Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - GR Review
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While Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 duke it out on the FPS field, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is here to provide another blockbuster-inspired adventure as an alternate flavor of fun in this season of "3s" that is upon us. Among Thieves was quite an act to follow, so it's no surprise that Drake's Deception may not blow your mind the way that one did, but this is more a testament to just how high a bar Naughty Dog has set in the interactive entertainment field. Nathan's third journey may be aiming to deceive you in a number of ways, but don't be fooled: This is yet another game-of-the-year contender.
Without spoiling the details, Drake's Deception is a layered title with many meanings, and the story definitely has a more serious spin than it has in the past. There are some notable moments that pass into something I would consider expected of a grade-A action film. The team's approach to motion-capture is clearly advantageous, as it lends scenes an extra dash of realism very few games manage to create. It admittedly follows a similar formula in narrative structure as Among Thieves did, but this fine—seeing as that formula worked out very well—especially since the settings are entirely different, and there's a much heavier emphasis on backstory and exploring the characters' motivations.
Unfortunately, the villains don't get as much depth as they could have, and while the curves and twists the tale takes are engaging, the way everything ends feels just a tad rushed in comparison to the second title's climactic scenes. But this is a criticism made only after comparing it to Among Thieves. The yarn that Uncharted 3 spins is wild, entertaining, leaves just enough mystery to let the player theorize, and leaves you wanting more in the best way.
Now, perhaps man-love between Nathan and Sully—and discussions revolving around the latter's nice ass— isn't exactly why you play this series. You enjoy it for the rush, the excitement, the scope of the locations... Drake's Deception definitely kicks things up a notch in this regard. The train scene in the last title was probably its greatest technical achievement, and there are multiple sequences like that here, including a pair of chase scenes that are two of the most entertaining I'd say I've ever played through. But it's not only "run and gun, scale walls, run into the camera away from danger" that goes on. The journey takes a few turns that slow the pace down a bit in smart ways. Pacing, after all, is optimal when there are highs and lows in well-placed interval—and this third installment probably provides the best in that regard.
There are still old, dilapidated buildings to explore, ancient mechanisms that don't seem physically possible to figure out, and a few puzzles that require a different approach than we've seen in past Uncharted titles. Uncharted 3 tries new concepts that the series hasn't done before in its environments, always using these new ideas to shake up the cover-based shooting gameplay. Sometimes this means making things more vertical; other times it means shifting terrains that make enemies—and cover itself—wobble around.
The melee combat has some more detail put into it as well. It's not much compared to combat-oriented games, but you can tell the team poured more effort into it, and context-sensitive attacks seal this fact. Seamlessly slapping an enemy with a fish from a vendor's market table or slamming him against a nearby wall can be hilarious and immersive. Enemy layouts and behaviors seem more challenging than they have been too, ensuring that veteran players will still be forced to approach the high-intensity fights with some thought. Fisticuffs, shootouts, parkour chases, high-speed tomfoolery, philosophical contemplation—all here, all engaging.
The level of visual detail is still striking, even after the way Among Thieves harnessed the Playstation 3's hardware. Drake's Deception is, like its predecessor, one of the best-looking games out there right now. Part of this has to do with the detail in its modeling and textures, the craftsmanship of the design (some of the structural touches are really something), and the sense of magnitude and scale the game manages to produce. Just like God of War 3 before it, the game occasionally pans out wide to show off the massive environments, flexing its graphical biceps. The character animation can't be understated. Nathan's model probably has more frames of animation than any other character I can think of, from his various climbing to the swagger in his step whether in full-on sprint or when weary and dehydrated.
When playing multiplayer or co-op, things lose a layer of polish, but in cut-scenes from the campaign, things look quite fantastic, combining live performance, genuine voice acting, and facial tweaks that sell the experience. Eyes, in particular, are difficult to capture properly without coming across as artificial, but this game pulls them off without difficulty. The voicing is some of the best in the biz, and though the actual sound effects themselves aren't specifically wow-worthy, the music hits all the right notes from what you'd expect of a Lawrence of Arabia-style flick. On a technical and artistic level, the end product of everything the game has to offer is a world that feels full to the brim with detail and variety, taking full advantage of that big HD screen and surround sound setup you have.
There are a few prices to be paid, however. Texture pop-in can be a problem on numerous occasions, especially in multiplayer, and because of how seamlessly Nathan can maneuver most objects, it can actually become a bit confusing as to what he can and cannot scale in certain environments. There's an “Oops, guess I can't climb that” animation that you will become quite accustomed to in areas where it's not quite as clear how to traverse the environment. When locked into melee combat and under fire, I found it difficult to evade and run and hide, since the face buttons perform different actions in this context than they do normally.
There's also a trade-off in that the game doesn't have as much humor as the last game did, since it focuses more on emotional impact. Really, though, these are all criticisms for the sake of nitpicking given the size and breadth of all the game's campaign manages to accomplish—which is a lot more than most games do. The better something is, the more noticeable its few flaws become, like fingerprint smudges on that shiny new device.
