The Buzz

Well, it certainly has been a longtime since I wrote an article for the page. You can blame Macy’s and World of Warcraft for that. However, were not going to get to into it right? I am now going to bless you with the grace of my presence and drop some a review on you.

Before I begin I’m going to show you all my rating system. If you read my many reviews on the otaku site before it got hacked, then you may know my system. For those who don’t this is the system:

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here is my Review on a game that many of you may have turned the other cheek on. However, being a sucker for rock music and all I am giving it a try. People of MCG, I present to you the review for Brutal Legend…

Now for those who don’t know fiddly squat about Brutal Legend, don’t be alarm this is what I am here for. Brutal Legend is a game found on the PS3 and Xbox 360 which features Jack Black doing the voice of Eddie Riggs. A pretty kick ass roadie; who’s pretty awesome at the job he does and who also believes that metal music is dead. (That’s not the only music that’s dead) Anyway, to keep from spoiling the story I won’t put too much of the story here. All you need to know that Eddie is transported to another world in which he is the savior of the human race who have fall victim to a higher (or lower) power so to speak. So, it’s up to Eddie to free the human race from this higher (or lower) force.

The storyline for the game is pretty awesome. It’s doesn’t go off into the deep end and leaves you with this “What the hell?” like some other games (cough…x-blades….cough) It genuinely has a good storyline that carries it’s weight. Another cool thing about the game is even before the game gets well under way; in the opening scenes you are actually given the choice on whether you want strong adult language and gore in your game or not.

I like to say that this is a good feature for the chitterlings. If you actually have parents who will sit there and make sure their child chooses to be noble. I mean let’s face it a rated M game isn’t a rated M game because it had little lizards and fat Italian (or Japanese) plumbers in it trying to save a princess that he’s never going to get it from. So, if you are against gore and strong language just know it can be turned off at the beginning of the game.

The game play in my opinion is pretty straight forward and the movements of the game are pretty good. The only thing I didn’t like was the car; which has terrible handle and you have to do so much to drive it. Sometimes, the control of the car can get a bit tricky; as you find yourself hitting the L2 button instead of R2. I imagine on X-box it’s the LT button for brake and RT to drive.  Also, I had an issue with not being able to bring the map up to view as your playing the game; you know kind of put the map in the corner as a mini map. They ask you to follow the white beacon to get to your next destination but in yet, I can’t drive with the map on my screen. So, more often then not you may find yourself lost.

Other then those few minor problems, the game is not relatively as bad as some other games I played recently (again cough…x-blades…cough) and I would at least give it a try as a rental if not by purchasing it GameStop is selling it for both PS3 and X-Box 360 for $19.99 new and $17.99 pre-owned.

Final Verdict

Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (PS3)

Developer: Traveler’s Tales Games Publishing
Publisher: Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment
US Release Date: June 29, 2010
Systems: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP, & PC
ESRB: E10+
Official Site

BOTTOM LINE

Graphics: 2
The detail put into the environment, animations, effects, and cut scenes was adorable and fun to watch, but there were a few glitches. Most of the graphics looked as if they were rendered for the Wii.

Sound: 4
The sounds were timed perfectly and made the actions seem real. The annoying muffled “Hello” given by almost every character you walk pass was a little too much.

Game Play: 3
The game is fun and entertaining with well designed controls that are pretty easy to learn and master. The films/books are followed pretty well with a diversion or two here and there. Too bad that backtracking sometimes gets tedious, the AI is barely ok, there is no online co-op, no playing quidditch, and players could only save at the end of a mission or when an unlockable item is collected.

Replay Value: 5
With 24 missions to complete, a list of achievements to attain, a large amount of unlockable items to collect, and the ability to replay any mission at anytime with any characters gives the game high replay value.

Overall: 3
This is the best of the Lego game series so far. The game is excellent for kids and any Harry Potter or Lego fan, young or old. Unfortunately, some players may find the humor and game play a bit juvenile.

Recommendation: RENT or BUY USED

FULL REVIEW

As a long time fan of the Lego franchise and the Harry Potter series, buying this game was a must for me. I have played a couple other Lego-themed games before, so I was excited to see how this rendering was going to come out. In this fun action-adventure title, players explore the magic and wonder of Hogwarts in the colorful world of Lego. Like other Lego-themed games, the main focus of the game is to play through a generally linear story while destroying any destructible thing in sight to collect tons of Lego studs and various unlockable items. This time, players get to do this with the help of magic spells, potions, various vehicles, and a host of characters straight from the massively popular film/book series.

