It’s a globe-trotting adventure where you aren’t expected to think too deeply about anything, relishing in the fantastical nature of whatever treasure you happen to be after. No research was done here, or if it was, Naughty Dog decided to fill in the gaps with playful whimsy that wasn’t afraid to poke fun at itself. Not only does this establishment charge £3 for a meal (fish ‘n’ chips obviously) in London of all places, the entire building is populated by clones of Phil Mitchell happy to kick your teeth in at a moment’s notice. When Nathan Drake and his mates descend upon London to marvel at the skyline and walk through rain-drenched streets filled with red phone boxes, its ignorance to realism becomes abundantly clear. Well, it’s all about being sad and serious nowadays, so revisiting this misunderstood masterpiece is a breath of fresh air. Uncharted 3 is still a silly game, drenched in laughable cliches as we travel the world and bumble across stereotypes that speak to Naughty Dog’s knack for not taking itself too seriously. Its thoughtful, considered in its approach to more substantial storytelling, but it never dominates the experience.
#Uncharted 3 puzzle series#
In a series defined by explosive action and immersive puzzles, Drake’s Deception decides to slow things down and let us bask in the chemistry between Nate and Sully, unboxing how their first moments together would grow into a relationship that will be pushed to its limits later in the campaign. It was groundbreaking at the time, daring to recontextualise our relationship with a character who had already grown iconic in the eyes of many. The opening flashback sequence defines this game’s legacy. It isn’t overly dour or contemplative like A Thief’s End, while Among Thieves isn’t quite dense enough to hang an entire film upon, not a half-decent one anyway. There’s a reason that Tom Holland and Mark Walhberg’s upcoming adaptation draws from this game more than any other. When he emerges into a sequence of firefights with little need to quench his thirst or regain his sense of place, the dissonance is palpable, but Uncharted 3 is so excellent because it manages to balance its swashbuckling antics with a narrative that is willing to delve a little deeper. It felt like this hero’s final chapter, the sands threatening to swallow him whole as distant mirages seek to break down what few faculties he has left. Roaming the desert after the legendary cargo plane sequence is still burned into my memory. It dares to slowly but surely tear apart Drake’s legacy in a way the fourth game would build upon, drawing doubts amidst the relationships of key characters as we are forced to confront what’s real and what isn’t. Acting as the final entry in the series helmed by Amy Hennig, this sequel is a darker turn on Nolan North’s character. Drake is deceiving someone isn’t he? The cheeky bugger. To its credit, Drake’s Deception does try to tell a more nuanced tale, the clue being in the name. Related: The Good Life Is Deadly Premonition In Tory Britain You can only watch so many lost cities crumble until you need to take a look in the mirror. It was willing to dissect Nathan Drake as a character, analysing his flaws and problematic relationships in the wake of a life defined by failed treasures.
It kept all of the charm, action, and dialogue of its predecessors, but deep down it was a very different game. But along came A Thief’s End, which channelled a similar level of melancholy thanks to the dual directing talents of Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann.
For a number of years it felt destined to be his last, with The Last of Us marking a more mature, introspective type of narrative rollercoaster that saw Naughty Dog change how it made games forever. Putting aside its age, Uncharted 3 remains a fantastic adventure and a fitting conclusion to Nathan Drake’s original trilogy. I'm just trying to exist and vibe in this hellscape. Video games please stop making me feel old. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to turn into dust and become one with the Rub' al Khali desert.
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