Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

The Uncharted series has become synonymous with the Playstation name. The series lead, Nathan Drake, has officially become Sony’s answer to Mario and Master Chief. With two strong titles under its belt, it is really hard to argue, even in such a short time might i add. I cannot remember the last time a series has made such a strong impact on the Playstation brand. Sony has always had a couple of great exclusives in their camp, but the Uncharted series rose above all becoming one of the best reasons to own a PS3. It’s really hard to keep pleasing the masses though. Refer to my earlier Mario and Master Chief again, they both have suffered missteps during their journey to video game greatness. Both series are still intact though. So, does Drake’s current adventure further solidify his path to the unofficial gaming hall of fame?

 

Let’s tackle the story first. Drake and his cohort Sully are searching for the lost city of sand. To get there they will need to pull the wool over an old adversary’s eyes, one Miss Katherine Marlow. From there is where the adventure takes off. After the successful bait and switch, our merry band of treasure hunters, trot the globe to exotic locales including Syria, Yemen, and finishing up in the lost City of Sand. During the escapade you are stalked by Marlow, her right hand Talbot, and her network of Agent Smith wannabes.

 

I feel Drake’s Deception has an overall story that we have heard from time to time. There is something we have the clues to unearth and just as we do, someone else wants to get all up in the kool-aid and take it first. Obeying that simple formula is not a bad thing, especially when you take care of the deeper facets so well. The relationship between Drake and Sully, mentor father figure, are showcased strongly in this one throughout. I feel like Naughty really went out of their way to put out there that these 2 have been through a lot and stuck with each other through and through. I already knew that though. I really didn’t think it needed to be highlighted anymore. I wanted more from the supporting characters like Chloe and Cutter. Hell, I would have loved to have gotten more back story on Talbot. He has the looks of an antagonist that could have played hell in Nathan’s life, in the past or in the far future. Who knows? That can still be revisited though, maybe.

 

After all that, we have Elena. This is where the story teller over at Naught Dog got it just right, very coy with everything about their relationship. I wasn’t smacked in the face with it at all. It was more like a breezy waft perfume. Not abrasive at all. It was almost like it was handled by a woman. Very delicate, very special, if the guys at Naughty Dog could get that type of balance with the rest of the characters we might have been on to something. Without those minor character development gripes, we are talking about a pretty darn good story though. There are plot holes, but I really have a problem with calling them that. These are things that may be addressed later. Also, talking to other Uncharted 3 conquerors, some of these accused plot holes are things I missed and once explained later, that ole light bulb in my head lit up. I still believe they could have done a better job with explaining certain things in the game, but I am sure after your play though it you will feel the same way. One last thing on the story, then we have to move on. This is not the type of story that you would normally put at the end of a trilogy and strongly believe this is the main message that ND is trying to get to us. THIS IS NOT A TRILOGY! I didn’t get the since that I was finishing the fight or riding off into the sunset. Nathan obviously will not be retiring his henley and faded jeans anytime soon.

 

Visually this thing is a beaut!! I seriously thought that the all of the juice was being squeezed out of the PS3 to get Uncharted 2 going. Uncharted 3 further proves that the PS3 is far from over. I’m only going to highlight a few of those spectacular moments. Let’s start with the burning Chatteau. If you follow games like I do, we have seen this level for years, the highlight of Uncharted 3′s reveal at E3 2010. You don’t really get it until you see it on your TV. Watching Drake hang from a ledge over pit of flames never looked more spectacular. They got the damn fire right too. No, it didn’t look like lava or a river of red and orange muck. The flames looked intense and spot on. I can honestly say I’ve been in burning building now. Well, not really, but I will. Next up is the freighter. Hey James Cameron, these guys sunk a ship a whole lot better than you!! When first step foot on the deck, the torrential downpour, debris rolling about the deck, it is all set up for the perfect storm. Actually, the waves in the ocean rival those of the Perfect Storm. The thing you must remember boys and girls are the waves are not simple backdrops. There’s programming in them darn waves. From that programming the waves created sway in the ship. Scripted? Yeah it is, but knowing that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Later on things get a bit topsy turvy and this is when the real amazement happens. I love video game water and when you are running down hallways to get out it is actually pretty unbelievable how well it was all created.

 

Improved gun play was the one thing that Uncharted 2 heralded as a big step in the series. Has it gotten any better? Not really, everything feels the same as 2, just a little tighter. There are also a few new tricks up Drakes sleeve. Tossing back grenades works well, could be a little better though. Sometimes spacing on how far you can be from the grenade seems to change from time to time, but for the most part it works. Hand to hand combat is back and has been improved 10 fold. With a system very reminiscent of Batman Arkham City, I felt right at home. It is nowhere near as tight, but it works in a very similar fashion. I remember being stuck in a room with about 8 baddies. I was punching and countering so well, I probably forgot what I was playing for a split second. Again, Drake is not Batman by any stretch of the imagination, so some my tactics didn’t quite work, still a huge upgrade from Uncharted 2.

 

The Uncharted series is still on top. There were a couple of refinements that made this a better trek than its predecessor, but there are still a few minor issues I have. Nothing major though. Best cinematic story telling in a videogame, but didn’t totally like where that story went. The environments are top notch, I just wanted a bit more. I feel like the set piece scale has been jacked so high thanks to UC: Among Thieves. That’s not totally fair to knock Drake’s Deception down a peg because of it, but I cannot unsee what I’ve already seen. I think the freighter is by far the most impressive set piece in the series, but all the other ones fall right in line with previous iterations. Wow me Naughty Dog. I know you can do it. All in all if you own a PS3, this title deserves your 60 bucks. I guarantee that this will be one of those adventures that will stick with you as one of the best of 2011. Hell, to some of us, it may very well, be the best.

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