Why Mass Effect 3 is destined to be the Uncharted 3 of 2012

GameZone writes, "Mass Effect 3 is likely going to suffer the same fate as Naughty Dog's trilogy capper, as both are forced to live up to impossibly high expectations"

[mantisimo]

Meh, premise is that Uncharted 2 was better than 3 and people felt disappointed that this was the case.

I didn't feel at all disappointed with U3 best in the series.

[PSVITAlitysensor]

No way. Uncharted 2 is the best game in the series... but ME2 is the best game on PS3

[hay]

To be opposite of what fans of original wanted it to become? That's called a failure.

Uncharted 3 expanded 2 in any way. Mass Effect just becomes more shooter'y by capping game length and exploration elements. That's it.

[Army_of_Darkness]

ME2 the best game on PS3?!?! LMFAO!! FAR from it bro.

[otherZinc]

Please, these games have absolutely nothing to do with each other!

Uncharted is overrated as hell!

Mass Effect is friggin outstanding!

This writer should be stoned to death for putting the 2 games in the same sentence!

[guacman88]

aint no way mass effect is the best of any thing. story aside because that is subjective and depends on the person likes not knocking no one for liking mass effect's story now thats out of the way. mass effect has some of the worst controls in any game worst graphics and the characters are stiff as hell bad voice acting and the way u pick what you are gonna say is layed out bad on the screen. when mass effect 2 came 2 ps3 many people were saying it was better than uncharted 2 so i went and bought because i thought if mass effect could even get in the ballpark of uncharted 1 i would be happy but that game was crap but then i played the mass effect 3 demo and it was worse than 2 even stiffer and the graphics are way worse and the shooting mechanics are horrible and gun sounds are bad compared 2 other games in the genres they compete with. i just dont know what mass effect is trying to be. because its not pulling of any of the geners its in any good now thats technical stuff not the story because i dont have a problem with story just the acutal game that u are playing.

[Virtual_Reality]

Uncharted 2 is the most awarded game in the history of videogames (more than 100 Awards) beating Mario games and Half Life 1.

Can Mass Effect 3 beat that record? Let's find out.

[da_2pacalypse]

Bioshock infinite will be Much much better than Mass effect 3.

[Lovable]

@guacman88

My thoughts exactly. I heard so many praises from people that ME was the sizzle, but ultimately, it didn't impress me. I haven't played U3, but I do own both U1 and U2 at some point in time, played and finished by the way.

[IcarusOne]

With the exception of its characters, Uncharted has no through line. They are truly sequels, telling a complete and self-contained story. The 3rd game was a disappointment because there was no expectation of the story or canon. The only thing to expect was gameplay. The writing, in all honesty, could have been absent and it wouldn't have changed the experience in any meaningful way. Besides, you can always just make another Uncharted.

Mass Effect is a true trilogy - each installment is just that, an installment, part of a larger whole. ME3 is what the entire franchise has been building toward. This is the epitome of story-driven gaming. It is a true narrative with a clear finale in mind. After the Reapers, there's no where for this story to go. No way to top it. This is not merely the 3rd game. This is the end of Mass Effect. This is goodbye.

To compare them is ridiculous.

[PSVITAlitysensor]

lol wtf r u guys getting so serious about? Its my opinion so just stfu...

And if uncharted 2 is better than HL & Mario games then how can It have a lower score on both metacritic & gr? I remember even IGN said many times that ME2 > UC2 so gtfo for hating on me

[Tr10wn]

@PSVITAlitysensor your opinion doesnt matter here in n4g, PS3 exclusives> anything, sad but its a fact in here, dont worry im with you ME2>UC2.

[Daoshai]

I disagree. Uncharted 2 may still be the best game I've ever played. UC3 is already forgetable to me.

[CarlitoBrigante]

GTFO. While Uncharted 2 was the greatest game known to mankind, Uncharted 3 was the epitome of Gods creation. Hating on UC3 is blasphemy.

