Rumors have been swirling around the Internet that Uncharted 2: Honor Among Thieves would include some type of multiplayer component when it shipped later this year. Today, Naughty Dog confirmed that Uncharted 2 will include  cooperative and competitive game modes in addition to the single player campaign.  These new modes will be separate from the single player campaign although some locales will show up in both single player and cooperative play.

I’ll be honest that when I heard this news, images of Resistance 2 came to mind and the disappointment I felt about that game tainted my opinion of Uncharted 2. I was worried that, just like R2, the single player campaign would suffer because of the addition of other game modes. However, after seeing the video above and reading about the new additions my fears have been eased somewhat.

More details after the jump.

According to this hands on preview of Uncharted 2 by Alice Liang of 1Up, you can expect to see some familiar gameplay elements in these new modes.

Competitive – This newly added mode will combine familiar match types such as Deathmatch and Capture The Flag (Plunder) with the run and gun and vertical  gameplay of Uncharted.  The end result looks a bit like Lost Planet multiplayer minus the mechs.  This mode also takes a page for the Modern Warfare playbook and adds unlockable perks that can be purchased with money earned after each round or gained by selling treasures that can be found in competitive or cooperative matches.  Perks such as Steady Aim can be equipped in one of  two available slots to customize your gameplay experience.

Cooperative – In this mode you take control of either Nathan, Sully, or Chloe and make your way through areas previously explored in single player.  When revisiting these areas you will see subtle differences, such as a large group of enemies that are  positioned around the area that will require your and your teammates to work your way through them.  In some areas you’ll need to split up and take out enemies separately and in other areas you and your teammates will have to meet up to trigger events in the level.

While we wait to hear more information on the single player campaign, maybe you should  head down to your local retailer and pre-order a copy of inFamous.  Apart from it looking like an incredible game on its own you can also obtain a voucher to partake in the Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta when it goes live on June 3rd.