That doesn't exclude other aspects of graphics though.

It's just a way of saying that it's on par with Uncharted 2. "well-expressed" is a vague word btw, so that proves it.

There would be no need to talk about Uncharted 2 then, they could have just said its one of the most beautiful looking games!

They mentioned Uncharted 2 because they think 1)Uncharted 2, 2)Crysis 2. Simple. They are marveling that a multiplatform engine could do it.

Next to is used as a close second.

I quoted just the last line...

"But it is a world whose intricacy and realism will cause you to stop and stare long after the first drop of the jaw. The sway of tree-tops; the spray of a decorative fountain; the flames erupting from a burst gas pipe: incidental details that grab your attention for their quiet, shocking realism. Who knows how Crytek managed to squeeze Cry Engine 3 onto the consoles while maintaining such extraordinary level of detail? But this world sits next to Uncharted 2's as the most detailed and well-expressed yet seen on our TVs."

The article just compare details on screen... and it is on pair with Uncharted 2... the other points not... so if the review not claimed the graphic king crown it because it not delivery that.

Uncharted kept the crown since late 2009.

So expectations not changed after all...  gamers still expected anything better than Uncharted 2... 16 months have passed and a 2009 game is still the graphic benchmark for consoles like a 2007 game on PC (Crysis... because Crysis did not surpass the original... at least that's what I read from PC gamers).

Other thing I found curious was some reviews praised the better 3D tech used in Crysis 2 over Killzone 3... but DF said the opposite "Killzone 3 and the new Motorstorm had better 3D tech".

There would be no need to talk about Uncharted 2 then, they could have just said its one of the most beautiful looking games!

They mentioned Uncharted 2 because they think 1)Uncharted 2, 2)Crysis 2. Simple. They are marveling that a multiplatform engine could do it.

Next to is used as a close second.

No it really isn't.  Behind, after and below are are examples of words to describe lesser, never next in my understanding of the English language.  You're reaching desperately.

I think Crysis 2 is the most detailed game, next to Uncharted 2.

What does this mean? Please, do tell me.

Oh and there would be no need to mention Uncharted 2 in the first place.