[Jazz4108]

The game I spend the most time with on ps3 is called firmware update.

[badz149]

wow, your internet connection must sucks so hard then, ha?

I have a 1Mbps connection and to be honest, FW updates are finished quicker than I thought they would!

[Tainted Gene]

@ Jazz,
LOL

I know ppl will be mad at that comment... but cmon...

You guys have to admit that it was a little funny.

[pbasson]

Yh U2 was great from the intro to the final boss. U3 was the weakest in the series, story wise. Gameplay however was solid, especially multi fighting, but made it abit too easy to take AI down.

[JsonHenry]

I LOVED the first two Uncharted games. But I never finished playing UC3 because it just didn't hold my attention after a few hours. Not saying it isnt a good game. Just didn't hold me like the first two.

And unlike the first two ME games I haven't bought it day one yet. I may way for a few patches so I can play the game the way it was meant to be.

[portugamer]

man, i love the uncharted franchise, and it's true uc3 started a bit slow, and a 2-3 hours later, you start asking yourself when is it gonna really start to impress, like uc2 did.

and suddenly, oh Holy Jesus, it becomes so so so good, you can't stop during the next 10 hours, until the end.

i ask you, please, start a new game, on the hardest difficulty (there aren't no impossible to beat bosses on uc3), and you will love it.
i beg you, please, play it and finish it, you will loooooooooooove it :)

[ginsunuva]

You never finished playing a 10 hour game, Uncharted 3 - better than 99% of games in the world - because it "didnt hold your attention"?

What games DO you finish?

[JsonHenry]

Which ones have I finished? Here is just a few - Fallout series (ALL, even the old ones)Witcher series, Stalker series, just about any RTS game I've ever played, The Old Republic (MMO, I know, but I "finished" my consular's story), Crysis series, the old Baldurs gate series, the old diablo series, a crap ton of indie games like Limbo, Mass Effect series (just picked up part 3)... the list goes on. And that isn't counting the multiplayer games I play like Team Fortress 2, Counter Strike Source, League of Legends, Dota 2 beta.

Don't be so defensive Ginsunuva. Everyone has their own opinion. And just because I stopped playing after the French Mansion section of UC3 doesn't invalidate your opinion that the game is "better than 99.9% of games in the world". It just means I wasn't interested in playing the rest of the game.

[StraightPath]

Uncharted 3 was a great let down, was a to me a 8/10 forgettable game. While Uncharted 2 will be remembered this entire gen being up there with the best out there. So far ME3 is beating UC3 overrated score on metacritic. UC3 should have been down in the 80s with its lackluster repititve copied and pasted gameplay from the previous games. Graphics are amazing, but graphics alone doesnt make a good game.

Characters performed poor compared to UC2
story was terrible
gameplay was the same as then previous game
no new innovations nothing

[MrDead]

j-blaze & StraightPath the husband and wife of trolls, dumbing down the N4G comment section since 2009

[trouble_bubble]

"So far ME3 is beating UC3 overrated score on metacritic..."

Ummmmmm, UC3 on PS3 has a 92/100 avg. ME3 on PS3 has a 91/100 avg. 92>91 last time I checked.

ME fanboys are some of the worst. If it were any other game. Day1 story DLC, tacked on MP, you can't holster your gun anymore, poor animations -lol @ Anderson running-, new oversized HUD, lip synch problems, poor water physics and game journalist cameos. Like I said, if ME3 was any other game. Climbing a ladder for the 1st time in the series is suddenly an "innovation" LMAO? Think about it.

[Muitnorts]

Unfortunately I agree. Uncharted 3's a really good game with some incredible moments (cruise ship anyone?), but it's not a patch on Uncharted 2.

Story, character and pacing made Uncharted 2 one of my favourite games ever but U3 was disjointed as hell by comparison. Also the way they screwed up the aiming...

