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Developer: Naughty Dog Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Release Date: Nov 20th 2007 Genre: Action Sub Genre: Adventure
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
This article has been read 21,730 times

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Review

Posted on November 28th, 2007 at 12:57 EDT
Classic adventure tale, combining beautifully rendered landscapes with pirates and treasure. Be whisked away to an undiscovered island where puzzle solving, fluid platforming, and loaded guns are used to unearth an ancient mystery. If you are looking for a solid title, Naughty Dog's Uncharted Drakes Fortune is no less than a masterpiece.
Pros
  • + Some of the most beautiful environments and colorful characters yet on the PS3
  • + High quality voice acting and facial animations
Cons
  • - Slight amount of screen tearing
  • - Gun battles could have been more diverse
  9.0
Smokin'
Must buy!
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User rating: 9.5
(based on 113 votes)

Deep in the jungles of an undiscovered island lurks a legendary treasure. Known as El Dorado, this treasure has been sought by many, and now has fellow adventurer and lead character Nathan Drake out on a vigorous scavenger hunt to find it. Teamed up with a foxy blond reporter, Nathan must jump, swing, and climb the landscapes, finding new clues to the location of the mysterious gold statue. Developed by Naughty Dog Studios, Uncharted Drake's Fortune is what I'd call the bread and butter of the PlayStation 3, offering beautiful graphics, solid platforming, and movie quality storytelling.

To jump right in, the control scheme of game seems to follow what is easily becoming an industry standard for 3rd person action games. Players will use a single button to perform many different actions whether it’s taking cover, leaping to ledges, or activating doors; the layout is set up to simplify the feel of the character.

In Uncharted, this scheme is mapped to the triangle button, which is utilized to execute most of your interaction commands, including anything from kicking open rusty gates to jumping in vehicles. Then you have the square button, which handles your characters punches and combo attacks, leaving the circle as your cover and roll command and X for jumping. Moving on to the back buttons, L1 is used for aiming, R2 for reload, R” for fire, and L2 for manipulating the camera, allowing you to look around. You may also use the D-pad to switch through your weaponry and throw grenades.

It is rare to find a game that mixes third person shooter with platforming, and have both concepts actually harmonize in unison. More than often, I found it refreshing to finally have a title that allows the user to have a great experience in leaping ledges and scaling cliffs, but then shake it up with intense shotgun battles with treasure hungry pirates. The only other game that comes to mind that puts these two genres together so well is Tomb Raider. However, Lara Croft has nothing on Nathan Drake; Naughty Dog has done a great job to push the limits and offer something that is unique, standing out from others in the genre.

One notable annoyance in the game was when it came to jumping from one cling hole to another, as it was hard to tell where exactly Drake was jumping. Sometimes it shows his head turn, looking back, when making a backwards leap, or he’d look up if you were looking to scale upwards. However, sometimes it was hard to get him in this “tell” situation, leading to a blinded bound, occasionally resulting in death. Other than that, the jumping controls in Uncharted were perfect for it’s pace allowing you to not have to time your leaps. Just line it up and fly.

The cover system was easy to use as well. When near a wall or protruding chunk stone, simply press circle and Nathan will lean against the object for cover. Indeed, one of the key points in Uncharted is cover. Whether it’s stealthily sneaking upon an enemy for a neck break or taking a hail of fire and needing a place to restore your health, taking cover is a must. There really are not too many Rambo moments in the game. Most of the time if you rush up into a group of pirates, the end result is a red screen of “continue from last checkpoint.”

Earlier this year, hands on experiences lead some people to relate the shooting and action experiences in Uncharted Drake’s Fortune to something like Gears of War; and they were right. Now Uncharted doesn’t have all the chainsaws, exploding bodies, and curb stomps but the third person shooter controls are nearly the same, and you feel that same intensity when enemies come at you with shotguns and grenade launchers. Also the close up slow-motion combo sequences when fighting a pirate hand-to-hand help immerse you more into the visceral, kick ass action Uncharted provides.

