Shivering the timbers
Every once in a great while, a game comes along that sweeps you off your feet. A game that grabs a hold of you, and refuses to let go. It knocks you out; you get so deep into what's happening, you lose conscious thought over everything that surrounds you. Although the same qualities can be found in a child molestor, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is anything but a harrassment.
The game plays as a hybrid of adventure and third-person shooter. The controls are simple to use and easy to learn. Although the shooting cross-hair is slightly off-center, for reasons beyond me, it won't take you long to get used to. You can carry up to one hand gun, one larger gun, and 4 hand grenades. There is also a hand-to-hand combat system, with combos, but this should really only be used if you're low or out of everything else. Let's face it, a 9mm pistol will always beat a tomahawk punch, no matter how inaccurate those pesky pirates can be.
The mix of exploring and shooting is what ultimately separates this game from the rest of the pack. Time and time again, as you lunge from pillar to pillar, or stone edge to swinging vine, you take that leap of faith and pray Drake can hang on. It's a very exciting element to the game. Just as you find the climbing to be a bit tedious, you get to the top, and another sequence of events ensues. It's as if they perfectly tested this game, and fixed up the parts that seemed to be getting old. There was not a time during my play through when I sat back wishing a part was over, or thinking a task was too long.
The gameplay isn't the only thing to rave about. Immediately after starting this game, you will notice how visually stunning it really is. The shadows, Drake's clothes getting wet after being in water, the trees blowing in the breeze, the moss growing on rocks, shrubs burning and blackening after a fire. This game was just incredibly well-crafted and styled by Naughty Dog, going a long way from the Crash Bandicoot days.
The characters have great personality, as well. Nathan Drake, the main dude, seems like a real person with the way he moves and acts. His responses to the task at hand are that of a teenager; sarcastic and unenthusiastic. The way the movie-like story unfolds creates changes in character that mimic real life, which is another reason this game is so gripping. You'll find it hard to put the controller down, simply because you can't wait to see what happens next.
As far as entertainment, Naughty Dog hit the nail on the head and went straight through the plywood. You'd be hard-pressed to find a game that is as hard to put down as this one. The only downfall may be just that; you'll beat this long adventure in a short amount of time, if you have the time, because you will refuse to stop playing. I can't complain, though, because that's really all I could ask out of an entertainment system; entertainment.
Overall score - 9.25
+ Easy controls
+ Visually stunning
+ Realistic feel and characters
+ Unpredictable story
+ Wide-variety of tasks
- Could have better replay value