Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

[beecee]

just started it, and it looks great but i hate the controls, i just cant get used to using the right thumbstick to look, i prefer to use the left to look around and the right for movement, and with the controls set, looks like i will be just be playing resistance instead.

[Team Andromeda]

Almost at the end now and this is just a brilliant game from start to finish , with greatgameplay and for once a decent and funny script . My only problem was the shooting parts were over done , and there should have been more focus ontheplatform parts .

But its a gem of a game, and one of those rare games that you don't want to end

[doodledude]

Finished this today and the story from the start, right through to the end was really good.
I felt pretty sad when it ended, but I think it was about perfect length.
Definately, can't wait for the next chapter now.

I think, like most people, the shooting sections were too much and preferred the exploring side more. However, it wasn't game ruining at all, and the cut scenes were so well done and broke up any shooting sections and meant the game flowed brilliantly.

Uncharted 2 will be one hell of a game!

[cavalcade]

My feelings on Uncharted...

Lets start out by answering the big question surrounding Uncharted. "Is this the game to make me buy a PS3?"

The answer? No. But for existing PS3 owners this is a welcome addition to an increasingly solid software library.

Uncharted is very much the modern videogame. Slick, well put together, technically impressive and entertaining. However it does suffer from lacking a vital something that would mark it as a true classic, or at the very least a console selling proposition. What Uncharted does well, it does very well. The storytelling is in the top tier of what gaming has to offer. The voice acting is (by and large) convincing and well done. The characters likable. The music cinematic. The graphics can offer moments of breathtaking beauty. But at its core, Uncharted raids so many of its competitors for ideas that the final product, while polished, often feels like a diluted version of the games it copies.

Combat, for example, is fundamentally solid. It uses a similar cover mechanic to Gears of War. The actual act of aiming and shooting is remarkably fuss free for the SIXAXIS. But problems creep in. The triggers on the pad aren't used as primary controls. This leaves the binding to cover system on a button. Not ideal. Because of the pace of the combat, and the range at which the combat is fought the system feels a little clunky. A Rainbow Six system of pressing the left trigger to bind might have been preferential. Also, while the combat is polished it has none of the heft and weight that Gears combat has. Both have about equivalent AI, but fighting in Gears is a lot more satisfying. Perhaps it's the punishment the Locust can take that makes each kill feel more hard won in Epic's masterpiece, but Gears feels more like a war, Uncharted often feels very much like a shooting gallery. Admittedly Marcus is supposed to be a badass killing machine, and Nathan Drake is supposed to more of the-man-on-the-street, but even so I think the combat doesn't quite click in Uncharted. There is also a final killer blow - while Uncharted offers the option to fight hand to hand by pressing buttons in combo sequences (which doesn't work especially well), Gears lets you chainsaw an alien in half. Win.

Uncharted also introduces exploration and puzzle elements. By and large (though very similar to many of it's third-person action adventure competitors), the controls work well, and are simple and fuss free. Where Uncharted occasionally struggles is in the environments. Because of the sheer level of detail, perspective is often difficult to judge, and ledges can be unclear. Uncharted also dabbles in a system where at times floors/ledges can give way, giving you the merest of seconds to leap away. While occasionally successful, there are times where this happens when the next leap isn't clearly telegraphed to the player (or a ledge is hidden by the graphical finery). This leads to an old school insta-death scenario. Though this is never game breaking, it can be irritating. Occasional use of the motion control during exploration (to keep your balance on logs), and also in combat (to throw grenades) are pretty poorly implemented as well. That said, Uncharted is at its best when acting like a puzzle or exploration game, rather than a combat shooter.