The game covers the first four years of the Harry Potter series with great precision. Each year has about six fun-filled missions to complete. A number of bonus stages are also available for play. Players start each mission with a team of three characters, who are predetermined based on their importance in that mission and the special skills that they possess. For example, Hermoine and Ron can use their pets to fit into small areas and Hagrid’s strength gives him the ability to pull levers. Players take control of one character while the other two are AI. It is possible to switch control to any of the two AI characters by pressing the triangle button. Later in the game players learn how to create polyjuice potion, which will allow them to transform the character they are controlling into any character that has been unlocked and bought. A second player may chime in or out at anytime for exciting co-op play. That second player will control one of the available two AI characters and will have the same ability to swap and transform characters as necessary. No online co-op is available. If a player ever gets confused as what should be done next, they can follow Nearly-Headless Nick as he floats to the next area that should be explored.

The graphics of the game are a little less than impressive for the PS3 and on par with the Wii. Hogwarts was a bit gloomy looking, but the distant views from outside of the castle walls and the effects of the spells were quite nice. I did not notice too much HD graphics, but the careful attention was placed on detailing Hogwarts. The animations were fluid and the cut scenes were adorable and fun to watch.

From the majestic “Ahhhh” of the expecto patronum to the nerve numbing shriek of the mandrake roots, the sound effects were very well developed. Various sountracks from the original movie playes softly in the background and did not distract me from the actual sound effects of the game play. I did find the greetings of characters walking arounf Hogwarts a bit annoying at times. I simply loved building radios and watching a procession of skeletons and other characters dance around to the music.

The game play is very intuitive. Spells can be easily changed by selecting the spell you want from a spell wheel and the incantation can be implemented with the push of a button. The analog sticks are used for exploring the terrain and maneuvering vehicles. There are mini-bosses, such as the troll in the girl’s restroom and waves of Death Eaters, and epic main bosses, such as the Basilisk and Lord Voldemort himself. Most of the time all a player needs to do is figure out the sequence and frequency of their enemy’s attacks and counter it with a spell or two. Some enemies do require a little more skill and wit to tackle than others. Vehicles were a little clunky at times, but they were pretty easy to control. All animated violence was done so that it was humorous instead of horrific. Instead of leaving a pool of blood after death, players explode into a number of Lego studs. The automatic game saving system could have been better. The only time that the game was saved was when a mission was complete or an unlockable item was collected. The AI friends could be a little more helpful and AI enemies a little more intelligent. I was a little upset that you rode a broom, but did not actually get to play quidditch. Nor did you get to actually ride Buzzbeak.

The replay value of the game is pretty high. Players have the option of replaying any mission that has been completed to find secret areas and items that were missed or previously inaccessible. There are over 100 playable characters and a wide range of spells to unlock. There are over 10 bonus stages that are available and over 30 trophies to collect. With the cut scenes and backtracking, a player wishing to complete the main story may be looking at about 12 hours of total game play. The player determined to play the game to 100% completion may be looking at least 19 hours of play time.

Upon release, this game was stamped with a typical $49.99 price tag. I did expect a little more out of it for the price, but the game is very fun to play and will leave players entertained for hours. Trying to get all of the achievements and items may be a bit draining because of the repetitious gameplay and amount of backtracking that will be involved. Unless you are a diehard fan of the Harry Potter or Lego series, I suggest that this game be rented or bought when it is a bit cheaper or used.

Last year’s Street Fighter IV was a re-invigorating entry into the fighting genre. The fighters are back for another round in Super Street Fighter IV. Yes I said it. But didn’t they just release Street fighter 4 about a year ago. True but now this has a lot of additions and tweaks that should satisfy almost any fan or new comer to the series.

All the fighters from Street Fighter IV are here and are joined 10 new characters bringing the total roster count to 35. Some characters from previous games in the series such as Cody and Guy from Final Fight, Dudley, Ibuki and Makoto return from the Street Fighter III series. Then there are 2 new brand new faces to the mix, Hakan, a Turkish oil wrestler who seeks to prove that Turkish oil wrestling is the greatest fighting style. Secondly Juri who is a young South Korean female Taekwondo fighter who works for S.I.N. Juri has an energy-boosting device implanted inside her left eye called the “Feng Shui Engine”, which provides her with time-warping abilities. The best thing about it all the characters are unlocked from the start

SSF has a wide array of modes to choose from. The arcade mode has new story lines, cut scenes and rivalries. Though the story may not be the best it doesn’t take away much from the overall experience. In addition to the arcade the barrel buster and car crusher bonus stages make their 3D debut/return. The challenge trial mode has been modified, so instead of having to perform 3 or 4 sets of combos, you have to just perform just one set combo/move to progress to the next level.

