Topic: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

[idolminds]

YouTube

I don't have the original Gametrailers.com link, but I'm sure if you hit their site you can find it for better video quality.

Anyway, Uncharted is Naughty Dogs (Crash Bandicoot, Ratchet and Clank) new game for PS3. I heard it on a podcast described as Tomb Raider + Prince of Persia + Gears of War. With that kind of combo, I just had to see the footage. Not seeing much of the PoP influence in that vid, but you can really see TR and Gears. You run around and climb shit like TR, but for combat you hide behind cover and pop out almost exactly like Gears. Looks like a winning combo.

The animations look a little rough at this point, so hopefully they can work that out. Otherwise looks like a +1 to the reasons to buy a PS3.

[Ghandi]

When the character was jumping around, and near the end when he was successively falling down the cliff face, there were some aspects of PoP. Looks neat, although the graphics don't really blow me away. And that guy playing the game was a horrible shot.

[idolminds]

Yeah, a little PoP-ish. But that sort of thing was in TR: Legends...so maybe its PoPs influence over more than one title.

I want to see some better quality footage before I judge the graphics. It certainly looks nice for what it is. I wish these games would be a bit more open. Its a very linear path through the jungle. Something more along the lines of Far Cry but you can climb shit would be really cool.

And yes, that guy was a bad shot.

[PyroMenace]

You know it saddens me a little that Naughty Dog is Sony exclusive. Oh well, can't have it all on one console.

Anyway, yea the game looked great, certainly animates wonderfully. The jungle area oddly reminded me of the old 2D adventure classic, Flashback.

[wizall]

Yeah, I got the Flashback vibe too, a game I loved.  I guess it was only a matter of time before the Sony exclusives started showing up. 

If only the PS3 wasn't so goddamned expensive.

[Quemaqua]

The only thing that will likely make me care about the PS3 is God of War 3.  I can't think of anything else at all.

[idolminds]

Team ICO is working on 2 PS3 games. TAKE THAT!

[Quemaqua]

Son of a bitch!  You're going to pay for that.  No, seriously.  I'm going to hunt you in your sleep for telling me this.

[Quemaqua]

Heh, funny how thread resurrection happens.  And now that I've got a PS3 and Uncharted, I can finally weigh in on this.

In a word: awesome.  The game is just really cool.  I've put a few hours into it and it manages to more or less be everything it claims to be.  First you're Tomb Raidering across a cliff face, enjoying the scenery, getting immersed in the world, then you're gunning down marauding hordes of jerks en masse ala Gears of War, ducking for cover, shifting position, and popping in and out of line of sight the whole time (and waiting for your health to recharge after you've gotten a bit shot up).  Oh, and you can only hold 2 weapons and grenades, also like the latter game.

And while this stuff is cool, I'm actually really enjoying the story and characters.  The main guy is one of those cool under pressure types, a bit flippant, generally funny, and *almost* annoying... but the voice actor pulls it off well and the writing is just good enough that he stays likable and consistent.  This isn't super cerebral stuff, but it manages to stay a few steps ahead of corny while still being generally humorous.  Add that to the heavy adventure theme and you've got some classic stuff that just brings out the kid in you.  Well, if the kid in you wants to slay hordes of modern-day pirate creeps.

Anyway, this is a great showcase for the PS3, but it's also some good, clean fun.  Idol's going to love the hell out of it during OWmeet, I can see it already.

[Pugnate]

This is the first game I want to buy when I get my PS3. I am still waiting for the upcoming SKU with the bigger HD and new controllers.

[Ghandi]

I picked this up today and I'm loving it so far. Que pretty much nailed it in terms of gameplay, although I do find the combat a bit easy through the first four chapters even though I'm playing on Hard. Maybe it will get harder? Who knows, but it's still tons of fun. And some parts are genuinely funny -

(click to show/hide)

Jumping out of the burning plane- "O.K., just count to five. How hard could that be?" *Jumps* "12345AHHHHHH!"

Also, the game is absolutely gorgeous. I finally picked up an HDTV the other day (18" Phillips) and got some HDMI cables today along with this. It's so sexy I can't get enough of it. 

[iPPi]

The game is finally on the Greatest Hits list so I picked it up for $30 and finished it in a couple of days.  It's a decent game, but a bit overhyped based on what I've read from reviews and stuff.

That said, I am interested in the sequel that's coming out in a couple of weeks.  It looks phenomenal and very much improved.

[Quemaqua]

I think it was overhyped mostly because it was a launch title.  I'd like to get back to it.  I quit really close to the end for some stupid reason.

[idolminds]

Ok, now I don't feel so bad for bumping this. I started on Uncharted today and am enjoying it. One of those first battles after jumping from the plane, the dudes just kept coming. Wasn't really expecting that. I'd kill 5 of them and then a bunch more showed up and...when is this going to end? I'm low on bullets. I just have to get used to it being a shooty game with some platformy instead of the other way around.

[K-man]

Hah, I bought and started it last night.

One thing's for sure, this is a beautiful game.

[idolminds]

I played it until 4am last night (or this morning...whatever). Enjoying it but man, they seem to throw so many dudes at you. They all take 3-4 shots to kill and I'm running out of ammo a lot. And while I like the combat enough in short bursts, every encounter seems to drag on way too long.