After the campaign is done (which took me, an Uncharted veteran, about 8 hours on Normal), there's still a lot to keep you busy. Co-op has its own separate story of sorts this time, taking the concept used in the second title, refining it and expanding it with some new ideas. It can even be played two-player in local split-screen, if you like (though I oddly couldn't use my actual account info that I use to play online). Likewise, split-screen can be used for LAN party modes and online for competitive multiplayer action.
While it will probably be debated for some while to come whether or not Among Thieves or Drake's Deception offers the better overall campaign experience, the multiplayer has been extremely improved. More modes, options, and goals abound. Character customization is more detailed, though still oddly a bit lacking for the main heroes themselves, something that may change via patches and DLC, as it has been altered quite a bit even since the beta this summer. Loadouts can be swapped mid-match, and there's a lot more options to be found, such as weapon modifications and the new medal kickbacks, which are special abilities that can be activated when enough in-game achievements are earned during the course of a match.
There are even some multiplayer environments that borrow ideas from epic scenes in the campaign to create competitive maps unlike anything you'll find in most shooters out there—not to mention the parkour-based gunplay that already differentiates it from a lot of other multiplayer experiences to be had. Even the few maps that have been brought back from the last game have been revamped with a few tweaks and big visual overhauls so they still feel fresh.
There's so much more to do in multiplayer on a metagame level, and it all contributes to expanding your characters' abilities, that even losing feels like progress. Missions award extra cash to buy upgrades, treasures unlock customized weapons and clothing, and your boosters (or perks) can be leveled up by performing actions that reinforce their advantages.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception provides one of the most technically impressive adventures you can find, matched with a detailed and unique multiplayer, all while making it easy for a newcomer to pick up and enjoy. Drake's Deception is why most gamers play video games—experiences that keep us awed and engaged, and extra content to keep us coming back for more. It's definitely one of the most well-produced games you'll find available this year. It's hard to say whether it concretely surpasses its predecessor as an overall campaign, but with a much-improved multiplayer and more ambitious settings in its single-player, you'll be hard-pressed to find many games this generation that can match its scope and prowess.
Copy provided by the publisher.
Leaked Uncharted 3 Trophy List
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Posted on Monday, September 26 @ 12:52:15 Eastern by Nick_Tan
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Tumblr blogger Brogamer has revealed the Trophy list for Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception at the game's EuroGamer Expo multiplayer session. As usual, there are Trophies awarded for finding treasures and defeating a certain amount of enemies in specific ways or with specific weapons. There's also for beating people with a fish.
First Treasure (Bronze) - Find one treasure Apprentice Fortune Hunter (Bronze) - Find 10 treasuresSkilled Fortune Hunter (Bronze) - Find 40 treasuresAdept Fortune Hunter (Bronze) - Find 60 treasuresExpert Fortune Hunter (Bronze) - Find 80 treasuresMaster Fortune Hunter (Silver) - Find 100 treasuresRelic Finder (Bronze) - Find the Strange RelicSurvivor (Silver) - Defeat 75 enemies in a row without dyingCombat Leapfrog (Silver) - Defeat 10 enemies in a row, alternating hand-to-hand combat and gunplay20 Headshots (Bronze) - Defeat 20 enemies with headshots100 Headshots (Silver) - Defeat 100 enemies with headshotsHeadshot Expert (Bronze) - Defeat 5 enemies in a row with headshotsSide Arm Master (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies in a row with your side armReload Master (Silver) - Defeat 50 enemies in a row without auto-reloadingRolling Ammo Master (Silver) - 20 times in a row, pick up ammo while rollingBlindfire Marksman (Bronze) - Defeat 20 enemies by blind-firing while in cover (without aiming with L1)Run-and-Gunner (Bronze) - Defeat 20 enemies by shooting from the hip (without aiming with L1)Hangman (Bronze) - Defeat 20 enemies with gunfire by aiming while hangingLand Shark (Bronze) - Defeat 20 enemies while swimming30 Kills: Mag 5 (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the Mag 530 Kills: Arm Micro (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the Arm Micro30 Kills: TAU Sniper (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the Tau Sniper30 Kills: KAL 7 (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the KAL 730 Kills: M9 (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the M930 Kills: G-MAL (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the G-MAL30 Kills: SAS-12 (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the SAS-1230 Kills: Dragon Sniper (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the Dragon Sniper30 Kills: T-Bolt Sniper (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the T-Bolt Sniper30 Kills: RPG7 (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the RPG-730 Kills: PAK-80 (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the PAK-8030 Kills: Mk-NDI (Bronze) - Defeat 30 enemies with the