Uncharted 3 "More Open," But Focus Remains On Story
Don't tamper with a winning formula. Upgrade the cosmetic stuff but don't you dare touch the foundation; that which makes it the memorable piece of entertainment it is.
So say the hardcore gamers, and unsurprisingly, Naughty Dog understands. They seem to understand everything the gamer wants. While the industry loves to embrace open-world scenarios that, if done correctly, are often wonderfully received (any new GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Assassin's Creed, etc.), this doesn't necessarily mean that every game would be better if it utilized such a theme. While Uncharted is quite linear, many enjoy that aspect, as it directly contributes to the story-driven, cinematic feel. And don't worry, because Naughty Dog isn't about to alter the formula: in speaking to Eurogamer, studio boss Justin Richmond first said Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception will feel "more open," but then clarified that position:
"We’re not an open-world game…We’re never going to be an open-world game – just because that’s not what we’re interested in making…It’s still up in the air how much gameplay we’re going to let you wander around…It will probably feel more open than the other games have. For sure."
Naughty Dog will keep the focus on the story and character progression, which is exactly what they should do, right? Having a bit more room to maneuver is fine, provided they don't lose sight of their goal...and we seriously doubt this team is about to "lose" anything. If anything, they're only going to become more secure in their vision and continue to fine-tune and hone. November can't get here fast enough.
Related Game(s): Uncharted 3
Tags: uncharted 3, drakes deception, naughty dog, uncharted 3 info
1/2/2011 8:51:36 PM John Shepard
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Comments (66 posts)
Bugzbunny109
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:13:12 PM
Dancemachine55
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:47:44 PM
You will be more than welcomed with a better or more sensible name and pic, and some interesting comments to go along with it.
Lawless SXE
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:51:46 PM
BikerSaint
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:15:29 PM
FatherSun
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:21:10 PM
Mr YP, I dont know you and with A name like that 99% of people may not want to know based on the name alone. For all I know you may just be a deeply misguided child if not then you need help. To me if your can articulate enough to create a profile then you should be held accountable for your actions.
This site is a class act. We wish to keep it that way.
Go on... change the name. We will wait.
tes37
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:42:37 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:58:07 PM
Qubex
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 2:45:52 AM
maxpontiac
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 8:24:26 AM
Dancemachine55
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:12:25 PM
Reply
I'll kick it off by saying that this can only improve the game. Offering branching paths or multiple ways to tackle an enemy (guns blazing or stealthily) can only make the game even better.
They had better give us an early access demo!!! Around March would be nice, just one little polished level, it's not too much to ask, is it?
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:28:25 PM
Bjorn77
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 6:35:23 AM
I know it would make a hell of a job to code, but walking around in an environment were the clouds could block the sun, would make the world 'alive'.
Small point but, my 2 cents.
maxpontiac
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 8:25:47 AM
Bjorn77
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 8:55:08 AM
Serious? Are you really that biased, that you give a negative because someone makes a valid point about the sky.
Drake at that time is in Borneo, their are mountains and the climate is changing often. The sky in Borneo changes most definatly... end of discussion. If you give me a dollar every time the sky horizon changes, you are broke in less then 1 day.
wiiplay
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 11:27:39 AM
Unless you have a million dollars. :)
Although I see the point you are trying to make.
I know I'll get some negative votes for saying this, but I have never played a single Uncharted game.
I know Uncharted is supposed to be a very realistic video game, but in my opinion, who'd want to look up at the clouds, when there's so much action going on right in front of you?
Bjorn77
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:08:41 PM
Highlander
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:13:25 PM
Reply
Bugzbunny109
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:15:12 PM
Reply
Lawless SXE
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:28:45 PM
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 10:10:23 AM
Zorigo
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 3:37:43 PM
White_Mocha
Thursday, January 06, 2011 @ 10:09:52 PM
White_Mocha
Thursday, January 06, 2011 @ 10:10:04 PM
White_Mocha
Thursday, January 06, 2011 @ 10:10:04 PM
White_Mocha
Thursday, January 06, 2011 @ 10:10:07 PM
White_Mocha
Thursday, January 06, 2011 @ 10:10:10 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:32:45 PM
Reply
Uncharted 2 is a huge bar to scale, but since it is arguably the greatest video game ever made, I fully expect 3 to take that slot.
