We tried the Uncharted 2 beta

Driftwood
Monday, June 22, 2009 | 12:11 AM
22 comments

Video PS3

It's been a few weeks since the release of the multiplayer beta of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Here is some exclusive footage of the Plunder mode and the coop mode. Two special guest stars from the French forums gave me a hand so you'll get to see how well augur can shoot and how easy it is to shoot czouper - especially when you're not supposed to. Enjoy!
Update: Videos removed at Sony Computer Entertainment's request.

You probably expect to read our first impression so, since today is the shortest night of the year, I'll try to make it short. The first thing that you notice when you launch the beta is how smoothly the game runs, how great the animations are and, of course, how beautiful the game looks.

There are three different game modes available in the beta and you actually find the usual stuff. You can play one of the campaign maps with two friends. There are a few differences with what happens in the story mode but it's basically the same level. The plunder mode is in fact some sort of capture the flag but it works pretty well and it's rather fun to play. I won't say the same about the standard deathmatch mode, which I think is pretty boring. I mean, yes, it's true such mode is usually not my cup of tea, but I really think that's the least interesting one in the beta.

The game handles great, the controls are intuitive and it's very easy to aim and shoot. Soon enough, you'll feel at home. After an excellent first game, saying the sequel looks promising would be quite an understatement. We can't wait to see more.

I will add one last video showing the plunder mode again, but on the other available map. Stay tuned!

nostradamus

Commented on 2009-06-22 00:32:05

Looks like MGO but in a more normal-fare multiplayer type of game and in game types(Deathmatch, capture the... gold?).

Backgrounds seem to take a heavy hit tough, but the game looks fluid in motion. Nothing mindblowing, but thats what the Single-player is for.

In reply to

omniscient

Commented on 2009-06-22 00:38:09

I've been waiting for this.

Inflatable

Commented on 2009-06-22 01:00:20

Gameplay looks alot like Gears of War, but in a more realistic colourfull setting.. I love these type of (coop) games, to bad it's not on the Xbox 360 aswell..

Stoffinator

Commented on 2009-06-22 02:14:36

I loved the co op part of the game.

KORNdog

Commented on 2009-06-22 03:34:23 In reply to Stoffinator

Posted by Stoffinator

same. co-op, despite only being about 5 minutes long and leaving you on a cliffhanger, is the mode that keeps bringing me back for more. if the full game offers enough of these bite sized co-op levels, it's gonna be awesome.

deathmatch isnt amazing, but then it's not in any game really. but again, it's one i keep coming back to, mainly because you dont have to worry yourself with team work or objectives or complex rules, you just shoot guys. and when i'm pressed for time, i usually jump into death match over anything else...that goes for all games. the fact you can climb buildings and objects to get vantage points or better weapons really mixed things up tho. which prevents it feeling like a gears of war knock off.

plunder is my least favourite by far. it's an interesting take on capture the flag with the whole throwing mechanic, and the climbing, again, mixes things up enough to net feel like every other shooter out there. but i've NEVER liked capture the flag in any game...just seems incredibly pointless.

visuals are really nice too, and super smooth. the multiplayer alone puts a lot of single player only games to shame...cant wait to see how it looks in the main campaign tho.... minds will be blown.

[quote=Stoffinator]I loved the co op part of the game.[/quote]

deathmatch isnt amazing, but then it's not in any game really. but again, it's one i keep coming back to, mainly because you dont have to worry yourself with team work or objectives or complex rules, you just shoot guys. and when i'm pressed for time, i usually jump into death match over anything else...that goes for all games. the fact you can climb buildings and objects to get vantage points or better weapons really mixed things up tho. which prevents it feeling like a gears of war knock off.

plunder is my least favourite by far. it's an interesting take on capture the flag with the whole throwing mechanic, and the climbing, again, mixes things up enough to net feel like every other shooter out there. but i've NEVER liked capture the flag in any game...just seems incredibly pointless.

visuals are really nice too, and super smooth. the multiplayer alone puts a lot of single player only games to shame...cant wait to see how it looks in the main campaign tho.... minds will be blown.

ramiuk1

Commented on 2009-06-22 04:03:40

this is the reason ijust bought a PS3,already got a 360 but with games like this i couldnt wait,just playing the 1st one now

mikejones

Commented on 2009-06-22 04:10:53

Thought the graphics would be better but at least it looks sort of fun.

scoobs0688

Commented on 2009-06-22 06:32:48 In reply to mikejones

Posted by mikejones

Lol really? Oh boy...

