We managed to get Three Speech reader/regular/contributor Tom Eccles into the SCEUK offices today to try out the E3 build of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Here’s what he thought…
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is a new venture for the Naughty Dog team – previously known for the Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter series. The mysterious trailer shown off at E3 2006 intrigued many. Since then, the game’s been demonstrated at this year’s E3 - the E3 build being what we got our hands on.
Uncharted is based around the adventures of Nathan Drake. A clue he finds in Sir Francis Drake’s coffin sets him off on a trail to find the lost treasure of El Dorado, which leads him to a forgotten island in the Pacific Ocean. What he doesn’t realise, though, is that on the island he will come face-to-face with deadly mercenaries.
The level starts with Nathan and Elena (his partner) on a plane heading for the island, when it gets shot down by anti aircraft guns. They promptly get split up as they parachute out – and Nathan sets off to find his companion. He soon runs into some enemies, which he/you quickly dispose of, and also gets a taste of some gritty hand-to-hand combat. The game often presents you with puzzles – similar to Tomb Raider or Half Life, where you have to find a way to open a door or find a way to get to a certain place. They’re not particularly hard to figure out (sometimes you can press L2 to physically look towards where you’re supposed to be going) but they can take you a while to get past.
The gameplay mechanism in Uncharted is fantastic. You have a third person view of Nathan – so pressing L1 lets you target his gun using a crosshair. You can press circle next to any object to use it as cover – then press L1 to lean round the edge and aim. If, for example, you’re standing behind a doorway taking cover, you can leap to the other side by just pressing circle while pointing the analogue stick in the direction you want to go. Nathan will climb over rocks and up them if there is something to hold on – the animation is superb, each move flows perfectly into the next and is extremely realistic. From jumping over a rock to punching someone in the face, it looks great. The enemy AI is definitely something to shout about – there’s no hiding in Uncharted. Stay crouched behind a rock for a minute and they’ll come and find you – or even find other places where they can see you (i.e. a canopy above). This makes the replay value very high – your actions will effect theirs and you’ll be able to get a different experience time and time again.
One of my favourite parts of the game is the hand-to-hand combat sequences – activated by pressing square, the background goes blurred and only you and the target are in focus. You can then unleash a range of attack moves depending on your position relative to the target – so, if you’re behind, you can strangle him; if you’re in front you can run up and do a drop kick. Every time it’s a different experience.
The rich jungle atmosphere looks really strong – birds fly about and sit perched in trees. The water in Uncharted is something the developers are particularly proud of – the use of physics based wave simulation means that when you walk through the water it will ripple away from your feet. It also features refraction and reflection techniques to add to the realism. You’ll often find yourself thinking the game is cutting to a cinematic – and then you move the controller and discover it’s actually gameplay. One good example: in the trailer where you see Nathan shoot a barrel and send a jeep flying in the air and get wedged in between two rocks; you actually do that in the game, and then climb over the rocks using the jeep as a bridge. The lack of a big HUD (heads up display) adds to the cinematic element, making this feel as much like a film as a game.
We only saw a tiny part of the final game – it will be great to see the other environments, such as ancient ruins and ships - so we’re by no means in a position to offer a full opinion on this one. But the fights are exciting and you never know what to expect next; the graphics and animation are spectacular and you’ll get into the game as soon as you pick it up. The version we played was careful not to reveal much (if any) of the storyline – but so as long as Naughty Dog provide a solid plot then Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune should be well worth checking when it’s released towards the end of this year.
By Tom Eccles
Come on, you know the score. Everyone is going to crucify you for this, Sony reviewing PS3 games. Please give it up.
This does nothing to help the PS3 cause, it just makes Sony’s PR department an even bigger laughing stock that it already was.
If you want to do this, you need to invite influential or credible people to review it.
Comment by Mark Gillespie — Aug 14, 2007 @ 8:56 pm
It’s a preview, not a review. Looks great too, can’t wait.
Comment by Chris — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
Ta for the insight - I’m all up for you letting blog regulars have a go on demos
Comment by Gul — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
to marK: uh, this isna’t a review. as the title says, it’s a “hands on preview.” there are a ton of gaming sites that post articles almost identical to this every day for many games.
not sure what your problem is, but if you don’t like the preview, go elsewhere.
Comment by kastor — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
Ignore comment 1 - he’s a born whinger who’ll find fault in everything. (mark if everything on three speech is soooo bad why not pass on visiting the site). i come here for, as the poster above says, insights like this
Comment by FaFaFanny — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Excellent. Can’t wait for this game to come out. No really I can’t wait.
Comment by PSN: Neil — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Awesome Preview. In less than one year of the Playstation 3 being out it SONY is releasing industry best games on it.
Me and my buddies are all getting this as soon as it is released.
