Treasure hunter Nathan Drake finally returns in Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves, an exciting third-person shoot-'em-up adventure game. Our hero Drake has fallen on hard times and finds himself forced to return to the dangerous job of hunting treasure and evading mercenaries, despite his best efforts to leave that lifestyle behind.

In this game, Nathan Drake is forced to endure challenges that test his physical and mental limitations. Uncharted 2 introduces more characters into Nathan Drake's universe, including Chloe Frazier, who plays Drake's romantic foil and partner. Entangled in a network of lies and sent into a life-threatening chase that forces him to the limits of his abilities, can Drake put everything at risk? However, is this the end of Drake's luck?

Available: PS3

Gameplay is made more exciting as it synthesizes a stunning combination of intuitive and smooth game mechanics with beautiful rich scenery and environments all over the globe. From the white, snowy expanses of Borneo to the verdant forests found in South America. The game's controls are clean and precise.

Headshots aren't too difficult, but targeting someone's head isn't easy, either. Drake can also now employ stealth, which is an excellent addition to the game's mechanics. You don't always have to fight with guns, either. Your stealth abilities allow you to knock out the bad guys with a couple of punches, depending on your stance or if you are hiding.

The storyline is still the primary focus of the game, and it's even more intelligent and exciting than ever before, with familiar characters returning, and new characters being introduced. Not to mention the multiplayer functions. The newest game feature is the ability to play online. This includes incredibly fun modes like Deathmatch.

This works well with the atmosphere that the game creates. The game creates a genuine sensation of joy and excitement. While we believe that Uncharted 2 is an amazing, unbeatable single player gaming experience, this might also end up being the very best game released this year.

The first Uncharted game, Drake's Fortune, is often regarded as a defining game for the PS3 system. In 2007, Naughty Dog's Uncharted was a an exciting adventure through the jungles with Nathan Drake, giving players a sample of life as an acrobatic Indiana Jones. Incorporating excellent aesthetics which still challenge the best PS3 games of today, a smart storyline, clever puzzles and adrenaline-filled gunfights, Uncharted is definitely one of the best games of this generation.

Finally, Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves has been released by Naughty Dog as well. While it was expected Naughty Dog would improve on the first Uncharted installment, you will still be amazed. Uncharted 2 is larger and superior in countless ways, and also incorporates multiplayer abilities that are fun enough to warrant being a game unto themselves, which would probably sell out instantly.

Uncharted 2 storyline begins about a year after the first game ends, where we rejoin Nathan and his companions as they are deciding on the best way to hunt for Marco Polo's treasure. Needless to say that their adventure becomes more complicated quickly, and this cast of characters ends up on a larger international adventure.

The adventures in Uncharted 2 will bring take you around the world as the adventure progresses, and your situation will change multiple times as your quest advances. As a result, the game's pacing is more solid and quicker, even if the game incorporates the same kind of puzzle solving, climbing and shooting throughout.

The variety of scenarios enrich these experiences and presents you with a better variety than the first Uncharted game. The game is made even more unique with the use of 'transversal gunplay', which adds something special to the typical third-person mechanics.

It's an interesting, well-crafted story that has a few interesting twists as the game progresses. Nate and friends endure many challenges, so the storyline is very effective in making you care about these characters, and keeping you enraptured until the final chapter.

While the game mechanics in both Uncharted games are very similar, you'll notice certain differences. The primary difference is the fact that there are now a selection of different multiplayer options that take place online. You'll be glad to discover that the online modes of the game features include both competitive and cooperative gameplay.

The ability to play in stealth mode, and an improved mechanic for climbing, which the enemy figures also share. You can also overturn items in your environment to create cover, and use riot shields for offensive and defensive reasons. Also notable is a complete lack of loading screens.

When playing competitively, you can decide between various modes that include:

• zone control
• capture the flag
• elimination
  
• team deathmatch
• and more
  

Within the game, you are able to increase your rank, which in turn allows you to upgrade (such as the ability to reload more quickly, or expand your arsenal), with cash that you win as you play.

There are amazing puzzles found in Uncharted 2. While the first game mixed action, solving puzzles and climbing well, Naughty Dog took a different approach this time around and effectively merged these three elements again. Its true that there are fewer puzzles than in the initial game, but the puzzles which are featured here are still complex and challenging.

Rather than being frequently inundated with small quizzes, you'll be given entire roomfuls of puzzles to solve. Many of these feature multiple stages. Nathan maintains a journal in this game, much in the style of Sir Francis Drake, which you can read throughout the game - which is another cool feature. This will be a necessity, since some puzzles will require numerous clues to solve.

You have several choices when it comes to cooperative play. The survival mode is just that. Your buddies and you can remain in one place and battle multiple waves of bad guys. This can be challenging and enjoyable, but the cooperative mode is definitely the best aspect of this game. Instead of running through the story with a few friends, you can jump into several specific situations in which you can rescue people, go treasure-hunting, or perform other tasks which are similar in nature.

If you enjoy dropping in on your enemies from the higher ground, you can perform those same actions online. If you prefer to flank the bad guys and eliminate them quietly, this is where the single-player game excels. The multiplayer mode is extensive, and an organic expansion of the single-player aspect. The idea that Naughty Dog was capable of accomplish this feat so effortlessly is very impressive.

Whether you are a long time Uncharted fan or just discovering it, Uncharted 2 Among Thieves, will deliver a satisfying action-packed experience and make a superb addition to your collection.

I'd like to hear your thoughts, so after you check it out, stop by and leave me a comment.

Enjoy!