The online component has been enhanced. Connecting to players is faster and easier. A new point system was created, where you can earn battle point (BP) and player points (PP) from winning fights. The game features a few additional to the online modes, including Team Battle where you are divided up into two teams and battle in tournament style. Replay Channel, which allows players to view and save replays from around the world, and Endless Battle, in which the winner stays and plays against a rotating group. With those additions championship mode and 1 on 1 player match (where the fights were fought more casually) have been removed.

With a lot of people you can dish out some pain with and a wide variation of game modes, quality game-play is essential. It delivers as the controls are very solid and responsive. The game play remains on a traditional 2D format. Characters are more balanced then the previous game. Weaker characters like Vega now have a slightly more level playing field to work with, while beasts like Ryu and Sagat are less dominant. so you have more of a fighting chance. The timing of the moves is different; you can connect with combos I couldn’t connect before. Everyone have two Ultra Combos, but only one can be selected to be used in a fight. Though most of the new Ultra they threw in the game is uninspired, they do present you with new possibilities for a comeback.

The fighters are designed with a hand-drawn cell shading style which gives them both the cartoonish image, whilst maintaining a 3D appearance. The fighting backgrounds are entirely 3D and are immensely detailed. Showcasing stages from Street fighter IV also 5 new stages, one being a revision of Seth boss stage.

Could they have just easily made this into downloadable content instead of re-releasing another version? Hmmmm nope. This game is too much for DLC. It contains ten new characters, new stages, tweaks to all existing characters, new modes, and a new engine. In the end, this is an excellent update to an already incredible fighting game. So get ready and FIGHT!!!

Perhaps one of the most anticipated PS3 games of the last half decade; God of War 3 has boggled gamers’ minds for quite some time. Kratos is back and yet again fighting the gods in a rage, slaughtering countless waves of soldiers who don pointless attempts to keep fighting. God of War 3 sets out to go to places that the PS2 predecessors could not go. God of War 3 opens with a bang, starting right where God of War 2. We find Kratos scaling Mount Olympus on Gaia with the other Titan, going after Zeus and other gods that try to stand in their way.

God of War III is the conclusive adventure of the story of Kratos and his quest for revenge against the Gods of Olympus. Showcasing the graphical power of the Playstation 3 console, Sony Santa Monica Studios has been able to render a truly gorgeous looking game. Upon first sight of GOW 3 you’ll notice that the graphics are probably one the best seen so far on the PS3. From the sheer level of detail in each expertly crafted environment to the sheer detail that has been put into the boss battles and the set pieces. The number of enemies onscreen has been increased to 50. So seeing these huge skeletal warriors pile on Kratos and then seeing him violently power them off is empowering. It almost makes you feel like a god! All of these aspects are extremely well done and show how the PS3 can be pushed to make an outstanding game with few blemishes to note.
Naturally the word “epic” will be tossed around here as the grandiose music perfectly sets the tone with its big choir parts, percussion and intense orchestra. Old familiar sounds are back, weapons and that loud bang you get when pulling of a strong attack’s still there though the Helios head still makes that bizarre scream every time you take it out. The music has always gone hand in hand to the theme of the series, epic sounding, and fantasy land galore and well orchestrated. The voice acting is top notch as most are returning and there are some familiar new voices. One such voice is Hercules played by Kevin Sorbo who starred in the TV role of the character.

