The Uncharted series is revolutionary, and here's why

I love the Uncharted series for what it is but if you consider something that's spectacle over substance as revolutionary, I think you're mad.

UC 1 and 2 are cool for what they are but if you stripped away all the shiny graphics, they're very shallow from a mechanics standpoint. I'd much rather games move toward being more systemic and emergent.
 
StuBurns said:
In what world is 9.3 not 'about' 9.5? That's some picky shit.
The point was that they claimed "9.3 is the max a game will get on Gametrailers if it's not original", and then they went ahead and gave MW2 9.5.
 
I dont want to see it go to far and cash going to big names just for being a big name eg FF13 song my hands that just dont fit into the game
 
I adore the Uncharted series. Everything about it is so much fun. I love the characters, setting and stories. Good wholesome fun. Revolutionary? I don't know, but it certainly is a light in the grayness defined by the majority of this gen.

AbsoluteZero said:
It's Tomb Raider with a male lead.


2007 flashback.
 
Metalmurphy said:
The point was that they claimed "9.3 is the max a game will get on Gametrailers if it's not original", and then they went ahead and gave MW2 9.5.
No, he said it's 'about' the highest, 9.3 is about 9.5.
 
I felt that right away during the first scene in Drakes Fortune, when Elena and Drake are talking on the boat and she has the video camera. The conversation between to the two had a quality that took me immediately by surprise, it had a relaxed and natural flow. I was like "yes! finally, characters in a videogame that sound like actual human beings."

Then it continued with that scene on the boat when Drake and Sully were talking over the map and Elena was pacing back and forth on the cell phone. I just loved the feel of that scene. Down-to-Earth and real. Same with the bar scene in UC2 with Chloe, Drake, and Flynn, and many more.

I don't know if it's revolutionary, but it's one of the most important games ever in regards to character, dialogue, and acting. I don't want every game to be movie-like, scripted, and cinematic, but we are going to continue having games like this as graphics become more realistic, and Uncharted's influence will show developers how to do it properly. If you can afford a mo-cap set that is.
 
Metalmurphy said:
Have you played an Uncharted game?

Yep, what I'm talking about is more abstract than anything in uncharted though, I'm not talking about cutscenes that play out while you have control of the player, I don't think I even know what I'm talking about, if I did I would do it. I don't want this to enter 'are games art' territory.

I should go to bed.
 
I don't really see anything special about the cutscenes in Uncharted. In fact they just seem like video game cutscenes to me. The Uncharted love fest is really starting to get to me.

daviyoung said:
I have, and it's basically Tomb Raider.
With Psychopathic Bro Main Character.
 
Crunched said:
The problem is the cinematics themselves. When you're robbed of control, you cease playing a game. It doesn't matter how good they are. This is one of the reasons I can't stand most Metal Gear titles, for instance. Others feel differently, but I have a very firm opinion on this matter. Cutscenes should be used as sparingly as possible.

I like Uncharted. I don't mean to say it's poor or that it suffers for its cinematics. But I think it could be presented better, in a way that doesn't fracture gameplay.

You aren't robbed of control in Uncharted. Cinematics in Uncharted are only used for expository dialogue and conversations. All action happens during gameplay. Also, they're small in length, on average they last two minutes. In my opinion it's because of this that the Uncharted series makes best use of cut-scenes out of any other. They also serve as bookends for each chapter.
 
MrOogieBoogie said:
Right. And now why was Uncharted successful? Think hard, my man. That's right, because it turned the cinematic action genre and flipped it on its head, presenting that fine line between movie-and-game experience that most developers could only dream to accomplish better than anything before it.

Personally, I don't quite understand why Uncharted was successful as I didn't really enjoy it as much as others did. I am not going to deny what you are saying is wrong; just that it didn't do that for me.
 
snoopeasystreet said:
I love the Uncharted series for what it is but if you consider something that's spectacle over substance as revolutionary, I think you're mad.

UC 1 and 2 are cool for what they are but if you stripped away all the shiny graphics, they're very shallow from a mechanics standpoint.
agree.
 
