This is an official break from normal policy for this website, the primary talk of this post won't be about comics, or come from comics. Now there is a comic involved. But we won't talk about that in this first installment. Instead we're looking at the beginning of this series. So let's look at Drake and his cadre of friends.
Rules about Nathan Drake. He's a treasure hunter, tomb robber, and all around thief. He's out for himself, and if you're Sully, he'll look after you too. Also, he has no problem loving and leaving you. So let's look at the first game in the series.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. We open on a small salvage boat during the filming of a documentary. We're introduced to Drake and intrepid reported Elaine Fisher, filming the discovering of Sir Francis Drake's coffin. It's empty and we discover his diary. And then, we're invaded by pirates. But we're going to skip over the usual run downs of games because that isn't what this is about.
What this is about is what makes these games fun and enjoyable. They're those Summer Blockbusters that you see and love. They're aren't art, never meant to be art. They are fun. Nathan Drake in that fallible hero, in vane of Indiana Jones or John McClane. Victor "Sully" Sullivan is that rugged mentor who gets some of the best lines. And the love interest, who thankfully isn't some bottle blonde, but someone who can kick ass, and take care of herself.
Back to Drake's Fortune. This is a story of looking for El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. But what do Nazi's and that mysterious movement in the jungle trees have to do with that. Well, you'll just have to play to find out. But you won't be disappointed. The Twists are unexpected, but are not out of place.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. This time Drake is on the look out for the fortune found in ancient Shambhala (better known as Shangri-La). He is following Marco Polo instead of Sir Francis Drake. This leads him into contact with old friend Chloe Frazer, by old friend, we mean old lover. Which leads to an interested, will he won't they. And how many times can she double cross Nate. We also are left wondering what happened to Elaine, the happy couple seemed happy last we saw. Well in case it comes as no surprise, Nate has a few issues with settling down.
Sully has a few short bits, but a majority of the game is spent with Nate and Chloe, and Elaine, when you get there. In the vain of the first game, you may see the twist coming. But it does a good job of adding a twist to that. It's a strong follow up to Drake's Fortune, and leaves you wanting more.
Drake's Deception. Honestly the weakest of the three games, which is sad, because there is so much promise, and drive behind it. We get back story for Nate and Sully's relationship. As well as a look into the long history the antagonist has with our heroes. A new ally is added, Charlie Cutter, and Irishman with a dry wit.
This time we travel to the deserts of the Sahara, following T.E. Lawrence (AKA Lawrence of Arabia), looking for the lost city of Ubar. Noticing a pattern yet? This is story provides a good end to the Nate and Elaine romance, finally pushing Nate past his issues of settling down. Unfortunately that is all the plot has going for it. The usual twist is telegraphed a mile off, and not in the good way, that becomes subverted, the way Among Thieves did. It's a fun game all and all, and worth it to complete the trilogy.
Next week we look at the Fourth Labyrinth, tie in novel for the series.
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