Zero Punctuation: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

[Truly-A-Lie]

This is one of only two reviews for this game that I've seen look past the shiny graphics and the acting to acknowledge that the setpieces get in the way and the gunfights can be absolutely unfair to the point of controller cracking frustration.

I loved Uncharted 1 and 2, but something isn't there for the third one. The cinematic moments punish you for not doing exactly what it wants you to, in the exactly right timing, and as Edge Magazine put it, you feel like a bad actor to the game's director, only you're without a script, as the game yells cut when you die and tuts disapprovingly that you thought one ledge would be a path but it turns out it was just exceedingly detailed decoration.

And whoever decided that one firefight should contain a grenade launcher, three snipers, a running armoured shotgun guy and standard enemies needs to go to the corner and seriously think about what he's done.

 

[Little Duck]

I noticed a load of triple a on the horizon. Suggestion for you to save time. Do all the ones which are similar to one another in the same review.

 

[Operations]

They really had a red telephone booth?

Lol "booth" makes it sound posh, its a "Red Phone Box" AKA Public Urinal.

 

[CpnChaos]

While I can agree on some points, I don't Yahtzee's main thesis holds up as well this time around. Sure, if comparing Uncharted 1 and 2, they were pretty much point-to-point similar, only 2 had a shinier coat of paint. But I think 3 has a different focus this time around, choosing to characterize Drake and Company instead of rehashing the plot of 1 and 2 again. Sure, the end result of a magic treasure w/ evil side effects is still there, but there isn't a supernatural element to it this time around.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Harsh but fair, I guess. Even though I enjoyed the game immensely I too did start seeing the cracks in the game - most notably the recurring plot themes from Uncharted 2 and the lack of significant character development in this particular outing.

It was way too tacit and 'alluded to' rather than clearly touched upon... prime offender being the relationship between Drake and Elena. I mean, all this talk of a ring and wearing the ring, and not wearing the ring... yet no mention of the significance of it! So are they married or what?! Way too vague for me.

I disagree that the series is past it;s sell by date though, I finished the game desperate for Uncharted 4 so bring it on Naughty Dog... Bring it on!

I actually really like that method of story telling.

Basically, Elena asked Drake to marry her between games. Drake freaked out and left her, but kept the engagement ring because he still loved her.

At the end of the game, he put it on. So basically, he was saying 'Yes, I'll marry you now.'

It has additional symbolism! Drake was trading in Drake's Ring (Adventure and fortune) for Elena's Ring (Setting down)

The only problem I had with the game was those big brutes who run up to you before you can shoot them and force you into a melee sequence. I always dreaded seeing them. Not because they were hard to beat but because they quickly grew tedious.

If you have a sawed off, you can kill them before the melee sequence starts. Only managed it once, though.

 

[Dickdatduck]

The only problem I had with the game was those big brutes who run up to you before you can shoot them and force you into a melee sequence. I always dreaded seeing them. Not because they were hard to beat but because they quickly grew tedious.

 

[Xman490]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention this as part of Shooter Season 2011, especially because it's another third of a trilogy that was solely in this console generation along with Gears, Modern Warfare, and Resistance.

And sure, this generation has gone on for 6 years already, but it still means that gaming has gone far past Mario's old ways of being in a new main series game only once technical upgrades happen.

 

[Jon Shannow]

They really had a red telephone booth?

What's the fuss? There's three of them in my town, though to be fair none of them work

 

[wills_b]

This is one of only two reviews for this game that I've seen look past the shiny graphics and the acting to acknowledge that the setpieces get in the way and the gunfights can be absolutely unfair to the point of controller cracking frustration.

I loved Uncharted 1 and 2, but something isn't there for the third one. The cinematic moments punish you for not doing exactly what it wants you to, in the exactly right timing, and as Edge Magazine put it, you feel like a bad actor to the game's director, only you're without a script, as the game yells cut when you die and tuts disapprovingly that you thought one ledge would be a path but it turns out it was just exceedingly detailed decoration.

And whoever decided that one firefight should contain a grenade launcher, three snipers, a running armoured shotgun guy and standard enemies needs to go to the corner and seriously think about what he's done.

Glad to find some people who agree with me!

I have always thought the shooting in Uncharted is passable at best, I like the platforming (a lot) but it is linear, and the set pieces are great, but this game was like a patchwork quilt of them.

For me 2 was a much stronger experience overall, and the similarity in stories between 2 and 3, and 3 and The Last Crusade (hats off to Yahtzee, I hadn't realised) is laughable.

The IGN reviewer called it "possibly my favourite game of all time". Were we playing the same thing?! Have you even played the second one?

Also to be totally honest, I don't find them that dissimilar to the later Tomb Raider games, just a little slicker, much prettier and slightly more cohesive. I can't understand why Underworld got very average scores, and Uncharted gets worshipped.

 

[wills_b]

This is one of only two reviews for this game that I've seen look past the shiny graphics and the acting to acknowledge that the setpieces get in the way and the gunfights can be absolutely unfair to the point of controller cracking frustration.

I loved Uncharted 1 and 2, but something isn't there for the third one. The cinematic moments punish you for not doing exactly what it wants you to, in the exactly right timing, and as Edge Magazine put it, you feel like a bad actor to the game's director, only you're without a script, as the game yells cut when you die and tuts disapprovingly that you thought one ledge would be a path but it turns out it was just exceedingly detailed decoration.