Graphically, Uncharted is difficult to call. It is very much a high end PS3 game, sharing the same sharp, highly defined look of something like Heavenly Sword. Compared to a high end 360 game (which tend to look "softer"), you could argue the relative strength of the graphics on show is more a question of taste rather than technological advantage. For me, Uncharted at times looks astonishingly good. A scene quite near the start (heavily publicised) of a submarine carcass, suspended near a waterfall, is absolutely beautiful. However, at times the almost over-sharp graphics look plastic-y and fake creating a sort of hyper-real cartoon like feel. It is here the softer, blended look of something like Gears feels more "real". That said, it really is a question of taste. Overall though, there probably isn't anything here a 360 couldn't do. It is encouraging for PS3 owners though, as it does suggest (considering this is a first generation title) that the box has a lot more to give. It is also worth pointing out the tearing issues and hitching aren't game breaking - they are occasionally noticable, but not anywhere near as bad as something like Dead Rising.

One interesting addition to Uncharted is essentially an Achievements/Reward structure similar to a 360 game. This works well, as it did in Heavenly Sword. One good thing about the reward system is it offer tangible unlocks (e.g. making of videos) rather than just a handful of achivements. After long gaming sessions on the 360 you tend to forget that games used to have to think a lot harder than offering 1000 virtual points to keep you interested.

So overall? I think I've been quite critical, but ultimately this is a very solid gaming package. Clearly one of the top games on PS3, a great exclusive, new IP, and definitely worthy of spawning sequels aplenty. Uncharted is a really, really good game. But whether it sits at the 10/10 top table of gaming as many people claim, I'm not so sure. If it had innovated rather than copied many of its key features, then perhaps it would. As it stands it is a great blend of other people's ideas, but has few of it's own.

However, it is a slick, enjoyable package full of moments to remember. Perhaps demanding more at this stage of the PS3's life-cycle would be churlish....

[sithlordx]

drakes fortune

well have to say.....
this game is brilliant...
roll on the next chapter...

[Atticus]

I love pretty much everything about Drake's Fortune (won't repeat all the great things that have been said already) ... but the only thing that lets it down for me is the control during shooting sections. A combination of the Dual Shock analogue stick and my ill-governed right thumb make fast, accurate shooting harder than it should be. But apart from that it's a great adventure game.

[kernow]

I love it too, but christ do we need so many assailants, I'd prefer it if the gun battles were toned down a bit. I find myself groaning when you realise you're in another heated battle with 5 or so guys. oh well.

great game still, love it.

[reektan]

Finally kicked off playing this yesterday. I was going to save it for my DS3 but it's taking an age so I kicked it off. It really is like you're playing romancing the stone or something - proper late 80's early 90's type story. Really enjoying it so far.

[analog dog]

Just got to chapter six after starting at the weekend and had a quick question about the combat.
I tend to hold back in cover and let the enemies come to me,however if they make it through and surround me I get bummed.The other drawback to this is I'm running out of ammo on a regular basis,I've tried going in 'all guns blazing' but they just hammer me!
I'm playing this on normal by the way.
Any tips greatly recieved

[112]

Analog Dog, its all about head shots baby!

Practice makes perfect, but whatever you do when you shoot an enemy and it staggers, it anoyingly becomes invincible for however long it takes for it to recover. So wait till the Ai has stopped figiting and then shoot again otherwise yah jus wasting yah ammo

112

[reektan]

I had an issue with the combat too - as in these human beings taking 7/8 shots sometimes to go down and just getting rushed all the time. I do hang back and wait for the right moment and all that but I do agree it's all about the headshots. Actually pulling them off is another matter!

I think i'm on chapter 8 now and im starting to get to grips with the combat more.

Great game

[analog dog]

cheers for the tips gents,I've been going for the headshots so ill just keep on going.

[retrofuture]

This is my favourite PS3 game, my only real (small) complaints are echoed by most, some enemies require too many shots and certain sections have far too many enemies marring the gameplay somewhat.

Superb presentation and very addictive though.

[Dezm0nd]

Started this last night and i'm enjoying it so far. I'm upto chapter 4 and it's chugging along at a nice pace. Lovely graphics

I hope they really turn up the heat later on.

[Jebus]

2 chapters from the end for me now, and this is pretty much my late game of the year. Everything is excellent, I took a break to finish Mass Effect but playing this again...just quality.