Uncharted

Uncharted is an interactive movie. That’s how I can most accurately describe it. The label interactive movies has been used often but I’ve seen nothing close to how Uncharted seamlessly integrates the elements of a game and movie into one.  The gameplay, acting, cinematography, and direction is superb. It’s not perfect but it’s about the best there is.

The lead is an action hero named Nate Drake. He’s a cross of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. The setting is also a cross of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones: jungles, ancient cities, treasures, and Nazi’s. I’ll stop so that I won’t spoil anything more for those who for some reason haven’t played it yet (XBoxers?).

The game is a third-person shooter and a 3D platformer. The shooter aspect is not as intricate as Metal Gear Solid 4 and there are only a few weapons (a few each of pistols and rifles and one explosive weapon). Drake’s parkour repertoire is not varied as Ezio of Assassin’s Creed II but it’s sufficient to get him to places just as high if not higher.

Graphics, sound, and music are good. The graphics, although not perfect, is very good. Note that we’re talking of a 2007 game here. Contrast that with Bioshock‘s archaic graphics. Sound effects and the music especially are also good. As I keep saying over and over: movie quality. Controls are generally good except for some annoying behavior of the O button (hide? roll?). But that’s not enough to make this game any less great.

Rating: 4/5