One Hour With: Uncharted 2

14:00. Popped in the disk. The first Uncharted did not manage to surprise me in any way and I found the combat extremely unsatisfying. Let's hope the Among Thieves proves to be more interesting.

14: 02. It takes about two minutes for the game to initially load up. And then, just before it starts, it needs to save itself, which is a bit weird. Now, it's loading things again but the music keeps me entertained.

14:04. Does Nathan Drake ever fully shave his beard shadow? We'll know in Uncharted 3.

14:12. The initial train falling down sequence is nicely done, with a bit of an awkward camera but with nice tension and easy-to-understand tutorial instructions.

14:16. The exposition sequence, setting up the adventure, takes quite a bit of time. Maybe it would have been better to dole it out piece by piece as the gamer progresses? Still, I like how they set it up that any progress Drake makes is followed by a hard setback, like being knocked unconscious.

14:33. These cut scenes feel like the Indiana Jones movie that never happened last year. I just hope no fridges get nuked in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

14:38. Do we really need to tap buttons in a sort of mini Quick Time Event to close a simple valve? Just make us push the button once and be done with it.

14:45. Nicely acted, especially when it comes to the interactions between Drake and Chloe. Oh, and who puts a power cutting panel so near to the alarm that is supposed to protect the museum against looters?

15:54. Those three guards were a bit frustrating. And now, another alarm, as easy to disarm as the last one. Turkey must really be behind the creation of security systems for museums.

Uncharted 2 seems compelling judging by this first hour, even though the combat system did not feature much until now. The movement system is fluid and acrobatic, the banter between the characters makes sense and the plot appears to be enticing.