I just finished the main story, and I have to say, Naughty Dog may not have exceeded what they did with Uncharted 2, but they sure as hell matched it. Graphically, it's hard to come up with a game that looks better. All of the environments are richly detailed and the motion capture used for the characters made me forget I was playing a game a couple times, it just looks that good. The voice acting is superb, I've seen big budget movies with worse acting than the acting in this game.
The story is nothing stellar, evil people want to get to a hidden city for reasons unknown until the last hour or so of the game, and even then their motivations are nebulous at best. It's really just an excuse to send the heroes all over the world to solve puzzles, climb walls, and kill bad guys.
Speaking of all over the world, it's just that. The game starts out in a dive bar in London, then goes underground to discover some old ruins. A short scene then takes place in Cartagena about twenty years ago where Nate and Sully first meet. Then moves on to exploring a ruined castle in France, and similarly ruined castle in Syria. Yemen is next for a fairly amusing chase scene. Then it's off on a detour to what is more or less an island built of rotting cargo ships, before some high flying airplane goodness leads to being lost in a vast desert (a scene I found a bit overdone), until finally the hidden city.
The crazy action set pieces are of course back, my favorite being a chase scene involving horses, trucks, a lot of fist fighting and shooting. Second would probably be the airplane scene that's been advertised to death. It's one of the shorter bits, but it makes up for length with the sheer craziness of it all. Speaking about length, I finished the game in just under ten hours. But it was a hell of a good ten hours. I haven't tried multiplayer yet, so I can't speak to it's quality, but the main story was more than enough fun to justify the purchase in my eyes.
Edited, Nov 6th 2011 11:31pm by Turin
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Uncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionFollow
I'm excited for it, though I haven't actually picked it up yet. Mostly just for the single player, though. I'll mess around with multiplayer, but I had a pretty good fill of it during the beta, and I found it to be just okay. A little too bullet sponge-y and spastic at close range for my tastes. Co op should be fun though.
Really, it's just that BF3 and MW3 will probably keep me pretty sated for multiplayer.
Really, it's just that BF3 and MW3 will probably keep me pretty sated for multiplayer.
Seeing all the reviews, I guess I'm the only person who didn't like it. It's not a bad game but it's not really an improvement from Uncharted 2.
Graphics are really nice and the voice acting is top-notch. My problem is with the story and the gameplay. The story is pretty much the same as the other 2 games with different villain. The gameplay is repetitive; climb a wall, shoot some bad guys, solve a puzzle, shoot some more bad guys, cutscene... climb another wall, shoot some bad guys ... I was expecting some new gameplay mechanics but there was nothing new from the previous game except maybe the melee combat but it gets old real quick.
It's not a bad game, it's actually a pretty good game by today's standard but I was expecting a lot more. Uncharted 2 was an improvement over the first one but Uncharted 3 is just more of the same. Drake's deception indeed.
Graphics are really nice and the voice acting is top-notch. My problem is with the story and the gameplay. The story is pretty much the same as the other 2 games with different villain. The gameplay is repetitive; climb a wall, shoot some bad guys, solve a puzzle, shoot some more bad guys, cutscene... climb another wall, shoot some bad guys ... I was expecting some new gameplay mechanics but there was nothing new from the previous game except maybe the melee combat but it gets old real quick.
It's not a bad game, it's actually a pretty good game by today's standard but I was expecting a lot more. Uncharted 2 was an improvement over the first one but Uncharted 3 is just more of the same. Drake's deception indeed.
feelz wrote:
The gameplay is repetitive; climb a wall, shoot some bad guys, solve a puzzle, shoot some more bad guys, cutscene... climb another wall, shoot some bad guys ... I was expecting some new gameplay mechanics but there was nothing new from the previous game except maybe the melee combat but it gets old real quick.
I always raise an eyebrow when someone says this about a game. You can make the same statement about any game: in Super Mario Bros. you jumped on some enemies, went down a few pipes, and then jumped on some more enemies. Maybe you swam a bit. In Resident Evil 4 you shot some enemies, listened to some bad dialogue, then shot some more enemies. Toss in a quicktime event or two.
All games have an element of repetition to them...it's not really about whether they're repetitive, but whether or not you find the gameplay entertaining. Myself, I find the climbing, puzzle-solving, and shooting to be plenty of fun as is. They could make the puzzles a little more puzzling, I guess, but other than that I've got no qualms. I'd be pretty happy with more of the same, polished up.
As I said in the other thread about Assassin's Creed, I don't like it when games shoehorn in new gameplay mechanics simply for the sake of having new gameplay mechanics.
