Is Uncharted 2 Multiplayer a Joke?

I've recently gotten back into Uncharted 2 multiplayer. Well, I tried anyway. You see, after playing Uncharted 3's beta, I've concluded that the predecessor was so flawed, I don't see how I didn't see it for what it was prior.

Now before anyone discredits me, I consider myself an UC2 multiplayer vet. I normally do very well in my matches (at the top of the scoreboard most times) and have almost hit rank 60. I also have a platinum trophy in the game. I have logged in 14 days of mulitplayer in all. Now, seeing as I met most of my current friends list in UC2 and they play it often, I thought I'd give the game another "season". Shortly afterwards, I found myself putting down the controller and saying, as the Angry Video Game Nerd would say, "What were they thinking???"

Only after time with what I would consider a vastly improved sequel, I just can't take the cheapness that runs as a rampant excuse for "skill" in the game. Now, I don't think I even have to mention the abomination that is Situational Awareness. I'm sure many of you shivered as you read that. Well, I encountered a fellow in Elimination using just that booster... wielding a shotgun... standing motionless around a corner. Yeah, 'nuff said.

But wait, what about all that other garbage? What about the hair-tearing frustration that is corner shooting? In case you didn't know, corner shooting is when a player uses (abuses) the "lopsided" perspective of the third-person camera and will repeatedly move in and out of cover, usually with a FAL and Fleet Foot (faster movement while aiming), and shoot you, EVEN IF HE ISN'T VISIBLE ON YOUR SCREEN.

Then there's the bunny hopping. You know those guys who jump around like a moron, making them an extremely difficult (annoying) target? Yeah, those guys. Or maybe you've been killed by a dude who dropped a grenade when he should technically be dead by that point? Or the shotgun that only requires the user to face his camera in the general direction of the enemy?

When the Uncharted 3 beta initially began, a lot of people accused the developers of making the game "clunky". What Naughty Dog ACTUALLY did was limit the number of ways people could exploit the animations like they did in the previous game. If you noticed, grenades must be held up before throwing, diminishing the chances of the despicable "manual martyrdom". This goes for just about everything I mentioned above. The worst part is that if you don't follow the ludicrous play styles of these "elites", you'll suffer most times.

Now, I've had several friends ask me to a game of Uncharted 2, but I politely deny the request. After UC3, the garbage that goes on in UC2 is nigh unbearable for me: full-autoing weapons across the map with perfect accuracy, the ease of camping in the upper end of The Temple, the treasure cheating and game-breaking geometry glitches that still haven't been fixed, etc.

So, I have to say, I'm officially retired from UC2 multiplayer.
I will most definitely play through the game for a fourth time in anticipation of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, but for multiplayer, well, you guys can hit me up on November 1st. Hopefully, it won't turn out like the last one.

[-Alpha]

I can't go back to UC2 either.

Uncharted 2 MP was fantastic. It became a joke after they totally screwed the health. The game has never been the same since. UC3 resurrected that.

I only miss the simplicity of UC2 now.

[BiggCMan]

I respectfully disagree. Sure 2 had those things you mentioned in the article, but they were easily avoided if you were good enough. Without trying to sound cocky, I am an extraordinary player in Uncharted, always coming out on top in 2, and most times in the new beta.

I think with 3, they are trying to please everyone with things that have become popular amongst other popular games, which has shown to be a bad idea in the past. Such as the kickbacks, a sprint button which I often times forgot was even there because it was just so unnecessary, load outs, and character customization.

Now I really love certain things they did with 3 like the buddy system, and ESPECIALLY the treasure set idea. I think both of those systems are truly unique, and implemented really well.

To be honest, I never noticed any difference in the health in Uncharted 2, even after the supposed "game ruining" update. I still continued to play the game the same exact way I always did, and I still had lots of fun. I like how the game is still simple with its weapons and game modes, its got a nice pace to it which is a bit slower than 3 is.

I know Uncharted 3 will have a great story to it, and that's what i'm most looking forward to. I am a little disappointed that Uncharted has become the go-to game for PS3 multiplayer, because despite how good it is, the game didn't begin like that. And now I feel like that's all people care about with the series.

