Debate! Uncharted: lost in a wave, or system mover?

by Nick Doerr { Oct 23rd 2007 at 6:30PM }

There's an interesting little quibble over at Ars Technica about the relevance of Uncharted to the holiday performance of the PS3. There are two sides: Frank and Ben. Frank thinks the game will be a surprise hit in November, worthy of praise and front-page reviews, etc. Ben thinks it'll get lost in the tidal wave of excellent games due out in November. Did somebody say sitcom?

Seeing as how most of the other games due out are multiplatform titles, it would be foolish to think Uncharted isn't on most PS3 owner's radars. Naughty Dog is a huge Sony-supportive company and the game itself, well, built from the ground up on PS3, it looks damn nice. So is a high volume of titles (a lot of shooters, it seems) really all it takes to bury this hyped up game? Ben thinks so. Frank, however, is smart. We kid, we kid. Both make valid arguments. How do you guys feel about Uncharted? Is it going to make a splash on the PS3, or bellyflop into oblivion in the wake of stuff like Haze, Call of Duty 4, and Unreal Tournament 3 (despite the delay)?

Tags: naughty-dog, uncharted

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stef Geiger @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:41PM

If I was to only buy ONE game this year, it'd definitely be Uncharted. There's no way it's getting "lost", it's one of only a few truly unique and new IPs, and it looks extremely promising.

Andy @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:41PM

I honestly feel its a system seller. If Sony actually advertises this game then it will move systems.

There are lots of great games coming out, but this one will easily reach the 1 million mark.

I cannot wait till I get my hands on R&C.

Zombie Huggles @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:45PM

I think Uncharted will be one of the best selling games this Holiday season. That's a total guess, but it has a lot going for it. If I'm not mistaken, every Naughty Dog game has gone to greatest hits, so there is definitely a fanbase for ND, and the gameplay is tried-and-true enough to attract any gamer, while presenting enough "new" to stand out. At least, that's why I plan to buy it over Unreal, Assassin's Creed, and Army of Two. But I do plan to buy AC and AoT as well,I just have a priority for the order of purchases.

sectionz @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:46PM

remember how bioshock had game of the year written all over it but then portal came out and broke through the clutter because it was totally awesome .. well this is going to be more the bioshock thing.

Andy @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:46PM

I am slowly narrowing my game list down this holiday season. The only games I have to have are Uncharted, R&C , Haze and Assasins Creed.

frankym @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:47PM

To be perfectly honest......I am a huge ps3 supporter and I have already paid for a copy of Uncharted, however, I simply don't know how this game will ultimately turn out. Heavenly sword looked amazing all the way up through release, however, the game was good, not great. This game looks great....but for some strange reason it feels like it will only be good. Don't know if its the cheezy acting or the new genere....IMHO it simply does not have the appeal that...lets say....Assasins Creed has.

hiiro @ Oct 25th 2007 5:05PM

I own all 3 systems and with the insane amount of titles coming in November, Uncharted is right up there above most of my choices. I'm getting this on release.

If the public ignores this game then I question the taste of today's gamers. It would be Beyond Good and Evil all over again.

Carl @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:54PM

I say it will be a hit. Lots of people will buy it. But it wont move a lot of Systems. But who knows, with the 40GB Coming, its still a possibility.

leiwei @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:54PM

To me bioshock was great, but definitely not GoTY material. I felt they could've done more to it, otherwise I think SS2 was better than Bioshock. This game is a definite buy for me, but many view it as a TR-clone w/o the boobs. In a public sense though, I think Uncharted's going to get swamped by other big names such as Mass Effect and CoD4, both of which are also definite-buys.

RazielDune @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:57PM

Uncharted is Definitly on my TO BUY this year list.

Konchu @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:00PM

I dont think this game by itself is a system seller. But I think it is a system justifier and one more game that will tip the scales of value for the PS3.

But lets be fair there are only a couple of games for each system that ever become true system sellers and they are generally estabished brands that have a following. For instance MGS4 or FFXIII I have no doubt will move systems. For 360 it was Halo3 for Wii SSBB probably will. There are others too and occationally a new franchise can rock the boat all franchises gotta start somewhere :)

mccomber @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:06PM

This is a game that a lot of ps3 owners will buy, that's for sure. Whether it makes a big impact this season depends on how Sony advertises this title, and the ps3 as a whole. It certainly needs to have the spotlight placed on it, preferably before it releases.

