, my primary criteria is not to be "wowed with visuals". And hyper-realism is not always the best way to make a game look good. However, I would agree that Uncharted 2's visuals work well enough that it felt like I was traveling to exotic locations. The visuals are convincing despite the flaws. After he's played for more than an hour, I expect him to still be impressed. I was.

Summary:
It was kind of a boring read, actually. That's not a knock against any of the writers -- they did the best they could in the 100 to 200 words they each had available -- but with such limited space, it's like I was reading a whole bunch of summaries.

I've already played the game, so I don't need summaries. Especially ones that mostly agree with me. Was I supposed to get something else out of it?

//Zig

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Let me ask a fair question, then: If he's entitled to that opinion, then what's the fucking problem?

You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it.

Let me ask a fair question, then: If he's entitled to that opinion, then what's the fucking problem?

I'm not sure there is actually a problem. I think there's been a perceived problem due to some of the assertions made in the thread, but I actually think MoreHonestGamer just really liked UC2.

I think where things are getting held up, MHG, is that you keep mentioning how much Zig goes against the masses of critics, which makes it sound like you're trying to belittle his review or discredit him, which is something most of us here would rightfully get offended at, if not for Zig's sake than simply for the sake of our right to our own opinion.

Your thesis seems to be: "Zig has gone against the masses, therefore his review is bad/incorrect."

Our response has been: "Why does someone have to agree with the masses? In fact, wouldn't it be better in the reviewing world to have a multiplicity of opinion on a game? The relative truth, that is the opinion of the person writing the review, is more important than the group truth, that is the opinion of the masses."

Note to gamers: when someone shoots you in the face, they aren't "gay." They are "psychopathic."

Zig, thansk for responding, any chance I could get your response to the linked video? In your review, you mentioned you thought the game lacked ambition and conceptual innovation, however in the video they claim the game is doing things other games either haven't done, and/or haven't been able to do nearly as well. One comment made is "I think other developers will need to go back to the drawing board after having played U2". And similar comments, from all four of the talkers involved. If you would be kind enough to give your take on the comments made, I'd really appreciate it. Not so I can criticise you or anything like that, just so I can access whether you agree with them or not, and what parts you do or do not agree with.

Also, in response to Suskie...

Forums > Submission Feedback > zigfried's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves review

Isn't that the whole point of having a review feedback thread or forum? Unless the assumption is that all feedback will be positive filled with people doing cartwheels in grassy fields.

--- Avid honest gaming fan ---

No. I was willing to read (and respond) to an article to humor your request, but I'm not big on watching video reviews or spending that much time humoring people. I enjoy spending some of my time actually playing games, y'know?

//Zig

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As do we all, but as a journalist I thought it might be of interest to you (especially when such lofty statements are being made). Your review does start with "Much ado has been made of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves". Guess not. I'll let you get back to your RPG's :). Thanks for the responses.

--- Avid honest gaming fan ---

Guess not. I'll let you get back to your RPG's

Yeah, and his shooters, and brawlers, and hentai, and simulations, and side scrollers...

... Zig's covered pretty much every genre there is to cover. To make such a quippy remark doesn't help your case.

Note to gamers: when someone shoots you in the face, they aren't "gay." They are "psychopathic."

MHG, you've made some fairly wild implications and accusations about this review and have spent a great deal of time (and space) backing them up with evidence you've often claimed is indisputable. I don't want to sound disappointed that this little fanboy tirade of yours is coming to an end, but to go through all of this just to say that Zig "has a right to his opinion" (which, I'll remind you, goes against some of what you've been saying here) seems more than a bit suspect.

You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it.

Fack.

I don't have to prove I'm refined - that's what makes me refined!

Okay, I finally beat the gorilla but now I'm stuck at the part where Drake has to fight Abraham Lincoln's ghost. How the hell are you supposed to damage him? And how can you keep that stupid chick from being shafted by Lincoln's ferret minions? I swear, they need to improve the AI in the sequel...

JOSEPH VALENCIA was able to build this sig IN A CAVE…… WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!!

Space...I have NO idea what the hell you are talking about.

--- Avid honest gaming fan ---

MoreHonestGamer I've read a fair few Uncharted 2 reviews, actually. I really liked Tom Bramwell's at Eurogamer, and Dan Lipscombe's at the site I run, Resolution Magazine. Both were eloquent, convincing and thorough, and both awarded the game 10/10. Have a read of those. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Both mention the same sorts of flaws, but arrive at a hugely positive conclusion.

I've acknowledged your comments about Zig's review making comments that lie outside the norm. My question stems from that: what's the problem? You've already said he's entitled to his opinions. So how come we've been arguing for so long?

Man. I said I wasn't get further into this.

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ELPRESADOR says U2 is one of the greatest games ever, so topic over. Zig loses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6Ggyz69hI

IF YOU WANT MORE BEATS FOR YOUR BUCK THERE'S NO LUCK.

Man. I said I wasn't get further into this.

It's okay, Lewis, no one really thought you would stay away.

Note to gamers: when someone shoots you in the face, they aren't "gay." They are "psychopathic."

Thunderbolt reviewed Uncharted 2

http://thunderboltgames.com/reviews/article/uncharted-2-among-thieves-review-for-ps3.html

Not that perfect as people try to indoctrinate.

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You know MoreHonestGamers, there is a really simple solution to your problem. If you disagree with Zig so much, then how about you write your own review of the game?

I don't see how you can carry on so about other people's opinions to games if you're not publishing your own work with your own opinions.

You think this game deserves a perfect score? Then do something about it instead of complaining about what other people have done.

I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?

I think MHG departed for waters which disagree with him less.

Note to gamers: when someone shoots you in the face, they aren't "gay." They are "psychopathic."

In a sense, it's a shame. If he would actually channel all that energy he used in this thread into something constructive, he might actually amount to something.

Oh well. At least now I know I can safely publish my 8/10 Madden review I've always wanted to do.

I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?

Well, that was interesting. So what's this Uncharted thing you guys are all talking about? Bet it doesn't run on my PS2.

"Deep in the earth I faced a fight that I could never win. The blameless and the base destroyed, and all that might have been. -- GK"

Finally read the review after all this hootinany.

but the concept of large, empty spaces with no enemies and frequent climbing across rocks, climbing across gears, and climbing over statues does not translate to an exciting video endgame

To be honest, I'm surprised more points were docked for a weakness this big.

I almost get the impression this is a good "movie", but perhaps an average or slightly above average video game. With that, I think the score of 8 is more that generous.

I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?