What is all the fuss with Uncharted?

[woodaba]

Just a simple question.

The games are highly derivative, having no new ideas of its own, the platforming is so scripted it might as well be a cutscene, and the story and characters are really not that interesting.

So why does it consistently get 10/10?

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

So, Uncharted fans, why do YOU like the games so much?

EDIT: I feel I need to clarify this.

I do not think uncharted is bad. I think uncharted is rather good. But everytime I see people give uncharted 2 or 3 a ten, which implies perfection, or near perfection. Nothing in Uncharted screams "PERFECT!", at least to me.

 

[G-Force]

Just a simple question.

The games are highly derivative, having no new ideas of its own, the platforming is so scripted it might as well be a cutscene, and the story and characters are really not that interesting.

So why does it consistently get 10/10?

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

So, Uncharted fans, why do YOU like the games so much?

Name a game that constantly gets 10/10 where the gameplay is NOT derivative and does have new ideas of its own.

For me the Uncharted series is always a blast to play due to how we're thrust is a lush and colorful world and the main character is not some grizzled, haderened uber macho badass. With Drake he panics under pressure and the gameplay feeds that last minute, think on your feet danger that Drake experiences. Not too many characters in video games really are intimidated by the challenges they face and you rarely see them panic, falter, stumble to the extent Drake does.

 

[The_Waspman]

When i first played Uncharted, I wasn't sold on it. I honestly thought it was generic. A very pretty game to be sure, but generic all the same. But at some point it kinda sucked me in. Why? How? Because it's fun. Yes the first one gets a little too arena heavy at times (walk into an area, shoot a load of bad guys, walk into next area, rinse repeat) but fun all the same.

Then Uncharted 2 came out. Man, for me this was everything a sequel should be. It wasn't over-hyped (unlike the third one, which suffered for it I think), it was bigger, darker, better looking and of course had the addition of Chloe (and that fantastic ass). Unlike a lot of people (including Yahtzee) I don't find Drake to be an annoying prick, and it is actually the character interactions that keep bringing me back to the games.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.

Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

 

[woodaba]

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.
Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

Did I say I wanted a sandbox?
No.

I don't want every game to be a sandbox. My favourite game ever is essentially very linear.

The problem, for me, is, if Uncharted was a movie, it would be laughed out of cinemas. Its not a good movie! The plots are poor, the characters are shallow and Indiana Jones archetypes, and the writing can vary wildly from decent to kinda crap.

I don't hate the game, I actually think they're pretty good. But, why does an interactive action movie deserve 10/10 from pretty much everywhere while genuine masterpieces like Deus Ex: Human revolution are shafted?

 

[Kopikatsu]

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.
Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

Did I say I wanted a sandbox?
No.

I don't want every game to be a sandbox. My favourite game ever is essentially very linear.

The problem, for me, is, if Uncharted was a movie, it would be laughed out of cinemas. Its not a good movie! The plots are poor, the characters are shallow and Indiana Jones archetypes, and the writing can vary wildly from decent to kinda crap.

I don't hate the game, I actually think they're pretty good. But, why does an interactive action movie deserve 10/10 from pretty much everywhere while genuine masterpieces like Deus Ex: Human revolution are shafted?

Uncharted 3 got many 8.5-ishes (Which is deserved). Uncharted 2 was the only one that I know of that got 10/10's across the board, and it deserved that. Uncharted 2 was an amazing game. Plot may not be amazing, but the gameplay is fun and the set pieces are works of art.

Also, what makes Deus Ex: Human Revolution a 'masterpiece'? Because I have a feeling the answer will be something along the lines of 'Player choice'.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

I have no idea, linear games can have much better level design because you don't have to create a game world the size of a city. The train level from Uncharted 2 would just not be possible in a game like GTA. Very few developers actually know how to make sandbox games without the level design turning into shit.

OT: Uncharted 1 was average at best, it was more of a tech demo than a game. However, Uncharted 2 is just plain awesome, the only bad thing about Uncharted 2 is the lame villain.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

Just a simple question.

The games are highly derivative, having no new ideas of its own, the platforming is so scripted it might as well be a cutscene, and the story and characters are really not that interesting.

So why does it consistently get 10/10?

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

So, Uncharted fans, why do YOU like the games so much?

Name a game that constantly gets 10/10 where the gameplay is NOT derivative and does have new ideas of its own.

