Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception

[Neon Ignition]

To be excited or not to be excited. Now, before we progress I should highlight that I'm not playing the full final game moreso the multiplayer. However, this is not the beta or a demo. Those who have rummaged around will be aware that Sony has been distributing via various sources codes which grant players a download from the PSN Store. This download is the entire final multiplayer, even the front end is the final product with all the main modes lined up making being unable to select single player very frustrating.

This is the first real occasion I've had of experiencing first hand the final visuals. Having played the previous beta I can't say I can notice too much difference beyond some additional lighting and slightly smoother animation. Detail seems to be Naughty Dog's answer as to how to make UC3 look better than UC2 with very densely populated maps. The game plays rock solid, much more so in multiplayer than UC2 did and it's now much easier to score kills meaning there's less of a gap between those at level 3 and those already at level 35. This doesn't mean the maps have been dumbed down however, simply that there's much better balancing at work. So far I've sampled a handful of the maps available (more will arrive later via DLC for the game)

SPOILER

->Open Spoiler<-

Naturally, most use locations from the singleplayer so be warned. The first map was a ruins site at night which has 3-4 levels of verticality and a lot of exposed points making camping difficult to achieve. Twice during the course of the match a helicopter will fly over head and mini-carpet bomb the exposed areas making players dash into confined cover.

The second played map was the Chateau from the beta, players will be familiar with this and the desert air base maps.

Third was Highrise which was part of the DLC in UC2. Here the map takes place at night and seems largely intact with only some areas slightly expanded on to remove any choke points of camping spots that were in the old version.

The last map I tried was based in the London underground which opens with team fighting across two speeding shot out tube trains, leaping from train to train as they change heights. Eventually the trains pull into the station and the rest of the match take place across passenger tunnels and a large communal hall with high beams to climb and swing from.

All in all it adds to the suspicion that though UC3 is unlikely to represent the leap that UC2 was to the original, it should offer enough refinement that coupled with a strong singleplayer it should be the pinacle of the series.

[Neon Ignition]

A little bit of the Gears mentality seems to be setting in as you play surrounded by folk who think rolling will avoid all gunfire. The problem is that the recover time on the roll is quite slow meaning you have to be mindful of the environment when using it, plus a location scout of a rocket launcher will soon put and end to any nefarious dodging plans

Grabbing said weapon on one map was tense as to reach it you have to slowly shimmy across a high beam that's too thin to walk along and is high above the area with people fighting below. Anyone spots you and you're dead but make across and back and the power is yours.

Tried another new map last night,

->Open Spoiler<-

this time a volcanic monastary. Probably one of the more traditional maps with little in the way of 'events' and most of the battle leaning to the outside blown out buildings

Overall the maps do seem to be quite varied and yet fairly balanced.

[Sketcz]

Was reading this page with quoted reactions on NeoGAF to EuroGamer's Uncharted 3 review:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=32102086&postcount=3251

I've never been a part of that forum, but holy Jesus, the collective minds of NeoGAF appear to absolutely and utterly ****ing retarded.

For context, here is the EG review:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-21-uncharted-3-drakes-deception-review

Eloquent, intelligent and very insightful. One of the best "videogame reviews" I've read from a games journo in years. I've not seen the name before, but Parkin seems one to watch - at the very least he's able to retain a degree of clarity and precision amidst rapid hyperbole.

Christ, that GAF thread makes me embarrassed to use the internet.

[Neon Ignition]

Anyone using IGN as an example of good reviews deserves a slap

I completely forgot to add a poll to this, please can someone oblige?

[112]

Crazitaxinext as you have a promo copy and seem to be the only person playing this so far, looks like only you can vote on yah poll

Thanks for the first play though, sounds like another excellent Christmas game for me to sink my teeth into

112

[nakamura]

That review is superb. Not played UC3 yet but it is nice to see praise lavished where due but facts also pointed out.

But it also reveals another truth. Uncharted 3 is the most exciting game in the world, but only until you deviate from the script. Even in this chase the conflict between the developer's theatrical choreography and player-controlled interactions is clear. In order to ensure each set-piece is set off correctly, the game commits the cardinal sin of insinuating you have full control of your character, but in fact tugging you towards trigger points - making sure you're in the right spot to tumble over the bonnet of that braking car, for example.
Likewise, mistimed leaps are given a gentle physics-defying boost to reduce the staccato rhythm of having to restart a section. It's entirely understandable given what the developer is attempting to achieve - an unbroken flow of action that leads to climax - but, at the same time, beneath the spectacle there's a nagging feeling that your presence in the scene is an irritation rather than a preference.
Your freedom of choice risks ruining the shot. Indeed, throughout the game, if you jump into an area you are not supposed to visit, Drake will crumple on the floor dead, Naughty Dog switching role from movie director to vindictive god. That is not your predestined path: Game Over.

[Sketcz]

That review is superb.

Tell that to NeoGAF

[Garny]

Funny how people can get so worked up over a review. However the same could be said of all the Uncharted games, and i loved those so wont matter to me one bit. Seems strange that they didnt pick up on this in the review of Uncharted 2 or even the first game though.

[Family Fry]

David Jaffe gave the review 10/10

http://davidjaffe.biz/

[MisterBubbles]

Well it must be true if that foul-mouthed 7W@t said it, funny how players dont have voices too, and where all hanging ( except me) on every devs and reviewers thoughts, as i said in the BF3 thread , the only persons opinion i trust is Mine, where in the cult of celebrity and have it seems,have no minds and thoughts of our own, i need a PR company to tell me if i enjoy a game or not.

[nonny]

Sounds good...

I just wanted to reply just to say I love the poll rating system. Genius sir.

[Family Fry]

Well player generally have voices it's called buying the game or not.
Now you have already made the decision based on playing UC1 and UC2 that you will be buying UC3, 4 and 5 and so has everyone on earth who played 1 & 2, it's a popular series and has it's fans.
I read the review and as said earlier in the thread it's a cracking review that somehow manages to stay positive about a great game whilst showing up some points that deserve to be looked at and not overlooked, kudos to the guy for writing a good review and somehow managing to get the entire gaming internets talkling about it.
Remember kids don't ever slag off any first party title.
Anyways I linked to Jaffe but the guy annoys me, just wait til Eurogamer kick out a 4/10 for twisted metal and he goes ape****.

[Sketcz]

Well it must be true if that foul-mouthed 7W@t said it

Another one who hates Jaffe. We can be friends.

[Dogg Thang]

Well player generally have voices it's called buying the game or not.

Not really a voice, is it? It's less of a voice than even Christopher Pike had in the old Star Trek show - at least he could answer direct questions. A binary decision without any explanation or context is not, in any way, a voice.

[Brad]

Sounds good...

I just wanted to reply just to say I love the poll rating system. Genius sir.

Why thankyou!

@FamilyFry - Now that would be funny (a 4/10 for Twisted Metal). I'd love to see him praise that review. Although I'm secretly hoping the new Twisted Metal will be awesome.