ztgamedomain.com said “ A multiplayer component wasn’t on my Uncharted 2 wishlist, and to be honest after the initial “wow” wore off I was just left with that unsettled feeling that comes about when I see a precious single player experience in danger. The Multiplayer Beta hasn’t done anything to allay those particular fears, but it has shown me how very “Uncharted” the multiplayer experience is – and that’s a good thing.

The game looks stunning, and while you only explore a limited number of levels you get a real taste for using the environments to achieve spectacular kills. Uncharted’s characteristic platforming and combat are integrated smoothly, due in part to a little control tweaking. Most noteworthy is the new grenade system, which forgoes use of the Sixaxis in favor of a simple L2, aim, throw mechanic. The grenades have a very wide blast radius, so when one is thrown by fiend or foe alike get outta there. Like Uncharted, cover is an important part of gameplay.
Firearms are abundant, a good indication that Uncharted 2 will have greater weapon variety than its predecessor. AK-47 and a 92FS come standard as your rifle and sidearm, and you can carry two hand grenades. You can swap out your arsenal for a FAL, M-4, Dragon Sniper, grenade launcher, Desert Eagle pistol, Micro 9mm, and be sure to seek out a Gatling gun. The weighty Gatling does keep you from being able to switch to another weapon without disposing of it. In addition to the threat from firearms, melee packs very serious punch.

The Beta lets you use and abuse a sampling of the Co-op and competitive multiplayer. From the menu you can choose a hero’s avatar and a villain’s avatar, and in Co-op you play as one of three primary characters: Drake, Chloe or Sully. The levels are designed around cooperative play, focused on missions with obstacles that call for teamwork. These segments are explicitly marked with a flashing icon where players assemble and hit Triangle. There is a bit more magic when you are fluidly combining your efforts to defend and attack the enemy AI, the latter is cunning enough to try to outflank you and attacks from multiple entry points. You can revive a downed teammate if you get to them before their gauge runs dry, and if you do not make it in time they will remain in spectator mode until the area is clear. If all members of the team are killed you lose a Try, of which you have three before the mission is considered failed and the level ends.

In the Beta, Drake, Sully and Chloe go after a treasure on a single level giving you a taste of the Uncharted story. As you off the final wave of enemies, you get a glimpse of a guy with a Gatling gun and tempting “to be continued”. You will likely only play through the co-op once or twice, as the enemy spawn points are the same, but it is fun to work out a strategy with your teammates.

Upon completing the co-op segment, you will get more longevity out of the competitive mutli-player. There are two levels to try out, The Village and The Plaza. The Village is comprised of tightly woven streets and buildings, a beautiful maze ideal for exercising you acrobatics and sniping. The Plaza is more open with a central tower and smaller structures fanning out with plenty of low cover. The Plaza is darker, better for lurking and creeping than for climbing, and I preferred The Village.

Deathmatch (first team to off 50) and Plunder are the playable modes, and while the Beta currently has parties of five the game will support ten at launch. Plunder places a single treasure on the map which your team must snag and get back to base. What makes this mode particularly fun is that you can pass the treasure, or just chuck it ahead of you as you are taken down. The Village has your team’s chest inside a room, while The Plaza stows it on higher levels so you will have to throw it just to get back to the base because the treasure, like the Gatling gun, is weighty business and will slow the carrier.

Kills reward you with money, which translates to experience and increases your rank giving you access to Boosters. Boosters, or perks, are chosen from the game lobby. This is really my only criticism at this stage: everyone seems to use the same Boosters because there is no real incentive to branch out. Down the Irons (increased accuracy when aiming with long guns) is used by everyone on a map as their Gun Booster, with the favorite Ammo Booster, Keep Firing (increased ammo). From the Hip is a handy Booster in Plunder mode, since it increases your accuracy when not aiming, but it was rare to find someone using it.

Uncharted’s use of the environment is atypical for a shooter, and offers a refreshing take on competitive multiplayer. With the fun available in this Beta, from tackling missions in co-op to tackling opponents off ledges, it’s clear that Naughty Dog is doing something great here. Uncharted 2 promises to rock my adventure-seeking socks off. ”

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