[NeoBasch]

wow, you're first two complaints are the exact reasons I hated ME2. You're last two, I'd replace with:

shouldn't have changed the gameplay between ME1 and 2
lame shooter mechanics versus the robust customization in ME1

[Thatguy-310]

Idk for some reason Uncharted 3 didn't do it from me. From its lackluster character development to its horrible villain Among Thieves destroys it when it comes to story and how well everything revolves around it. Uncharted 3 has great graphics and the technological part of it is an improvement over among thieves but the story didn't do it for me. Plus like ppl stated parts of it was a copy paste from Among thieves(saving sully from the bad guys and you have to ride the horse and jump from car to car until you get to the front/the last set piece where the city is falling apart). IMO it was overrated and thank god Among Thieves is still the best rated one from the franchise.

[NeoBasch]

Completely disagreed. In terms of story, I'd normally say Drake's Fortune was the best because of the fresh and off-the-cuff writing in combination with the excellent character development, setting, and mythology built around El Dorado... BUT I know deep down Drake's Deception was the best. Easily.

I could go on and on as to why, but there was a nice little article I feel upon related to the topic. She does a nice job highlighting exactly why Drake's Deception stands tall as the best narrative in the industry today... besides Shadow of the Colossus and Silent Hill 2.

Anyways, here's the article: http://allthingsuncharted.c...

[Saladfax]

The posted article puts a positive spin upon the weaker elements of the Uncharted 3 story. What follows is more or less paragraphs of justification and excuses which make the weaknesses seem like deliberate strengths.

Yes, there are many moments of greatness in the Uncharted 3 story, but for whatever reason, they *do not* come through as clearly or cohesively as in the other games.

This article is written from an enamored standpoint, too biased to admit any issues beyond, what, Drake's leg going through a wall? Really? That's the biggest weakness you can name of a non-cohesive story based around spectacular set pieces? She talks about the amazing characterization and claims a detailed character arc where there is precisely *none*.

Oh, yes, I guess it's interesting that they managed a non-stereotypical British man who didn't betray them. Oh and the departure of established characters halfway through? Oh yeah, that was totally necessary and not at all bizarre and jarring.

I like the analysis, but in the end it's practically useless because the writer is just too in love with the story to see things objectively. She sees what could have been or even should have been rather than what actually was.

[srcBFMVBMTH]

Agreed @mantisimo To me, Uncharted 3's story was just AS good as Uncharted 2 if not better. But as a whole package, Uncharted 3's multiplayer and coop far surpass Uncharted 2's. So overall, I believe Uncharted 3 was the superior game. CANNOT wait for The Last of Us, and hopefully next Jak 4!

[SephirothX21]

I personally enjoyed ME2 more than UC2 and even though I was annoyed at some of the rpg elements being stripped from ME2, it still was very enjoyable game. Uncharted games are great at what they do but they're completely linear with great characters and voice acting but a childish underwhelming story. ME2 is better than UC2 is every way besides graphics. Its gameplay has more depth and is more fun. Mainly because of the mixture of shooting and biotic abilities. The player has choice of what characters to develop positive relationships with and choice of the order at which they undertake missions. ME2 has more replayability because of this choice and multiple endings. In ME2, you can command your team-mates to go to a certain point or use a certain ability. That cannot be done in any UC game. ME2 may not have platforming but UC's platforming is without challenge and the least entertaining element of the games. I loved UC2 but I loved ME2 more and in my opinion, the multiplatform games have been better than the exclusives this generation.

[Darrius Cole]

SephirothX21, what you are describing is the difference between genres, not a difference between the quality of games. Of course, Mass Effect is going to have more choices than Uncharted. ME is a role-playing game. Choice is what RPGs are about. Uncharted is a platforming game.

It sounds like you simply prefer RPG's to platformer. There is nothing wrong with that. Lots of people prefer RPG's to platformers. But you should compare each of them other games within their genre when you consider their respective quality.