Frank @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:26PM

I think it'll sell reasonably well, but won't move systems.

ruibing @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:26PM

Uncharted and R&C are going to be for it for the holiday season for me.

boxmyth @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:28PM

The only game I'm looking forward to more than Uncharted is Mario Galaxy. Lucky for me there's two weeks between the two.
But yes, I think Uncharted looks different enough (see: less brown) that people could see it as something different and intriguing.
You know they're already planning Uncharted 2: Drake's Revenge either way.

KiraXD @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:36PM

wtf? this is one of those hits that ive been waiting for since i first saw it... lost under what tidal wave? Uncharted is a major part of said tidal wave... who the hell mentioned UTIII? its not even out till next year... R&C seems smaller than this as well.... army of two... next year...
so we got Assassins Creed (but its multi plat game), HAZE, CoD4 (another Multiplat game) so as far as ACTUAL PS3 EXCLUSIVES.... Uncharted is on the top...

Luke @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:38PM

I have this and Assasins Creed reserved. Can't wait for both titles.

Starfire @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:42PM

I may be surprised, but without anyone knowing Drake, I think it's more something to appeal to people who already have the system, hopefully it pushes the PS3 further. Front page reviews and amazing quality could make it a big hit, though.

Joe DelFranco @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:58PM

This game is definitely a system seller and I am definitely going to buy it without a doubt.

Popfrogs @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:06PM

If they advertise the hell out of it, put it in every PS3 kiosk in the country, etc. it will be a system seller. I bet alot of people bought the PS3 for Motorstorm when they made a little push with that game. This game, however, stands to be much, much better.

OrganicShadow @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:14PM

I think it has the potential to move systems, but hardly anyone really seems to know about it other than us internerds.

Random1448 @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:16PM

I don't think it'll entice anyone to buy a PS3, but I think those that have a PS3 will definitely be picking this up.

BK @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:32PM

Uncharted won't get lost in the shuffle, but it's not a system mover either. The first real system seller for PS3 will be Metal Gear (Warhawk and Heavenly Sword helped sell a few systems but nowhere to the extent that Metal Gear and FFXIII will).

I have a PS3 and I'm not sure if I'm going to buy Uncharted since I plan on spending money on R&C, Rock Band, UT3, and Army of 2.

John @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:33PM

It will make a splash IF there is a demo of it playing on Kiosks, otherwise only fanboys will know or care. Could be interesting, having it go up against Ratchet and Clank. But for those who have trusted Insomniac and Naughty Dog in the past, they will be less likely to need to see a demo. The demo would catch the eye of passersby, and the fluid human animation won't be lost on those who are used to seeing kiosks with car games, fps, and anime sports.

Andy @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:36PM

GT5. Killer Application. System Mover. Real.

doc j @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:37PM

I do not yet own a PS3, but when this game comes out I will be purchasing one. I don't know that it has a lot to do with Uncharted by itself, it just seems that now all is finally aligned to justify a PS3. What with the price drop, the impending rumble, finally a decent list of solid titles (one game will easily last me a month to six weeks... alas, where is my free time?).

To me, Uncharted seems like a tipping point more than anything else. So I guess you can say it is a quasi-system mover.

qwerter @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:56PM

no doubt im getting this game but i have to get COD4 first.. then the PSeye...then this game...then haze...then UT3...then..im in debt..=/

drdre74 @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:02PM

I'm hoping this is a great game and sales. I like what I see so far and I'm going to get when its released.

Killer @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:05PM

Alan Wake? >;> I kid. Back on topic...I think it will be a great game (I'm not really into these type of games) but I doubt it will be a giant system mover. (you never know though) It will move consoles as much as any other game that comes out that several people only want that game purchases.

Spoon!! @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:07PM

I plan on buying Uncharted but I don't think it'll be a system seller. It'll likely be viewed and reviewed as a Tomb Raider clone.

My must buys games between now and end of year:

Uncharted (PS3)
Orange Box (PS3)
COD4 (PS3)
Mass Effect (XB360)
Blacksite (XB360)

Orange Box and COD4 will depend on whether or not the multi-player feature is the same as on the XB360.

