Uncharted – A Lesson in Characterization and Adventuring

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Fallen Hero

It’s not a stretch of the truth to say that the latest entry into the Indiana Jones franchise was lacking the character that can be found in the first 3 movies. It had just as much action and suspense that could be found in the other movies but lacked any likability that didn’t rely on the charm first achieved in the initial installments of the series. I bring Indiana Jones into this review because the lead character in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune feels like a better Indy than his cinematic counterpart portrayed in “Crystal Skull.”

Rise of a Rogue

Nathan Drake has the same bad boy charm that Hans Solo, Captain Mal, and any number of smart-alecky rogues found in modern day cinema and television. Sure they have a tendency to be put themselves into situations that would kill any ordinary man but they are more than happy to quip about it without batting an eyelash. You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of this archetype than the lead character in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Stop and Enjoy Paradise

Uncharted has the same pace as a Summer blockbuster movie. You start the game mid-action seeing what sort of exploring Nathan is accustomed two and are quickly drawn into a story that may not reinvent the wheel but does an adequate job to move you along from set piece to set piece in an interesting way. These gorgeous set pieces are a perfect example of one of Uncharted’s biggest strength, its art design. You will be travel through some of the most scenic jungle scenery and ruins ever recreated in a video game.

No Ones Perfect, Words to Animate By

Another way Uncharted sets you up for a thrill ride is through the animations of its lead characters. Great time was taken to capture the most realistic animations possible and it shows through and through. You’re drawn into the action as you see Nathan flinching as each bullet hits his cover. Nate has a tendency to stumble at random which works to make a more believable every day type of guy traversing these jungle ruins rather than some superhuman badass.

Worthwhile Headaches

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is by no means a perfect game but it provides an experience that surrounds the player in a believable world and story that tickles the adventurous side of us all. One thing that I must comment on is how clunky the controls can feel during combat. Even the simple act of switching between weapons and utilizing grenades makes for a overly complicated situations during the many encounters you have with multiple enemies at once. While quite realistic in implementation, the fact that Nathan has inertia when moving around the environments makes for accidental deaths or frustrating predicaments.

I found myself overlooking these problems when faced with the excitement galvanized by the story, characters, and pace of the game. I’m quite excited at the prospect of Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves, which is set to release later this year. Thus far the previews of the game all seem to lean towards the Uncharted team once again striking gold once again.