Nietzsche

Commented on 2009-06-22 07:57:31

This game is fun but I can also see it getting old pretty fast. As good as the game looks, I don't see the co-op aspects being deep enough to keep me busy enough to play the game too many times. It'll be really fun, just not enough to keep people addicted like a Call of Duty or Halo type game does. The campaign should be the standout part of the game though. I've never played a third person shooter that had a really strong MP part, even Gears of War got old after a month or two for me. Only horde mode keeps me coming back once in a rare while.

trey4life

Commented on 2009-06-22 08:11:05

The multiplayer modes are solid but I know I'll be playing the campaign over and over. Now people don't have any excuse not to buy Uncharted. ND really shored up the tech for UC2 with better AA,HDR,Depth of Field, Vsync,etc. UC1 has strong tech too, but you get what I mean.

FlatuS

Commented on 2009-06-22 10:27:41

you can see the difference between single and multiplayer (duh ! ) . Single player looks gorgeous,but the multiplayer looks "just" fine . as in Gears of war fine wich is a good thing

aphex187

Commented on 2009-06-22 10:38:02 In reply to mikejones

This message is in "Boulet Time" (TM), If you still *really* want to see it, click here

You really do need your eyes testing, as that comment in its own was just plain ridiculous....

krisq

Commented on 2009-06-22 10:47:36

That's shaping up really nice. Looks hell of a fun.

emet

Commented on 2009-06-22 11:58:00

I have U2 beta too and gfx in multiplayer are better than in U1. If singleplayer looks at least that good (and I'm sure it does... well look even better) then...

Advance

Commented on 2009-06-22 16:31:57

I don't count to MP. Uncharted for me is the strong SinglePlayer.

xgei8ht

Commented on 2009-06-22 18:25:20

Graphics are sweet, i have the mp beta, runs smooth and looks good.

LEBATO

Commented on 2009-06-23 05:21:36

"Update: Videos removed at Sony Computer Entertainment's request."

Wow Sony, you have reached a new low. Videos about a freaking beta?

Commented on 2009-06-23 16:24:25 In reply to LEBATO

Posted by LEBATO

dont most closed beta's go by those rules? i'm pretty sure if gamersyde posted halo ODST beta fotage, bungie/MS would be asking for it to be taken down.

at the end of the day, it isnt an open beta. it's not for public viewing.

GriftGFX

Commented on 2009-06-23 16:30:40

Yea that's not really terribly uncommon, but it does sorta surprise me that there's an NDA for this type of "preview" beta.

These aren't your typical beta tests. It's more of a glorified demo.

And there were plenty of Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 beta videos everywhere.

Commented on 2009-06-23 19:24:09 In reply to GriftGFX

halo 3 and cod4 where open beta's tho. this is more along the lines of the killzone 2 beta that i was in, where you wasnt even suposed to TALK about any details, never mind post footage.

Commented on 2009-06-23 23:57:27

Ugh these beta videos are all over youtube anyways.

Commented on 2009-06-24 01:41:22 In reply to KORNdog

Posted by KORNdog

How is this anymore closed than the Halo 3 beta? You could "buy-in" to this beta. Entry was received in the same exact manner. Call of Duty 4 was selected from a more-or-less random pool of registered users, granted, an enormous one. Closed beta's are generally distributed to a very small and exclusive selection of users.. having an NDA for these console betas is sorta silly. No one is actually going to take them seriously anyway.

This is your typical console preview beta, nothing more.

But hey, their call.