Tag Archives: Playstation 3

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

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The PS3 doesn’t get much love from gamers. Maybe it’s the hefty initial price tag or the lackluster online capabilities, but sadly the PS3 doesn’t get the props it deserves. Technically, the system is by far the most sophisticated and advanced console currently on the market. What makes the PS3 really kick ass though are the system’s exclusive games. The latest offering, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, offers insane story, presentation, gameplay, and production values that would put even the best hollywood blockbusters to shame.   If Uncharted 2 is any indication of the potential of video games, entertainment as we now know it is in for a dramatic overhaul.

GRAPHICS (10/10)

Flat out- this is the most gorgeous console game I have ever seen. On top of all that, the game runs smoothly without any glitching or freezing. Nathan Drake, the game’s protagonist, traverses the ends of the earth with each landscape looking more breathtaking than the previous one. Everything from the snow covered Himalayan mountains to the lush green jungles just glisten with detail.  It is safe to say that the game’s environments are just as integral to the story as the characters. Simply put, this game’s graphics are a true testament to the PS3′s capabilities. The game runs in a native 720p, which can be upscaled all the way to 1080p.

The character models look incredible. Usually when characters faces are shown up close in games, they become a bit distorted or have an almost “Simpson”ized quality to them. Not with this game. All the characters look, move, and behave like they are real people. Everything from the facial expressions to the clothing details are all perfectly rendered here. This is one of those few games that is almost as fun to watch as it is to play, and the graphics are a huge reason why.

We’ve all seen beautiful graphics in other games, but not only do UC2′s have more detail, they also utilize a broad color palette. Not only is this one of the most graphically detailed games, it’s also one of the brightest and most colorful I’ve seen in a while. The graphics are truly eye-popping. If I had to nit pick the graphics, I would say that theonly problem is that they are practically too good. It’s very difficult to play any other game after playing this one, as the graphical inadequacies of whatever other game you are playing will really stick out even more to you. If it seems like I’m hyping up the graphics, believe me, my descriptions don’t even do them justice.

SOUND (9/10)

If I had to nitpick, I would say that some of the sound effects aren’t quite upto par with the level of the other aspects of the game. This is most evident with gunshots. The guns in this game have a bit of a toned down effect and lack the audio firepower of say a Call of Duty game. As a result, some of the firefights seems a bit less intense than they could be with richer sound.  Regardless, the game still sounds good, but with the shooting effects from other games being so much more intense I expected a bit more “bang” for my buck in this department.

Aside from the shooting sound effects, everything else is definitely top notch. The voice acting is the best I’ve heard in any game- period. The characters are all amazingly voiced and their dialogue helps to move the story along while at the same time revealing what amazing characters they truly are. This game has quotable lines galore. There are so many great quotes I’d be hard pressed to think of my favorite. Simply put, the voice acting is on par, if not better, than most of the movies to have come out in theaters in recent years.

STORY (9/10)

Like nearly everything else in this game, the story is also well thought out with a special attention to detail. The plot is like a non-stop roller coaster ride with various twists and turns along the way. Just when I thought I was able to predict what was going on with the story, it would throw me in a completely different direction.  I could easily see the plot from this game being ported directly to a movie. I think most of the story elements will transition well to a film. 

There were a few parts of the story that I didn’t really like, but as a whole, the story works extremely well. While some parts may seem a bit far fetched, they all seem consistent with the universe and the characters that are established in this game.  This game really captures that fun adventurous spirit from the best Indiana Jones films. The blend of comedy and action adventure is damn perfect. It makes me wonder why George Lucas didn’t get these guys to write the script for the latest Indy movie. I guarantee it would’ve been way more entertaining than what we wound up with. The bottom line is, the story is just another amazing component of this masterful game.

GAMEPLAY (10/10)

The gameplay is damn near perfect. While there are some minor camera issues when you have close combat in really tight corners, it was very minimal and not enough to really take away from the gaming experience. When you look at the game, it doesn’t really bring any new elements to the table in terms of gameplay. What it does do however, is it takes familiar mechanics we’ve seen before, perfects them, and blends them together into this amazing hybrid of a game that is firing on all cylinders.

The game takes some of the best platforming elements from games like ‘Prince of Persia’ and combines them with the cover and shoot gunplay of ‘Gears of War’. If those two games met, got drunk and had a baby together, Uncharted 2 is a good indication of what the kid would be like. Even though it borrows elements found in these other games, what is so great about UC2 is that it makes these elements its own. Rather than simply recycling the play mechanics of other games, it incorporates them into the game in a way that is unique. While you can compare the cover system and 3PS shooting style to Gears, the way the game plays and moves is unique only to UC2. So while describing it, they may sound similar, when you play the actual game you soon see that it is an entirely different animal in execution.

