Joystiq interview: Talking Uncharted 2 with Naughty Dog's Evan Wells

When he wasn't busy showing Joystiq the best way to get Nathan Drake killed, Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells was patiently listening to our questions about facial hair, multiplayer plans and the adventurer's latest female companion.

Thankfully, he answered everything they lobbed at him (without lobbing any physical objects back).

[morganfell]

Great adventure gaming. I can't count the times I have been through the first one as those frantic gun battles with the AI never get old. The hand to hand combos then jumping back to blast someone with a shotty from close range is just a fantastic experience.

[Lifendz]

I found performing the brutal combos to be a little difficult at times. Once I got the rhythm down it was easy, but the learning curve was a bit more steep than it had to be.

[Lombax]

Learning curve? 0.o

Mirrors Edge has a learning curve. MGS4 (and MGO) has a learning curve.

Square, triangle, square has to be the smallest/shortest learning curve ever. Besides using the left analog to move.

[cmrbe]

i didn't get that as well. The combo was very easy. I like stealth kill though or just run and kick them in the face.

I do hope they provide more combo combination in U2 but not over do them and put combos that people won't normally use. I like the new action stealth they will use.

The only thing that i need to get use to in uncharted is the aiming and throwing the grenade.

[morganfell]

But with such simple controls the combat in Uncharted was far better than Bourne whom you never feel you are truly controlling (crosses fingers for EA to do a better job)

[Alcohog]

I don't think there is going to be multiplayer in U2. I know a lot of people are speculating on this, but I just don't think its going to happen. Personally, I'm fine with that.

[Lombax]

But this is Naughty Dog we're talking about here. They won't give us a broken SP just for co-op or a broken co-op.

After playing U1 a bagillion times, I do think co-op can work in this game.

[killzone2flop]

Uncharted maybe the only great game on ps3 that i like but still not worth getting a ps3 for sadly.

[nostalgic_noob]

Ya same, I hope they dont add multiplayer, Uncharted is meant to be a a single player game.

[TheColbertinator]

I think that pp is just another one of accounts from Nasim.

PP has horrendous grammar and spelling just like Nasim does.

It also would make sense because maybe sometimes Nasim is sick of being a droid and chooses at times to act like a bot.

Maybe...

[Pennywise]

Wouldnt it be funny if it turns out all the uneducated trolls are the same guy? I would get a kick out of that.

[WhittO]

Ye Uncharted is my favourite game, never gets old, its like playing through a movie lol.

I think thats why alot of people are having probs with RE5 and its controls etc, because it fails to do what uncharted has done, more than a year ago! (Running away from enemys whilst laying down machine gun fire FTW!!)

[zootang]

What dog is that in the picture i want one! Also i hope it hasn't got multiplayer or co-op and i hope they concentrate on the story driven game

[cmrbe]

and thier mascot as well. It was really funny watching their meet the dogs feature in the bounuses in Uncharted.

[Knightofelemia]

The game looks great i cannot wait to play it and i really do hope it pushes the PS3 to show other developers what the system can do if you work hard at it.

[Aclay]

Whew! That was a good read. It was a lot longer than I expected, but was jam packed with some nice info.

The only thing that had me a little worried was:

"The campaign is only sort of getting underway now that we have announced the game."

But I think that Naughty Dog will be able to have Uncharted 2 ready before the end of the year because they've already got the game engine built from the first Uncharted, so Uncharted 2 definantly make a 2009 release.

Can't wait until GDC to see more of Uncharted 2!

[Rip-Ridah]

I think that Evan was referring to the marketing campaign getting under way now that they have already announced the game; not the single player campaign man. Things like interviews with mags, websites, and things like that man. I wouldn't worry at all about Naughty Dogs' games man. I can not wait for this game though!!

[Marceles]

I really hope they stay focused on the strong parts of Uncharted and don't stray things that aren't so important. The game doesn't need a 30 vs. 30 multiplayer or some other useless modes. It would be pretty fun to play this game on co-op though.

[San Frandisco]

i do hope they dont include multiplayer but insted include unlockable side quests or even as DLC or somethingTHAT will keep anyone gaming on that game for a lONG ass time.

i still love and play the first one alot-its one of the most addicting games ive ever played and its a single player adventure game. (thos usually get boring for me after i beat it once).

i AM definently hopeing that the game length will be alot longer just for the fact i want to stay imersed in the uncharted experience longer.

im stoked that its going to be a franchise most of all.

everyones gotta admit though that uncharted/s characters are allready becoming more popular and meorable then tomb raiders.

UNCHARETED 2 and NATHAN DRAKE FTW!

[Dark General]

Masterful interview. One of the best i've read in months. It hits on so many things that i don't know exactly else to add in my comment besides the original was awesome and the 2nd one is shaping up to be even better. Having never played a Jak game or even hearing of Naughty Dog even though i had a PS2, their efforts with Uncharted made me a fan and a believer in them.

One little other comment, i do think this could be a very good girlfriend game. Luckily my girlfriend actually plays every type of game i play with the exception of fps's, i can definitely see her getting into Uncharted 2 with me.

[Lombax]

NNNOOOOO! Naughty Dog! BAD DOG!

I seriously hope it's not like AC. I HATED the climbing AC and the lack of a real jump button.

I like Hitting the X button to jump in a PLATFORMER!!!

Please Naughty don't fu*k this up. I'm actually a little worried now...

*cries self to sleep*

[Dark General]

Have some faith. I'm sure they'll pull it off. I don't think it'll be as easy as it was in Ass Creed, i think it'll be very "Drake-like" and not perfect.

I didn't have a problem with the climbing in Ass Creed myself. But then again i love all types of platforming from easy platforming (ass creed), to the diffuclt (mirrors edge).

[Lombax]

God, I hope it's not as easy and/or they add something to it.

I loved Mirrors Edge. In fact I'm still playing it, but Assassins Creed bored the hell out of me.

Even if the climbing goes the way of AC it will still have jumping mapped to the X button, great shooting and now stealth action. It's still a day 1 buy.

But, and a big one at that, I will feel let down by Naughty Dog. The same way I felt let down by Resistance 2. They took away the weapon selection and gave you the, now generic, only carry 2 weapons thing. Then there's the, way over used, health regeneration. I liked the partial regen & health packs.

[DJ]

And even then would probably be pretty dodgy. But I wonder if they could have at least some basic multiplayer. It'd be crazy to be traversing all that terrain while taking out online enemies.

[Dark General]

I can definitely see how it could be implemented much better than multiplayer. Specially since the game is largely based around the story and characters. Multiplayer just doesn't sound like a right mesh. Now co op on the other hand i can definitely see working. Think about two people doing the platforming segments and both working to solve puzzles. That i can see working much better.