You have to admit, Lara Croft has done a lot for videogames. There’s a reason she is viewed as the female version of Indiana Jones. The first three games she was in delivered high adventure with some gun combat. They were fun to play, as you never truly knew what was coming next. Well, what if you combined some of Indy’s adventuring spirit, Lara’s gun skills and a razor sharp wit? You would end up with Nathan Drake, the star of a game I’ve probably had too much fun playing: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.
Uncharted has Nathan Drake, commonly called “Nate,” exploring the world as a treasure hunter. The game starts with Nate and Elena, a reporter who creates entertaining documentaries for something like the History Channel, opening the supposed tomb of Francis Drake. Yes, there might be some relation. Anyway, what they find is a journal that sends them to an island off of South America in search of El Dorado.
To write any more would ruin the plot. Why? Well, like any good adventure movie (or game), it’s just a blast to watch. Nate is a likable rogue. Elena dumps the “damsel in distress” shtick and is actually rather helpful. (I want her unlimited-ammo grenade launcher for Easter.) And she’s just as smart as Nate, quickly able to keep up with his rapier wit. The interaction between the characters is just fun. What else could you want?
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is a blast to play. It’s a mixture of platforming and third-person shooting. You’ll have Nate climb up and down rocks, stairs, ledges and vines to get him where he needs to be. Some people might complain that there’s no way to know which ledges are climbable. Although this is true at times, it isn’t too hard to quickly figure out the visual clues to know where to go. Then you’ll have him shoot some bandits/pirates. In order to aim, you hold the L1 button and then move the right analog stick to manipulate the crosshair. Then, press the R1 button, and watch the blood fly. Aim for the head for an easy kill. If enemies stand still long enough, that is. Or hit any other part of the body and watch as they react. If you can figure out a use, send a grenade to them and watch them freak out. Be warned! Most of your enemies will not sit and wait for you to respond.
Thankfully, ammo is plentiful. You’ll never roam around an area looking for ammo or new weapons. And that’s part of the joy: Everything is streamlined. New weapons are found every few levels, so there is always something new to fiddle with. The basic shotgun gets an upgrade with a later version of it, with more power and slightly improved range. The regular pistol has different variations, from increased magnum, power and speed. And don’t forget the grenade launcher. There’s nothing like watching a pirate get blasted away in an explosion.
But don’t think Uncharted is easy. It’ll beat you down if you do not know what you’re doing. Hiding behind cover is a necessity, as is knowing which weapon to bring to each skirmish. However, if Nate dies, the game doesn’t send you too far back ; he’s quickly resurrected at the last checkpoint. There are no loading times. Period.
Graphically, Uncharted is very easy on the eyes — especially when there is about 11 feet of snow on the ground where I live. (At least, it feels that way some days.) The game is set on a lush, tropical island. Trees and vines intertwine within the ruins of the island. Catacombs are a dank and foreboding place. Rivers are plentiful and range from exploring a watery city to rapids.
Characters move well and have their own signature looks. There are times when the characters’ hair looks pre-rendered, and another little quip is that sometimes there are little “breaks” in the graphics. Sometimes it’s noticeable, and sometimes it’s not, but overall, it didn’t deter my enjoyment.
Sound in Uncharted is a blast to listen to. Literally. Booms come from grenades in their various forms. Certain guns have a nice potent sound. Guns can be heard reloading. Footsteps are heard as you traverse the island. Mysterious “island music” is heard at certain times, along with other intense songs. But what really steals the show is the perfectly performed voice acting. What can I say about it that hasn’t been said before? Nate is a tough but witty guy. Elena’s tomboyish personality combined with her nature to tell a good journalistic story comes through perfectly.
When taken as a whole, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is one heck of an experience. Everything merges to create an intensely fun experience that is like no other. Uncharted, to me, is a transition game. I don’t think it’s as high tech as other PS3 games, but I think it looks exactly as a next-gen game should. What really solidifies Uncharted is that the gameplay rocks.