Perhaps one of the most impressive things about UC2 is its use of “physics within physics.” So you can be fighting and shooting it out with enemies moving in and out of cover, while the entire time you are on top of a moving train that on the verge of veering out of control. There are just so many little details to describe that it is difficult to put into words what is unfolding through the gameplay. The action sequences set up in the game will put most hollywood blockbusters to shame. They are just that intense.

MULTIPLAYER (9/10)

I’ve been waiting for a solid multiplayer experience on the PS3 for a long time. Killzone 2 had decent multiplayer, but it just seems that whatever online offerings the PS3 has come up with so far just pale in comparison to what can be found on the green monster that is Xbox 360. Uncharted 2 seems to have finally gotten it right. The game’s multiplayer is as solid as it gets. The action is fast paced and the platforming elements seem to add a new dimension to how you play online shooters. You can’t just walk around a corner and be ready to rush someone since they can be hanging from a ledge waiting to shoot at you or throw you over. The ability to climb and hang from nearly everything in the game adds a vertical component to the mix that I haven’t experienced in any other game.

 Shooters these days are a dime a dozen. UC2 manages to add something new and refreshing to the genre. The addition of the veritcal element combined with some solid hit detection and well balanced gunplay make for one of the most engaging online experiences this year. While I love FPS like Halo and COD, UC2 is breathing new life into a genre that has become all too repetitive.  As this is their first experiment with multiplayer, I’m excited to see what improvements a 3rd installment will bring.

OVERALL (9.5/10)

I can’t give this game a perfect 10, but it is really really really damn close. This game is one of the best single player experiences I have ever had. It’s definitely in my top 5 of all time, which is saying a lot since there are some pretty mind blowing games out there that didnt make that cut.  All in all, this is one of the best buys for your gaming dollar that you will ever come across. Uncharted 2 has so many extras and replay incentives to keep you glued to the single player. Then you have the multiplayer, which  is its own bag of addiction entirely.  Games like this make me want to do a triple axle out of joy from having a PS3. This is the game that could be a system seller for Sony and definitely pull them out of the rut they seem to be in. It would be a shame if this game goes anything less than double platinum. The production values and overall quality alone are leaps and bounds above anything else out right now. For those of you with PS3s, go out and grab this game immediately. For those who don’t have one yet, this may be the game to convince you to pick one up. It is that good.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360, PS3)

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Superhero games are similar to games based on popular movies: both take well established and marketable franchises and churn out pure crap in video game form.   I honestly can’t remember the last time there was a good video game based on a super hero franchise. The only decent one that comes to mind is the recent game based on the X-Men Origins: Wolverine flick.  Still, at its core, that game was nothing more than a simple beat em up disguised under a bunch of gore. In comparison to previous movie/comic to game incarnations,  that game seemed to be a step above the rest, but honestly that really isn’t saying much. Upon playing Batman: Arkham Asylum, I was pleasantly surprised to finally find a game that does its source material some justice.  In fact, there is enough solid gameplay to make this game a top title regardless of the subject matter.

GRAPHICS 9/10

The graphics in this game are excellent. The details of Batman’s costume really shine through and he noticeably takes damage to both his body and his suit as the game progresses. It’s pretty cool later in the game to see Batman with a ripped up costume, bloody face, and 2 day old beard. Equally impressive are the game’s lighting effects, which effectively switch from regular view to the detective viewpoint, in which enemies and items of interest are highlighted through a type of thermal imaging scope.  The environments are extremely detailed with impressive textures throughout. You really get the sense that you are trapped in this creepy asylum, and the graphics do a good job of ratcheting up the tension to levels only found in the best survival horror games.

STORY 8/10

Even though the story seems a bit stretched and predictable, it is still very entertaining.  I won’t get into the plot too much, but there aren’t any twists or huge surprises thrown at the player. The plot is engaging enough to keep everything moving forward, and that is exactly what you will want to do in this game. The claustrophobic freakiness of the asylum just begs for you to try and escape. Not to mention the possibility that ANYTHING can happen around any given corner and you’ve got a game that not only begs for you to keep playing, but also pushes you to find out how everything is going to turn out. While I’m not a huge fan of games that don’t have multiplayer, the story in this game is good enough to keep me glued, even if it is fairly predictable.

SOUND 9/10

The sound for the game is spot on. Batarangs clang into enemies when thrown.  You can hear the grappling hook grip into the bricks as it punctures them and grabs a hold.  The sound of punches crunching a thug’s face fill the air whenever Batman unleashes a vicious combo. It’s all here. In fact, one of the best points, in terms of sound, is the voice acting in the game. Batman is voiced by Kevin Conroy, the same actor who voiced the character in the animated series. The Joker is voiced by Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), also from the animated series, who brings an edgier and more demented Joker to life. Hamill’s Joker is great in this game, as he can be constantly heard through the intercom mutterring absurdities and his quips are often quite funny….in a sick way. Anyone familiar with the animated series should feel right at home with the voice work in this game, and rightfully so as it is top notch.