Gosh, I'm soapboxing a lot in this forum lately.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 12:36pm by Eske
Quote:
I always raise an eyebrow when someone says this about a game. You can make the same statement about any game: in Super Mario Bros. you jumped on some enemies, went down a few pipes, and then jumped on some more enemies. Maybe you swam a bit. In Resident Evil 4 you shot some enemies, listened to some bad dialogue, then shot some more enemies. Toss in a quicktime event or two.
I agree but that's not really what I meant.Not sure how to explain it but it's more how these elements comes together. You always know when the bad guy will show up.If you would get a chapter that is all climbing and maybe a puzzle with no enemies then another chapter with a bunch of bad guys with no puzzle then some puzzle with more puzzle then a bit of fighting... it would not feel as repetitive. Every time you start a new chapter you can pretty much guess how it will play out... ok I gotta climb this thing to enter the castle... now there's a room with some crate so I'll have to shoot some guy and behind this door there's probably a puzzle. Now I solved the puzzle so I'll get ambushed then I'll have a cutscene where the villain shows up then the next chapter will have the same structure.
I just finished Batman: Arkham city and you could say that it's repetitive also but somehow it didn't feel like it as mush as Uncharted did. But that's just my opinion and like I said, I'm not really sure how to explain it.
feelz wrote:
Quote:
I always raise an eyebrow when someone says this about a game. You can make the same statement about any game: in Super Mario Bros. you jumped on some enemies, went down a few pipes, and then jumped on some more enemies. Maybe you swam a bit. In Resident Evil 4 you shot some enemies, listened to some bad dialogue, then shot some more enemies. Toss in a quicktime event or two.
I agree but that's not really what I meant.Not sure how to explain it but it's more how these elements comes together. You always know when the bad guy will show up.If you would get a chapter that is all climbing and maybe a puzzle with no enemies then another chapter with a bunch of bad guys with no puzzle then some puzzle with more puzzle then a bit of fighting... it would not feel as repetitive. Every time you start a new chapter you can pretty much guess how it will play out... ok I gotta climb this thing to enter the castle... now there's a room with some crate so I'll have to shoot some guy and behind this door there's probably a puzzle. Now I solved the puzzle so I'll get ambushed then I'll have a cutscene where the villain shows up then the next chapter will have the same structure.
I just finished Batman: Arkham city and you could say that it's repetitive also but somehow it didn't feel like it as mush as Uncharted did. But that's just my opinion and like I said, I'm not really sure how to explain it.
Mmm, I gotcha. Like, the predictability detracts from the experience. With a game that's about set pieces, I guess I could see that being a potential issue.
On a different note, the controversial reviews for the game have been pretty interesting. Eurogamer got a bunch of initial flak for giving it an 8/10, and now some other guy stirred up a fresh batch of controversy by giving it a, get this:
4/10.
Now, I haven't played it yet, but that seems pretty nuts. I haven't read his review, but from seeing some of the reactions it sounds like he took issue with the lack of control afforded to the player. Eurogamer said similar things, sort of like the player's experience is very controlled, like bowling with bumpers, I guess.
I'm not sure what to make of all that. My inclination is that it seems arbitrary for the reviewers to pick Uncharted 3 to be their scapegoat for that. It's all well and good for them to not like that style of game, but to suggest that it's an objective flaw with the game (as Eurogamer certainly seemed to) and not an accepted (and generally well-liked) style of design, seems shortsighted. Might as well criticize Madden for having a bad storyline. They seem like they're just posturing academically and losing the forest for the trees. The 4/10 seems particularly absurd...I have trouble believing that the game is worse than the average video game.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 2:05pm by Eske
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 2:07pm by Eske
Quote:
Mmm, I gotcha. Like, the predictability detracts from the experience
I should have said predictable instead of repetitive.
Quote:
On a different note, the controversial reviews for the game have been pretty interesting. Eurogamer got a bunch of initial flak for giving it an 8/10, and now some other guy stirred up a fresh batch of controversy by giving it a, get this:
4/10.
4/10.
It's definitely not a 4/10. It's still a great game even if there's a few things I didn't like. IGN (yea I know) gave it a 10/10 and that's off the mark as well in my opinion. I personally would agree with Eurogamer and give it 8/10.
Quote:
Eurogamer said similar things, sort of like the player's experience is very controlled
That's another thing that I don't like. I'm ok with scripted event but when even the fights are scripted that's a bit too much. There's pretty much only one way to approach any fight. it will even decide for you which weapon to use. There's a part where you need to use a sniper rifle but once the scripted sequence is over, there's no way to keep the rifle. The game decides that you will only use a sniper rifle here in that particular spot and nowhere else. You need to do each fight the way the developer decided it should be done.