Its like they spent a lot of time and effort to build these locations and they want you to stay in it for as long as possible. But instead of making it puzzley so you hang around trying to figure out the puzzle, they just throw more guys for you to fight to slow you down.

So...now I'm cheating. I downloaded a 100% completed save so I can use the "one shot kill" option. Now all the bad dudes die in one shot and I'm enjoying the game so much more. Combat is sped up but with all the guys I still need to watch my own health and find cover, so it doesn't break the game like a god mode would. I wont earn trophies but that doesn't bother me. I can always go back to my original save and earn them if I want.

So yeah, like the game, liking it even more now.

[K-man]

One of the things that annoy me is the fact that pirates can take more than one head shot.

I mean come on.

[Xessive]

One of the things that annoy me is the fact that pirates can take more than one head shot.

I mean come on.

Wait, what? I don't remember that! What difficulty are you playing?

I've only played it on Normal difficulty and headshots were insta-kills! I would have been really miffed if they weren't!

[K-man]

Sometimes they are instakills, but other times they take it like a champ.

[iPPi]

Later in the game they are wearing helmets, which means they can take one headshot if it's from a weaker weapon, if I recall correctly.

[K-man]

nah, some of the stronger pirates take more than one headshot, helmet or not.

and MOTHERFUCK THIS JET SKI SEQUENCE

[idolminds]

I just got to the jetski, and I am in agreement. Gah!

[K-man]

I got through it.  Key is to just take it slow.

[Quemaqua]

What the fuck? I loved the jetski stuff.

[K-man]

Just got to chapter 15.  I assume I'm a little more than halfway done with the game at this point.  So far it's been a pretty damn fun ride.

[Xessive]

I was indifferent to the Jet Ski sequences. There were some frustrating times but the water and the environments were great!

[K-man]

Just finished the game.  For the most part a solid enjoyable experience from start to finish.  Enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.  Ready to play the sequel, but probably will wait and grab it down the road. 

Plus I'm going to be occupied with Brutal Legend and Demons Souls.

[K-man]

Spent about 2 hours with 2.  So far it's been a wholly enjoyable experience.  The voice acting is just absolutely top notch, the animations, the environments.  I mean I didn't even fire a shot from a gun until an hour and a half into the game.  So far everything has just been fun.  That's the best way to explain it.

The production values on this game are astounding. 

[K-man]

A little further in tonight.  Look, this game doesn't really explore new ground.  It basically improves drastically from the first game and essentially perfects what made the first game so fun.  Not terribly innovative, but it just does everything so damn well.  It's one of those games that you just do not want to stop playing because you're having so much fun with it.

Whereas the gunfights in the first game sometimes became a chore and exercise in patience, they have significantly improved the gunplay aspect of the game.  A headshot does what it's supposed to, and enemies can't take as many bullets before going down.

I'm terribly tired otherwise I would go into further detail.  Haven't touched multiplayer yet, but will definitely do so once I finish the story.  I hear nothing but good things from the MP too.

I mean if you own a PS3 you have to at least rent this game.  Definite GotY contender, for sure.

[iPPi]

I picked up the sequel as well today.  It's a really good game.  Like you said, it is essentially the same game, but everything... literally everything has been improved.  And the visual and audio experience is quite amazing.

Multiplayer is quite fun as well.  The competitive MP is what you'd expect... I haven't had a chance to play it too much yet, but I spent some time with the Coop Arena, which is a variant of a Gears of War Horde game mode and it's quite fun and challenging.  But because it does remind of GoW Horde mode, the inability to spring in Uncharted is somewhat disappointing.

Still, this is a game definitely worth playing, and is a much better value than its predecessor.

[PyroMenace]

I watched 2 video reviews and the praise almost feels at bit crazy. It does look quite awesome, but damn, best single player experience ever? That be a bold statement.

[K-man]

It's pretty damn good dude.  As far as just continuous sheer enjoyment?  I'd put it up there near the top if not the top. There's just no lulls in gameplay.  You're always doing something.  It's just a fun story coupled with a fun game that's VERY fun to play.

the popcorn flick comparisons you read from reviews are certainly apt.  Just a good fun ride from start to finish (presumably, I haven't finished it yet).

Oh, and did I mention it was FUN?! haha

[K-man]

Wow.  The train level is a shining example of excellent game design.

I've got a feeling I'm nearly done with the game.  Unless something changes during the rest of it, or something comes along before the end of the year that just blows me away, this will definitely be my game of the year.

[Ghandi]

I NEED THIS GAME...I CAN'T BELIEVE MY PS3 BROKE AGAIN ARGGHGHGH

[iPPi]

This game is unbelievable.  It truly is amazing how much better it is over the first one.  The pacing is excellent and none of the gun fights or platforming sections feel forced. 

[K-man]

I just finished the game.

What a fantastic game start to finish.

[iPPi]

I also finished the game tonight.  My only complaint about the entire game is the last boss.  He was kind of annoying to kill.

[idolminds]

I'm getting close to done with Uncharted 1. I think chapter 18 or so. When those....new enemies show up.

[iPPi]

Ah yes, I was quite surprised when that happened -- I just wasn't expecting to have to fight enemies of that kind for a game like this.

[K-man]

I also finished the game tonight.  My only complaint about the entire game is the last boss.  He was kind of annoying to kill.

I thought it was a much better boss than the first game.  Course both bosses are nice in the fact that it's not a typical gunfight straight up kill the other guy deal.