Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

UPC: 711719810322

Platform: PlayStation 3

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.

Developer: Naughty Dog, Inc.

Category: Action

Style(s): Action Adventure

Synopsis: Move over, Indiana Jones. Step aside, Lara Croft. Video gaming has a new adventurer in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Trapped on a tropical island crawling with pirates, treasure hunter Nathan Drake seeks out the legendary fortune of his apparent ancestor, Sir Francis Drake. He'll explore ancient forts, lush jungles, mysterious catacombs, and other exotic areas, using a combination of firearms and hand-to-hand combat to defeat enemies. A female filmmaker named Elena Fisher accompanies Drake to document his latest exploits. As with more famous video game heroes, Drake is no slouch when it comes to feats of agility, from swinging on vines to leaping over rocks to shimmying across precarious ledges. He must also seek out and use cover to protect himself from enemy gunfire. Dramatic chase sequences on watercraft and in a jeep are included for a cinematic feel, and over 50 minutes of cut-scenes help flesh out the swashbuckling story. Drake's Fortune is developer Naughty Dog's (Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter) first foray on PlayStation 3. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 44-Page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

Developer Naughty Dog's anticipated debut on PlayStation 3 is an action-adventure title in the swashbuckling spirit of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Tomb Raider. In Uncharted, you will guide a roguish relic hunter named Nathan Drake as he doggedly searches for untold riches left behind by his presumed ancestor, Sir Francis Drake. While the gameplay has you exploring lush jungles and ancient ruins from a third-person perspective, Uncharted relies heavily on shootouts against armed groups of treasure-seeking pirates. These shooting sequences are often exciting, since you are heavily outnumbered, have limited ammo, and possess only two guns in addition to a limited number of grenades. There are plenty of spots to crouch behind without it feeling forced, and enemies don't stand in one spot to serve as target practice. They will also use cover and, when it's clear, dart to different positions, looking to box you in. Unfortunately, the actual "shooting" part isn't as realistic as it could be. Enemies are essentially bullet sponges, taking an amazing amount of licking before they stop ticking. Shot to the throat? No problem. They'll just stumble for a moment and continue to hunt you down. Shot to the leg? 'Tis but a scratch. Anything less than a headshot and your target will keep on fighting, forcing you to be extremely precise or else you'll waste precious ammo. It keeps the sequences action-packed and challenging, but some players will be frustrated with the combat since it's such a big part of the game. In between shootouts, you'll be spending your time navigating the colorful, vibrant environments. The exploration aspect is extremely enjoyable -- Drake is rather limited in his move set, but that's in keeping with his "everyman" persona. He's not a highly trained mercenary or assassin, so his moves are what you'd expect from a "normal" person. Drake will still be able to jump across chasms, grab onto ledges, and use vines to swing from side to side across the faces of cliffs or buildings, but it always seems like he could stumble and fall at any moment. While Uncharted's environments have limitations, the developers did a great job in hiding them. Exploration seems natural instead of feeling like you're being funneled toward an exit like a rat in a maze. There's not much to actually <i>do</i> in a level other than collecting treasures, but since getting from point A to point B is often a puzzle, you don't really miss it. The checkpoint system is also extremely fair, so you never have to cover too much ground if you falter off a cliff or find yourself taking one too many bullets. While the shootouts could be improved and the action could offer more variety (the few vehicle stages are a bit awkward to control), Uncharted is an enjoyable experience bolstered by high production values. Drake and his companions' voice acting and dialogue have a cinematic feel, and the visuals are impressively detailed. Consider Uncharted a diamond in the rough for PlayStation 3 owners looking for their first killer app. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.