Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a top rated PS3 exclusive

Yes, Ratchet and Clank were getting awful lonely, and when you look at the top PS3 games, the highest rated ones are also available on the 360.

Yes, Ratchet and Clank were getting awful lonely, and when you look at the top PS3 games, the highest rated ones are also available on the 360, so a top rated PS3 exclusive is a rarity these days (one year after the system debut... sadly). Until Drake's Fortune, the ONLY game that had me booting up the PS3 over my 360 was Warhawk. I can now say that Uncharted; Drake's Fortune is the best game out exclusively for that platform and ranks with the top games of last year.

GAMEPLAY (4*)

Gameplay is fluid and natural. This is a hybrid type game; part duck and cover 3rd person shooter and part puzzle solving platformer. The combination works well and doesn't dwell on one over the other for too long. The enemy AI is also excellent and will keep you on your toes. Additionally, about 3/4 of the way through the game, your gameplay style changes, and it does so just at the right time.

The problems with gameplay are the same ones that challenge EVERY platformer out there, camera control. In some instances it's just hard to maneuver the camera to get a good look at what they want you to do. Also, like most platform games, the story is a bit linear, with a few scenes seemingly over scripted.

SOUND (5* plus)

The sound quality from the score to the voice acting are all top notch, giving a true cinematic experience. The ambient noise is also very good and really provides a depth of immersion to the game. Overall, the sound production of this game is as good, if not better than, Bioshock (arguably the best example of sound use in a game... ever).

GRAPHICS (5* plus)

This is one of the most beautiful games I've ever played. This will be the game that you take out to show off the PS3 to your friends. The use of shading and the water effects are the best I've ever seen. There are some glitches, but they are minor. In general this game is a graphic showpiece.

OVERALL (4 1/2*)

The game IS short by today's standards, but the story is complete and you don't really feel cheated. You are left wanting more. Uncharted is a new franchise and Drake's Fortune sets a pretty high standard. I really like the characters that were developed in this game and Nate has a lot of that Indiana Jones panache. The Nate character is not all tough as nails, buff and oiled. He is purposely human. The developers used a lot of little things to impart Nate's humanity. They made it so his arms flail about a little when he jumps. He's dressed in clothes that normal people would wear. He displays emotion when faced with situations. All in all, this is what I hope is the beginning of many more stories to come.

Even though I give Uncharted an outstanding rating, it is not perfect. However, of all the games that I've played in the past year, I'd rank its enjoyment quotient right up there with games like Bioshock, Assassin's Creed, and Mass Effect. The bottom line is that Uncharted; Drake's Fortune is just one fun game to play.
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Source / Author / Credit: Joseph S. Vantiem