[zerox505]

gtfo

[REDHULKSMASH]

Uncharted 2 was and is awesome, but yes situational awareness is pussy shit. Same with the shotguns. U geeks know who you are. I like bunny hopping though, makes it more challenging.

I do think that uncharted 3 plays a little bit better though, but its seems a little more stiffer where as u2 seems a little more fluid; but it is so easy to get a kill in uncharted 2 almost too easy...u3 you gotta try harder when aiming.

I do think part 2 has better graphics though, im hoping just because u3 is a beta. I'm speaking mainly of landing strip,...i was disappointed with the graphics in that level but yemen more than made up for it.

But there is one thing my fellow uc2 lovers can NOT deny,.....MATCHMAKING.the end
matchmaking in part 2 has gotten worse one of four things will happen.....ps3 will freeze on loading screen, half of the people get thrown out leaving it a 5 on 1 match, it takes for ever, or it matches up 5 noobs against upper ranked players like triple x's.
-Now before you fanboys get your panties in a bunch, stop take a breath, internalize what I just said, you'll see I'm right. and if you got doubts check my history I'm an avid sony fanboy, but I will call it down the middle. example halo and resistance suck.

We'll see u2 was great, we'll see what part 3 has up its sleeve.

[BryanBegins]

If you really don't want to sound cocky, then don't freaking say things such as: "I'm an extraordinary player"!!!! You could simply say: I was quite good.

[WhiteLightning]

"I only miss the simplicity of UC2 now"

No Kickbacks, No buddy system, No upgradble perks, No medal nearly every 15 seconds.

U2 was so simple yet now it's just like evey other onloine game which feels like it has to live up to CODs success.

[likedamaster]

Hardcore mode is your friend.

[WhiteLightning]

...

and that's the problem

"Yeah theres hardcore mode"
"Hardcore mode is your friend."
"You do know theres Hardcore mode"

blah blah blah

Basicaly U2 veterans, who have been there since day 1 are being shoved into Hardcore mode and I bet hardcore mode will just be forgotten about. The playlist is just a way to shut people up with complaints on the new changes, I don't see why I have to get told to go into hardcore mode because I voice my opinion on the new changes.

[MidnytRain]

^^
UC3 still plays very differently than any game I know. Recreating UC2 with new maps and modes (DLC) would have been a bad idea for ND. They need to stay relevant. By making a game too similar to the predecessor, the casuals would move on from boredom because they obviously didn't hang around for the first game and the hardcore community will know it's the virtually the same thing. You can always play UC2 if you want, but I think ND outdid themselves with UC3.

Hardcore, it has what you want. Not much of a problem here. Most people appreciate that UC3 has evolved into something new, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[vickers500]

I thought the "game ruining" patch actually made the mp fun. Unloading a full clip of ammunition into someone without them dying is bs, and not fun in the slightest.

[SageHonor]

Me and you think alike.
I played Uc2 with some friends last night and I had problems with EVERYTHING YOU MENTIONED in this article.I was actually thinking about writing a blog about it though haha. All great points UC3 is actually alot superior. More recoil, bunny hopping and corner shooting isnt as effective. Unfortunately there is still a problem with people dropping grenades after they die

[mastiffchild]

About the 'nades:thew biggest issue isn't that people drop one at the point of death, no, it's that they go off IMMEDIATELY they hit the ground which makes them WAY overpowered ion U2 and U3-I see little difference at all in the way 'nades get used. Also a lot of times when I melee someone I think (as it happens the other way round a lot too!)that they happen to have started chucking a 'nade and, thus with them going off right away you can often end up with "manual martyrdom" even when it's not intended and, anyway, I think it'd be just as easy to pull off deliberately in U3 as in U3.

In general I just think U2 was messed about with a bit too much and rather than fixing the things we moaned about they ended up wit a shedload of compromise choices which lased nobody-certainly U2 was better at launch than it is now and U3 felt a lot more fluid by the end of it's beta and I hold high hopes but when I KNOW UI can aim a grenade at a guy while UI'M going down a zipwire and be certain he'll die from it EVEN with a throwback chance button you know something's rotten. That's a whole mechanic they put in that I've NEVER seen anyone else pull off once and I've managed myself about once(not that you'd necessarily notice someone else doing it ,I suspect, but I know everyone feels the same, in general, about the grenades in U3 needing sorting out)!

