04 October 2011 (Games Profile)

Sony Playstation 3 recently hosted a special preview night of the highly anticipated UNCHARTED 3: DRAKES'S DECEPTION in Odessa, Dublin, with Richard LeMarchand, co-lead games designer at the game development studios Naughty Dog in attendance giving some extra insight into the new game.

We sent along our lucky competition winners to the exclusive night, along with our own Baz Nugent, who writes "Uncharted 3 is an action adventure game on the Playstation 3, and one that is squarely going for a feel of an 80s action movie. There's elements of the good Indiana Jones movies, Daniel Craig's Bond, and even cheesy classics like Jewel of the Nile. ... oh and did I mention it's pretty?" - (full game preview here)

For those that weren't fortunate enough to win a place at Odessa, you can check out video interviews from the night below, plus a review of the night from each of our winners.

UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION is released in Irish stores this November 4th.   

Reader Reviews:

Craig Gardiner:

When taking into account the level of craft and polish Naughty Dog delivered in Uncharted 2, it's hard to imagine what aspects they can look to improve upon for its successor. However, having seen the game in action, as demonstrated by Richard Lemarchand, it seems as if he and his co-workers have managed to do just that. Richard opened the evening with a presentation about some the changes and new features that they've added to the game, revealing the mechanics behind the more complex aspects of Uncharted 3. The theory of the design became all the more interesting when Richard began playing through the concepts he was previously discussing. The level that he demoed for us was visually stunning with exceptional detail, as Nate struggled against the wind and fought to maintain his footing on the mountains of sand. From there, the game immediately transitioned into a high-octane combat sequence, reminding us that Uncharted isn't simply a pretty face - it's got serious chops in terms of gameplay as well.

After this, I got the opportunity to talk for a few minutes with Richard. Throughout the chat, he exuded a near infectious level of enthusiasm for the game-making process and was clearly extremely passionate about the product they were creating. As a fan of the series, getting to hear about his first-hand experiences in developing a title like Uncharted was particularly fascinating and has definitely left me appreciating the level of work that goes into designing a game as intricate as U3. After this, we then entered into a multiplayer session, in which Richard succeeded in killing me. Several times. Overall, the experience was fantastic and has me eagerly anticipating the release of Uncharted 3. Thanks to entertainment.ie, Sony Playstation Ireland and Richard for hosting such a memorable night!



Noel Gleeson:

WOW! That's the one word that was floating around in my head for so long after the presentation of Uncharted 3 in the Odessa on the 27th of September. We saw the plane level which some of you may have already seen at e3 (and learned from Richard Lemarchand that it is nicknamed "Drake's on a plane" by the team!), and a new gameplay segment from the single player campaign entitled "The Settlement." This was absolutely incredible, and showcased the game very well. Without saying too much, there was unbelievable cut-scenes with much-loved characters, epic set-pieces, and literally the best graphics I have ever seen - I wanted to reach out and touch that sand! And when the settlement part had to finish as to avoid spoilers, the whole room just wanted more - it is rare to get that out of spectators of gameplay, very rare! Drake is as lovable as ever. The demo even included a little nod to the fans in the form of a comment Drake makes. It really makes a difference when a developer acknowledges the fans like this, and not all developers would do this. The experience is as cinematic as ever with cut-scenes turning into gameplay so fluidly, and the aforementioned set-pieces adding to the overall cinematic feel of the game.

And all of that is based solely on the bit of single player we saw! That enough certainly made me want to purchase it immediately, but there is also the multilayer. Within a minute of starting the multiplayer game I was hooked! Everything was perfect-the map was ideal, with many places to hide climb and run around, and the buddy system is back and works extremely well - nothing shows collaboration more than you pinning the enemy down whilst your buddy flanks him, gets the kill, and hi-fiving each other for the celebration! It is a small mechanic perhaps, but it enhances the team spirit of multiplayer so much. They have also introduced throw back for grenades, which works extremely well! Nothing as satisfying as killing your would-be killer with his own grenade! When the game ended, I for one would have played several more!

Simply put, this game is an absolute essential, and I very confidently predict it cleaning up with GOTY awards just like Uncharted 2. I did not think Uncharted 2 could be beaten-but I was proved wrong-Uncharted 3 has somehow, miraculously, raised the bar again. The team at Naughty Dog are simply brilliant in how they continue to improve and improve time and time again. November simply can't come quick enough!