Metalmurphy said:
Have you played an Uncharted game?
I'm guessing what he's implying with his statement goes far beyond what any game has been doing with cutscenes, let alone Uncharted, and that he was understating things. Otherwise I'm sure I can work up a reasoning why something like Shenmue or SotC or RE4 has cutscenes that convey meaning and motivation through interactivity.

Salacious Crumb said:
Yep, what I'm talking about is more abstract than anything in uncharted though, I'm not talking about cutscenes that play out while you have control of the player, I don't think I even know what I'm talking about, if I did I would do it. I don't want this to enter 'are games art' territory.

I should go to bed.
Or maybe not. Whatever. ;P
 
Don't know about revolutionary but it has certainly raised the bar. Refreshing maybe? Almost every other game's acting and cinematics look mediocre or immature in comparison. I'd hope other developers try to reach that standard instead of making do with the usual crud we are served up in video games.
 
cuyahoga said:
I like Uncharted, but I completely disagree with you—game has pretty forgettable writing and performances, when compared to, say, a Tim Schafer game, something from Valve, or Deadly Premonition.


shaq.gif
 
daviyoung said:
I have, and it's basically Tomb Raider.

So you haven't played Uncharted. There's no exploration in Uncharted and a minimal amount of puzzles. It's a linear cover shooter with platform elements. It's very little like Tomb Raider.

Maybe it's the Tomb Raider games you haven't played.
 
Terak said:
It took two months to get registered but only a second to get perma-banned

Fixed.

Uncharted games are very much Tomb Raider with a male lead, in spirit at least. They are basically everything that made Tomb Raider fun, only a bit easier, more scripted, much less open, and with some of the best voice over (and motion capture too I guess) acting in any applicable medium.

This is why I love the games, but it's also the reason why I've never played through either of them more than once. It's a great narrative with a slightly repetitious but completely engaging game pushing it forward.

There's nothing wrong with any of that, but if anything is revolutionary about the games, it's the presentation quality - and I'd frankly call it evolutionary instead.
 
People need to learn what revolutionary means and not just apply it to anything that is "Really, really good."
 
daviyoung said:
I have, and it's basically Tomb Raider.

I agree. I've been going through Tomb Raider Legend lately for the first time and it plays like Uncharted, but in a not as good way and without the AAA coat of paint but that game came out in 06 I think.
 
Rahxephon91 said:
I don't really see anything special about the cutscenes in Uncharted. In fact they just seem like video game cutscenes to me.

No shit? They are...

It just that Uncharted takes the presentation to another level.

The Uncharted love fest is really starting to get to me.

Then it'll be better for you to leave this thread.
 
diffusionx said:
Uncharted - decent shooting mechanics. Entertaining story with fun characters. A crazy and insurmountable disconnect between the cool dude you see in the cinemas and the homicidal maniac you control. Hunting for old-ass statues is all fun and chuckles until you have to murder the 5000 coolies standing in the way.

I really enjoyed the sequel's multiplayer mode though.

It's more on the Enslaved side of things than Tomb Raider. If it allowed more player error in both the platforming and shooting, it would live up to it's reputation.

The story and characters are fairly rote. Uncharted is about the high production values and solid combination of easy to play game mechanics that doesn't take too many risks.
 
Yeah Uncharted really doesn't do anything that much better than anything else out there. Sure it's high quality but there's lots of high quality performances out there. And say what you will about Heavenly Sword, but Andy Serkis does mocap performances better than ANYBODY else in either the games or the film industry.
 
I agree with the OP since, for one, Nolan North is being used more abundantly lol, but also I can already see games trying to implement the dynamic cutscene/gameplay blending seen in uncharted. People need to understand that the op may not mean games as a whole, but "cinematic" games. There's room for multiple types of games... no need to hate because its not as open or deep as your favorite titles.
 
StuBurns said:
In what world is 9.3 not 'about' 9.5? That's some picky shit.


It is less about the score and more about what is said.

He states that UC2 is unoriginal and that being original is the number one thing GT looks for. Then gives MW2 GOTY.


Much like they say the graphics for Crysis are that impressive, but then go on to google at the grenade physics in MW2.

Even at launch Crysis graphics blew away MW2. Not to mention the physics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3dgMKKuXlg
 
Rahxephon91 said:
I don't really see anything special about the cutscenes in Uncharted. In fact they just seem like video game cutscenes to me. The Uncharted love fest is really starting to get to me.

