Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Hover mouse over screenshots for commentary.

September 2016

Uncharted 1, 2, and 3 were originalyl made for the PS3 and were released in 2007, 2009, and 2011. They proved quite popular and were re-released on the PS4. I think the graphics are basically the same but I believe the resolution and frame rate are better on the PS4 versions. All three games include exploration, cover-based third person shooting, and puzzle solving. The Uncharted series has become known for large and exciting set pieces, and well as for cutting edge graphics. They have also raised the bar for voice acting and for seamless cinematography between cutscenes and gameplay. They were advertized as "playing an action movie," and that's actually a pretty good description. I think all three games have a decent story - not life changing or deeply thought provoking, but engaging in an 80's-action-movie kind of way.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune features Indiana Jones-esque fortune hunter Nathan Drake, descenedent of Sir Francis Drake. Nate and his mentor Victor Sullivan (Sully) are trying to track down mythic treasure and of course end up competing with some bad guys who also want the treasure. The bulk of the game takes place on a tropical island. While traveling with a reporter, Elena, your plane is shot down. You are also trying to reunite with someone who was kidnapped by the enemy. All Uncharted games have some minor supernatural element to them, and let the record show that Uncharted did Nazi Zombies before Call of Duty!

When I first played Drake's Fortune on PS3 I remember being very impressed with the attention to detail in the game. Specifically I recall being in a gun fight and hiding behind cover, and Drake had a look on his face that made him seem very scared and unsure of himself. I thought this did a lot to sell the dynamics of the story - this wasn't a grizzled space marine who has killed thousands of space bugs (or whatever), Drake is just some guy who has gotten into something way over his head. There is an internet joke of sorts that talks about how Nathan Drake is a mass murderer, but I don't think he's any more a mass murderer than Indiana Jones.

If you're new to PlayStation or haven't played the Uncharted games, do yourself a favor and get started. I think #2 is the best, but you might as well start at the beginning. Seriously, it's a franchise that simply should not be missed. It's just too good.

The game starts with Drake recovering a ring that once belonged to Sir Francis Drake, with Elena filming it for a documentary.		Sully saves the day!
		Sully's digs.
Drake tries to convince Sully that this treasure hunt will be worth his time.
You run towards the screen at this part, which was fairly novel at the time.	He says this quite a few times throughout the series.
How did the submarine get up there . . .?
	In 2007 this looked frickin' amazing.


	Exploring the submarine.
In the PS4 version various stats are compared to people on your friends list.	Crashing onto the island.
Drake opens his eyes to a statue threatening to cut him to pieces.		This part is a little weird - you'd think there would be a bigger body of water at the bottom of that waterfall.
Cover based shooting.
Falling to his death.

	Some not-so-subtle hand holds.

This part is so tough on the hardest difficulty.

Look at those 2007 clouds! They still look great!		At one point Elena drives a car and you man the turret.
		The jet ski section. It's pretty cool. You have a grenade launcher as well. Technically during this part you steer with Drake and shoot with Elena, so I believe this is the only part of an Uncharted game where you play as someone other than Drake.
Of course there are exploding barrels.
		Boom!
Bam!



Dat pose . . .
	I wonder what's down that hole?	As you play you can unlock skins, such as Sully.


		WHA??!!

		It would be so hard to climb that pipe . . .




		So many gunfights in this frickin' church.
In all of the Uncharted games there are collectibles to find. Sadly, they don't impact gameplay at all so only trophy hunters will probably look for them.	Ohh! Nice box!
		Classic Uncharted.
		The world's first laser sighted shotgun. It's the most unfair weapon in the game, by far, and only wielded by the final boss.

	This and the next several screenshots are actually concept art for the game.




Man this jungle looked amazing back then . . .
	In Uncharted 1 you could stealth kill enemies, but there were very few opportunities.
This skin is called "Doughnut Drake." They don't put it in the new games because it's basically making fun of fat people.		Elena skin.
	As your health declines the color leaves the screen.

	The Desert 5 is a 50 caliber handgun. That's insane.


Obligatory platinum trophy screenshot.