Gary Sheridan:

Uncharted – the game where you play as Nathan Drake, an Indiana Jones-esque explorer, bellowing through the last undiscovered parts of the world. However it was in Dublin the other night that a different man went on his own journey. Richard Lemarchand, Lead Game Designer of Naught Dog and Uncharted made his way to Ireland for the first time ever, to preview his game to a select few, and thus he had 'uncharted' a big deal for Ireland in the entertainment industry. Never before had Ireland held any event like this; and now it would be host to the biggest game to come out for PS3 this year.

I was lucky enough to be part of Ireland's landmark gaming event the other night. Held in the prestigious Odessa Club in the heart of Dublin, Richard Lemarchand opened up the night talking about the history within the new Uncharted game and exactly what the game is about: "Fortune hunter Nathan Drake is thrown into an adventure that will take him on a daring journey into the heart of the Arabian Desert in a search for the fabled "Atlantis of the Sands.""

Richard then brought out the big guns: "what you're all about to see nobody else will see anywhere". Everybody whispered to each other in anticipation, as Richard picked up his PS3 controller and showed us a never-before seen chapter of the game. The Graphics showcased in the preview were nothing short of stunning. Drake is standing in the middle of the Arabian Desert and every single grain of sand seems to have been meticulously rendered. The most impressive thing for me – as was with the last game, is the attention to detail. Every footstep drake places in the ground, the sand will crumble and move in a highly realistic manner leaving his boots dusty in the process. At one point drake was sliding down a dune, as he was sliding he left a trailing hand to slow himself down, his hand then not only brought sand with him as he slid, but also left a trail where each one of his fingers had been digging into the sand as he slid down. The demo showcased a game development team at the pinnacle of the Playstation 3, needless to say; Naughty Dog has done it again.



Simon Murphy:

The top floor of the Odessa Club housed the much anticipated Dublin preview of Uncharted 3 – Drakes Deception. The ambiance was set with Arabian music and incense sticks scattered around the room giving a taste and feel for the location of the 3rd instalment of Drakes adventure. In the centre of the room was a large HDTV with two Uncharted 3 banners placed either side and to the right of the room, eight PlayStation's networked as a LAN awaited the eager fans, ready to show their skills in the desert arena.

To get things underway, Richard Lemarchand introduced himself and proceeded to show the latest trailer of the franchise. The surround sound boomed around the room as the in game footage and cuts scenes delighted the crowd. After the movie had ended Richard spoke about the history of Naughty Dog with PlayStation from Crash Bandicoot to the amazing success story of Uncharted. His excitement for the new game showed with his enthusiastic presentation, covering everything from the technical aspects of the in game lighting effects to the mundane thousands of hours of coding that goes into creating the masterpiece that is Uncharted. To finish the introduction Richard informed us that we are only the 5th group of people in the world to view the level we were about to witness.

He took to the controls of the PS3 to show us one of the largest sand deserts in the world, Rub' al Khali. Drake stumbled up the dunes, falling regularly, obviously exhausted with dust sticking to his clothes as sand wisped in the wind and heat waves shimmered as the sun blazed down. As he reaches the top of the dune he spots an outpost in the vast emptiness of the Arabian sands. "Water, there must be water" Drake says aloud bringing the familiar vocals that we have seen in the previous games.

Inside the outpost Drake wanders around the empty fortress with only the sound of his grunts and groans and footsteps in the sand. He climbs to an upper level and before you know it, the floor gives way and Drake comes crashing down into a different area staring face to face to a group of enemies.
The silence is broken by AK47 fire as the AI dive behind walls and pillars for cover. Drake grabs an enemy and snaps his neck and precedes to pickup his weapon, popping his head out from behind a pillar to pick them off one by one. Grenades land beside him but unlike the last outing you now have the ability to throw them back with the added comical phrase that features in the best of action movies.

After the presentation food was presented on the bar and everyone was invited to play the multiplayer team battle with new costumes, weapons, characters, levels, game modes and much, much more. Almost everyone ignored the food to get their hands on a controller. The room was a disco of gun fire and laughter as everyone picked off each other one by one.

Drakes Deception is set to be a huge seller and I have no doubt as much fun as the previous instalments with even more depth and story as well as the usual suspects and new ones added. I even managed to chat with Richard and pitch my idea for the 4th edition starting in Ireland with the quest for the Holy Grail. He seemed intrigued and was spending the next few days visiting Irish historical sites like the Book of Kells. So should Drake find himself in Ireland next time out, remember, you heard it here first!

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