Here, let me show you the difference. Spoiler links ahead - these show cutscenes that occur within two blockbuster games Uncharted 2 and FFXIII:

There is a difference in the performace of this: "So, this little man is Drake."

And something like this: "That was your Focus?"

Watch these and see the difference. Both are beautifully rendered, have great audio, and are trying to evoke emotion from the player. If you only see these as two "video game cutscenes", I just don't know... maybe you have bad taste or something :)
 
I hope Uncharted 3 will make LA noire's facial animations to look like a joke.

That cinematic style movie-game is something that I like.
 
The plot is pulpy but the DIALOGUE is excellent.

Most games have a forgettable plot AND forgettable dialogue (or, more accurately, embarrassingly stupid dialogue). Uncharter only has a terrible plot. Uncharted's dialogue is funny, current, true-to-life, etc.
 
Wolfgunblood Garopa said:
It's more on the Enslaved side of things than Tomb Raider. If it allowed more player error in both the platforming and shooting, it would live up to it's reputation.

What is that supposed to mean, that Uncharted games are a cakewalk? Finish either in Crushing and then come back to me. :P Especially the first one.
 
Uncharted 1/2 cutscenes have B-grade acting/writing and C-grade storylines. They're unmemorable by Hollywood standards and only stand out a little by game standards because modern console games are so execrable in comparison.

There's absolutely nothing revolutionary about this. Go play Vampire Bloodlines or something if you're not convinced.
 
Second said:
No shit? They are...

It just that Uncharted takes the presentation to another level.
Yes they are just regular old video game cutscenes, I'm not so sure whats special about them? The acting? It seems pretty hooky and overdone to me. The animation also seems a bit over done. So whats special about them that puts them beyond video game cutscenes that this thread seems to believe?


Then it'll be better for you to leave this thread.
Yeah I should I forgot, I'm dealing with Uncharted/Sony fans, can't touch their sacred goose.

we.are.the.armada said:
Here, let me show you the difference. Spoiler links ahead - these show cutscenes that occur within two blockbuster games Uncharted 2 and FFXIII:

There is a difference in the performace of this: "So, this little man is Drake."

And something like this: "That was your Focus?"

Watch these and see the difference. Both are beautifully rendered, have great audio, and are trying to evoke emotion from the player. If you only see these as two "video game cutscenes", I just don't know... maybe you have bad taste or something :)
So this proves that FFXIII resembles an anime with it's emoting and the Uncharted cutscene resembles a typical hollywood action movie? I mean just listen to how the villain talks.
 
jett said:
So you haven't played Uncharted. There's no exploration in Uncharted and a minimal amount of puzzles. It's a linear cover shooter with platform elements. It's very little like Tomb Raider.

Maybe it's the Tomb Raider games you haven't played.

There's minimal exploration in the Tomb Raiders too. It's shooting, platforming through ruins, odd creatures, puzzles. Ok, so there's cover? Wow. Revolutionary. The concept is virtually identical. It's weird how fine it is to compare Uncharted to something like Gears of War yet not Tomb Raider, which Uncharted is just a polished take off of.
 
mt1200 said:
I hope Uncharted 3 will make LA noire's facial animations to look like a joke.

That cinematic style movie-game is something that I like.


As much as I love Uncharted, that wont happen. Not even close.
 
SuperSonic1305 said:
Some salty ass people in here. Anyone saying the acting is anything but great is just out of their fucking minds.

It's great, but it's not revolutionary. You could argue that it's evolutionary though.
 
Chairman Yang said:
Uncharted 1/2 cutscenes have B-grade acting/writing and C-grade storylines. They're unmemorable by Hollywood standards and only stand out a little by game standards because modern console games are so execrable in comparison.

There's absolutely nothing revolutionary about this. Go play Vampire Bloodlines or something if you're not convinced.
My man!
 
SuperSonic1305 said:
Some salty ass people in here. Anyone saying the acting is anything but great is just out of their fucking minds.

One thing I have picked up on since being here is that there is ALWAYS some salty people regardless of the game. One GAF'ers best title of the gen is anothers crap.
 
