Strengths:Very good story, likeable characters, well acted, beautiful graphics/scenery, A.I. is pretty good, very fun
Weaknesses:Short, no online multiplayer (in fact, no multiplayer at all)
Posted Mar 10, 2008 - What do you get when you mix aspects from Indiana Jones (exploration) with Romancing the Stone (the give and take chemistry between characters) with Heavenly Sword (almost cinematic production values, like playing a movie) with Gears of War (3rd and 1st person gunplay and cover system) with Tomb Raiders (platforming)? You get Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, hopefully the first of many in a series of Uncharted games. This game takes the best aspects of many genres and makes something even greater out of them. It's not cutting edge, but has some doubletake moments, starting with the beautiful luscious scenery when bleak desolation seems to be the trend these days to the way Nathan Drake's clothes get wet when you go partially or fully into water. The shooting and cover system feel a lot like Gears of War (on the 360), but you're fighting realistic enemies (i.e., humans) in natural settings and lighting and your character/hero looks like Joe Everyman instead of like the incredible Hulk on steroids. The hand to hand combat is nothing spectacular but is way better and more robust than Gears of War's and other FPS's (which consist of some variation of an insta-kill chainsaw, butt of a weapon or flying fist graphic). Unlike games like COD4 (also very good), which aim for a lot of realism, Uncharted tickles the imagination with a storyline of looking for lost treasures. The story is well written and the characters are developed well and have personalities and charm, so you actually grow to like them rather than see them as the generic placeholders that they are in many other games. The A.I. is better than average for these types of shooters. The game is short though, probably running the average gamer between 10 and 12 hours. However, I'd say it's compelling enough that the average person probably wouldn't mind playing through it twice (or more) to try to find more of the treasures. There are no other modes to play through other than the story...no co-op or versus or online multiplayer, unfortunately. Still, this is a terrific game, especially for a brand new series, and I hope there are plenty more to come if they meet the quality of this one. If you own a PS3, this is definitely a game you need to get right now. It really shows off the system. I've played Heavenly Sword and Ratchet & Clank and many other PS3-exclusive titles, and, while those were great games as well, I believe Uncharted is still a notch-above. If you've played any of those others (Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank), you know that's one heckuva compliment.
Did you find it helpful , unhelpful, or inappropriate?
Rated 
Uncharted Review
Comment about this review