GAMEPLAY 9/10

The gameplay in this game is excellent. Anyone who has ever wanted to assume the role of the Dark Knight in a game finally has that chance. It’s all here at your disposal: Batman’s insanely cool gadgets, his stealth abilities, his superior combat skills (Crocop style head kick to the face anyone??), and all of his acrobatic prowess are captured perfectly in this game. You can choose to remain in the shadows and pick off your enemies one by one or you can go in brawling and take on a gang of thugs all at once. The game really does a good job in allowing the player to choose how they handle a given situation. While some situations are impossible unless you utilize some stealth, you still have the option to go in with fists flying if you choose.

There were two games that the gameplay immediately resembled to me: Metroid Prime and Chronicles of Riddick. Both games are excellent and this game manages to combine the best elements of the two.  From Riddick’s dark tone and brooding atmosphere to the constant exploration of Metroid Prime, Batman borrows from both and creates something truly unique that truly does justice to its source material.  This is one of those games that keeps you playing so that you find out what happens next.

Perhaps the only drawback to the overall gameplay would be the inconsistent camera. While the camera isn’t bad enough to be a gamebreaker, it does tend to move into some wierd angles that make it difficult to keep an eye on who you’re fighting. This is especially annoying if you are attempting to use your grappling hook to get away and the grapple point you were aiming at suddenly is suddenly situated behind the camera all of a sudden. It is a bit hard to explian, but there are times when the camera gets disorienting and it is usually in the heat of an intense battle. 

Perhaps one of the coolest things involving gameplay is the inclusion of the Riddler and his challenges. At the beginning of each area, you are given a riddle referring to something in that area that must be photographed using your detective vision. As simple as it sounds, this aspect of the game alone makes the experience highly addicting. For instance, you walk in to a room and see the quote “This bear is the Bane of his existence.” Then later towards the end of the level you discover a hidden teddy bear that used to belong to Bane. You then take a picture of this object to complete the riddle. It’s implementation is a lot more exciting than it sounds, trust me. I have never had the urge to search for all of the collectibles in ANY game, however with this one I am constantly double checking areas for hidden clues or riddle answers.

REPLAYABILITY 8/10

The game has a single player campaing that is actually quite long. Not only is the campaign itself engaing and fun, but all of the Riddler challenges add another level of replay value to the game. Upon completion, you will want to go back and search for the answer to each challenge, especially since there are areas from the beginning of the game that can’t be accessed until later on when you acquire the apporpriate gadgets. 

The game also features a challenge mode, which is similar to a survival combat mode in which you have to defeat X number of enemies in X amount of time. While I don’t really care for this mode, I can see other people can get in to it, especially with the inclusion of exclusive playable characters (PS3 gets Joker, Xbox360 gets Scarecrow).   Despite all of these extras, the campaign mode by itself is good enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.

OVERALL 9/10

This is an excellent game that also has quite a bit of polish to it. There weren’t any noticable glitches that I encountered, and everything from the combat system to the use of the grappling devices worked perfectly. Perhaps the biggest draw to this game is the fan service that it provides to Batman fans. If you’re into Batman, this is definitely a must have as it alludes to things from the comics and references nearly everything in the Batman mythos.  In fact, other than the Joker, the majority of the focus in the game is on some of Batman’s lesser known nemesis.  I thought this was an excellent touch as their storylines are every bit as intriguing as Batman’s other more high profile foes.

The inclusion of the Riddler challenges is implemented to perfection in this game, as looking for and solving them is not only a blast to do,but for each Riddler challenge you complete you are rewarded with things ranging from artwork of your favorite villains to psychiatric evaluations of the Asylum’s most notorious resdients.  Factor in the excellent voice work and this is the ultimate superhero video game experience. Fans of the Dark Knight, the comics, the animated series, or just solid gaming in general  should all try out this game.

Prototype (Xbox 360, PS3)

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Prototype has been in development for a number of years now. Every once in a while a gameplay video or some screenshots would find their way onto the internet, providing just enough fuel to the fires of anticipation for this game. For those unfamiliar with the game, Prototype is a free roaming sandbox type game set in post infection Manhattan. The city has been infected by a virus that, for lack of a better comparison, changes everyone into mindless attacking zombie like creatures. You control Alex Mercer, and infected human who, rather than become a mindless zombie type, has acquired shape shifting powers. You tear through the city fighting both military and infected in search of the truth about what has happened to you.