BigTnaples said:
It is less about the score and more about what is said.

He states that UC2 is unoriginal and that being original is the number one thing GT looks for. Then gives MW2 GOTY.


Much like they say the graphics for Crysis are that impressive, but then go on to google at the grenade physics in MW2.

Even at launch Crysis graphics blew away MW2. Not to mention the physics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3dgMKKuXlg
I don't want to derail with this debate, but even if you accept that 9.3 and 9.5 aren't 'about' the same, and I don't, there are lots of other issues with that logic. Uncharted 2 isn't original, neither was Uncharted 1, MW2 isn't original, but MW1 was, so although they're both iterations of the last game from that studio, one is iterating on something that was original.

And Crysis while beautiful is an unoptimized mess. It's no where near a technical marvel, it just happened to run on hardware massively more powerful. I don't see how that is an achievement.

EDIT: And Tomb Raider games are nothing like Uncharted other than in theme, and sometimes setting. In terms of game design they're massively different.
 
daviyoung said:
There's minimal exploration in the Tomb Raiders too. It's shooting, platforming through ruins, odd creatures, puzzles. Ok, so there's cover? Wow. Revolutionary. The concept is virtually identical. It's weird how fine it is to compare Uncharted to something like Gears of War yet not Tomb Raider, which Uncharted is just a polished take off of.

Have you played the PS1 TRs? There's a fuckbunch of exploration, running back and forth finding shit.

And I said earlier that the Uncharted games aren't revolutionary. You sound like you were hit by bitter tears. And Uncharted gets compared to GoW because it's way more similar to that series than TR.
 
we.are.the.armada said:
Here, let me show you the difference. Spoiler links ahead - these show cutscenes that occur within two blockbuster games Uncharted 2 and FFXIII:

There is a difference in the performace of this: "So, this little man is Drake."

And something like this: "That was your Focus?"

Watch these and see the difference. Both are beautifully rendered, have great audio, and are trying to evoke emotion from the player. If you only see these as two "video game cutscenes", I just don't know... maybe you have bad taste or something :)


Awesome examples.

Going to make me pop in Uncharted 2 again.
 
Derrick01 said:
I agree. I've been going through Tomb Raider Legend lately for the first time and it plays like Uncharted, but in a not as good way and without the AAA coat of paint but that game came out in 06 I think.
How do the two games play similarly? I mean in Tomb Raider you lock on to enemies rather than aiming yourself.
 
I agree that the performances are great. I enjoyed them, and I do think they are a cut above anything else I've seen in videogames.

But I don't put a lot of value on that. I think videogames, in general, should have fewer cutscenes. I'd say my favorite presentation of the story and characterization is probably Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. It blows the hell out of games that try to ape movies.
 
snoopeasystreet said:
UC 1 and 2 are cool for what they are but if you stripped away all the shiny graphics, they're very shallow from a mechanics standpoint.

I wouldn't say that after having played UC2 multiplayer a lot.
 
While Heavenly Sword's acting was good and the characters were interesting, once again they were silly and over-the-top video game characters, and that's what I'm tired of.
 
The thing that gets me is how seamlessly ND integrates cutscenes and gameplay. Some of the best lines and interactions occur during gameplay. Other games try to do this (like Rockstar games) but it always seems so awkward. Also, many times playing u2 I would not even realize that the cutscenes had ended and it was time to play. It just all goes together so well and you don't need to watch long cutscenes for an entertaining story and great characters.
 
jett said:
And I said earlier that the Uncharted games aren't revolutionary. You sound like you were hit by bitter tears. And Uncharted gets compared to GoW because it's way more similar to that series than TR.

I don't know what 'hit by bitter tears' means. Maybe it's compared to Gears of War because Gears of War has a better rep than Tomb Raider. Or is it just the camera? I dunno, it's funny.
 
Rahxephon91 said:
Yes they are just regular old video game cutscenes, I'm not so sure whats special about them? The acting? It seems pretty hooky and overdone to me. The animation also seems a bit over done. So whats special about them that puts them beyond video game cutscenes that this thread seems to believe?

LOL. How exactly are the animations overdone considering they're all motion captured?




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIKIRKHBoXU
So overdone! Just... terrible!
 
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