For me the Uncharted series is always a blast to play due to how we're thrust is a lush and colorful world and the main character is not some grizzled, haderened uber macho badass. With Drake he panics under pressure and the gameplay feeds that last minute, think on your feet danger that Drake experiences. Not too many characters in video games really are intimidated by the challenges they face and you rarely see them panic, falter, stumble to the extent Drake does.

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.

Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

both these summed up my opinions on it.

the reason why you don't "get it", is because it obviously wasn't aimed at you/your tastes, just like how i loathe half life and bioshock, i don't sit there raging about it wondering why it is praised constantly.

also, it's like a movie, is a very good point as to WHY i like it. personally i LOVE over the top B action cheesy movies, and the game is like a B+ style movie game that is pants on the edge of the seat constant fun. not much more i can say than that.

 

[woodaba]

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.
Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

Did I say I wanted a sandbox?
No.

I don't want every game to be a sandbox. My favourite game ever is essentially very linear.

The problem, for me, is, if Uncharted was a movie, it would be laughed out of cinemas. Its not a good movie! The plots are poor, the characters are shallow and Indiana Jones archetypes, and the writing can vary wildly from decent to kinda crap.

I don't hate the game, I actually think they're pretty good. But, why does an interactive action movie deserve 10/10 from pretty much everywhere while genuine masterpieces like Deus Ex: Human revolution are shafted?

Uncharted 3 got many 8.5-ishes (Which is deserved). Uncharted 2 was the only one that I know of that got 10/10's across the board, and it deserved that. Uncharted 2 was an amazing game. Plot may not be amazing, but the gameplay is fun and the set pieces are works of art.

Also, what makes Deus Ex: Human Revolution a 'masterpiece'? Because I have a feeling the answer will be something like 'Player choice'.

Fantastic Plot.

Multiple Gameplay types, each fleshed out to fill an average game these days.

Intersting Multi-Layered Characters.

SO MUCH optional plot information (emails, conversations etc)

Innovative "Conversation Bosses" (WAY better than L.A Noire)

And, yeah, player choice is in there too.

A ten implies Perfection, or near perfection. So you think that if a game is fun and has good set pieces, that qualifies perfection? No, that implies a good game. A seven.

 

[dickywebster]

Idk, played all 3 (borrowed from friends) and i dont see the fuss, yeah its alright and isnt bad, but its hardly the greatest game ever.
But really now, this generation is the safe generation of games, halo, cod and all their little clones have watered down things and are so popular, that game companies go with that, as they know it makes money.
Part of that is cause games cost a small fortune to make these days.

But while it is kinda an interactive movie and suffers for it, at least it didnt got as far as MGS 4 where the cutscene run times added up to more than the gameplay time...
Well for me it did, only on the hardest settings did i spend more time playing the game (kept getting killed by those mini metal gear things, i forget the name) than i did watching it.

Now recent games have given me less cause to say gaming is becoming too samey, its just the shooter genre which has become overly popular and samey...

 

[Kopikatsu]

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.
Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

Did I say I wanted a sandbox?
No.

I don't want every game to be a sandbox. My favourite game ever is essentially very linear.

The problem, for me, is, if Uncharted was a movie, it would be laughed out of cinemas. Its not a good movie! The plots are poor, the characters are shallow and Indiana Jones archetypes, and the writing can vary wildly from decent to kinda crap.

I don't hate the game, I actually think they're pretty good. But, why does an interactive action movie deserve 10/10 from pretty much everywhere while genuine masterpieces like Deus Ex: Human revolution are shafted?

Uncharted 3 got many 8.5-ishes (Which is deserved). Uncharted 2 was the only one that I know of that got 10/10's across the board, and it deserved that. Uncharted 2 was an amazing game. Plot may not be amazing, but the gameplay is fun and the set pieces are works of art.

Also, what makes Deus Ex: Human Revolution a 'masterpiece'? Because I have a feeling the answer will be something like 'Player choice'.

Fantastic Plot.

Multiple Gameplay types, each fleshed out to fill an average game these days.

Intersting Multi-Layered Characters.

SO MUCH optional plot information (emails, conversations etc)

Innovative "Conversation Bosses" (WAY better than L.A Noire)

And, yeah, player choice is in there too.

A ten implies Perfection, or near perfection. So you think that if a game is fun and has good set pieces, that qualifies perfection? No, that implies a good game. A seven.

