It is rare these days that I actually manage to get into betas. I'm usually too late for the sign ups or I just don't like the game, so I don't bother. As such, it's nice to see that Naughty Dog have felt my pain and have decided to give their beta away, almost, packaged with inFamous. Unfortunatly, Amazon was where my problems started. They 'forgot' to send my my beta code to me until a week of potential 'beta time' had passed. After a short email to them, however, I managed to get shooting Nathan Drake like a semi pro.

I jumped into my first match - The courtyard team deathmatch. The first thing you notice is how polished it all is. Vibrant reds, hints of yellow and dashing greens make the place feel more like one of Monet's palettes, rather than a computer game. Its all so realistic. The brickwork is covered in intricate designs and the colourful flags that drape the scenery look great on the backdrop.

After looking around I decide it may actually be a good idea to see how the blood looks. You come equipped with a standard AK-47, favourte choice of mercenaries the world over. It's just as powerful as it should be and feels destructive in your hands. After firing a few bullets, just to hear the rattle, I realise that targeting an enemy is simple enough and I'm soon firing shots. I manage to hit the target and then I notice how long its taking. It is one of a limited number of small problems that come with this beta - other players seem to take quite a few bullets. This isn't as bad as, maybe, Killzone 2 feels, but it could certainly be quicker.

My first taste of blood in Uncharted 2 is definitely fun. It's quite easy to grasp the controls, especially if you've played the original - they're generally the same, with one or two minor ajustments. However, as I'm getting the hang of the button layout, my screen starts to redden around the edges before slowly turning grey. It's obvious I'm being shot as it's the same 'you're-going-to-die' sequence as in Drake's Fortune. I try to take a roll into cover but I'm too late and my body drops to the floor.

Respawning takes but a few seconds and I'm soon ready to take more lives. This time I've learnt my lesson and I've started to use cover. It works really well as you can easily pop up to shoot and then drop down for defence. It's suprising how well they've thought about it. It's just the little things: I'm standing in a corner of a wall and instead of poping off and onto cover, my character simply passes around to the other wall. It's nice to know they've gone to that kind of detail.

Moving across the cover, I find several new weapons including rifles such as the FAL and secondaries too. There isn't a big range but there doesn't need to be - all you need is somthing that kills. Personally, I found the trusty AK the best but others differ. One nice addition to the the weapons is a riot shield. Although it is only available on the village map, it works quite well. It offers a lot of protection from the front but, on the downside, leaves you completly open from behind. You're also slow moving and limited only to a pistol. Although this restricts your kills, it means you can move safley across the battle field.

And, as quickly as it started, I've finished my first match of the Uncharted 2 Competitive Beta. I've enjoyed the hell out of it, and I'm sorry that it only lasts for a few more days. While it's still going, however, I'm heading off to test the other game type - Plunder, otherwise known to you and me as Capture the Flag. Will you be there?

Jacques