Edit: added some "R" here and there.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 3:19pm by feelz
I... ummm... still have to finish the first Uncharted.
IDrownFish wrote:
Anyways, you all are horrible, @#%^ed up people
lolgaxe wrote:
Never underestimate the healing power of a massive dong.
feelz wrote:
That's another thing that I don't like. I'm ok with scipted event but when even the fights are scipted that's a bit too much. There's pretty much only one way to approach any fight. it will even decide for you which weapon to use. There's a part where you need to use a sniper rifle but once the scipted sequence is over, there's no way to keep the rifle. The game decides that you will only use a sniper rifle here in that particular spot and nowhere else. You need to do each fight the way the developer decided it should be done.
That "R" in "scripted" gives you trouble, eh?
I can definitely see that being an issue for some people. Personally, it's no skin off my back in this kind of game. I guess because it's so cinematic, I kinda just feel like I'm along for the ride. I'm just there to witness the spectacle of it all, so I'm happy to concede some control to the developers. I noticed the same thing happening in Battlefield 3's single-player and co-op sometimes (you'll be conveniently provided with a gun that they'd like you to use, and sometimes they'll take weapons that you've picked up away from you and replace them with others. That game, and the Modern Warfare games, are also going for a sort of cinematic style, so I'm cool with it there, too. I'm not going to their campaigns for a "play it my way" kind of experience.
Now, if say, Skyrim did what you described above, I'd probably be pretty irked.
idiggory wrote:
I... ummm... still have to finish the first Uncharted.
Smiley: frown
Smiley: frown
Shame on you.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 2:56pm by Eske
Quote:
That "R" in "scripted" gives you trouble, eh?
Looks like it.
Quote:
I can definitely see that being an issue for some people. Personally, it's no skin off my back in this kind of game. I guess because it's so cinematic, I kinda just feel like I'm along for the ride. I'm just there to witness the spectacle of it all, so I'm happy to concede some control to the developers.
Then you will probably love it.
I just read the Eurogamer review and this part is pretty much how I feel about the game:
Quote:
The execution exhibits a kind of workmanship and polish way beyond the ambition of most other developers, let alone their abilities or budgets. As an expression of all that a video game could be, however, Uncharted 3 is narrow, focused and ultimately shallow.
I did a couple co-op missions with my roommate, and it was a lot of fun. I may actually have to get around to playing the single player on this one.
Eske Esquire wrote:
idiggory wrote:
I... ummm... still have to finish the first Uncharted.
Smiley: frown
Smiley: frown
Shame on you.
I know, I know. I didn't get my PS3 until shortly before the second was coming out (or shortly after it came out). I didn't buy it until a while after it became greatest hits. I've enjoyed my time playing it, I just have so much to play.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 4:18pm by idiggory
IDrownFish wrote:
Anyways, you all are horrible, @#%^ed up people
lolgaxe wrote:
Never underestimate the healing power of a massive dong.
feelz wrote:
Then you will probably love it.
Yey!
idiggory wrote:
I know, I know. I didn't get my PS3 until shortly before the second was coming out (or shortly after it came out). I didn't buy it until a while after it became greatest hits. I've enjoyed my time playing it, I just have so much to play.
Yeah, I don't know how I'd ever get to go back to play that old one, all things considered. Heck, Battlefield 3 whisked me away from Rage and Dark Souls after just a week or so, and they just came out!
Right now, I'm playing ME2. Then I'll be playing Skyrim. I won't be playing anything else for months.
[EDIT]
Mass Effect 2, for clarification.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 4:02pm by idiggory
[EDIT]
Mass Effect 2, for clarification.
Edited, Nov 7th 2011 4:02pm by idiggory
IDrownFish wrote:
Anyways, you all are horrible, @#%^ed up people
lolgaxe wrote:
Never underestimate the healing power of a massive dong.
feelz wrote:
I just read the Eurogamer review and this part is pretty much how I feel about the game:
Quote:
The execution exhibits a kind of workmanship and polish way beyond the ambition of most other developers, let alone their abilities or budgets. As an expression of all that a video game could be, however, Uncharted 3 is narrow, focused and ultimately shallow.
ten bucks says this jagoff reviews skyrim and finds it "ultimately sprawling and one tends to wonder if would benefit from a narrower focus."
axhed wrote:
feelz wrote:
I just read the Eurogamer review and this part is pretty much how I feel about the game:
Quote:
The execution exhibits a kind of workmanship and polish way beyond the ambition of most other developers, let alone their abilities or budgets. As an expression of all that a video game could be, however, Uncharted 3 is narrow, focused and ultimately shallow.
ten bucks says this jagoff reviews skyrim and finds it "ultimately sprawling and one tends to wonder if would benefit from a narrower focus."