P.S. DON’t BUY CROSS PLATFORM GAMES. They must be programmed at the lowest common denominator. Too many games to support subpar games these days - at least for the Playstation 3.
P.S. The 300 Blu-ray rocks!
Comment by Numanthia — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
Tom, congrats on making the rest of the Red Rant crew, and the ThreeSpeech regulars very jealous indeed
Comment by Pete Cullen — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
I’ve been waiting to hear more about this, looks like it’s shaping up to be a must have! We need more like this!
Comment by Arthur The Magnificiant Squirrel — Aug 14, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
Thanks for the preview I am really looking forward to this game It looks like a stunning new franchise for PS3
I have it marked for Christmas day
Naughty Dog is one of Sony’s real allies and greatest assets and I cant wait to see what this game plays like.
Oh and Mark( poster 1)- you must have this site bookmarked! in case you are didnt notice this is a Sony site and they have every right to preview PS3 games! (thats sort of one of the main purposes of this site I think?) Just as the other console has major nelsons site-
so if you have jaded negativity/ jealousy “issues” please take them elsewhere- no one here is interested in your juvenile and (strange) acting out- haven’t you got some lo-def waggle stick gimmick party game to go and play with your mother?
Comment by carl — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
i am looking forward to this game(whens the release date again?)..it looks a bit like a blend between tomb raider and far cry…which i dont mind
how ‘open’ is the jungle to explore?,as i thought that was the only thing bad about far cry…felt to much on rails
anyway,nice preview…and if you wanna do a review later on,then you go ahead and do it
Comment by metallicorphan — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Sweet. I can’t wait for this game.
Comment by Andrew — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Awesome preview, I can’t wait for this game. This sounds like another must have game for PS3. Any news whether there will be a PSN demo before release.
Comment by Marty — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Why do I stop by? Well for INDEPENDANT reviews, UNBIASED information.
As much as I love my PS3 and the Playstation brand, I hate the way Sony are giving the Sony haters ammunition at every oppertunity.
I mean come on, look at every PR release Sony have ever done of the PS3, it’s a total shambles.
“no price cut”, followed by “price cut”, followed by “no price cut when 60GB runs out”. Wether this this is true or not, I hate Sony PR for allowing this nonsense to happen.
I firmly believe the PS3’s problems are mainly related to endless PR blunders by Sony’s marketing department.
Comment by Mark Gillespie — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Aye, in all senses - stfu Mark.
It’s a preview. From an indepentant blogger no less. Keep your shirt on, please.
Comment by Tony Nibbles — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
Your description of the rock climbing in Uncharted made me think.. how cool would a purely rock/mountain climbing game be for the PS3??? I don’t think any company has done this yet. Incorporate SixAxis tilt controls and rumble… you could use real world mountains, and equipment. Just make sure you hire me to think up of game ideas like this.
Comment by nmc75 — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
Ahem, agree with your last comment there Mark. Sony’s global PR needs some improving.
I also think that outlets like ThreeSpeech are part of that though.
Comment by Tony Nibbles — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
Mark, If you want independant (sic) reviews go to an independent website. This post is a preview and a good one at that, and Tom and this blog has more credibility than your comments suggest, and more credibility than your posts.
Comment by Sherlock — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
@10 it’s called RSS feeds.
Sure it’s a preview, but it’s written as a review, by someone in Sony’s pocket.
I really do think this game will rock, but I am also fully aware, of the damage biased articles from Sony’s PR mouthpeice hurt the PS3 system
Anyone remember AllIWantForXmasIsaPSP?
Anyone actually think Sony are marketting the PS3 well? I certainly don’t, never have I seen anything advertising it’s features, many games don’t even know about SixAxis or Blu-Ray capabilities.
Comment by Mark Gillespie — Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
Mark Gillespie - Tom isn’t a Sony employee!!! He’s our PS3 Club Moderator at www.gamesey.com
Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, many of the contributors here on FREE (sorry THREE) Speech are _not_ Sony employees.
Cheers for the preview Tom! Can’t wait to get my hands on this game
Comment by Timeless — Aug 14, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Has Sony ever marketted any PlayStation product well? They’ve always been noted for their funky off-the-wall style of marketing. Think back to the crazy Chris Cunningham advert - artisticly brilliant but nothing to do with what it’s actually advertising. Sony never show off the features of the console, just a quick flaunt of its apparent graphical prowess.
If we need an example of brilliant videogaming PR then look no further than Nintendo.
Comment by Arthur The Magnificiant Squirrel — Aug 14, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Been thrilled for this game FOREVER!!! A friend of mine saw the preview and he walked away wide eyed and said “i HAVE to play this game!” That meant, of course, that I HAVE to buy it, not that I mind any.
PS This Mark guy needs to shut it, as everyone’s sick of people just like him who have shit to talk. It’s like these 360 fanboys aren’t happy with keeping it (the shit talk) to their precious Halo.