Personally, I thought DE:HR had an awful plot. I actually couldn't even tell you what it is, it was so forgettable. Just remember 'Evil shadowy organization (Illuminati) wants to take away freedom! BOO!' popping up about five minutes before the end of the game.

You had combat and stealth. That was basically it. Hacking was a part of stealth, and even then...boss fights. Deus Ex did the whole 'Beat the game your way' thing much better, and it came out like...what? Over ten years ago?

Edit: Forgot the third point. What character was fleshed out? Taggert and Serif were one dimensional, the Mercenaries had no characterization, Jensen is like Batman in that he's the least interesting person in any given situation. The most interesting character was probably your pilot...

See the first point.

Not sure how innovative those were. As long as you didn't pick the 'Fuck you, I'm going to cap you now.' option, you completed the 'conversation boss'.

Uncharted 2 was one of the few games that I played through multiple times. I did the entire game at least six times. (I know because it took me five times to find all of the treasures without using a guide, then I did it again on Crushing, and a few more times with different tweaks/skins on). 10/10 isn't perfection. There is no such thing as a perfect game that caters to everyone equally. The Escapist's grading system has the right idea. A 'perfect' score is 'This is about as good as gaming gets for now.'

 

[woodaba]

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

That's the point.

It's like playing a movie where you're the crazy awesome action hero. Essentially, a movie but better.
Here's my question. Why do a majority of the people on the Escapist hate scripting of any kind and want every game to be completely open world, sandbox-y, and let the player choose everything that happens?

Did I say I wanted a sandbox?
No.

I don't want every game to be a sandbox. My favourite game ever is essentially very linear.

The problem, for me, is, if Uncharted was a movie, it would be laughed out of cinemas. Its not a good movie! The plots are poor, the characters are shallow and Indiana Jones archetypes, and the writing can vary wildly from decent to kinda crap.

I don't hate the game, I actually think they're pretty good. But, why does an interactive action movie deserve 10/10 from pretty much everywhere while genuine masterpieces like Deus Ex: Human revolution are shafted?

Uncharted 3 got many 8.5-ishes (Which is deserved). Uncharted 2 was the only one that I know of that got 10/10's across the board, and it deserved that. Uncharted 2 was an amazing game. Plot may not be amazing, but the gameplay is fun and the set pieces are works of art.

Also, what makes Deus Ex: Human Revolution a 'masterpiece'? Because I have a feeling the answer will be something like 'Player choice'.

Fantastic Plot.

Multiple Gameplay types, each fleshed out to fill an average game these days.

Intersting Multi-Layered Characters.

SO MUCH optional plot information (emails, conversations etc)

Innovative "Conversation Bosses" (WAY better than L.A Noire)

And, yeah, player choice is in there too.

A ten implies Perfection, or near perfection. So you think that if a game is fun and has good set pieces, that qualifies perfection? No, that implies a good game. A seven.

Personally, I thought DE:HR had an awful plot. I actually couldn't even tell you what it is, it was so forgettable. Just remember 'Evil shadowy organization (Illuminati) wants to take away freedom! BOO!' popping up about five minutes before the end of the game.

You had combat and stealth. That was basically it. Hacking was a part of stealth, and even then...boss fights. Deus Ex did the whole 'Beat the game your way' thing much better, and it came out like...what? Over ten years ago?

There was a plot?

Not sure how innovative those were. As long as you didn't pick the 'Fuck you, I'm going to cap you now.' option, you completed the 'conversation boss'.

Uncharted 2 was one of the few games that I played through multiple times. I did the entire game at least six times. (I know because it took me five times to find all of the treasures without using a guide, then I did it again on Crushing, and a few more times with different tweaks/skins on). 10/10 isn't perfection. There is no such thing as a perfect game that caters to everyone equally. The Escapist's grading system has the right idea. A 'perfect' score is 'This is as good as gaming gets for now.'

Fair enough, if thats all you want out of your game, then good for you. Enjoy it. Personnaly, I just feel that "as good as gaming gets for now" should be a bit more than a Gears of War with athletics and set pieces.

 

[ElPatron]

Name a game that constantly gets 10/10 where the gameplay is NOT derivative and does have new ideas of its own.

That's dodging the bullet.

When i first played Uncharted, I wasn't sold on it. I honestly thought it was generic.

I had exactly the same feeling towards Resistance: Fall of Men and Killzone 2. Somehow I had that "I played this before" feeling. I absolutely loved Killzone, no matter what people said. Now for some reason, Killzone 2 is a lot better - but I can't tell why.