Being that this is God of War 3, the game play have to be top notch. It delivers, bringing action and puzzles elements together. You are in the sandals of Spartan warrior Kratos will kill everyone who stands in your way. Game play, while familiar to anyone that’s played the first two in the series, never gets old or too familiar. The combat control is much the same as before. In other words if isn’t broke don’t fix it. Instead of fixing, many tweaks have been made that make the combat feel more responsive and deeper than ever before. For starters, the QTEs now put the button prompts in relation to their location on the controller (triangle appears at the top of the screen, X on the bottom ect.). This allows the player to view whatever violent act Kratos is performing at the time without having the button prompt cover it all. Another great change is the ability to switch weapons on the fly, mid combo. This allows for a lot of creativity to be used in how you dispatch each enemy. A new addition to the combat system is the combat grapple. Kratos will fling both blades into an enemy and pull himself towards them. This greatly increases combo variety and makes it easier to string together.
With many way to demolish your enemies you need the weapons to rip them apart, letting river of blood flow. You have the trademark blades, the Blades of Exile. The CLAWS OF HADES, NEMESIS WHIP and the notable new addition the NEMEAN CESTUS are your weapons of mass destruction. Nemean Cestus, a pair of fist gauntlets shaped like lion heads has the ability to smash through solid objects such as rocks and to plow through enemy shields. With each weapon, they have their own unique strengths and weaknesses; take the nemean cestus for an example. They are brutally powerful gauntlets that allow you to perform massive bashing damage on your foes, but they do not allow you to evade very well and so you will rely heavily on offense, always keeping the enemy off balance with them to gain the upper hand. There are tons of mythological monsters to kill. The repetitiveness of battling some of the same monsters throughout the game is limited by some of the ways that you can execute…well…executions. Ah, yes, nothing likes ripping the privates off of an anatomically correct ogre

You will encounter some puzzles along the way. The puzzles in the game are challenging without being overly so and some of them very clever and ingenious. There are also some decent puzzles which require a diverse assortment of strategy. Some will be placing objects in the right places or figuring out how to open gates and doors. The ways in which these are solved remain unique to the series.

God of War 3 does not try to reinvent itself in any major way. It’s just improves on what the series is known for. Graphics, music and superb game play that combines into a massive juggernaut that will rock you to the core and unleashed your inner Kratos.

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Exclusively released for the Playstation 3; Heavy Rain follows the storyline of four characters all with the same purpose; to catch the Origami Killer.

Recently, I got a chance to play a copy of Heavy Rain by the makers of Indigo Prophecy. I got it the day that it was released, but with that being said I can honestly say that it is a game that is actually worth your time, and I’m going to review it without trying to give out some of the plot.

First, you must be into these types of games, because the game play is similar to Indigo Prophecy just a lot less annoying. The graphics for the game are quite stunning. I mean I will admit the game is a bit short, but honestly it’s a game that plays like a movie but it’s not a game that when you play you’re like that’s it?

Which brings me to the next feature of the game if you die with one of the characters in the game, it’s not game over its simple adios amigo (a) and the game keeps going on. Don’t worry for those who have an ending in mind you can simple exit the game and restart the chapter from the beginning from the main menu, but for those who are going to go back and replay the game in it’s entire multiple times (such as myself) just go ahead and play the game through.

I love the storyline because it keeps you completely drawn in to the very end(s). As far as the characters go I love the emotions they use for each of the characters almost like you can really relate to them. You feel Ethan’s anguish as he calls out for his son. You get annoyed by Jayden’s know-it-all attitude. You feel Madison’s terror during her night terror. You relate to Scott Shelby as he searches for the killer.

Although I love the storyline; the actual game play could have been a tad bit better. At times you get wrapped up in what’s going on in the screen; that you miss the sequence or sequences that happen to pop up right on your characters hand. If your character is scared or tensed, you’ll have difficulties selecting choices because the choices are shaking making them hard to read. Also, something that sort of annoyed me in the game is that they don’t run that much in this game, it’s like they walk throughout the game. I think they ran maybe once or twice, and it makes you think or yell “Dude why are you walking at a time like this?!”

At most the game lasts for a day. However, as you control the outcomes it’s actually a game that could last for a quite awhile, and is worth picking up if not at least a rental.

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Back in November of 2007, we were given a game that was said to be innovative, monumental, and one of the first “true next-gen experiences.” Instead, to the majority of gamers who picked it up, it turned out to be bogged down by repetition and an open world that wasn’t quite as open as one would like, and slowly paced title. Assassin’s Creed II is here and accomplishes everything the original tried so hard to do, and does it perfectly. It is executed in a way that leaves you with the sense of wanting and needing more in the end.

This third person action-adventure was developed by Ubisoft Montreal as the second installment of the Assassin’s Creed series. The game begins exactly where the pervious game ended as you take control of Desmond Miles who is escaping from Abstergo Industries with the assintance of Lucy Stillman. But before you escape you retrieve the genetic memory of the birth of Ezio Auditore da Firenze from the Animus. Why is this importance? You are later thown into the Renaissance-era Italy where you play as Enzio, the son of an Italian banker who is on the pursuit of the Templars of Italy when he is betrayed and his family is killed. You don the robes of an assassin to take your revenge.

