Naughty Dog’s PS3 exclusive action-adventure sequel Uncharted 3 is out next week Wednesday, and so far it’s looking extremely promising.
The previous game in the series, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, is one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, holding a Metacritic score of 96/100, a score only narrowly beaten by Grand Theft Auto IV, and matched by the likes of Bioshock, The Orange Box, Mass Effect 2, Super Mario Galaxy, and Half Life 2.
So suffice to say there is a lot riding on the sequel if Naughty Dog is to live up to its previous success.
42 Metacritic accredited reviews have been published so far, and the game is now sitting on a aggregate score of 93/100. Garnering perfect scores from the likes of 1UP, Giant Bomb and IGN, the lowest score it’s received so far has been from Eurogamer, who decided it deserves an 8/10.
Uncharted 3 will once again follow the adventures of Nathan Drake along with his mentor Victor Sullivan as they travel the world, this time to places like the Rub’ al Khali desert in search of the legendary lost city, the Iram of the Pillars.
Naughty Dog game director Justin Richmond has previously stated that the game embraces a brand new dynamic for the series, saying “This is where the Drake’s Deception title really starts to come in. Uncharted 3 finds Nathan Drake searching for an ancient 16th century treasure, but he ends up being pulled in to an even bigger mystery filled with deceit, pitting him against a shadowy clandestine organization and the occult treachery of its cunning and ruthless leader. Marlowe is always trying to undermine Drake and getting him to do things he doesn’t want to do, it adds a brand new dynamic to the franchise.”
We should have our hands on a review copy next week, so you can keep an eye out for our thoughts on the game in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here’s a look at what other reviewers have had to say.
1UP A
In some ways, it helps to think of Toy Story 3 or The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King when explaining Uncharted 3. Similar to this third game, both films are satisfying final acts that deliver entertaining and unique stories with respect to their previous installments. Read more
Giant Bomb 5/5
The only thing that might surprise you about Uncharted 3’s relentless roller coaster ride is that it doesn’t advance the standards for video game action like its groundbreaking, mind-blowing, superlative-generating predecessor did. But it certainly does match them. There’s a slight sense of “been there, done that” in the way this game hews so closely to Uncharted 2’s masterful blend of puzzle-solving, parkour, and dizzying action scenes. Read more
IGN 10/10
From start to finish, single player to multiplayer, this game sings. The characters, the graphics, the sound, the story – they’re all top notch. If you’re willing to skip Uncharted 3, be prepared to miss one of gaming’s finest moments. Read more
Game Informer 9.5/10
Around the edges of Uncharted 3, there’s the vague sense that things are a bit too pat, that it’s all beginning to feel a little formulaic. You could draw comparisons to Call of Duty, another series that relies heavily on high production values and popcorn-movie bombast. However, Uncharted 3 still affects me, not only because it’s such sublime fun, but because it’s telling the tale of characters I have a real affection for. Read more
CVG 9.5/10
All of which makes this a big step on from Uncharted 2 in terms of visuals, gameplay and performance – but its biggest achievement is that, barring minor lapses, the threads are brought together into a superbly cohesive whole. Read more
Gamespot 9/10
This is a beautiful, cohesive, and, most importantly, fun adventure that cements the Uncharted franchise as one of the best around. More of a good thing is welcome here. Read more
Edge Magazine 9/10
The present console cycle is expected to last nearly a decade, and there will inevitably be developers advocating the need for more sophisticated tools. But just like Machu Picchu, the Pyramids and every other engineering marvel of antiquity, Uncharted 3 will stand as a reminder to future generations of gamers that enough problem-solving imagination can turn any old trowel into a magic wand. Read more
Eurogamer 8/10
It is a majestic tribute to cinema, a movie game in the literal sense, and your enjoyment will be in precise step with your appreciation of that objective – and whether or not you believe it to be Drake’s great deception, or Drake’s great delight. Read more
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception review roundup << Comments and views
Loading ...