I LOVED U2 MP when it came out and the MPdemo even more but it'ssteadily shown,with the changes, just how freesh to this scene ND still are and hopefully they take the feedback from a great U3 beta and run with it properly.

I think it's GOOD when you see people strongly liking AND disliking a MP game for the SAME reasons-which is often what you get with U3 IMHO(loads say the verticality doesn't change how they play and they say it's a bit dull while those who like the verticality, and use it, say it's a game changer for example-same mechanic/issue with totally different reading)-as I feel it lends itself to having a VERY committed user base with longevity and investment from gamers(think Warhawk and how the same learning curve that put people off also kept us fans going). It's never gonna be COD but as a more thought provoking TPS MP it's great and I don't mind that it's not everyone's thing as neither is TF2, Warhawk or most of the MP games i like best these days.

Grenades are a mess, though ND,sort it out! Not that it didn't look cool blowing people up in guard towers with a flick of the wrist while ziplining but it just SHOULDN'T work every time.

[blackburn10]

I still like UC2's MP and i wouldn't say its a 'joke' as you put it but I understand what you mean. After playing UC3 you see the things that they have done to improve on it.I especially love how I can actually get things done instead of just being gunned down in 2 seconds like in UC2 or that the dodging moves like jumping and rolling actually are more effective at getting away from your enemy or that the shooting is made so you actually have to aim carefully at your target before you can gun them down.Little things that once you get the hang of them you barely even notice them.@ BiggCMan you talk as if MP is the main point of UC3 or something. Sony's games are always about a good SP and MP.Even if you don't like the MP the SP is still there to enjoy

[JellyJelly]

It has a bunny hopping exploit? Oh, Naughty Dog. Haven't heard of that since the days when Counter Strike was new and hot. They should've learned by now you think.

[news4geeks]

Yes they should have. But CoD also has this exploit in it is apparently the epitome of multiplayer gaming, or so the masses say.

[JellyJelly]

I only played Uncharted 2's multiplayer before the update and I really enjoyed it. From what I've heard the update ruined it though.

[r21]

yes, it was a joke...compared to UC3 MP. seriously i want to play uc3 mp now! its just so more addictively fun than uc2 mp.

[MidnytRain]

Me, too. I can't help but think during my matches when I died by a shotgun and Situational Awareness that they wouldn't have gotten away with it if we were playing UC3.

[Redempteur]

no sure if it's a joke ..it was alright at the time of the release..but after playing U3 ..i ...just can't go back either .

despite a number weird situations, i didn't feel cheated even when i was overwelmed by ennemies ..

[trollkill]

Some valid points, but i still enjoy uc2 mp and have been playing faithfully again since uc3 beta finished. But yes the bunny hopping is the most annoying strategy and just cheapens the experience and the ppl that use shotgun the whole game exploiting its power and getting cheap kills. But irregardless i still come out in the top tier of ppl so it is what it is. I love the level design and details in the boards which in my opinion look better than the boards on the beta so i like to play uc2. The museum board alone kills all the boards on uc3 i seen.

[Convas]

I'm going to have to agree. At first, when I played UC3, I didn't find it as satisfying. After playing for a couple of nights, getting used to it and kicking ass in Hardcore, I found myself growing fond of UC3's MP.

Now, I can't claim any knowledge of how UC2 MP was when it was launch, but killing folk in UC3 is a bit more precise, and they aren't as bullet-spongy as in UC2.

That being said, UC2 has some of the best Co-Op I've ever played, save for Halo.

[MidnytRain]

This is the way I feel so far:

UC2 co-op > UC3 co-op

UC3 competitive > UC2 competitive

[zerox505]

uncharted 2's co-op was much better than the uc3 co-op, however the competitive in uc3 was way WAY better...