GRAPHICS 7/10

The graphics themselves are not very impressive at all. Many of the buildings have bland textures and others take a couple seconds to even show up onscreen. Graphics this bland are usually inexcusable in this gaming day and age, however, Prototype doesn’t really seem too hurt by this. While the graphics are bland, it is completely understandable due to the amount of chaos going on onscreen at any given time. Hundreds of infected, military, and monsters all run around causing havok at the same time. It is a bit disorienting to have so many characters on screen just running a muck.  The amount of action at any given moment is actually very impressive. With so much action, there is little time to really stop and nit pick the graphics.

STORY 8/10

The story is decent. There is nothing Oscar caliber about the writing, yet it is good enough to get the job done. What really works is the universe they have created for this game, which suits the main character and the surroundings perfectly.  There are a few plot twists in the game, but overall nothing spectacular.  The story is basically there to just give you a reason to run around ripping up the city, which is perfectly fine for this game.

GAMEPLAY 9/10

This is where Prototype really shines. The graphics are a bit ho hum and the story is decent, but all these elements do is set up the premise for you to run around causing mass destruction and chaos. Throughout the course of the game you acquire different powers and abilities. It is as if someone made a list of some of the coolest comic powers and found a way for a single character to utilize all of these powers. Alex can morph his body so that there are three razor sharp claws protruding from each hand (ala Wolverine) or he can increase his muscle mass to include huge fists to smash anything and everything (Hulk), or he can absorb people’s memories and knowledge and assume their appearance. These are just a few of the powers at your disposal in Prototype.  Nothing is cooler than leaping off a skyscraper to drop the people’s elbow on a tank below only to morph into your claw form and start slicing bodies in half.

Alex is not a super hero by any means, rather he is super powered. There are no morality choices in this game. It is simply destroy and kill on your way to the truth….and that’s it. It is just as much fun to run around destroying  and killing the crap out of everything as it is to follow the story missions. There is no shortage of new powers and abiliies. In fact by the game’s end you’ll most likely find that you have powers and moves that you haven’t even tried out yet.

The controls themselves are not exactly perfect and there are a few mapping issues as far as what buttons are assigned to what actions. Alex is not always as responsive as he needs to be when facing unrelenting armies of enemies where every movement and split second counts. However, there is no denying the fun in all of your gruesomely effective abilities.  Another major issue is the difficulty of the game, which ranges from ridiculously easy at times to unbearably cheap.  Sometimes you just spawn and the entire world is attacking you without giving you a chance to get to cover.  Not to mention the game doesn’t have the regenerating health that is often standard in video games nowadays. Instead you have to consume energy or people to repleneish your heatlh, which can prove to be quite difficult in the heat of battle.  Although it can seem really cheap at times, there is nothing you can’t handle without a good strategy and some quick reflexes.

REPLAYABILITY 7/10

The game does not have a multiplayer mode, therefore once you are done with the campaign there isn’t too much more the game offers, unless you are a completionist freak. The game starts with Easy mode and Normal mode. Hard mode is unlocked after completing one of the first two. There are numerous secret orbs and collectibles to be found around the city, however the search for these is often frustrating and I found myself only collecting things if they were accessible and in plain sight. I had no desire to go out exploring for more. There were rumors about a co-op mode being added to this game, which I think would be pretty awesome to rip ish up with a friend, however right now the game has nothing like that. Hopefully they will add this with a patch or something in the near future.

OVERALL 8/10

This is an awesome game. Could the graphics use more polish? definitely. Perhaps throw in a better story? of course. Is it still a blast to play? Hell yes. The beauty of this game is that you can pick up a controller and just go about decimating anything in your way. Friends, foes, neutrals, they can all be ripped apart just as easily. There is some relief in just being able to kill and destroy with reckless abandon. Most games have you kill enemies while avoiding harming the innocent bystanders. This game doesn’t care. Anyone and anything are fair game.  If you can see it, you can kill it.

I know the scores on this review are a bit low, but that is looking at each individual component. As a whole, the game works extremely well. There is a bit of repetition in some of the missions, but that is pretty common for sandbox games like this and it is nowhere near as repetitive as other sandbox games. I should have added another category for fun factor, which Prototype would get a 10/10. While it may seem a bit mindless, there is something exhilarating about running around causing mayhem with no regard for anything. Even better is being able to switch between different destructive powers on the fly in order to chosse the most destructive method for a given situation.

I know alot of people are comparing this game to inFAMOUS on the PS3. While both games feature a free roaming city environment with super charged main characters, the similarities end there. Infamous is a great game, although a bit PG. While not as pretty, Prototype is just no holds barred carnage. Sometimes the streets will be covered in red from all the blood being spilled on screen, which is just crazy to witness. Overall, Prototype is an awesome game that will definitely keep you occupied for as long as the campaign lasts. Its too bad it doesn’t have much more to offer beyond that.