Lunchtime Discussion: Should Uncharted 2 Have Been Two Games?
Shooting: great, platforming: not so much.Published 03/11/2009 at 12:00 by nofi
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I’ve been playing Uncharted 2 recently and with the exception of Warhawk, I think it’s just about the best game I’ve played on my PS3. In the audio and graphics departments it’s peerless, not only with the stunning performance-captured cut-scenes, but during the hustle and bustle of gameplay. However, the further I progressed in the game, the more I realised how pronounced the difference between the two gameplay styles was.
The shooting is exciting and organic, whereas the platforming is about as on-rails as you can get. At times, I’d have been happy with a “Skip Platforming” option right alongside the “Skip Movie” option already present. To be fair, Naughty Dog has done a great job of injecting tension – at least on the first play – and graphical splendour into some of these sections, but ultimately they left me a little cold. Especially the climb up the train.
As I neared the end I started to think that Naughty Dog should split the gameplay of Uncharted into two separate games; one combat based, one platforming based.
Which games have you played that have incorporated gameplay styles you wish had been left out?
Thanks to Michael for today’s inspiration.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
bajere | 03/11/2009 12:19
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I did get a little fed up with the platforming part of the game, it could of done with more puzzle parts IMO.
Gastos84 | 03/11/2009 12:19
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I think had Uncharted 2 been a single type of gameplay, whether that be FPS/Shooter or Platformer, then it would have lost some of its appeal. For me in particular, as I’m not a massive fan of racers/fps/rpg I have a very limited number of games that really appeal to me. Uncharted did so becuase it included so many different elements.
I know it’s old school but I loved the Die Hard trilogy on PSOne because they were three separate games and three separate styles. Die Hard was a 3rd person game, Die Hard 2 was a FPS (or Virtua Cop style at least) and Die Hard with a Vengeance was a driving game. I loved that aspect to it.
Batman: AA is one game that thought could have benefitted even more from being more directed at one style. It’s hand-to-hand is brilliant as is the swinging around and hanging people up by their feet, but I would have liked to have seen either the detective mode chnaged, or change the game to be more stealthy with a more intuative detective mode.
bunimomike | 03/11/2009 12:33
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Oh god… the Die Hard trilogy was superb! The driving was truly mental but the perfect balance of just-about-achievable after a few goes. Great mention, Gastos.
bunimomike | 03/11/2009 12:32
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The following is my opinion (not fact)
: The climbing of the train carriage (on first play through) had my girlfriend and I laughing and shouting. It was superb! Poor Nate. However, because you knew every part of it on the second playthrough then it’s going to lose the pizazz of the initial fun. This does not make the game any less and I feel that all the way through so far. The mix of action, adventure, puzzle solving, gun fights, makes the game what it is. One of the features might rub a little but removing it could do the game more damage than good.
Regarding other games, I really can’t think of any shining examples that you ask for. Then again, I’m usually very careful with purchases so don’t end up buying a vast number of “proper” games, as such.
BadBoyBoogie | 03/11/2009 12:40
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The train sequence was superb the first time, but having to tackle it twice per playthrough, it soon started to grind somwhat!!
jimmy-google | 03/11/2009 12:43
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I noticed on the second time you tackle it you don’t have to do as much as teh first time. I’ve played a few games where you start in the middle of the story and have to replay the first level again half way through; Tomb Raider underworld being one (but was no where near as enjoyable as Uncharted).
Deathbrin | 03/11/2009 16:43
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“However, because you knew every part of it on the second playthrough then it’s going to lose the pizazz of the initial fun.”
Yes, but that if you don’t do it with, say, Zorskel.
Vandix | 03/11/2009 12:38
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With Brutal Legend the game could have done without the stage battles… IMO this ruined the game…
artefx | 03/11/2009 13:11
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I totally agree. This could have been split into an RTS and a open world hack’n’slash. The RTS part was rubbish imo.
stefhutch20 | 03/11/2009 14:02
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The Stage Battles are one of the most boring and frustrating pieces of gameplay I have ever played. It almost ruined the game for me, which is a shame because I thought everything else about it was pretty good.
I actually felt a bit cheated, because I played the demo and thought it was really fun, so I bought the game, and then found out that a big section of the gameplay is RTS (which in my opinion is the most boring genre of game ever). Thank God I’ve finished the main story, so now I’m just roaming around in the Deuce.
jimmy-google | 03/11/2009 12:40
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The fact you don’t spend all your time shooting is the reason why I love uncharted so much. Splitting the game in 2 is just one step away from turning it into another FPS. It does need more puzzles though. Uncharted as a series is brilliant due to its variety; it breaks up the game and adds to the experience. With most games I get a bit sick of them by the end because the variety isn’t there. I loved Batman but was a bit bored by the end of the game.
bajere | 03/11/2009 12:49
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its a good point you make…taking out any of the elements will just make it another shooter…like we need more! a few more puzzles and it would of got a 10/10 in my eyes, high8/9 at the moment for me.
Roynaldo | 03/11/2009 13:00
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As many have said, more puzzles and it would be a solid 10/10.
The mixture of platform,set piece action,shooting,puzzles and characters makes this game what it is and wouldnt remove any of it. But adding things? Thats a different matter altogether.
cc_star | 03/11/2009 13:10
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I think there are a couple too many gun fights in the game, and given the abundance of ammo they’re all pretty easy, I loved some of the platforming puzzling sections, but in particular the climb up the train felt a bit of a drag, and the other puzzleling sections were just too easy given the linear nature of everything… Its pretty hard to find a true puzzling moment in the game, and the platforming is made all the more easy as, like I say there isn’t really a choice of different ways to go.