 

[G-Force]

Sorry but what?

Drake is no different from any other character. He is shot, freezing and near death yet still manages to take out 40 guards in a blizzard who all have body armour while he has a shirt.

Name any other characters who stumble, trip, openly expresses his fear and panics as frequently as Drake. The player sees him at his emotional highs and lows on a constant basis instead of him trying to be a hardass 24/7

 

[Negotiator]

Just a simple question.

The games are highly derivative, having no new ideas of its own, the platforming is so scripted it might as well be a cutscene, and the story and characters are really not that interesting.

So why does it consistently get 10/10?

Sure it looks awesome, but thats what a movie is for.

So, Uncharted fans, why do YOU like the games so much?

Name a game that constantly gets 10/10 where the gameplay is NOT derivative and does have new ideas of its own.

For me the Uncharted series is always a blast to play due to how we're thrust is a lush and colorful world and the main character is not some grizzled, haderened uber macho badass. With Drake he panics under pressure and the gameplay feeds that last minute, think on your feet danger that Drake experiences. Not too many characters in video games really are intimidated by the challenges they face and you rarely see them panic, falter, stumble to the extent Drake does.

Sorry but what?

Drake is no different from any other character. He is shot, freezing and near death yet still manages to take out 40 guards in a blizzard who all have body armour while he has a shirt.

Drake's not a bald emotionless badass like 90% of the protagonists in modern action games. Compare him to inFamous' Cole MacGrath or Modern Warfare's Soap for example. Sure, Nate throws in one-liners and can seem to be tough or macho but in the end he's just a sensitive everyman, one that stumbles and makes mistakes even if he can shoot an army of badguys in one scene. He's a lovable character whereas I can't associate myself with Coal or Soap at all.

All of the Uncharted games have their flaws which is understandable since no game can be perfect (except for Shadow of the Colossus perhaps which also has it's flaws). One of the biggest arguments against the series I've heard is that Nate is an ordinary john who kills an army of enemies just like that. And yeah sure, it does sound weird and stupid but one has to remember that Uncharted doesn't even try to be realistic: think about all the explosions the characters survive, the zombiefied Spaniards and the other monsters found in the series. Heck, just take a good look on the characters: they are somewhere in between cartoon and realism but definately not near either one. They are too shiny. Besides, can you really say that other action games aren't falling into this trap? Max Payne shoots an army of cultists and suits, every single CoD protagonist kills hundreds of opposing soldiers, even Faith from Mirror's Edge can be controlled to take the life of nearly all of the heavy armored policemen and women in the game. So why aren't people calling out these games in stead?

I love the Uncharted games because of the dialogue, story and the gameplay. Sure, the plots can be unoriginal or even cliché-like but that's pretty much what every other story is: it's a fact that there haven't been any new original stories for a long time and there can't be. Every story is a new take on an earlier story or one that combines several old stories into one. But what makes a good story is that it's entertaining, interesting and written well. I feel the Uncharted games really have good dialogue (especially U2:AT) and it makes me smile every time I play the games.

I don't think U3D deserves a 10/10. It is good but it also has a lot of plot holes and segments that really add nothing relevant to the story (the cruise ship part was a total waste of time and effort). U2:AT however does deserve a 10/10 even though the multiplayer is not as good as in its successor. The script is good, the plot is interesting, the locations are sound and the gameplay has no flaws. Even if it's not the most original game it brings a smile on my face and nearly tears in my eyes. It's a game I can play again and again and still feel compelled by it.

 

[TheDooD]

People like it because its basically Tomb Raider + Indiana Jones. Overall I never liked the series because it plays off being an epic AAA movie plot when its an 80 - 90's, hell its a modern day sci-fi channel saturday afternoon made for TV film plot. Nothing really standout at all. I love watching bad movies because they're all said and done in like 90's mins I don't have to deal with it for 5-6 hours. Unless it's one of the mini series which IMO have some really damn good plots at times.

 

[Erttheking]

Here's the thing...opinions. I haven't played uncharted but you mentioned that Human Revolution was a genuine masterpiece...that game was just decent for me. It got annoying how often I died, how Jensen really didn't seem to be accomplishing that much, how guards seem to have unlimited bullets when you fight them but only 1 when they die, how you can only melee one person before having to use a candy bar, the bosses...the bosses...the game had a lot of flaws you think it's a masterpiece, I don't...opinions.