Uncharted & The Last Of Us: Beauty Is No Substitute For Good Gameplay

WC - There is a new trend in gaming that has been growing over the last few years, festering and breeding with itself like some sort of disgusting toxic bacteria that has somehow managed to take control of people’s minds and convince them it’s actually something wonderful and innovative. I am of course referring to the trend of skimping on gameplay and content in favour of pretty (yet ultimately pointless) scenery and set-pieces.

[AkatsukiPain]

I think the one thing that makes uncharted 2 a better all around game that bioshock infinite was missing was gameplay. That was the one area that put uncharted 2 above it because uncharted 2 did everything else just aswell but the gameplay is what set it apart from bioshock infinite & is why it won the most awards ever in history.

Also forgot to add that I also believe the last of us will push it even further & should be a strong candidate for goty, the only thing I fear is reviewers may deduct points for the difficulty which they didnt criticise bioshock infinite for because it was actually an easy game which I know none of the reviews played it on 1999 mode.

[miyamoto]

There are two things video graphics brilliance can do to a gamer. Its either it opens your eyes to appreciate fine artistic beauty or it completely blinds you because of jealousy, envy, hate, denial to the point it makes you numb and dumb.

Who ever wrote this did not even try to understand why Uncharted 2 and The Last of Us turned up the way they are.

Naughty Dog has pretty well documented on many videos that game play was prioritized as well as video graphics integrated seamlessly upon it.

Uncharted is a progression of every platforming and action game lesson learned from Sonic the Hedgehog to Crash Bandicoot to Jak and Daxter.

Its a game development culture chuck full of gaming history and heritage.

For example that big phurba stage is a big puzzle game in itself (to the author-you don't have to jump blindly to the room below -that is stupidity) and of course the train stage is a magnificent and unique presentation of game play on a constantly moving level.

The author's deduction of the so many stuff like story, plot, phasing, character development, humor, shooting game play, platforming game play, etc etc is really a move of stupidity because these stuff are so integrated and simplified to Uncharted 2 a brilliant VIDEO GAME and not just a graphics showpiece for display.

The author of this article should blame Naughty Dog for doing a work of innovation and setting the industry standard on Uncharted 2 levels. Its not their fault that many other developers "TRY" to ascend to their level.

If the other developers think that the way Uncharted 2 and TLOU was presented was the best way to present their game for example Tomb Raider, Hitman, and Star Wars 1313, is that a badong thing to be blamed at Naughty Dog's?

But if he sees how ND has set the bar so high as a "badong" thing (badong = bad + wrong)when majority of critics and gamers sees it as good, then he has to deal with it for life.

[MikeMyers]

" or it completely blinds you because of jealousy, envy, hate, denial to the point it makes you numb and dumb. "

That sounds very mature. So let me get this straight, someone challenges developers to not put resources into linear gameplay and essentially wallpaper backgrounds and your response is he's dumb, is full of hate and jealous. Ask yourself this, why are you getting so defensive over a video game? It's an opinion piece yet you're acting like a child who's just been attacked because you're way too emotionally attached to your game console.

My response to the article is not every game needs to be open and free roaming. Uncharted works because if the set pieces and it also forces the gamer to play at a certain pace. A trend I am seeing is how easy games are becoming and basically playing the game for them. Call of Duty is a prime example. You follow a certain path and face a wave of enemies and repeat that cycle. I am more forgiving of Uncharted because of the characters and the set pieces. To me it's like an action movie. Call of Duty is like Michael Bay making. Modern day war movie.

[joab777]

Is everyone not tired yet of being told what does and doesn't make a great game. First off, its in the eye of the beholder. For many, the backdrop and story of nathan drake is exactly why they loved it. For Infinite, exploring Columbia and unravelling and amazing story made me very happy. My friend hates games like fallout and skyrim. He hates walking and just thinks it is boring traversing large landscapes to randomly fight clunky enemies. I love it. I can get lost in it. He thinks its absurd to let u pick everything up, I don't. And what about dark souls? Some would say, me, that it epitomizes what video games should be. Let me tell ya, that I am the only, or close to it, person I know who feels that way. Most think its unfair, boring etc.

The most amazing thing about this article is discounting all of the things that these games do so very well. Many gamers, young and old love them. When I was younger I thought, I can't wait til graphics r so good its like being in a movie. Look at Ni No Kuni. First and foremost, it works because its like u r in an anime. Now, if u don't like uncharted etc. Its cool, just don't tell me that I shouldn't.

[o-Sunny-o]

Some of my favorite games were the ones with pretty bad gameplay...

[TheFirstClassic]

Really? Like what? I'm actually kind of interested, I can't think of a single game with bad gameplay that I really liked.

[medman]

I'm confused...this author is saying Uncharted 2 isn't a good game? Wow. What a tool.

[lovegames718]

Uc series aesthetics are not the only thing that made it an evolution in software pushing boundaries and setting benchmarks. The awesome game play and fluidity is what made it the most talked about and most rewarded game this generation!!!!!!

Uc2 is my favorite game this gen and even now when i play it im still mesmerized at how beautiful and on point the game is. I mean even the mp aspect of it looks better and plays better than most games coming out today.

[aRTCy]

"The Last Of Us, seems to be exciting many idiots with its shiny colours and loud noises"

I feel the same way about Dancing with the Stars. That show blows...

But, I've noticed that females are more interested in these types of games so go figure. Maybe that's why we are seeing more games like this.

[bronxsta]

To the author of this very insightful article (not):

uh...no

[Blacklash93]

Uncharted had fine gameplay. It suffered from a few repetitious shooting segments and some pacing issues at times, but it was still perfectly functional and very enjoyable.