While the basics are the same of the pervious game, there’s been so many improvements it might be hard to replay the previous game since you don’t get access to the new parts. For one the combat has been totally refined adding things like swords, knives, bombs, and the hidden (dual) assassin blades of course, plus you can steal enemies’ weapons and use it against them too. The combat has a more over all intelligent flow from the first game, althought it builds on that idea.
Don’t want to fight anyone and slip by unnoticed? Blending in the crowd is made easier as a gray circle will indicate that you are hidden. You could hire courtesans to distract them, thieves to lure them away or mercs to fight for you. Do more killing and bad stuff than the city can tolerate (which isn’t much) and the guards will be more suspicious of you so while before they’re a bit more suspect of you, at full notoreity they’ll practically want to kill you on sight. How do you bring it down? Find posters that no guard would see, kill officials that don’t exactly run that fast or bribe heralds and naysayers instead of…I don’t know, roughing them up mafia-style and threatening to break their knees?

Another added element is the idea of money. It can be spent on upgrades such as better armor, better weapons, replenish your poison blades, smoke bombs, buy paintings or tint your cape. Buying paintings or upgrading your villa, a sort of central base of operation.
Not to mention there’s a lot more added missions with the familiar races but also there’s assassination contracts, courier missions, beat-em-up parts where you pummel cheaters and many others. As far as collecting is concerned, there is some of that found in the feathers but there’s only 100 as opposed to 100 in each city but then we have glyphs. Uncover a building and find an icon and you’ll see somewhere on the building is a glyph, strange markings easily found by using Eagle Vision and scanning them prompts a really intriguing story about Subject 16 where you decode messages, find clues embedded in photographs are doing some riddle solving.

The world feels much more open now because of the lack of redundancy. Every city you visit has random assassination missions, races against thieves, guards to lure away with mercenaries or the local brothel, and so on, but even though it’s the same in every city, they are not required so you can do these little side quests or ignore them. As for main story missions, there are a few that repeat. but missions like these are spaced out and done in ways that they don’t feel repetitive, which is a big plus and a lesson learned. The overall pacing of the story is so well done and intriguing in ways that are so natural you don’t think about it at all.

The graphic are simply impressive as you look over the Italian cityscape. Ubisoft took their time in recreating many landmarks and capturing the renaissance atmosphere, culture, and city layout of Italy. There are moments in the game where I just stopped to admire the view, mainly in the temples and viewpoints. The animations are lifelike. An absolutely stellar soundtrack with some really haunting and peaceful themes playing throughout and the more dramatic or action moments are nicely done. Voice acting as well is spot-on with many voice actors actually sounding like they’re from the era and place.

Assassin’s Creed II comes back revamped, improved, and flawless in everyway imaginable. Enzio feels like more compelling protagonist. His personality, back-story, and his progression from young misfit to skilled assassin is very gripping. The supporting characters, including family and friends your meet along the way, provide some interesting plot points that will keep you inclined to progress with as much of your free time as possible. ASSASSIN’S CREED II not only redeems its predecessor’s many follies, but it is most definitely one of the best games out there.

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As the New Year approaches, some of us look back at this year and remember the good and the bad. Well I look at the some of best this year had to offer.

Imagine waking up and you don’t know where you, you look down to find your side is bleeding. You take a look through the window to see a snowy mountainside; soon you figure out that you are on a train perched on the edge of a mountain. With a small amount of time left, you have to escape the train before it plummet to your absolute death but how exactly did I get here, why am I bleeding on him and what is this mysterious dagger I finds in the snow. Well my friends I believe you just stepped in the shoes of Nathan Drake in the action-adventure sequel Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

It’s been two years since we took the first adventure with Drake, so how will it fare compared to his first adventure? Quite amazing. This game really puts everything together that makes the Uncharted series one of the best. Like the first Uncharted, the story isn’t exactly new but the way it’s told is riveting, through excellent cinematic and seamless cut scenes, engaging gameplay, and characters that are likable and realistic with a villain you actually want to hate. Once again you play as Nathan Drake, treasure hunter. Drake is offered a job by Harry Flynn, an old friend alongside Chloe Frazer, an old love interest to help steal an ancient artifact for his employer. Drake figures that the artifact somehow contains the location of Marco Polo’s missing ships of treasure. So Drake, Flynn and Chloe opt to break into a museum and claim it for themselves. So what can go wrong? Of course, when you say that a lot can go wrong especially when your friend Flynn double crosses you. Leaving you to be locked up in prison, to be finally recued by ol reliable Sully. Sully has also brought along Chloe who reveal to you that they still haven’t found the missing fleet. There is still is time, so it a race though the many dangers and obstacle reuniting ol and new, to reach the treasure they have been looking for or what they thought they was looking for.