I'd take that bet, but I'm with your point. I don't see the merit in criticizing a game for not being something that it never intended to be, particularly when your criticisms aren't inherently negative. "Narrow" and "focused" aren't inherently bad things...they're just design choices. They can be problematic, they can be positives, or anything in between. Shadow of the Colossus was focused. "Shallow" is more definitively negative, of course, and I won't comment on that without playing the game and seeing for myself how applicable it is.
Now, I'm totally okay with subjective reviews (they're all subjective, of course). But I think you really need to try to acknowledge your own subjectivity in the review. I think he'd have done better to acknowledge that the type of game that Uncharted is, fundamentally bothers him in some ways. Then, he could go on to say that others will appreciate those same qualities, as many do (and we've already got two previous games to serve as precedent here).
Edited, Nov 8th 2011 2:14pm by Eske
Not yet a necropost yay!
I prefer the narrower focus. I'm one of those gamers who plays through on easy mode the first time with GameFAQs on the laptop next to me because I just suck so badly at the games.
So far my biggest regret is that I'm running through all these detailed and lush landscapes so fast I don't have time to just look around and appreciate them
I prefer the narrower focus. I'm one of those gamers who plays through on easy mode the first time with GameFAQs on the laptop next to me because I just suck so badly at the games.
So far my biggest regret is that I'm running through all these detailed and lush landscapes so fast I don't have time to just look around and appreciate them
Necropost time.
Got U3 for christmas and fired it up for the first time last night. Loving it so far. The bar scene that starts things off was a great way to show off some really stupendous mo-cap and animation (it's really the best I've seen).
Really great looking environments, of course. Not just in the graphical fidelity, but also use of color and layout.
IMO, so far the game was at its best during an early chase scene, when you're forced to take in your environment at a glance to make an escape from enemies that come from all around you. Without any urgency, the climbing sections are a bit too easy so far...but when you're getting chased, and every split-second action is a make-or-break decision ("Do I go left or right...left? Right? GAH, they're almost on me! RIGHT! sh*t IT'S A CLIFF! JUMP FOR THE LEDGE!"), it's a ton of fun. I was diving through houses and across rooftops, careening into walls and objects in my hurry - and the contextual animation was handling it all great. Nate would push his hand against walls that I accidentally ran into, stumble with sudden turns, and knock over objects.
It all looked really fluid and realistic despite my spastic controls. Very cool. So far so good.
Edited, Dec 27th 2011 1:17pm by Eske
Got U3 for christmas and fired it up for the first time last night. Loving it so far. The bar scene that starts things off was a great way to show off some really stupendous mo-cap and animation (it's really the best I've seen).
Really great looking environments, of course. Not just in the graphical fidelity, but also use of color and layout.
IMO, so far the game was at its best during an early chase scene, when you're forced to take in your environment at a glance to make an escape from enemies that come from all around you. Without any urgency, the climbing sections are a bit too easy so far...but when you're getting chased, and every split-second action is a make-or-break decision ("Do I go left or right...left? Right? GAH, they're almost on me! RIGHT! sh*t IT'S A CLIFF! JUMP FOR THE LEDGE!"), it's a ton of fun. I was diving through houses and across rooftops, careening into walls and objects in my hurry - and the contextual animation was handling it all great. Nate would push his hand against walls that I accidentally ran into, stumble with sudden turns, and knock over objects.
It all looked really fluid and realistic despite my spastic controls. Very cool. So far so good.
Edited, Dec 27th 2011 1:17pm by Eske
Just beat the game. Definitely enjoyed it. It was all over a little fast though, like the Modern Warfare campaigns. A 6-8 hour roller coaster ride.
Wish the story was better, though. The cruise ship and desert scenes were my favorite parts, and each really blew me away.
8/10
Wish the story was better, though. The cruise ship and desert scenes were my favorite parts, and each really blew me away.
8/10
They need a "tourist" mode so you can slow down and walk through each area at a reasonable pace and appreciate the work they put into each scene. 
catwho wrote:
They need a "tourist" mode so you can slow down and walk through each area at a reasonable pace and appreciate the work they put into each scene.
Seriously.
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