Comment by benji — Aug 14, 2007 @ 11:21 pm
It’s going to be a very fun game by the looks of it, I hope the combat can be as fun as Stranglehold. Great preview Tom! Keep representing Red Rant (www.red-rant.com)!
Comment by Ben Furneaux — Aug 15, 2007 @ 12:02 am
Congratulations Tom!
That’s a great preview that has piqued my interest. I definitely want to get this on the day of release. Well done.
Comment by Andronix — Aug 15, 2007 @ 12:16 am
Good Work Tom!!! At least you’re good for something….. Thats jealousy speaking!!
Comment by David Darke — Aug 15, 2007 @ 12:44 am
Great stuff Tom, I’m getting excited about this now! I know you’d tell it as it is, so I have no worries putting this on my list of must have games.
Sony advertising is poor though. It should be easy, all they need to do is show people what the products do!
Comment by Stuiebluie — Aug 15, 2007 @ 1:25 am
Damn, looks amazing… I love exclusives! Sony is almost the new Nintendo in a way, when you know the “first party” stuff is top notch. I hope you’ll touch on this on the next podcast, should be due any day now… *cough*
Comment by Makasu — Aug 15, 2007 @ 2:29 am
amazing graphics and animations, and fun gameplay…
im buying this game
Comment by CBBH — Aug 15, 2007 @ 3:30 am
Mark - Stop the complaining. It’s a preview. The game looks great, you clearly aren’t interested in it, so what are you doing here?
Comment by sainraja — Aug 15, 2007 @ 6:15 am
Nice preview Tom. I was already looking forward to this one. From the sounds of it I will not be disappointed.
Comment by reakt — Aug 15, 2007 @ 8:30 am
Great preview there Tom, not sure what Mark Gillespie expects from a Semi Official blog website!?
But this is exactly what I want to see, getting your hands on games and telling it like it is.
I sure hope that if a poor game comes your way, you’ll be able to warn us?
Comment by Jotch — Aug 15, 2007 @ 8:59 am
This is one of the games I’m really looking forward too. I miss these kind of games, I’m so sick of the same old stuff that has been showing up in the past years. By the way, I do love these previews, just don’t listen to the xbox fanboys because they are just jealouse.
Comment by Rob — Aug 15, 2007 @ 10:13 am
This is going to be a system seller game.
Comment by Kropotkin — Aug 15, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Great redesign, but think about the color in the textareas and input fileds
its so light grey that it s unreadable in the white boxes. (safari 3b3, osx10.4.10)
Comment by consumr — Aug 15, 2007 @ 11:14 am
While the internet-savvy may take issue with these so-called PR blunders… that sound you just heard right now was the majority of the gaming populace sputtering with indifference. They could care less if a game was reviewed by Sony or MicroSoft. A good game is a good game at the end of the day and that’s what they want to see above all else.
This is directed at that Mark Gillespie chap.
Comment by Chupa — Aug 15, 2007 @ 11:31 am
Looking good, also like the new look ThreeSpeech by the way. Anyone know whats heading to the PSN tomorrow yet?
Comment by Terry — Aug 15, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Nice new css. Kudos!
Comment by Makasu — Aug 15, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
very cool…
Comment by Brian — Aug 15, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
What threespeech should do instead of actually reviewing a game is to just give hands on impressions. Talk about how a game would play like, how the mechanics work, technology, online, multiplayer, etc.
It shouldn’t be a “preview” or a “review” It should just be hands on impressioins. With that said, this preview made me extremely hyped for the game. It looks absolutely awesome and sounds fun and challenging to play.
Comment by Robert — Aug 15, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Next Time You read Headers with the word Preview Don’t read it. go somewhere else
Comment by tretor — Aug 15, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
When i first saw this game i was a bit underwhelmed, but the more i hear the better its gettin.
Comment by SmokeJaguar — Aug 16, 2007 @ 9:18 am
It does look a very good, and interesting game.
Hopefully the final product will turn out to be a belter
Comment by Darren Nugent — Aug 16, 2007 @ 11:30 am
slick game
Comment by ali_07 — Aug 16, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Excellent preview. I have been throughly impressed and surprised by Sony’s first party title line up. I don’t remember them ever having such a strong first party showing like we are seeing on the PS3. This is going to be an expensive Holiday!
Comment by Parker — Aug 16, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
[…] After some more Uncharted info? Joystiq have just the thing, a lengthy Q&A with Line Producer Sam Thompson, addressing a lot of questions from the community. Topics covered include changes and tweaks they are making to the game, lots of details about how they are developing the game, as well as some information about their support of Home. Be sure to check it out if you’re interested in Uncharted. You can also see what Three Speech thought of the E3 build here. […]
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