Considered one of the Playstations 3's great triumphs, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is indeed just that. I did not get the chance of playing this game when it first came out, but it was certainly a pleasure to do so recently. This game always intrigued me, but at the same time, I often shied away from it. It reminded me a lot of Tomb Raider, and I have never really been a big fan of those games. It's not the type of game I dislike, I just always thought those really old Tomb Raider games on the Sega Saturn or the original Playstation were just so broken. However, the concept of archeology and adventure for hidden treasure is a thrilling one.

     Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is not simply a Tomb Raider game with a male protagonist. It is a Hollywood blockbuster thrill ride on the video game medium. It packs a lot of action, loveable heroes, a compelling story, and some witty and sometimes hilarious dialogue amongst the starring characters. Nathan Drake (descendent of the historically important Francis Drake) is the star here and he is a terrific lead for a game. He has just the right swagger, yet down to Earth nature about him that makes him so likeable. I also really liked the female love interest in Elena, a spunky reporter who is thrilled by the adventure and plays as a perfect partner to Nate. And of course, there is the grizzled, cigar chomping Sully - Nate's confidant and good friend.

     These loveable characters embark on a grand adventure to find the lost treasure of Sir Francis Drake, and the journey to find the fortune is a breath taking one. From the incredible graphics that detail the island setting, to the impressive Hollywood musical score, to the extremely tight controls and top notch gameplay, Uncharted has it all. It features some dizzying heights as Nathan Drake fearlessly leaps from rock to rock, building to building. It's a very complete game that essentially breaks down to three simple components: 1. A cover and shoot system. 2. The leaping mechanic. 3. Puzzle solving. And while all three sound incredibly simple, and obviously have been seen before, they are so well implemented here, you never get bored or find it repetitive. I thought I would, but I never felt the need to stop playing.

     The pacing of the game is what keeps the flow going so well. It's a relatively short game, I probably beat it in I suppose 8 hours or so, spread over the course of a week, and I was thrilled from beginning to end. There was a lot to like about this one - for instance, even from the outset, I was intrigued by the games  concept as it draws in from a historical perspective, weaving in the mystique and allure of the adventures in which popularized Sir Francis Drake. There has been a lot rumor in history as to what sort of adventurous exploits he was up to, and this game feeds into that even more so - quite brilliant!

     I highly recommend this game as it is a fast paced good time from beginning to end. It stands out to me as one of the PS3's biggest surprises. Obviously nowadays, the Uncharted series is a big PS3 exclusive franchise, and I can see why as the first game is just so good on so many levels.

-Kurt L.

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