From start to finish all you will find yourself doing is sitting on the edge of your seat wanting more and more. It has been said that this is not a game, but more like an interactive movie experience. The way the story rolls with sequences that take control for seconds at a time and are so fluid you don’t even realize you’re back in control of the character are amazing to watch. The level of detail from a murky jungle to the mountain of the Himalaya would be done no justice by explaining them with nothing but simple words. The character designs, not just the way they look, but their demeanor, the way they act and the things they do, all will leave you loving, hating, laughing and mourning with everything they do and say. There are moments where you’re hurt or where you’ll be dragging someone around and you feel it in the wayyou walk, you feel the tense moments of trying to shoot someone with your one free hand.

The pacing of the game is much better than the first. The action hardly slows down, but most of all the twists and turns in the story don’t feel so awkward. There’s great balance of gunplay, plat forming and puzzle solving and transitioning from one part of the game to another. As far as the gameplay is concerned they have only improved what was already great. Uncharted 2 offers a lot more variety and options in how the the gun battles can play out thanks to the fantastic level design. Rather than fighting on flat ground, almost every battle scene features multiple levels and areas to use to your advantage. If you want to stay on the ground and take guys out the old fashioned way, you’re more than welcome to. But you can also climb to higher ground and use height to your advantage, or flank the enemy by moving from cover to cover and changing your tactics as the battle unfolds around you. While the game is still very much a linear tale, taking you from point to specific point, you’re offered many more options in how you approach and deal with battles. The platforming throughout the game is great and gives you a sense of survival as you scale throughout vast terrain. The puzzles within the game are great and have a great deal of mass. At times you’ll be presented with a room where the entire room is a puzzle which makes for some memorable moments.

Certain aspects have also been improved. In the first game, for example, throwing grenades and walking across certain ledges you used the tilting controls which felt gimmicky. Throwing grenades is much easier and can used more effectively during the gun fights. The Stealth gameplay adds a whole new level of flair to the game. At times, stealth is the best way to take out a group of enemies, and your success with stealth usually aids in making some situations more bearable. Melee combos are much more forgiving, so that you can mostly get away with mashing the punch button instead of needing split-second timing. Enemies also absorb fewer bullets than before and are now susceptible to stealthy attacks from behind.

I can’t argue enough that this is a beautiful experience. The environments are absorbing and incredible to behold. This quest will take you from a lush rainforest to a war torn Nepal and then up into the Himalayas. Nothing is more beautiful than being up on top of a building in Nepal and viewing the Himalayas. To say the least the environments are awe inspiring. The original game brought the PS3 graphics that hadn’t been seen and now this game only improves the formula. Character model detail is remarkable, and never before have there been such a believable cast of characters. Character animation is unprecedented and so surreal that at times it’s hard to believe that you’re playing a video game. Sound effects and environmental audio make for some very realistic scenarios. The sound of rain falling overhead with lightning shouting from the skies heats up the environment with a genuine level of believability. . The soundtrack itself captivates the setting beautifully, with each of the tracks pertaining to scenarios and provoking the feeling of human emotion.

Uncharted 2 to featured a new online multiplayer mode which turned out to be a solid piece of work that surprised a lot of people. It’s fun; it’s addicting, easy and captures the essence of the single player experience amazingly well. There’s your standard Deathmatch, Plunder (Capture the Flag), Elimination and a cool variation on King of the Hill where they have to take over certain parts of the map in a specific order to win the game. The 10 player (5 vs 5) limit fits well with the smaller maps, and, quite impressively, Naughty Dog was able to work the platforming aspects of the campaign into the multiplayer.There’s also a co-op mode where you and 2 others play in sections reminiscent of the storyline though it’s way more action-oriented. While none of them are very original, there are plenty of modes, but disappointingly, there aren’t a whole lot of maps. Still, that’s one minor gripe for an all around great multiplayer experience.

This game provides the most engaging and rich cinematic experience of any game I have ever played. It manages to remain highly entertaining throughout, and the story’s development is terrific in presentation and delivery. Very rarely does a game come around that impresses you on so many levels, and Uncharted 2 manages to do that without a hitch. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves has set the new bar for both the action-adventure genre and games in general.

Happy New Year & Happy Gaming

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