Uncharted is the second PS3 game I've bought since I bought my system a little while ago. I can't say the game has pushed any new buttons, but who's to say a game has to for it to be fun or for it to be considered a 10? I sure don't, but we all have our opinions. Just so long as you don't consider a 10 to be a "perfect" game. You're just asking for me to put you down with that.

I'll start with what I think of the visuals. It's the easiest to evaluate.

The graphics in Uncharted are great. They're not the best, but they are great. What really shines here are the animations. Nathan Drake moves so fluidly and so much more naturally than so many games. Developers of Grand Theft Auto IV, Assassin's Creed, and Uncharted have clearly paid attention to detail when it comes to the movement of their characters which is key when trying to set the mood. I feel really tense when there's a gun fight and Nathan Drake is cursing under his breath and twitching as bullets hit nearby.

Watching Nathan run faster as things get hotter gets me really immersed. The facial expressions during the cut scenes and during game-play are fantastic. This game looks good.



Now, as for the game-play, I'm really enjoying myself. The cover system sometimes gets sticky. It's not as weak as GTA IV's (which I didn't find to be too bad, but not good either) but it sometimes annoys me. The thing that really bugs me is the game's climbing system. Sometimes I think I'm able to grab on to somethings and it turns out I can't. It gets a tad annoying at first; especially when there's ledge you would be able to grab would it not be for the fact that you're not supposed to.

There's also the explosive barrels. They are totally fucking lame. They're extremely lame when they're in the most absolutely dumb places. Example? Inside an ancient tomb in convenient places where they knock down walls you need to get past. There's also barrels inside your enemy's jeep where you can shoot at it and blow the gunner that's sitting in it away. It's so (for lack of a better word) "last-gen." It almost feels cheap and lazy to have them in there.

The gun-play itself is pretty fun. The guns sometimes feel and sound pretty bland, but they're not bad. I just wish the bad guys in this game weren't mutant men. I swear I emptied an entire assault rifle clip in a guy and he walked around like it was nothing. I guess I've been spoiled by Grand Theft Auto's characters limping away.



There are some A.I. issues as well, but it never feels too bad. Sometimes characters don't react the way they should. They may stop moving for a second and then realize I'm there. Another issue that I have that's not a glitch is the way they rush the shit out of you. They're almost too good for me. I'll have some guys in front of me and I'll have my attention on them and then all of a sudden they'll come at me from both sides and take me out. It makes the game harder, but that's something I'll have to learn to deal with.

Hey, if Wardrox can bitch about GTA's difficult driving controls, I can bitch about A.I. characters who all look the same. Fuckers bum rush you like crazy.

The story in the game is nothing special. It's a treasure hunting story. The thing that really draws me in are the characters. They're just lovable and I don't have the slightest clue why. It could be that they're just charming. Nathan Drake feels like a modern day Indiana Jones (which I recently watched for the first time) and the female character...she looks so real. She doesn't have massive breasts, and a the body of a super model. She's naturally beautiful and dare I say; adorable.

Yes, I do feel like a lame ass for admitting that I found a video game character cute

All in all I'm really enjoying this game. The story isn't great (it's not bad so far - just sort of typical), but the characters are. The game-play is so-so for me at times. It has it's moments that happen enough times for me to want to continue playing, and be excited to continue playing. If you have a PS3, please pick this up. I'd like to see more of this game in the future.