It truly is a great game though, with a fantastic story and some jaw dropping set pieces but it does have flaws like, too much ammo, not deep enough puzzles, over simplistic and at times annoying platforming and IMO regenerative health is wrong as it makes things even easier.
It takes a brave website to take stock of the flaws, ignore the hype and take criticism for awarding it *shock* a 9, nice one TSA – right again.
shields_t | 03/11/2009 13:40
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I completely agree CC_Star, I would favour more puzzle sections, and perhaps the clues in Nate’s book could’ve been colectables so as to add an element of actully puzzling puzzles(?), I’d happily have done away with the odd gunfight for this.
When ND announced the “traversing combat” stuff, I really expected this to include multiple paths for the player to take and the fact that there is always a pipe bent in the correct direction or a number of raised bricks spread up a wall in exactly the direction the player needs to move seems somewhat far fetched.
shields_t | 03/11/2009 13:43
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Though not exactly a large element of the game, the rhythm based dancing on the beach bit in GTA: San Andreas had me stuck for a whole lot longer than any of the other missions did. Also, in the same game, I wouldn’t have minded seeing the shooting section with the model biplanes being omitted.
Deathbrin | 03/11/2009 16:41
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You find secret paths to treasures. That is puzzling.
You take secret paths to treasures. That is platforming.
I don’t think you would moan about how easy and linear this game is (though is really is pretty linear, just not quite easy), if you’ve been seriously collecting treasures. Alternative ways and lateral thinking lead to them. Sometimes you see the treasure, and you have to think how to get there and get it. That combines “puzzle” and platforming elements.
If you say that treasure hunting doesn’t matter (infact it’s actually a pretty big part of the game) and you’re only talking about the story, then you aren’t actually talking about the game, but only some aspect of it. The same can be said if your Normal isn’t as Crushing as you’d expect.
AcidCrashX | 03/11/2009 13:15
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i wouldn’t change UC2 in any way. naughty dog made a great title and i loved every minute of its action packed story. the only thing that i hated about UC2 was it making me drool for the announcement of UC3 lol
Amphlett | 03/11/2009 15:51
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Agreed, a top notch single player game which I wouldn’t change at all!
I would however change the multiplayer so that games start up in less than 3 minutes. It’s quite off putting sitting there waiting like a lemon. I know it’s only 3 minutes but COD never seems to suffer this problem.
C_S15 | 03/11/2009 13:19
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Wouldn’t change anything. Easily amongst the very top of the top 10/10 titles.
Severn2j | 03/11/2009 13:31
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I really like the mix of styles in UC2, but it could have done with more puzzles and a bit more time to work things out before it just tells you where to go..
Things that should’ve been dropped? The driving sections from Enter the Matrix.. I quite liked the game, but the driving sections almost ruined it.
a inferior race | 03/11/2009 14:22
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I forgot about them. Damn you for reminding me. They were really, really bad.
2ofclubs | 03/11/2009 13:32
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Personally I felt they managed to strike a good balance between the platforming and shooting especially given the extra amount of vertical opportunities available for gunfights. I did actually review this for a friends website so it would be nice to hear what the TSA staff and community think of it – http://www.gamebrit.com/article/1676/Reviews/Uncharted-2-Among-Thieves/
eirekun | 03/11/2009 14:08
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I liked the mix, though as many have said above some more involved puzzles would have been good. I don’t know if this is going to sound like heresy, but I’d have liked less cut-scenes in the game & have had more of those scenes playable.
My minor quibble with the gamestyles was the zero g Basketball in Dead Space – drove me nuts after 5 mins, though the shooting gallery was great.
Sevchenko | 03/11/2009 14:17
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im sorry. but you guys always say this is the best looking game ever ever on the ps3. its great, but its also 3rd person. whether or not you like the game, Killzone 2 is much better graphically
cheekyMcB | 03/11/2009 14:32
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What has the viewing perspective got to do with how good the graphics are? It makes no difference to how technically good the graphics are if you can see the person your playing as or not, it only makes a difference to how it plays.
Raen | 03/11/2009 14:37
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I agree with the general point, but disagree that the technical aspect is all that matters in a game being the ‘best looking’. The artistic side can also have a significant impact.
cheekyMcB | 03/11/2009 15:37
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@Raen. Totally agree. I was going to put that in my comment also but I didn’t want to complicate my post by addressing a related topic, I just wanted to address what Sevchenko said.
Raen | 03/11/2009 15:39
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In that case we’re cool. For now…
Old School | 03/11/2009 14:28
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Sorry but I disagree and I bet so do a lot of other people… maybe everyone lol.
teflon | 03/11/2009 15:25
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I disagree too.
I can see where you’re coming from, and I agree that the platforming is linear, but I don’t think it should be split into two separate games. I just think that now that the combat has been perfected, and the platforming has blended into the environments better (on the whole), they just need to make it more open and freeform.
Each area should have at least 2 ways of getting to the objective, if not more than that. What if one route was the basic one, but a hidden path which in UC1 and 2 would have simply lead to a treasure carries on and links to a new entrance to the next battle, possibly with the added reward of a better gun, or a better vantage point to snipe at enemies or a more concealed route that will let you simply bypass a group of baddies.
So while the platforming is still quite linear in UC2, there’s also room for improvement that can make it much more natural and varied in UC3. Of course, if UC3 is a launch title for the PS4, then there’ll also be a wealth of new technology to back them up and let then have a more “climb everything” approach like inFamous (just done better).
cheekyMcB | 03/11/2009 16:34
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UC3 will be PS3 title……no way they’ll wait/take that long to the next part. Sony keep insisting the PS3 will have a 10 year life span after all.
Floms | 03/11/2009 15:26
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Havent played yet so