Lawless SXE
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:50:10 PM
Reply
Of course Drake's Deception won't be anything like GTA, but I'm envisioning larger, more open environments, similar to that wide open space in the second one where you had the firefight in snowstorm. Perhaps even every level in the game being in scale with the hidden city of Among Thieves. If done right, it could be a marvellous achievement, and a great addition to the series, if they make it too open though, it will detract from the linearity of the experience, causing less of a player focus on the story and could wind up unbalancing the game completely... AHHH NEGATIVITY!
Peace.
P.S. I just remembered the original rumoured subtitle for the game: World of Deceit. Now am I reaching here, or might ND have changed it after it was leaked and they were unwilling to admit that they were working on it early? If that made any sense.
Last edited by Lawless SXE on 1/2/2011 10:56:44 PM
GuernicaReborn
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:03:13 PM
Reply
It never feels like they just stuck a wall or a burning vehicle somewhere to stop you from going down an alley. Everything looked natural, like it was supposed to be there.
FatherSun
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:32:49 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:40:19 PM
tes37
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:54:57 PM
NoOneSpecial
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:24:48 PM
Reply
Last edited by NoOneSpecial on 1/2/2011 11:25:08 PM
FatherSun
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:35:26 PM
FatherSun
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:30:04 PM
Reply
I trust Naughty Dog. I have no doubt that they will deliver. I only wish that this new sense of openness does not shorten the game. I only make this statement because when it is over I always want more. If they can improve on there winning formula and also lengthen the campaign I almost be in gaming heaven.
BikerSaint
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 11:34:34 PM
Reply
I wouldn't minded being able to stop the storyline for a bit, and just wander around slightly, just taking in all the majestic surroundings & other scenery.
But I'm thinking maybe no more than about one block's worth in any direction other than where you're supposed to be at in order to forward the original storyline. Plus this could be done through-out numerous areas during the game.
Then when you're all done with your sightseeing journey, you just go back to where you were initially, and continue on to resume the actual storyline gameplay.
I think in that way, it could certainly work out well.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 1/2/2011 11:37:52 PM
Lawless SXE
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:32:55 AM
BikerSaint
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 1:37:18 AM
___________
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:30:30 AM
Reply
it never was around the story in the first place!
im sorry but the uncharted series has as good a storyline as freaking halo!
ND are in one of the best genres to whip up a really engaging storyline, especially with uncharted 2.
Marco polo and the lost fleet were and still are one of histories most infamous and unknown mysteries.
they could of really ridden that and given there version on what happened to his fleet, and what happened to the lost 13.
shamballa is one of the worlds most infamous mysterious places, that and the Bermuda triangle so you would of thought they would of tried to flesh that out a little better.
they had the perfect setting, the perfect background to do the best story.
the best way to make a interesting story is to root it in real life situations, and what situation is more interesting and shrouded in mystery than the lost fleet!?
the one thing i thought uncharted 2 did perfectly was level design.
there are always multiple ways to approach each situation, which is really important in games.
one thing i really want to see in KZ3, instead of that corridor BS they had in KZ2.
thats one thing i really enjoyed about uncharted 2, instead of having the battles take place in rooms where you can only fight the enemy from the front AKA KZ2.
instead of doing that, ND let you sneak behind, above, more or less wherever you want!
now thats what shooters today seriously need, none of this just take cover in front of your opponent and pop and shoot till there all dead!
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sawao_yamanaka
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:39:57 AM
Lawless SXE
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:46:51 AM
Sure, the lost fleet of Marco Polo is one of the greatest mysteries of history, but if they had focussed too heavily on it, then it would have resulted in a whole lot of pointless conjecture. It was safer for them to play it in the way that they did. And Shambhala, unless I'm mistaken, is the mythical kingdom of Buddhism. If they'd've taken that route, it would have required some sort of explanation of that religion, and you've already extolled your thoughts on my idea of using the Garden of Eden, which would have resulted in a similar outcome.
The story is based on historical fiction with supernatural overtones. A realistic mystery is not only not necessary, but if you think about it, not really possible. The focus of Uncharted is, and has always been, more about the characters than the events, and this is one of the reasons that I love it.
As for your other point, clearly off-topic, but Killzone is an FPS. It is not in the vein of Deus Ex, or Bioshock. It is not about formulating a specific strategy to acheive your goals. The intense action is what FPS players want. Sure, some variation on this is required, but this usually comes in the form of vehicular combat, or boss battles. Not stealth. Genre limitations are a fact.
Peace.
P.S. Next time, please try not to break the page. It makes everything a royal P.I.T.A. :D
Qubex
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 2:51:27 AM
___________
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 6:47:13 AM
i hate corridor shooters, thats why i hated KZ2 because you do the same sh*t over and over and over again.
just take cover, pop, shoot, dodge the occasional grenade rinse and repeat till the room is clear.
i thought this was suppose to be a military shooter.
so wheres the tactics?
people in the military just sit behind cover and shoot from there do they?
they dont try to flank, or lure there enemies into traps?
they just sit in front of them the whole time do they?
also, your a Sargent so why cant you order around your squad?
im not saying turn it into socom, but some openness and some basic team instructions would really help open up the game and make it much more enjoyable and less repetitive.
slugga_status
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 10:34:31 AM
Furthermore, enemies in KZ 2 DO flank you. Once again..leads me to believe you haven't gotten too far in the campaign..KZ 2 is the best FPS on the PS3..play the game..your assessment is way off
Lawless SXE
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:44:25 PM
Also, I clearly remember one segment of KZ2 in which the enemies were shooting from above and I could not hit them, forcing me to come out of cover for that purpose, and numerous times when they spread out across the map in order to have me focus on one side, leaving my back open. Flanking. Your tactics must be a reflection of this, rather than executing a plan that you've come up with to deal with a certain attack position.
And for team orders... It would be good, but largely unnecessary, as I found the friendly AI usually quite competent, if not always doing as I wanted them to. They can be persuaded to attack a certain subset of enemies if you are fast enough on the trigger I found.
Peace.
sirbob6
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 2:42:02 PM
sawao_yamanaka
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:35:50 AM
Reply
Qubex
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 2:49:59 AM
Reply
I think the formula works because there is some Hollywood glitz to the production, it feels like you are playing a movie in some ways, moving the main character through a great adventure story... looking for the next thrill and spill...
If the levels are a bit "more" open, it may lend itself to more exploration of the environment, but I think been able to go back to any part of the map, as one can do in "Red Dead", is not an option in the way Uncharted is currently structured...
I think they need to just make it better and better as they go along, but stick with the current formula.
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 1/3/2011 2:52:55 AM
SoulController
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 7:59:23 AM
Reply
Bjorn77
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 8:56:09 AM
Jawknee
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:12:22 PM
SoulController
Tuesday, January 04, 2011 @ 9:16:32 AM
Ultimadesires
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 12:57:37 PM
Reply
sunspider13
Monday, January 03, 2011 @ 2:01:55 PM
Reply
StangMan80
Tuesday, January 04, 2011 @ 10:31:46 PM
Reply
U3 is sounding better every week, and it ant going to be here until November. oh man, the wait is going to kill. Im going to be proud of every day that pasts because I know that these guys are making the GOTY, so take your time ND, give us the best experience any game has ever gave us before.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception









Highlander
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 10:12:33 PM
Last edited by Highlander on 1/2/2011 10:13:09 PM