Mk-NDIPro-Pain (Bronze) - Defeat 10 enemies with propane of acetylene tank explosionsDyno-Might Master (Silver) - Defeat 5 enemies with one explosionGrenade Hangman (Bronze) - Defeat 10 enemies with grenades while hangingDrop the Bomb Headshot (Bronze) - Make 5 enemies drop their grenades by shooting themThrowback (Bronze) -Kill 10 enemies with thrown-back grenadesThrowback Master (Bronze) - Throw back a grenade and defeat two enemies at onceBare-knuckle Brawler (Bronze) - Defeat 20 enemies with hand-to-hand combatBare-knuckle Slugger (Bronze) - Defeat 50 enemies with hand to hand combatMaster Ninja (Bronze) - Defeat 50 enemies with stealth attacksExpert Ninja (Silver) - Defeat 5 enemies in a row using stealth attacksRiot Rocker (Bronze) - Defeat 5 Riot Shield enemies by running over their shieldBrute Beater (Bronze) - Successfully counter all of a Brute’s damage-giving attacksQuick Study (Bronze) - Inspect every display case in the Cartagena MuseumRide the Crocodile (Bronze) - Stand on the crocodile in the Secret LibraryHe’s Gonna Need a Sturgeon (Bronze) - Hit three enemies with fish in the marketMarco Solo (Bronze) - Play in the swimming pool on the Cruise ShipTruck Brawler (Bronze) - Defeat 10 enemies using hand-to-hand combat on the back of the convoy trucksCharted! - Easy (Bronze) - Finish the game in Easy ModeCharted! - Normal (Silver) - Finish the game in Normal ModeCharted! - Hard (Silver) - Finish the game in Hard ModeCharted! - Crushing (Gold) - Finish the game in Crushing ModeThrillseeker (Bronze) - Complete one Competitive Multiplayer gameBuddy System (Bronze) - Complete one Cooperative Multiplayer gamePlatinum (Platinum) - ??? (Assume gain all trophies)[Source]
[Image Credit: ~lenneth on DeviantArt]
AMC Theatres Hosting Uncharted 3 Event
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AMC Theatres will be showcasing Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception at participating theaters across the United States on October 18, 19, and 20.
Not only will attendees be able to get their hands on the title, but also on the epically large theater screen in 3D. They will also be getting an inside look from the development team at Naughty Dog as well as the chance to enter a multi-player tournament, raffles, and give-awas all throughout the night.
General admission is $25 and Uncharted 3 Premium Pass is $60, which allows attendees to get one copy of Uncharted 3 shipped to them on 10/25/11 via FedEx.
Here is a list of participating theaters:
Uncharted 3: Drake's deception - PS3 - Preview
Uncharted 3: Drake's deception has a Herculean task to the hand: top his game of the year won predecessor, uncharted 2: among thieves. And it has to do it in all aspects of the game. From what we have experienced almost a mockery of all other franchises and their natural progression rate to made it. Believe it or not, this uncharted is leaps and bounds better than the last.
The new area we were shown off opening with a cutscene with Drake and love interest of Elena Fischer. Drake liked it, so that he has a ring on it. At least she had an engagement or wedding ring on the finger. Naughty Dog would spill the beans, not when Drake was in fact her free, but the body language and dialogue seemed sure indicate it.
Drake, is the suave turned hero, womanizer tells Access Elena, and follow not to him to his almost certain doom. Things get a little emotional, but it fits perfectly into unchartedsignature cinematic experience. Drake shakes off teary eyes and calls on business. Quickly he will start in a bad situation gating, and bullets of whiz, barely missing him. He fights back, some of his new debut moves, including a new jumping melee attack.
Its main objective is to a transport aircraft that starts in motion. In typical female fashion (that is not sexist, it's true), Elena not listen to Drake's previous statements of position off safety, and it comes to the rescue in the jeep, which was still easy to handle in close. Drake jumps front of aircraft wheel on the hood of the jeep, and they faster towards. Drake takes a leap of faith, are only just keep the wheel Axel. Drake and it get into the wheel well; He has gained access to the transport aircraft. Once on board, Drake fights a new type, the CD-R, which opens the aircraft cargo door and tries to throw Drake until his death. Drake fights back, and finally by the grab strapping hold the charge in WINS. The cargo is free and the brute and Drake knocks off their feet. Final scene. Keep in mind, this is the same transport aircraft, which was half buried, burn level, which plug nose first into the sand dunes of the rub' al Khali desert.
This is the kind of over-the-top, blockbuster movie style action awaits you in the entire uncharted 3: Drake's deception. But that's not all. Naughty Dog is very promising, to uncharted 3 3 multiplayer do go-to for online game on the PlayStation. Standard Deathmatch is such as split screen, co-op-, and so on. It has also said one of the games that really drive the adoption of 3DTVs, and after it we see in 3D, we agree.
This is a game, that it really anything at all bad is to be said. We have seen only small bits and pieces, but we are ready to bet that uncharted will be for more game of the year nods. Uncharted 3: Drake's deception will appear in November, but Naughty Dog and Sony teamed up in October their paws on the online section of the game gamers get with Metro,. The entire online mode will be available, and all your statistics will be transferred to the full game when it released the following month. Ideal for those who enjoy mediocre u-boot-sandwiches.