Also worthy of mention are the SIXAXIS controls. Naughty Dog threw in the ability to hock grenades and balance across fallen trees, both using the SIXAXIS motion controller. In our experience, however, it didn’t add anything to ... (continued on next page)

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What are your thoughts?
posted 7:20am EST - November 28th, 2007
1

This game rocks. IMO it took the place of Oblivion as the best looking game ever made.

posted 7:56am EST - November 28th, 2007
2

great game i think it was a little short but anyway one of the best games ive ever played

posted 8:10am EST - November 28th, 2007
3

great game i dont see any cons when i played it 10/10

posted 8:14am EST - November 28th, 2007
4

preordered :)

posted 9:51am EST - November 28th, 2007
5
This why my ps3 takes pride and place above my xbox 360 and wii, theres something about ps3 games looking so good on my 42inch hd lcd honestly they do look much better than any of the other consoles games but drake is so special i can't wait to be in that tropical jungle kicking butt brilliant.
posted 9:51am EST - November 28th, 2007
6
This why my ps3 takes pride and place above my xbox 360 and wii, theres something about ps3 games looking so good on my 42inch hd lcd honestly they do look much better than any of the other consoles games but drake is so special i can't wait to be in that tropical jungle kicking butt brilliant.
posted 9:51am EST - November 28th, 2007
7
This why my ps3 takes pride and place above my xbox 360 and wii, theres something about ps3 games looking so good on my 42inch hd lcd honestly they do look much better than any of the other consoles games but drake is so special i can't wait to be in that tropical jungle kicking butt brilliant.
posted 10:17am EST - November 28th, 2007
8

This game will look like an insect when the big titles come out in 2008.

posted 10:18am EST - November 28th, 2007
9

This game was AWESOME.  Finished the entire game on normal level finding all 61 treasures, yes there are 61 treasures not 60.  Can't wait until part 2.

posted 11:17am EST - November 28th, 2007
10

This was an amazing game. I hope it's one of the PS3's best sellers.

posted 11:59am EST - November 28th, 2007
11

i only played the demo and it was smoking fun to play i am def going to grab this game, heavenly sword was also cool in my opinion, everyone should play both of these games

posted 2:27pm EST - November 28th, 2007
12

good game in everyway, apart from the gunplay gets a little repetitive...9/10

posted 3:01pm EST - November 28th, 2007
13

Very good game, accurate review.  This one was close to perfect, just not quite.

posted 3:19pm EST - November 28th, 2007
14

i downloaded teh demo the graphics are just HOT I mean liek literally 1 of teh BEST graphics I ever seen but teh game play is just not god enough like I had a shotgun n it took me 2 blows to keep some1 n i was liek 1 feet apart and the AK 47 was just retraded soo weak the pistols >.> unless u get a headshot it'll ake u like 4 shots to kill some1

posted 4:03pm EST - November 28th, 2007
15

Damn. when will I get this 1? I've already played the demo 100 times...

Don't know why this game didn't score in the 90s on metacritic...

posted 4:42pm EST - November 28th, 2007
16

played demo and pretty good but endless amount of enemies makes it frustrating as it makes it unrealistic i mean if how many mercenaries are there on this supposed !!secret!! island where theres the !!secret!! buried treasure.

i gonna get fm 08 on psp then after that orange box in next few weeks

then ill get god of war for psp and a few ps3 games at christmas,, gonna get shivering isles on ps3 when it comes out on disc. anyone know when that out in europe.

i might get this. oh nearly forgot about meatl gear solid quite a few decent games out this christmas for both psp and ps3.

posted 5:46pm EST - November 28th, 2007
17

GAME OF THE YEAR.        thats all i have to say.. if you thought the demo was fun you havent seen anything untill you play the full version. 

posted 6:28pm EST - November 28th, 2007
18

the review finally just came up eh?  PSU what happened, you used to be one top of the things.....well at least most of the time I guess....

posted 6:58pm EST - November 28th, 2007
19

i need to get it...

posted 7:46pm EST - November 28th, 2007
20
Anybody else who finished Uncharted think Naughty Dog should make a survival horror game? Maybe its just me. If you have a PS3 you MUST play this game. Just make sure your floor is clean because your jaw WILL drop.
posted 8:03pm EST - November 28th, 2007
21