[showtimefolks]

Uncharted 2 is the best game on ps3 but mgs4 isn't that much behind either. Me3 is more scripted story driven than both ME1-2. This time more is on the line

[yesmynameissumo]

Not releasing this early in the year. Sorry.

[ksense]

i can't be the only one that enjoyed u3 story more than 2!

[CGI-Quality]

You aren't.

[Agheil]

This article writer knew he was gonna start a fight here lol

[CharlesDCI]

Agreed. I could tell by the title alone..lol

[duplissi]

meh that implies that uncharted 3 is a bad game! lol.... even if it isnt as good as u2 it still sits on a pedestal far higher than most games.

in my oppinion u2 and u3 are both awesome, perhaps the story in u2 was a bit better but i still highly enjoyed the hell out of u3, and suspect later tonight i will begin enjoying the hell out of me3.

[Muitnorts]

I don't think it implies that U3 was bad, just that it couldn't live up to the astronomical expectations. Which I think is fair.

Excited about ME3, and luckily my expectations are slightly more grounded...

[TheColbertinator]

Love both series since bioware and Naughty Dog have a passion for making great games.

[wollie]

This was a well written article, but people are making the mistake of thinking he is calling U3 and ME3 bad or worse games then U2 and ME2.

That is not what he is saying.

U3>U2>>>>U1

thats more like what he is saying. And I agree. There was not as much of a leap from u2 to u3 as from u1 to u2.

So instead of saying, "holy crap this is soooooo much better then the frist." its more like, "I can see where they improved a little bit."

This causes people to be less excited when the games aren't that much different.

Will that be the case for ME3? who knows, haven't played it yet.

[Rainstorm81]

People need to look at how early this gen ME and U:DF was released . by the time ME2 and U2:AT was released Devs starting hitting their stride.

Personally i thought U3:DD was a great game i loved the SP.... but i liked the MP more on U2:AT.

As far as ME3 is concerned....Just got my copy

[guacman88]

u guys are crazy uc3 is better in everyway to me but that is just me, my opinion but it is always gonna be people who think certain games in a series are better than others aint nothing wrong with that same thing happend when uc2 came out people were syaing 1 was better so it all up to the person. i think all the uc games are on the same level to me i think they are all the best game in the franchise when i play them because there all on the same level just a differnt story. i think uc1 uc2 and uc3 are the best games i have ever played i have been gaming since snes so dont know one reply that is what people who only played in the 2000's would say im been a gamer my whole life and im 23 so u do the math.

[theWB27]

Games in a series are supposed to be improvements, not different. Should a trilogy be a RTS, RPG, and then the final a FPS.

[additup28]

wasnt crazy about the first half of U3 but the second half is my favorite segments of the series so far

for mass effect prefer 1 to 2, so I think 3 should be a good surprise for me just gotta get home to play it

[MrDead]

I wish I was in charge of N4G, I would ban articles like this.

[BitbyDeath]

Where can i vote?

[MsclMexican]

Yes.. unfortunately it seems anyone can get a journalism degree. Anything will be approved.

And almost every idiot has access to the computer and the internet.

Logical comments are so hard to come by now

[Silly gameAr]

Sup with the trolls?

[TheGrimReaper]

Just don't feed them Kurosaki-kuuuuuuun!

[BraveToaster]

Wouldn't it be more like the Dragon Age 2 of 2012?

[Bimkoblerutso]

Yeah, U3 was one of the best-selling and highest rated games of the year. And I certainly wasn't disappointed, personally.

This article is...confusing.

[Sevir]

Both games shine and are a brilliant testiment to what their respective developers can pull off! a the 100 Fanboys that cry foul on these franchises are but an ant in a room packed with Giants! Uncharted 3's Story and game play were awesome! So it started slower than Uncharted 2, it still wrapped up well and The characters carried more emotion than the previous! and the set pieces were downright amazing!!! My fave being the chapter with the Shipyard such displays of physics was a marvel with this aging ps3 hardware! and I could careless about a cameo of jessica Chobot in ME3, the game is spectacular! while flawed its still a brilliant game and runs circles most games who try to tell a story and fail miserably!

keep crying Fanboys! keep crying!

