What do you do when you feel out of step with the rest of the world? When everyone has such a high opinion of something, and you eagerly try it out, wanting so badly to agree with all the raves and accolades, but then afterwards all you feel is…disappointed? Welcome to the internet’s first non-glowing review of Uncharted 2.

Look, this is as pretty of a game as you will ever find. It would easily take home the Oscar for cinematography, or whatever the real world equivalent of graphics would be. The section where Nathan Drake is running through the Himalayan village, following the guy in the Crocodile Dundee hat, is probably the closest any 2D representation has come to making a 3D world believable. It was a technological marvel that won’t be challenge in this generation. And, yes, the voice work is very well done. It is clear that the actors take their video game roles as seriously as any ‘true’ acting job their agent may present them. It’s easy to see that everyone involved with this game (opus? Can we use ‘opus’ here? Do we need a new word for this industry’s high water points?) cared about their efforts, and poured whatever they had in the into the final, epic production.

Stream of consciousness ramblings:

Home finally launched yesterday on the PS3, and while it is early, and rather spartan, I have to say I'm impressed with it, or at least its potential. The first thing that struck me was how smooth it seemed. The avatar's movements are very fluid, and feel right. The graphics work well, with your furniture and other "stuff" looking like they fit within your apartment; they could have easily looked forced or out of place. The harbor and outside world looked good, and made you want the big ol' yacht sitting there.

Communication, however, isn't easy. Using the controller to type has never been natural, but that's how most of the world is going to do it, at least in the near future. I did hear a couple of voice chatters, but that too will be the exception for now.

The mall is interesting, but there isn't much to buy yet. Plus, the prices are higher than I'm willing to pay. 99 cents for a new pair of pants? No thanks. Now, a quarter, that's possibility. We'll see how things go. Maybe a price tracking graph is in order.

Had the opportunity to play about an hour's worth of LBP online the other day with Bill. Reactions are a bit mixed, though they do sway towards the positive. Being the first PS3 game I've played online, I quickly discovered how much the 360's voice chat was missed during a game. When it works, it works very well, and becomes part of the experience. Not having it on the PS3 was glaring from the outset. However, it does lead to an interesting phenomenon: trying to silently work out the multiplayer sections of the various levels without talking. Using a bunch of trial and error, a few sackboy (never gonna get used to that) gestures, and the occasional jumping up and down in the same spot to signify importance, we were able to solve most, if not all, of the various challenges the game presented. Now, it doesn't hurt that Bill is super smart, what with his UVA physics degree and all. I just follow his lead. (Tip: find really smart people, and ride their coattails as long as possible!) Maybe Europeans are used to things like this, since everyone speaks their own version of the base language, but for us Americans, doing without talking just ain't natural.

Another ClapChat, this one on LBP:

Bill
that is interesting
oh, we also picked up LBP last night

Dib
thoughts?

Bill
well, first, it's absolutely amazing.
even my graphics-shmaphics fiance called it "gorgeous" which has never happened with any game ever.

Dib
it is pretty
graphics work in the setting, like WoW
but only better

Bill
the graphics work terrifically for the setting
secondly, in both of our opinions it thoroughly charming
*it's
the playful art design is brilliantly done
the facial expressions, and the way you can manipulate the character's body language... i was surprised at how evocative and expressive the result can be.
i expect people will connect with that
and third, i've only just unlocked the creative content, and am working my way through the tutorials for the various tools and materials.
so far, it seems like an incredibly powerful toolset.
and it's interesting to contrast it with Spore's.

Dib
i can see that
it is well designed

Bill
i of course intend to make a controllable AT-AT as soon as possible

Dib
of course
not the it isn't already out there somewhere

Bill
true... and after i do my little learning exercise i'll probably go find a much better one to play with

Dib
find the controls an issue?

Bill
yes, and no.