Still think its one of those must have games for the PS3, besides UT3 of course. XD

posted 8:07pm EST - November 28th, 2007
22

i am hearing reports of this game being very  short!! that seems to be the case with a lot of these next gen titles... cod4 etc. if oblivion can offer over 150hrs of gameplay why cant this?????

def gonna buy it tho - the demo is the most played on my ps3...lol

posted 8:22pm EST - November 28th, 2007
23

30% SPE's can create this kind of game, i wonder what 100% SPE's can do..hmm

posted 4:06am EST - November 29th, 2007
24

yeah this is a great game judging by the trailer.  i am gonna buy this.but before that got to buy the ps3

posted 5:18am EST - November 29th, 2007
25

Simply....awesome!!! Can't wait for the on-going sequels!

posted 5:34am EST - November 29th, 2007
26

Simply superb game, not only a credit to the PS3 but to gaming in general. Naughty Dog have set the benchmark as to what a game should be. 10/10 for me.

posted 8:52am EST - November 29th, 2007
27

GREAT game I love it the only complaint I have is lack of variety of bad guys , I must have killed that pirate with the yellow bandana 100 times throughout the game. other than that I loved it!! 9/10

posted 4:16am EST - December 1st, 2007
28

Playing this game is like watching a movie get your popcorn. score 9.75/10.

posted 2:10pm EST - December 2nd, 2007
29

hmm, i'll have to rent this and see. i wasn't impressed with the demo tho. too many bad guys to kill, which was boring. and it seemed pretty hard too, but i only played it once i think.

---

 http://real-free-playstation-3.blogspot.com/

posted 11:12pm EST - December 6th, 2007
30

I agree that this is a great game! played the demo and will definitely get it - probably today!! And @wiggsj, about the pirates, just assume that they are wearing pirate uniform of something! even in CoD4, I don't remember how many of those same guys I've killed throughout the game! they even have same faces with beard and also the guys under the mask!! if you want to see variations, play Assassin's Creed!

posted 8:30am EST - December 8th, 2007
31

This game is a definate for me. I was expecting a higher score to be honest.

In the demo the gun play was awesome because the AI made it tricky and that drake isn't an awesome shot like in most games when a normal person holds a gun. UNless it was just me on my first play? lol.

posted 12:04am EST - December 10th, 2007
32

bought it, and although I'm still in the middle of the game - at the jetski scene, I'll give all of you my opinion. THIS GAME ROCKS! Not just the graphics, the sound and the story really pulls you into the game - If you have surround system! This is really a MUST HAVE!

posted 11:32am EST - December 12th, 2007
33

OMG!!! MI MATE GOT THIS GAME AND IT LOOKS AWSOME HE DIDNT LET ME PLAY ON IT I SO WANT IT FOR CRIMBO

 

posted 12:24am EST - December 15th, 2007
34

For those of you who think the gunplay was a little repetative... Trying playing on the "Crushing" level and see what happens!!

posted 9:52am EST - December 21st, 2007
35

love ie so much I have the strategy guide to find all the treasures and to unlock all the cool stuff!!!

posted 1:09pm EST - December 26th, 2007
36
Got it for Christmas! YAY!
posted 4:55pm EST - December 27th, 2007
37

i got the game and its really good, repetitive though, just like assasins creed, repetitve but awesome and gorgeous graphics

posted 9:47pm EST - December 28th, 2007
38

Best looking game on any console.

posted 10:43pm EST - December 30th, 2007
39
gr8 game it is game of the year material 4sure!!!!!!! 10/10
posted 10:27am EST - January 3rd, 2008
40

http://www.YourPS34free.com/index.php?ref=4538826

posted 8:18am EST - January 18th, 2008
41

Brilliant game 10/10

posted 7:50am EST - January 24th, 2008
42

The best game of ps3, up date, in my opinion. Graphics excellents, and a good story.

posted 4:09pm EST - January 27th, 2008
43

I love this game can't wait till uncharted 2 comes out

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