[WhiteLightning]

Even with the new patch which kind of ruined U2, I'll probably end up going back to it after a little while on U3. U2 was simple and yet so much fun while Uncharted 3s online seems to be "COD-ified" which might look like a whole lot of fun but will get boring after a while. As an U2 veteran I'm not being shoved into Hardcore mode and be forgotten about.

It might be a joke now but U2 is still a really fun online game I just don't see why ND hasn't fixed it....one patch that's all it takes.

It's sad that the co-op in U2 seems better aswell since the main goal on U3 was too improve on co-op

[MrSpace]

I think the problem is they tried way too hard, if the just had one of the features Kickbacks, upgradable perks etc in every Uncharted game and slowly built onto it them the whole community would get used to the new changes but they've done it in one big go which, what I have seen of the ND forums and other sites, has spilt the community.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I'm not attacking you personally or anything, but I'm almost sick to my stomach of Call of Duty being used as a scapegoat for everything multiplayer these days. I'm no COD fan, but it just seems that's the go-to complaint with every other game. So the game has kickbacks. So what? It's not like the game overall feels even slightly like Call of Duty. And I think it should be obvious why they haven't gone back and patched Uncharted 2 at this point in time.

But what do you mean improving the coop was the main goal for Uncharted 3? Where did you get that from? Did Naughty Dog say that?

[likedamaster]

U3 with that one map for co-op got old really quick.

[bobrea]

I liked UC2 better than UC3.

[CaptainMarvelQ8]

my gripe with UC2 online is that it takes long,VERY LONG before joining a game.Is it because i live far from those countries with servers? But then again i can join any lobby fast in other games,so it has to do with the game's servers being weak.

[trollkill]

I play uc2 almost every night and join games immediately so idk your having issues. There are at least 40,000 daily users according to uc2 online numbers and games are easy to find.

[rajman]

I played alot during the first couple months of release...then stopped for quite a while, tried getting back into but couldnt because how all the patches ruined the game.

[coolbeans]

In a word: Kinda. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a joke, like I found Bioshock 2's to be; however, I didn't need to see UC3's beta to know UC2's was behind it's time. Gets annoying to see that it takes a sequel for most to realize it. I always see the quote "________'s MP was great, but *sequel* 's MP blows it out of the water!".

Having stated my thoughts on UC2's MP, I'm happy to say UC3 actually looks like it will break the mold from other TPS THROUGH the MP. That may be tough to understand but I'm talking about others stating platforming+shooting help distance itself from other TPS. I don't find that to be the case when considering the plethora of accepted ideas it took from other shooters, making it feel inherently more of the same. However, UC3's MP seems to making a name for itself by blending that cinematic action with MP. I think this will make it feel like a truly custom-branded MP experience.

[ChiVoLok0]

I remember when I first got the game in october 2009 I used to play the multiplayer everyday I sometimes didn't even do my homework beacause of the great time I would be having. About december of that year I stoped playing video games because they were having an indoor soccer league and we had practice everyday after school. I stoped playing uncharted for a year because of that and this past christmas I got money to buy the dlc. When I started playing I noticed things were way different then how I remembered them. I noticed more campers and also that it took less shots to kill an opponent. I also noticed a good 75% of the players using situational awareness. I thought since I hadn't played in so long that it was just my memory failing to remember how the Uncharted 2 Multiplayer really was. it wasn't until I played the Uncharted 3 Beta and got onto the Naughty Dog Forums that I realized my memory never failed but that Naughty Dog's updates kind of ruined the experience. They tried to mak it more fast paced like call of duty instead of letting it be a game that actually required skill most of the time to kill an opponent. I still have fun with the multiplayer but not as much as I used to when it barely came out.

[Jacobster]

Guys guys guys and girls! You're all making a fatal MISTAKE! You're comparing a completed retail released game against a beta! I remember when UC2 beta had issues and was patched. I think we need to wait until the full package is out, then we can really judge?

Having said that, things I missed from the beta was the artstyle of the loading screens inbetween rounds, roman numerals for your rank, fluidity of movement (which quite a few people have already stated), identification of certain enemies on co-op (guess I'll get used to this), and the taunts seem some what flat (although I do love the uppercut taunt).

Roll on November I say!