There are games that are worth playing, games that are worth buying, and games that are worth talking about incessantly until your throat is sore. Beyond that, there are games worth buying a console for – games worthy of several playthroughs, fanatical devotion, and perhaps a religion dedicated in its honor.

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, I’m happy to report, is one of those games. If you don’t already own this game, you’ll want to sell a kidney on the black market and use the proceeds to buy it. And a PS3, if you don’t already have one.

Now, that should be enough for most of the readers… but for those of you who actually want a review of the game – on why it’s so great – read below. I’ll try to keep the drool to a minimum.

Story

Being a nerdy RPG-playing gamer, my enjoyment of a game is very closely tied into how much I like the plot and the characters. Naughty Dog seems to agree with this line of thought, as it’s plain to see they worked hard in the original UNCHARTED to create a group of characters (and a great cast to voice them) that is witty and lovable (if not a bit cliché). The charming and roguish Nathan Drake, the vivacious Elena Fisher, and the old rapscallion Scully – oh, how I adore them all.

Oh, I get by... with a little help... from my friends...

The same cast returns in the blockbuster sequel, plus a few more faces to join in on the fun… the classic, snarky British antagonist Harry Flynn, the seductive Chloe Fisher, and the scarred, steroid-driven, Eastern European Lasarevic. Like in the first game, the clichés definitely hold true for each character, while there are a few character moments for Nate, Elena and Chloe, they really don’t deviate from their standard archetypes.

However, this might just be part of a brilliant design… as the story progress, the characters are insanely relatable (outside of the one-dimensional Lasarevic, who might as well be twirling a mustache) and the plot is paced like a roller coaster ride. Naughty Dog leaves no chance to take a breath, as nearly every five minutes, poor Drake is hanging on for dear life on a blazing fast locomotive, clinging off the face or a cliff, or fighting vast arrays of anonymous henchmen.

The pacing of the game is definitely quicker than the first, with temple exploration and puzzles substituted more often for guns and explosions. Not to say there aren’t still vast temples and a few puzzles. But the game plays almost exactly like a movie – which seems to be exactly what the developers have in mind. I know that if (when) UNCHARTED 2 comes out in theatres, it’s definitely getting my $10.50.

The story also has far more twists and turns than the original, with backstabbings, surprises and unstoppable enemies aplenty. Whether this is to the detriment of the game is left for debate – personally, while I feel the game plays a bit differently than the first, both are exceptional games that should be celebrated.

Gameplay

One thing I kept hearing about this game before playing it was how different it was than the first. This is… confusing, in retrospect. The game, for the most part, controls exactly the same, and very few adjustments have been made. It’s hard to fault Naughty Dog for this, however, as the first game was so successful on so many levels – why fix what isn’t broke? But at the same time, some problems still remain.

The gunplay in UNCHARTED 2 is definitely the weakest point of the game (with the story, climbing, voice-acting and graphics being highlights), as the controls just feel far too clunky. Too often, I’ll attempt to move Drake behind an obstruction to use as cover, only to have him stand in front of the object, as if admiring it in an art gallery. Drake did not respond to my cries. I did feel, however, that rolling into cover, and from object to object, seemed much more fluid in this game. This is particularly important, as the game had quite a few stealth moments, and rolling from cover to cover is tantamount to success. Even gamers like me, who hate (see: suck at) stealth games should have no problem progressing past these levels.

Nate wishes he had better cover... but he doesn't. He really doesn't.

There are a few improvements, however. Naughty Dog did do away with the “throwing grenades via SixAxis” farce from the original game, and for good cause. The developer also added a reticule that pops up when Drake blind-fires from behind cover, which was particularly useful. Finally, and most importantly, the melee has been improved ten-fold from the first game of the series. Close-combat fights with no ammo are no longer a migraine-inducing chore… though, if you’re surrounded by enemies, is still likely to end with a pool of Drake’s blood mussing up random Tibetan temples. What I wouldn’t give for a quicker melee kill (that wasn’t a stealth kill).

Now, when I say that gunplay is the “weakest” part of UNCHARTED 2’s core gameplay, this isn’t to mean it’s a negative feature. This is simply a testament to how unbelievably polished the rest of the game is.

