Uncharted 2: MP Beta

by Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn

I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a spare beta key for the PS3′s Uncharted 2: Among Thieves multiplayer beta. It opened last Wednesday and I’ve been hitting it every night since. The game was not even on my radar of possible purchases, but the beta has got me very interested in the game. The only experience I had with the first Uncharted game, Drake’s Fortune, was just the demo. I had been waiting for some time for the game to either become old enough to have its msrp lowered significantly, or for enough used copies to make their way onto shelves that they would be on the cheap. Neither of these things seemed to happen because the retail version is still forty bucks at least, and the pre-owned usually only lower by a fiver.

The MP Beta is actually making me consider buying the game when it comes out so I can be on the lead end of the charge of people playing online, but what’s also intrigued me is the single player (or co-op) campaign. I tried a bit of the co-op that is available in the beta, and it was rather fun. I’d say not as fun as the deathmatch or plunder missions, but at times almost as intense. I’d still like to get the first game and run through it to have a better back story before soldiering on, but since the first game doesnt have any multiplayer, I may be driven straight to Uncharted 2.

I’ve played many beta’s in my gaming life, but all of them have been on the PC. I must say its refreshing playing a test version of a game and have it not be plagued with problems. That’s not to say there isnt any, but there not largely noticeable. Save the one that resets your PS3 every time you quit the game. But, im not certain that this is happening to everyone, so it may be an isolated incident.

The graphics are very solid, VERY solid, and the physics seem pretty realistic in my opinion. Your foot speed isnt too fast, or too slow, and the default controls work well for me (and im someone who typically hates shooters on consoles). The cover system is a real gem, but I think it’s not always precise. You can (well, I can) sometimes accitentally take cover where you don’t mean to. I’ve had a couple instances where I tried to hug up against a pillar, just to wind up on the wrong side aiming my profile at the enemy. But, I suck, so your results may vary.

I hope they make the MP Beta a demo for all to try, because if it can make someone like me (console shooter hater) like it, then it should convice alot more people.