And whoever decided that one firefight should contain a grenade launcher, three snipers, a running armoured shotgun guy and standard enemies needs to go to the corner and seriously think about what he's done.

Glad to find some people who agree with me!

I have always thought the shooting in Uncharted is passable at best, I like the platforming (a lot) but it is linear, and the set pieces are great, but this game was like a patchwork quilt of them.

For me 2 was a much stronger experience overall, and the similarity in stories between 2 and 3, and 3 and The Last Crusade (hats off to Yahtzee, I hadn't realised) is laughable.

The IGN reviewer called it "possibly my favourite game of all time". Were we playing the same thing?! Have you even played the second one?

Also to be totally honest, I don't find them that dissimilar to the later Tomb Raider games, just a little slicker, much prettier and slightly more cohesive. I can't understand why Underworld got very average scores, and Uncharted gets worshipped.

 

[wills_b]

SPOILERS

Harsh but fair, I guess. Even though I enjoyed the game immensely I too did start seeing the cracks in the game - most notably the recurring plot themes from Uncharted 2 and the lack of significant character development in this particular outing.

It was way too tacit and 'alluded to' rather than clearly touched upon... prime offender being the relationship between Drake and Elena. I mean, all this talk of a ring and wearing the ring, and not wearing the ring... yet no mention of the significance of it! So are they married or what?! Way too vague for me.

I disagree that the series is past it;s sell by date though, I finished the game desperate for Uncharted 4 so bring it on Naughty Dog... Bring it on!

I actually really like that method of story telling.

Basically, Elena asked Drake to marry her between games. Drake freaked out and left her, but kept the engagement ring because he still loved her.

At the end of the game, he put it on. So basically, he was saying 'Yes, I'll marry you now.'

It has additional symbolism! Drake was trading in Drake's Ring (Adventure and fortune) for Elena's Ring (Setting down)

Where has this info come from?

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

They really had a red telephone booth?

Well, us Brits are all top hat wearing Ross Kemps. 'Ere guvnar get us a pint and et cetera.

well thats how most of us Americans think of England. Also having bad teeth an oppressing the Irish/Desi people would also be included. But then again, most people seem to think that we Americans are a bunch of gun happy, fat, religious, nationalist.

 

[daxterx2005]

No Yahtzee the next game is clearly going to be a kart racer called "UnKARTed"

 

[Sexy Devil]

Wow, wasn't expecting Yahtzee to actually admit he liked it. He seems to be going soft. Other than that very fine points; the reason for going on the ship is so utterly contrived that it's ridiculous. "Hey there's this one guy who knows where Ubar is but instead of the leaders of the organisation that wants Ubar taking him, the pirates obviously got to him! Better go save him!" I assume Marlowe/Lazarevic/Navarro all buy their henchmen from some magical cloning agency which forgets to give the soldiers brains. Hey, that could be the next game! Shutting down the warehouse!

They really had a red telephone booth?

It was shown for like a second and was mainly just to make it abundantly clear where they were, as it was the very first scene.

I think I know why they named him Drake: innovation seems to slide right past these games like water off a duck's back

They really had a red telephone booth?

If only it had been a blue Police Box.

Can't resist nerding out on the name, so spoilers.

Spoiler

It's implied he was named Drake because he had a crappy childhood and he identified with Sir Francis for whatever reason. After he left the orphanage he wanted to make his own identity and judging by his reluctance to give his name, he just sorta made it up on the spot when Sully saved his ass.

 

[crotalidian]

I have had moments where I can see treasure, and a way to reach the treasure, but many MANY failed attempts at getting drake to drop on to the right part of a beam and I have to concede defeat

You wouldn't happen to be talking about that treasure in the shipyard. would ya?

Why Yes, yes I would

I also noticed in Syria I'm pretty sure I rolled right off a ledge with treasure on it and no way to climb back up

 

[Kopikatsu]

SPOILERS

Harsh but fair, I guess. Even though I enjoyed the game immensely I too did start seeing the cracks in the game - most notably the recurring plot themes from Uncharted 2 and the lack of significant character development in this particular outing.

It was way too tacit and 'alluded to' rather than clearly touched upon... prime offender being the relationship between Drake and Elena. I mean, all this talk of a ring and wearing the ring, and not wearing the ring... yet no mention of the significance of it! So are they married or what?! Way too vague for me.

I disagree that the series is past it;s sell by date though, I finished the game desperate for Uncharted 4 so bring it on Naughty Dog... Bring it on!

I actually really like that method of story telling.

Basically, Elena asked Drake to marry her between games. Drake freaked out and left her, but kept the engagement ring because he still loved her.

At the end of the game, he put it on. So basically, he was saying 'Yes, I'll marry you now.'

It has additional symbolism! Drake was trading in Drake's Ring (Adventure and fortune) for Elena's Ring (Setting down)

Where has this info come from?

Spoiler

You have to actually figure it out by using the context clues and what you know of the characters. Like how Cutter was a friend of Elena's that Drake roped into helping him with his scheme and that Talbot is an Alchemist. (Actually, the game basically tells you Talbot is an Alchemist if you search around the library some, so it isn't really something you have to figure out so much as pay attention.)

Why does everything have to spelled out for people nowadays? One of the developers even had to go and explain how Talbot did all of the things he did (Vanishing suddenly, surviving getting shot, etc) because of how many people complained about it.

 

[krychek57]

They really had a red telephone booth?

I was watching Top Gear yesterday and one of their around England pieces had a red telephone booth.
Am I missing something?