Drake's
Fortune: Uncharted
is the poster child for the next-gen blockbuster. It combines proven game
mechanics from respected hits and ties the package together with cinematic
storytelling and state-of-the-art visuals. The game's biggest cribs are the
stop-and-pop gunplay of Gears Of War and the acrobatic exploration and puzzle-solving
of Tomb Raider
and Shadow Of The Colossus. The game riffs on both themes
admirably—the action is a compelling string of firefights and balancing
acts.
Problem
is, when it comes to movie-style storytelling, Uncharted is more Sahara than Raiders Of The
Lost Ark.
Nathan Drake is a much better murderer than a fortune hunter. The guy rarely
discovers anything. Every new ruin or vault he stumbles upon is already
crawling with thugs who beat him to the punch, so he simply shoots them all,
snatches whatever trinkets they left behind, and follows the breadcrumbs to the
scene of his next mass murder. The guy is saddled with a pair of worthless
sidekicks whose sole purpose is to drive the action: Elena Fischer is a
reporter with no crew and a camera that wouldn't pass muster on Current TV. In
spite of a cursory attempt to paint her as a dame with chutzpah, she rarely
serves as more than a damsel in distress. Nate's dirty buddy Victor Sullivan
fares a little better. The gruff, stogie-puffing mensch provides a satisfying
mid-plot twist—the only moment that the game manages to pull its chin
above straight-to-cable narrative.
Beyond
the game: Real-life
treasure hunters like Mel Fisher don't rack up this kind of body count. A more
accurate game would be a business sim that forces players to keep a business
afloat for 20 years before they hit their motherlode.
Worth
playing for: There
isn't a prettier game out there. Stunning tropical vistas and decrepit Spanish
ruins are rendered in loving detail. When the lush foliage sways, you can
almost feel the breeze.
Frustration
sets in when: Roots,
rocks, and waterfalls look great, but as soon as the camera focuses on a face,
the whole illusion is lost. If the characters weren't written so woodenly, it
would be a bit easier to overlook their rubber faces.
Final
judgment: A
shiny, hollow bauble.