True Treasure
Fresh off or my experience with Two Worlds, I was desperate to rid myself of the memory. I had to do something to get the taste out of my mouth, and I couldn't stomach the thought of putting in another RPG. I needed something that was sure to give me an enjoyable experience to act as a counter-balance to the trauma I had just endured. All of that is said to make this observation: my choosing of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to fill that void was an odd choice. A total shot in the dark, I had no guarantee that I would enjoy this game, as I had heard little about it, save a few positive words from others. This game, a 2007 release, was overshadowed for me at the height of its popularity by what I then thought was my 'love' for the xbox 360 (we're still not exactly on speaking terms, after its most recent journey to Texas, and the fact that its return brought me nothing but Two Worlds didn't help its case a great deal). So, on a whim, I popped in this treasure-hunting adventure and quickly found something to treasure.
Graphics/Visuals: As per usual, my review starts with looks. Face Value: this game is absolutely gorgeous. The environments are unbelievably complex, detailed, and realistic. The character models look exceptional, equipped with even the most minute in facial expressions/detail. Any time Drake was around a body of water in this game, it really reinforced just how beautiful this game was. What's more than all this is the boldness and unashamed fashion in which this game boosts its superior visual design. Take for example the 60 Treasure hidden throughout the game. They are so easily missed if you're just running through the game. They are not easy, by any interpretation of the word, to find when LOOKING for them. Really the only way to find these treasures, aside from stumbling upon them by dumb luck, is to look for the brilliant gleam put off by these treasures intermittently. A short, small flash, every few seconds. Just imagine that this game had had less than spectacular visuals; these little buggers would be impossible to find. But, knowing just how beautiful their product was, the game developers went all in with this feature.
Gameplay: Once you get beyond visuals, the next crucial element for a game is gameplay. While some people may be able to play a frustratingly bad game based on the fact that it looks good, most of us demand a good time out of our games, looks be damned! In Uncharted, you will find a friend indeed. Many compared this game to a cross between Prince of Persia and Gears of War, in that there is a substantial platforming element to the game, that works in conjunction with the 'shooting people in the face' game play of gears. This is an adequate comparison (based on what I've seen of the Prince of Persia series and what I've played of GoW), but I felt as though it was a loose comparison at best. This games platforming didn't seem, overall, as elaborate as what Prince of Persia fans may be accustomed to, nor was the combat as grotesque as the Gears fans may be used to. Not that it was deficient in delivering on these elements, but somehow the developers managed a combination that became a new, original product. You should have no problem enjoying yourself thoroughly while playing through this adventure game. Very few of the gun fights felt overly difficult, and the platforming, although sometimes vague, never reached the point of infuriatingly complex. There were a few places where I felt absolutely lost and had to just sit there waiting for the game to give me an overly obvious hint, but in the game's defense, this may have been caused by my own retardation. Always a big concern in games where platforming is a key element is the camera angle. I had only a couple of instances where I thought the camera angle could have been more helpful, but never felt that I was advancing IN SPITE of the camera, so the game works well in that capacity. Overall, this game flows well. There were just a few minor hiccups that kept this game from five stars, which leaves room for improvement as I progress through what has now become a trilogy. First and foremost, I had heard a lot about the water-ski battles in this game, and this is where most of the negative feedback seemed to stem from (the overall vehicular combat thing always trips games up). However, I felt the vehicular combat was rather fun. The only quip I have about the jet-ski battle was the fact that it did not flow like I would have liked. Having to stop each time I wanted Elana to cap some fool in the face was tedious. This problem was exacerbated when trying to jet-ski to the monastery up the river. Having to stop and shoot bad guys often meant drifting back down the little waterfalls you had struggled against the current to mount. To add to this complication was the explosive barrels which seemed infinite. Again, while even this part was not impossible to enjoy, I felt like these parts of the game felt somewhat clunky and lacked the smooth transition this game was so plush with. The only other problem I had with the gameplay (and it may really be more of a story line issue) but so often Drake would solve these puzzles to reveal "Secret" passages. However, once entering these SECRET tunnels, I would often find myself fighting the same douchebags I had encountered in the non-secret passage areas. Not much of a secret passage way if I'm the last one to the party. Either way you classify this quip (as game play or story) it provides the perfect segway for this:
Story: The story in this game lends itself to an Indiana Jones adventure, which makes it vastly entertaining. The characters are believable and likable. The game does a good job of keeping you guessing as to what will happen next, as you adventure through the game. I felt like there could've been a little more back story involved with Sir Francis Drake, but that may well come later. The only minor speed bump for me came late in the game. I was not particularly enthused when the game introduced the zombified spanish conquistadors. On a very personal level, I probably could've down without them. However, I do not detract stars from the game for adding this element. I say that because, despite my personal disdain for them, they fit perfectly with the story and their inclusion did not disrupt the smooth flow of the game. These creatures are a very limited part of the game too, which really helps me overlook my own dissatisfaction with them. Overall, the story is engaging and will have you playing until, like me, your eyes burn from looking at the screen for so long. There are some who have voiced concern over the length of this game, as it is easily beaten in around 8 hours. It should be noted, however, that the shortness of the game certainly does not lend itself, in this case, to a lack of depth in the story.
Character: Finally, I want to briefly talk about your character. Drake is just the kind of protagonist you love to play. Witty and somewhat self-interested, it is immediately apparent that Drake is a deeper character than his exterior suggests. A loyal friend, an intelligent individual, and the comedic relief in the most perilous of times, I quickly fell in love with Drake and found myself more and more interested in his story as the game progresses
Overall, Uncharted: Drake's Revenge is a great game that holds up remarkably well for a game that came out four years ago. At the time, it was hailed as the best looking game for the PS3, and from what I've seen, may well be contending with today's top sluggers for that title still. The game play is engaging and fun, and the story is such that, although short, leaves you with a near insatiable desire for the next chapter in this series. If you're looking for a hit title to enjoy, or if, like me, you're looking to erase a bad flavor from your tongue, left by some garbage, bargain bin game, your search stops here. Games like these are certainly why you bought your PS3.
