Review: Uncharted 3 – Drake’s Deception

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is one of the biggest releases for the PlayStation 3 this year, and while there have only been two previous titles in the franchise, this one is by far the best Uncharted game.

Uncharted 3 has a couple of great things working in its favour. For starters, the graphics are well-done, with many objects highly-detailed. Naturally the graphics during the cut-scenes are more awe-inspiring, but the main action screens are also packed full of detail.

The various settings which the game visits are accurate representations of their real-world locations, and this in obviously a good thing. From dense forests in the middle of France to open expanses in Syria, the graphics help a lot in immersing the player into the plot.

Sound is also a very important factor of any video game, and Uncharted has gone all out to make the sounds accompany the excitement, suspense and action as much as possible. Even at the loading screen, the music being played while in the menus is enough to make a player jump up and shout “Right, let’s do this thing!” There is almost a theatrical element to it, and it serves its purpose to further draw the gamer into the story.

In terms of voice acting, it’s on par to the previous versions, but the lip synching can be out at certain times. Nolan North once again administers the voice for main character Nathan Drake, while Richard McGonagle voices Sully, and Graham McTavish plays Cutter.

Enemy voices are rather generic and the same phrases will be repeated over and over if gamers take a bit too long to clear out an area – but it’s really not a problem. Many games use the same technique, and Uncharted 3 also went for the effect where music starts playing when enemies are around, and dies down once an area has been made safe. It works well, and creates a sense of urgency – which is always a welcome element in an action-adventure title.

The plot is truly something special, as it will take gamers on wild ride in search of the Iram of the Pillars, a lost city on the Arabian Peninsula. The game follows clues left behind by legendary explorer T.E Lawrence, and Nathan has to decipher them to learn where the city might be located. But obviously things won’t be easy for Nathan and his party, as there will always be someone hot on his heels.

The only real problem with the latest instalment of Uncharted is the controls. While it’s similar to the previous games, they feel a bit slippery or just over-sensitive. There are many occasions where players will have to run from pursuing elements, and with the sensitive controls players will run into walls and other obstacles – which will result in death.  But luckily death isn’t really a problem, as the game will restart at the exact point where the player died.

It’s not a huge issue, and players of the previous games will be familiar with it, but it could come in the way of an enjoyable experience if players don’t realise the sensitivity. But luckily as the game goes on, gamers will hopefully get used to it, and be running away without a hitch in no time.

The combat and general navigation controls are incredibly easy to grasp, and the title will give gamers a short tutorial and button notifications on which buttons to press pretty early on in the game.

Besides for the slippery controls, the general game play is fantastic – even though Nathan is still only able to carry only two weapons at a time. But luckily weapons and ammunition is plentiful, so gamers won’t really have to worry about that too much.

The game does a good job of keeping players engaged in the plot, which has the right mix of exploration, combat and puzzles. The puzzles aren’t terribly difficult to solve, but they do make gamers feel good about themselves once they have managed to open a door or a secret passage.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is a brilliant game for lovers of the franchise and new players will find it engaging and action-packed. The graphics are fantastic, the sounds are immersive and plot will have gamers coming back for more – just a pity about the controls’ sensitivity.

Our rating: 8.9/10

Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor