Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is an action-adventure video game developed by Naughty Dog, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Combining platforming and third-person shooter elements, the game charts the journey of protagonist Nathan Drake, supposed descendant of the explorer Sir Francis Drake, as he seeks the lost treasure of El Dorado, with the help of friend Victor "Sully" Sullivan and journalist Elena Fisher.[3]
Originally announced at E3 2006,[4] the title was developed for about two years before being released at the end of 2007.[5] Seen as a key title for the PlayStation 3 during the holiday season of 2007,[6] the game was well-received by critics, many of whom cited its technical achievements and its high production values, similar to that of summer blockbuster films.[3] The game went on to sell more than one million copies in ten weeks, and become part of the European best-selling Platinum Range of titles.[7] A sequel, entitled Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, has since been announced and is now in developmentGameplay in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a combination of 3D platforming and third-person shooter gameplay elements. Similar to the Prince of Persia and Tomb Raider series,[3] platforming elements allow Nate to jump, swim, grab and move along ledges, climb and swing from ropes, and perform other acrobatic actions that allow players to make their way along the ruins in the various areas of the island that Nate explores.[8]
When facing enemies, the player can either use melee and combo attacks at close range to take out foes or can opt to use weapons.[8] Melee attacks comprise a variety of single punches, while combo attacks are activated through specific sequences of button presses that, when timed correctly, offer much greater damage; the most damaging of these is the specific "brutal combo," which forces enemies to drop twice the ammo they would normally leave.[8] Nate can only carry one pistol at a time and may also carry one rifle, and there is a limited amount of ammunition per gun. Picking up a different firearm switches out that weapon for the new one. Grenades are also available to acquire at certain points, and the height of the aiming arc is adjusted by tilting the SIXAXIS controller up or down to match. These third-person shooter elements were compared by several reviewers to Gears of War,[3][8] in that the player can have Nate take cover behind walls, and use either blind-fire or covered fire to take out foe. In common with the aforementioned game, Uncharted lacks an actual on-screen health bar; instead, when the player takes damage, the graphics begin to lose saturation. While resting or taking cover for a brief period, Nate's health level — and subsequently, the screen saturation — returns to normal.[8]
The game also includes vehicle sections, such as where Nate must protect the Jeep he and Elena are in using a mounted turret, and where Nate and Elena ride a jet ski along water-filled routes while avoiding enemy fire and explosive barrels. While players direct Nate in driving the jet-ski, they may also switch to Elena by aiming the gun in order to use her weapon — either the grenade launcher or the Beretta, depending on the chapter — in defense, or to clear the barrels from their path.[8]
The game also features reward points, which can be gained by collecting 60 hidden treasures in the game that glimmer momentarily[6] or by completing certain accomplishments, such as achieving a number of kills using a specific weapon, making a number of headshots or using specific methods of killing enemies.[9] In subsequent playthroughs of the game, the player can use these rewards points to unlock special options; these include in-game bonuses such as alternate costumes and unlimited ammo[6] but also non-game extras, such as making-of videos and concept art.[10] There are also several references to other Naughty Dog games, especially the Jak and Daxter series; one example includes the "Ottsel" branding on Drake and Fisher's wetsuits,[11] a reference to the species that mixes otter and weasel found in the game.
Regardless of which regional version is purchased, the game is censored when playing on a Japanese console to remove blood, which normally appears when shooting enemies; this follows the trend of other censored console games in the region, such as Dead Rising and Resistance: Fall of Man.[12]