Review: Uncharted 2, as close to cinema as it gets

As publishers and developers begin to invest more and more money into blockbuster titles, gamers are growing to expect top-notch voice acting, beautiful scores and enriching stories. With this evolution, the boundary between video games and movies is beginning to blur. This is the case with Naughty Dog Studio's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

Uncharted 2 follows the story of Nathan Drake as he works to uncover the mystery behind Marco Polo's deadly trip to find the mythical city of Shambhala. The game is filled with exciting gun fights, daredevil platforming and puzzle solving. As cliche as the story and characters are, Naughty Dog's ability to mix gameplay and the in-game cinema makes the Uncharted 2 an amazing experience to play through.

Everything about this game works. The voice acting is superb and some of the best in the industry. Each line is delivered with accuracy, with none of it sounding forced or unnecessary. In the same vein, the script is not only well-written, but an enjoyment to take part in. The characters interact with each other like you would see people interact in real life. Some games have characters that feel plastic, but the characters in Uncharted 2 draw a feeling of familiarity. If possible, these are the types of characters you would want to sit down and drink a beer with.

The art direction deserves its fair share of accolades, too. Borneo, the Himalayas and the ending of the game are some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen rendered in a video game. In fact, the excitement of the game pained me at times, because I was unable to just stop and admire the game's beautiful scenery.

The controls are crisp and it shows in the gun play and platforming. Drake's ability to scale walls and make gut-checking jumps are easy to pull off, yet still provide the player with a great sense of accomplishment. On top of all of this is a multiplayer that is both functional and fun.

But the one thing that makes Uncharted 2 shine above all other games, is its cinematic quality. The game is very much like a Hollywood blockbuster title that you would see during the summer months. This is what the fourth Indiana Jones movie should have been. Exotic locales, mercenaries, a love story and one twist after another, Uncharted 2 delivers on a scale that Hollywood almost always falls short of hitting.

This is a game that is deserving of all of the "Game of the Year" nods from publications.

In short, Uncharted 2 makes owning a PlayStation 3 worth it. If you get the chance to try this title, don't pass on the opportunity. It seriously is one of the best-built games, for not just 2009, but ever. Uncharted 2 could be the best single-player action-adventure title you'll ever play.