Earlier this week, I reviewed Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Unlike most other outlets, my feelings for the game ran only lukewarm.

The reason for this is easily summarized. The previous game, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, boasts an excellent storyline, deep character development and some of the most exotic and satisfying environments in any game of this generation. In retrospect, the controls did feel a bit outdated, but I never noticed the mechanical issues while I was playing because the narrative elements of the game were so thoroughly engrossing.

Drake’s Deception, meanwhile, botched the storyline, glossed over character development and waited until the final act to introduce any awe-inspiring settings. With nothing else to distract me, the gameplay somehow seemed even worse. In short, compared to its predecessor, Drake’s Deception is a hot mess. (more…)