Sony and GameStop have released a multiplayer demo for Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. If you are interested in gaining access to the multiplayer demo, then make your way down to your local GameStop and put down your $5 on a preorder for Uncharted 2: Drake’s Fortune or wait until Sep. 29th when the multiplayer demo goes public. The multiplayer demo has expanded the multiplayer offerings considerably since gamers last got their hands on Uncharted 2 in the previous beta. If you were one of the lucky gamers who got into the beta, in early June, with your purchase of inFAMOUS, then prepare to be blown away again! Read more to see the impressions.
The maps in the multiplayer demo are well planned and are used across various game modes.
The Plaza: This is probably the most basic map in Uncharted 2. The Plaza’s layout is asymmetrical and doesn’t have too many vantage points; however it does have enough of them to keep the gameplay dynamic. The main choke point for this map is the center where everyone meets up at to exchange bullets. The Plaza was also featured in the previous beta.
The Village: This map is another fine addition to the game. The Village’s layout is similar to that of the Plaza’s, except that there are more vantage points strewn about the map for players to get an advantage on their opponents. Most of the vantage points are blown out buildings and homes.
The Temple: This map is a new reveal for the game. The Temple is by far my favorite map with loads of vantage points in the map. There are also many points where the action bottlenecks and gamers exchange bullets in massive cross fires. There are lots of vantage points that gamers will try to capture in this map because they are integral to success in The Temple. The art direction in The Temple is phenomenal and is well executed as well. I haven’t enjoyed a temple map layout this much since GoldenEye 007, on the N64. The Temple is guaranteed to be a fan’s favorite, once this game launches next month, mark my words.
The Ice Caves: This map is also a new reveal being released for the multiplayer experience. The Ice Caves map is a beautiful level and truly immerses gamers’ senses with how it projects the sense of being in an arctic environment. The snow packs onto your characters body as it would in real life. The snow also has a sense of weight and depth to it that is portrayed extremely well through Uncharted 2’s animation system. The Ice Caves map is set up for close combat encounter. There were numerous times where I was shoulder to shoulder with a friend gunning down opponents. The layout of Ice Caves is pretty narrow to keep the action intense. The Ice Caves is the first level that I saw that had two levels in it. You can go down below the bridge and exchange bullets or attempt to traverse over the bridge where your enemies are surely to be waiting with full clips.
The selection of modes are copious and varied in the Multiplayer Demo.
Team Deathmatch: Consists of 10 players killing each other in 5 vs. 5 matches and is also your standard fair mode where you try to eliminate your opponent; however there are also many tweaks to Team Deathmatch and they are as they sound.
Shotgun & Snipers: This mode is great and is reminiscent of Sniper Rifles on Halo 3.
Pistols & Grenades: This is a fun mode; it is a good way to work on your grenade skills.
Elimination: This is a mode where you will have to be more tactical because once you die you can’t respawn until the round is over. Also, you have to be wise because you wouldn’t want to leave a teammate with a 5 on 1 scenario. However, if you’re the one left in a 5 on 1 situation and emerge victorious then your teammate will shower you with accolades.
Team Objective: Still consists of 10 players killing each other in 5 vs. 5 matches similar to Team Deathmatch; however, this time the focus is mainly on the strategy side where gamers tray to capture the treasure or capture points of interest on the maps.
Plunder: Very similar to your average capture the flag mode, except for the fact that the flag spawns in the middle between both teams and can also be tossed between players. Oh and the flag is what looks to be a 50 pound golden idol! By having Plunder set up this way it keeps the gameplay fresh and everyone’s strategies dynamic. I mean the breadth of strategy you and your team must have is enormous. Not only do you have to acquire the golden idol by force, you must also escort your teammate to safety while also trying to balance your game of toss. Many times I felt like Ben Roethlisberger leading the Steelers down the field as I called plays to throw the relic to my teammates, who could sprint faster than me because they weren’t carrying the golden relic.
Chain Reaction: Similar to territory/capture mode from your average First-Person Shooter game, Naughty Dog still manages to mix it up by requiring gamers to attain the capture points in numerical order either from 1-5 or 5-1 depending on what team you are on. This is a neat addition and adds another layer of strategy.
Co-Op Arena: This mode is extremely similar to Gears of War’s and Halo ODST’s Horde and Firefight modes respectively. Players are pitted against respawning enemies; however, to add more to your plate Naughty Dog has seen fit to make it where the players also have to capture a golden idol similar to what you have to do in Plunder Mode. Co-Op arena requires some real teamwork and strategy. If you and your teammates go full commando then expect your game not to last long, as the computer AI becomes more aggressive. By the third round, the AI in the game becomes an expert marksman and will take you down if you stray too far from the pack then you will become easy pickings.
Co-Op Objective: This is the Co-Op Campaign that was featured previously, in the beta for Uncharted 2. This mode is largely unchanged; however, it is still fun to blast through levels with your buds online.
Cinema Mode: This is also a great addition similar to Halo 3’s theatre mode. Cinema Mode allows gamers to record every match they participate in. So if you pwn a friend or just want to watch a replay of top players, you can send your friend the replay and download the top players replay respectively. You can also capture screen shots in game and have them exported to the XMB. Note: all the screenshots in this article are from the in-game editor.
Upgrades: These are accumulative across the entire game. You gain money in the game by killing opponents, capturing golden idols, and capturing zones. You then use the money you acquire to buy perks, skins and weapon upgrades from the in-game store.
Twitter: The popular social network is also integrated into the game for those of you who like to brag on your stats. You can do everything from updating your stats to your friends seeing what game you’re in.
If the above article has you in anyway interested then I implore you to rush to your local GameStop and preorder Uncharted 2: Drake’s Fortune now or wait until Sep. 29th and download the demo. Until then see you online!
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written by tmanmushroom, September 20, 2009
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written by David Warner, September 20, 2009
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written by Matt Vongthongkham, September 20, 2009
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written by rogue, September 21, 2009
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written by rogue, September 21, 2009
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written by elijahblake, September 21, 2009
Good job Naughty Dog!!
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Since this is still a beta, it has bugs. My biggest gripe is when I play modes other than co-op and at random points during the game my character will randomly freeze in a spot. I can't move at all when that happens, therefore I get killed. That's why I wasn't doing so well when I was playing with you, Sham.