A
few weeks ago, I wrote to those still playing Gears of War 3, asking for some mercy on new players with the
objective of growing the player base in spite of competition from emerging
heavyweights like Call of Duty: Modern
Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3. I
don't know if my advice inspired anyone to change their ways, but I've since
noticed that there are other new releases that are hurting as well; games on
different platforms that still need to contend with Activision and EA's FPS juggernauts. In this case, I'm referring specifically to Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.
With
the single player campaign done and dusted, I opted to trial the multiplayer
suite for the better part of last week. While I could find a match in some of
the more unconventional modes - like the ridiculously fun Team Objective, and
the promising Co-op Hunter Arena - most of the lobbies were desolate. I had to
wait five to fifteen minutes to find a game in Team Deathmatch, while other
modes featured wait times that exceeded half an hour (if I was lucky enough to
find a match at all). Things aren't looking good for Naughty Dog's latest
effort in terms of longevity.
I
can see why the game's having trouble standing out from the crowd. Hit
detection is a bit inconsistent, and players can generally take a bit of damage
(read: you're a bullet sponge) before dying. Further to that, the action is
pretty unbalanced with the various Boosters and Kickbacks in play. Access to a
limited arsenal early on also provides little reason to persist. I think if
players were allowed access to a substantially expanded range of weapons early
on, the developers may have been able to counter aspects of the steep learning
curve.
I
know that another issue that developers must account for is the need to reward
persistent players, but perhaps this is where some cosmetic customisation
options could have been used to better effect. Weapon skins, taunts, clothing items: elements that would
otherwise not alter the gameplay dynamics are there for the dedicated members
of the community, while a respectable range of kit can get n00bs standing on
their own two feet. As it stands, however, I have access to just over a handful
of different weapons and my contribution to my team's score is often
underwhelming.
This should be an endgame pursuit
Finally,
the Co-op Adventure mode is just flat-out disappointing. With a focus on repetitive
combat and lazy narrative sequences, the oppressively-difficult levels feel
slapped together and entirely unnecessary. I expected a lot more from this
mode, particularly with the signs of promise shown by its predecessor.
There
is a lot to like though. Vertical movement-oriented maps allow for a great
variety of strategies to be employed. The fluid platforming mechanics also
translate well to fast-paced multiplayer standards like King of the Hill and
Marked Man. Team Deathmatch games often have some dramatic openings on moving
vehicles, making for some awe-inspiring takedowns and breathtaking visuals that
would not be possible in other, more conventional shooters. Stealth takedowns
and convincing animations also add weight to the argument that Uncharted 3's mutliplayer component is
well worth experiencing.
Incomparable thrills and (potential) spills
With
that in mind, it's a shame then that Naughty Dog didn't think much about the
plight of new players. Especially in the weeks and months after launch, where
those more experienced players will exploit a commanding arsenal of weapons as
well as passive and active abilities against new recruits.
What
are your thoughts on Uncharted 3's
multiplayer offering? Is it worth playing with all the other shooters on the
market right now?
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