Over the last couple of days I’ve been playing through Uncharted 2, and though I haven’t finished it yet, I can confidently say that it is my favorite game of the year so far. The talented folks at Naughty Dog have once again crafted one of the most cinematic, engaging and naturally enjoyable video game experiences around.

Sometimes you worry about sequels living up to the charm of the original, and it’s safe to say that there is absolutely nothing to worry about here. As you would expect of an Uncharted, the acting and motion-capture is unparalleled. The story, while not necessarily the most unique (so far) is perfectly paced and incredibly fun. The first Uncharted had some really memorable sequences, and Uncharted 2 kicks these up to a new level. There have been a couple of portions of this game that I know I’ll always remember (the opening sequence, the helicopter chase, to name a couple).

After I played the original Uncharted, I talked about it being the best possible reason to buy a Playstation 3. While the system has since then gotten a few more triple A titles, I feel like the Uncharted series remains one of the platforms strongest franchises. I hope that we get to look forward to Nathan Drake’s adventures for many years to come.