I won’t bore you with review on the climbing mechanics of this game, as they are almost identical to the first. Which is to say, if you’ve yet to play the first game, it is very, very good. Climbing, jumping, swinging, shimmying, etc. are all flawlessly executed.  If I must point out a fault, I would say that it is sometimes cumbersome jumping from one ledge (when climbing) to a ledge that is to the side and above/below your character. It is not bothersome to the point of frustration, however, and climbing can be easily mastered in this game.

Graphics

Simply put, this game is beautiful. From a video game standard, from an artistic standard… even from a carnal standard, considering the pixilated pretties Elena and Chloe. The environments are vast, intricately detailed and ornately created. UNCHARTED 2’s use of “camera” angles is superb, and right on par with most blockbuster cinematic productions; the use of scale and depth in the frame of the gameplay really highlights just how enormous these temples and villages are that Nathan travels.

Nate would be enjoying the sights more if he weren't being strangled to death. Pretty, though!

 The characters are modeled and are motion captured in that you’d think they were real people. People way more cool than you normally hang out with, but people nonetheless. The way the characters dangle off a cliff, or travel through cramped spaces, or roll to avoid gunfire, is all just as if you saw it happen yourself.

But the biggest reason to admire Naughty Dog’s graphical achievements with this game is the attention to detail. This is reflected not only by the awesome texturing and motion capturing, but also how Nathan interacts with the environment around him. If you jump knee-deep into snow, your legs are caked in snow for the next few moments. If you jump into a lake, expect to come out soaking wet from head to toe, and watch the damp clothing fibers drape from your body until you can dry off. These little touches – though done before, but not to this degree – really sell the experience of the game, and have the gamer feel like he or she is there.

Sound

The characters used in UNCHARTED 2 would almost certainly seem flat and one-dimensional, were it not for stellar voice acting. Nolan North must shoulder the weight of Nathan Drake, and make the character compelling and believable at every moment, lest the player be taken away from the gameplay experience. North does so with ease; having already voiced Nathan Drake before, North has certainly grown into the role and delivers every line – be it comedic or dramatic – with pinpoint timing and enunciation. There are no weak voice actors in this game, and the actors keep you invested in the characters long past the endgame credits have rolled.

He's TOO charming... what's his angle?

Also worth noting is composer Greg Edmonson (who previously worked on the original game, and on the fabulous TV show Firefly), who is able to both evoke emotion and set the tone in the score of this game. The music is also in-keeping with the environment, as Edmonson uses mystical and haunting elements as Drake traverses UNCHARTED lands (ugh, that pun even hurt me).

Multiplayer

I was skeptical before getting a taste of multiplayer on UNCHARTED; much of the reason I enjoy the game is because of its expansive, gorgeous environments that I can walk at my leisure. Adding a fast-paced multiplayer mode seems like a step the other way from that experience. Add my slight qualms with the controls of the gunplay in this game, and there’s a strong likelihood for a subpar multiplayer experience. And to be honest, the actual experience did little to erase my fears.

The online multiplayer on UNCHARTED 2 is … well, it is fun. It’s a somewhat entertaining escape away from the single player experience, which is night and day from how the game plays in multi. But in the end, the game appears how many assumed it would be: tacked-on. The games available are more or less the same you’d find in any first or third person shooter: Deathmatch (with different weapon sets), Elimination, Capture the Flag (in a sense), King of the Hill, etc. There’s nothing that really sets the game apart, and definitely nothing that would prompt one to turn off Modern Warfare 2.

The highlight of online multiplayer is without a doubt Plunder, which is essentially Capture the Flag with a giant piece of treasure. One piece of treasure is placed in a central location, where both teams try to bring it back to their base. Sound familiar? Plunder is a bit different in its use of the treasure, and how it can be thrown about during gameplay, causing mayhem to ensue. Plunder feels like the only multiplayer mode where it is essential to work together to succeed, as the person carrying the treasure will certainly be encumbered by the weight of the cargo (plus the inability to fire while carrying it).

Summary

I think I’ve said enough about this game that my message is clear: this game is fabulous. Without a doubt, the UNCHARTED series is one of the strongest intellectual properties of this gaming generation – perhaps any generation. It is reason to buy a PS3 if you haven’t already, and it’s more than sufficient a reason to ignore work or class once you get your hands on it. In total, the experience is not long; it can be beaten in a day or two of serious gaming. But the impression it leaves behind is one of the most satisfying attainable from a video game.

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