Five features we want to see in Uncharted 2
- Posted March 3rd, 2009 at 01:17 EDT by PSU Staff
- 60 Comments
We'd challenge anyone attempting to extol the offerings of the PlayStation 3’s vastly growing software library not to give mention to the critically lauded Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Developed by the talented coders at Naughty Dog, Uncharted remains one of the PS3’s most celebrated releases to date, offering up a thrilling package of intense action, gripping narrative and sumptuous visuals.
Imagine, if you will, how chuffed we were when the developers officially lifted the lid on the inevitable sequel, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, which is currently penciled in for release on Sony’s black behemoth later this year. As expected, the team is looking to spice up the proceedings by including a number of additional gameplay elements and tweaks, chief among them the inclusion of stealth mechanics and advanced AI.
While we have absolute faith in Naughty Dog, PSU has compiled a list of the top five features that we’re itching to see included in Nathan Drake’s latest outing that ultimately failed to make the cut in the original game. Without further ado, here’s our Uncharted 2 wish list.
1. Greater Enemy Variety
As satisfying as the combat in Uncharted is, one particular thorn in the game's side is the lack of variety in the enemies Drake encountered. Sure, the wonderfully implemented cover system and solid AI made for some intense shootouts, but capping seemingly endless waves of pugnacious pirates and other goons got a little stale towards the game’s climax. Naughty Dog teased us with the mutated Spaniards, though their screen time was ultimately sorely lacking in comparison.
Given the exotic surroundings Drake has visited so far in his adventures, we would like to see Naughty Dog shake things up a bit in the enemy department – for example, how about throwing in some indigenous wildlife for our brash hero to battle? Perhaps some melee-based human foes, or some additional boss fights? Fingers crossed.
2. Revamped Close Quarters Combat
Nathan Hale has a gun butt, Marcus Phoenix has a chainsaw, and Nathan Drake has his fists. Drake's Fortune included a hefty arsenal of melee attacks, but many weren't able to master even the most basic maneuvers. The game's combo attacks were performed through specific button press sequences that, when timed correctly, doled out massive damage. Most gamers, however, would wildly mash buttons, yielding unsuccessful results. Even expert players often found the melee mechanics unwieldy.
We want Naughty Dog to head back to the drawing board for Uncharted 2's melee combat. Stealth already appears to play a much larger role in gameplay this time around, which should lend itself well to hand-to-hand encounters. We'd love to see Drake sneak up on adversaries and take them hostage, using their squirming torsos as human shields. When his foes do spot him, though, melee combat should differ from the timed button presses seen in the original Uncharted. Naughty Dog should look to successful third person brawlers, like Yakuza, for inspiration.
3. Increased Exploration
Uncharted’s environments were a sight to behold. Aside from jaw-dropping aesthetic appeal afford by the technical prowess of Sony’s black box, the game’s locations were positively dripping with atmosphere, evoking images of the archaeologist exploits of the gun-toting Lara Croft to the culture-rich, exotic locales of Indiana Jones. Abandoned forts, vast forests, underground catacombs and crumbling monasteries are just some of the highlights plucked from memory.
Yet, despite the wealth of locales on offer, players were given little incentive to actually soak them up aside from hunting for the occasional treasure, instead concentrating on pumping a few rounds into the nearest bad guy or leaping across a gaping chasm. We would like to see a little more emphasis on exploration in the sequel, perhaps allowing gamers to examine various parts of your surroundings. Concurrently, this could also be intertwined with solving various puzzles and collecting hidden goodies, squeezing the most out of the game’s locales.
4. Destructible Environments
While the environments of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune were bodacious and beautiful, they were relatively untouchable. Sure, there was ... (continued on next page)
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SolidDrake86
- 8:30pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 2
This game would be perfect for co-op, the whole first game I was thinking "Why is there always someone with me, yet no co-op?" I think they attempted it with the first one but couldn't get it together in time, so they just stuck you with an AI partner.
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stucopping
- 9:17pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 4
The melee combat was the only let down in my opinion in Fortune. her's to hoping its gets revamped in Theives. As for Co-op I dont think the game needs it but as long as its an extra then it wouldn't hurt.
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pibbman
- 9:32pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 5
I don't think the game needs Co-op either, I guess it could be fine if it was offline co-op, but I rather they focus their time and resources on making a fantastic single player game. Anytime a developer has to budget time and resources, one or both modes end up suffering.
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Wolfenstien
- 9:51pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 6
Sounds Like it is going to be greater than Tomb Raider !!!!
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Funeralfog
- 10:03pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 7
stay the EFF away from co-op, what is it these days with people wanting to hold hands?
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a_stray_bullet10
- 10:48pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 9
that first screenshot looks strikingly similar to the main courtyard in the first uncharted. with the church n where u find sully.
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I_am_Arsenalgunner27
- 10:53pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 10
no, number 3 is a no, i dont want the treasures to be even harder to find. i found 50 out of 60 by myself through my first time of playing because you didnt have to follow so many different paths to find them. having more free space means more hiding place for the treasures
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COD_23123
- 11:22pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 11
Quit whining you little girls , every game i see you guys want co-op ! leave the co-op man and focus on what the games meant to be a PURE SINGLE PLAYER GAME ! as for what i want , i think more exploration would be amazing , a truly open world adventure with no boundires at all . Imagine after killing a bad guy you go wandering off into a nearby forest and just see the beautifull graphics around you whilst finding archealogical artefacts among seeing wildlife and stuff how cool that would be . A game without boundries is what i truly want .
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Galvanise_
- 11:59pm EST - March 2nd, 2009
- 12
If there is Co-Op in this game, I'll be disappointed. Games that excel as single player experiences should stay that way. Case in point, God of War III.
Naughty Dog shouldn't try to change the dynamics of the game too much. The strealth is enough of a change.
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Jackobinen
- 12:00am EST - March 3rd, 2009
- 14
I can't understand why everyone keeps whining about the melee combat! It's not wierd at all!
Co-op in Uncharted 2 would be the best news ever! (Almost...)
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richkaos
- 1:31am EST - March 3rd, 2009
- 17
The reason people want co-op is because they have FRIENDS, you know, real people that come round your house to see you and participate in some gaming with you, its called the abillity to socialise and have fun. Co-op and splitscreen have provided me some of my best gaming moments ever.
So all you cardigan wearing anti social nerds that dont like co-op may as well go buy a new cardy or have a flick through your fallout 3 strategy guide
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NeOne303
- 2:20am EST - March 3rd, 2009
- 19
Disagree with having broader environments... that in my eyes is what ruined Tomb Raider. Searching around for things is boring! The scenes and environments in Uncharted were jsut right, it was the fast action on the game that i enjoyed, always something to be getting on with keeping me entertained. Destructable environments on the other hand would be pretty cool... Not too fussed about co-op altho some sort of onlne feature would give the games a little more life... maybe a feature like MGO would be good!
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