[Blastoise]

I thought Uncharted 3 was pretty awesome, bit of a dissapointing ending but apart from that it had some sweet moments (like the entire ship part) but whatever, haters gonna hate

[negroguy]

Enjoyed UC3 and cant wait to see how ME3 will compare when I play it.

Off topic: I find it hilarious how all these comments are debating UC2 vs UC3 instead of talking about UC3 vs ME3

[bradtramel]

Why not write this after you have played? Then you can argue that it DID succumb to impossibly-high expectations.
Articles like these are written to boost views. So, in that respect, great job.

[gamer7804]

ME3 is getting rated nearly as high as me2, personally i preferred me1 so far, but i haven't tried me3.

In any event, Mass Effect is the highest rated game trilogy this generation.

[humbleopinion]

Not only that, but ME1 was very highly rated as well, with a Metacritic score of over 90, something the first Uncharted didn't manage to pull. Claiming it was "nothing to write home about" as the article does is quite ridiculous.

[bobrea]

lol @ all of the horrible comparisons you dumbasses are pulling out of your ass. I hate this site.

[PersonMan]

Uncharted 3 was better than Uncharted 2. I enjoyed the story more and I love huge set pieces.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

Both Uncharted and Mass Effect are highly overrated.
Good games no doubt but I could game peacefully without either.
Downloading ME3 as typing via controller
Opinion piece :)

[Nac]

I liked UC3 more than UC2, there I said it. Hell, I would venture to say that UC2 is the better "game" where UC3 is the better experience. The desert, oh how I love the desert.

[srcBFMVBMTH]

To me, Uncharted 3's story was just AS good as Uncharted 2 if not better. But as a whole package, Uncharted 3's multiplayer and coop far surpass Uncharted 2's. So overall, I believe Uncharted 3 was the superior game.

[Anti-Fanboyer]

Destined to be Uncharted 3? More like destined to be PS3 Skyrim of 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Alos88]

"What happens when Mass Effect 3 concludes and that's it for your character? Are you really going to be left with the same level of excitement that you had when you concluded Mass Effect 2? "

That's the thing, it's the end of a trilogy, I'm not looking for excitement, I'm hoping for satisfaction.

[ghaleon1980]

Uh oh looks like we have us a PS3 fanboy civil war, haha.

Gamezone.com, what have you done? :)

[SnukaTheMan]

You can CONTINUE the uncharted story from uncharted 2...to uncharted 3.....you cant do that with mass effect 3 still...well at least I cant.

[blackz001]

Hey guys. Here´s a real nice fanmade trailer!
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Arts1000]

MY EXPERIENCE ; .........I played though 3 once and I played U2 .......6 times .

oh ya .... and in keeping with this silly thread .
" My Rattle is bigger than yours "

[mantisimo]

I played them both equally but because of the tweeks allowed in 2 that were absent in 3 I think replayability is greater in 2 for the campaign.

But the MP in 3 is much more in depth with customisation and kickbacks etc.

[tigertron]

Uncharted 3 to me, was a let down. Its a brilliant game no doubt about it, but UC2 was better in every way, especially in the multiplayer department. I blame this on ND splitting up into two teams to work on The Last of Us (looking forward to it) and the implementation of 3D downgrading the graphics.

Regardless of what I think, each and every one of us has our own opinion so lets not argue why one game is better than the other.

[TBONEJF]

Not in a million years. Mass Effect is mostly a FPS. Uncharted is a FPS/PLATFORM game

[tigertron]

FPS? don't you mean TPS?

[FATAL1TY]

mass effect 3 = Garbage

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

oldgen animations
oldgen graphics

[Clarence]

Bioshock infinite will be garbage ME 3 will easily top it.