Muzzle Flash @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:50PM

I love Naughty Dog....I remember 94' or 95' ish when I first got a PS1 and I popped in Crash Bandicoot...good times...

I will get this game when the price drops, good or bad reviews, they pioneered for the PS brand, and I'll support them with the utmost dedication...

From a logical and non fanboyish standpoint...this game will be amazing, and when the price drops I'll play, to many games on my radar right now, and so little money, to shell out $60.00 for a game with no replay value, this game would be perfect for online, co-op or versus even, rolling across cover and such, it could seriously work, and i hope anyone working for Naughty Dog sees this, and hears this... :Co-Op or Versus would really add allot of life to this game, make a patch update....Tekken did it...

Valin @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:56PM

All they have to do is advertise it. Once the oublic sees that the same people who made JAk and Daxter are behind this, than those casual gamers will creep up the sony just a little bit further.

mater @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:27PM

between this game and the price drop i will be buying a ps3 finally. so it sold the system to me(system seller). also gt5 (favorite game series)and haze coming out soon dont hurt either. also final fantasy eventually coming onto the ps3 is another reason. i've been torn between 360 and ps3 since ps3 came out, almost got 360 after playing halo 3 at a friends
but now with the games coming out on ps3 i know who i'm choosing now. great value and besides that pretty much any game you play on a 360 you can play on pc.

all that said i guess a lot of different things coming together has made me get a ps3, but i have been watching this game for a long time and it looks amazing, i didnt think lair looked that great, heavenly sword looked pretty good but i could tell it would get kinda lame, basicaly a button masher. but this game to me looks like it's gonna be a great game.

mater @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:32PM

why aren the guys at sony advertising this game much? or really much of any game? for the most part only watch fox, abc, nbc, cbs which i think get the most viewers on average and i have never seen this game advertised on tv. i havent seen much for any other games either. i just see the games talked about on here and joystiq.

Ithilis @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:32PM

When I bought the system after the original price drop, this game was one of the justifications for it. I grew up worshiping Indiana Jones, and I'll play anything that shares the same sense of adventure.

In all honesty, though, I don't think it's going to move systems. As others have said, GT5, MGS4 and FFXIII will for sure, but this will just get lost in the holiday shuffle. Plus, the PS3 still has too much of a stigma surrounding it for a new IP to move systems..

DOmeN @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:57PM

I definatly feel this is a system mover. I have had my eye on this game since it was just "untitles naughty dog game" back a few years at E3, haha. I think it will shine in the end.

Sammy @ Oct 24th 2007 1:10AM

I really thought this game showed promise at the start.

I just watched a jet ski video on Game Trailers. I sometimes get the feeling Naughty Dog has not really learnt much about game design... To begin with it looked railed, but to contradict that it was actually stop and start gameplay. rather than a free for all race for ones life, you seemed to spend time shooting explosive barrels in the water (which would have blown up your vehicle no doubt)...before stopping to individually shoot each bad guy...drive a very tiny but further...surely this defeats the point of the jet ski's inclusion in the first place.

Really I hope they get it right but....anyway just look at what I mean in case you think I am bias in some way?

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/26771.html

There is a high def version too.

Nate @ Oct 24th 2007 12:21AM

I don't see how this can be a system mover. It's not a big name franchise and it's not really anything new and exciting. It's a next-gen Tomb Raider, and that's fine, but it's not going to make anyone so impressed they'll drop $400 on a console. Then again, I'd say the same thing about Halo 3, so what do I know? At least that's a big-name franchise.

Plus, there's not nearly enough of a marketing push behind this... hell, I heard 10 times as much about Heavenly Sword as I've heard about this. I hear lots of talk about the buzz, but I don't hear the buzz, and I follow PS3 info pretty closely.

So... I don't think it'll be a mover at all. I think it looks like a good game, but everyone I know is waiting for FFXII before they make the jump. Wake me up when something earth shaking comes out.

ryano @ Oct 24th 2007 1:49AM

unreal is out this year for PS3 and PC. 360 next year.

this seems like Beyond Good and Evil type of game. Really good but who will ever know?

i've never seen a marketing campaign quite like Halo 3.
i've not seen anything for Uncharted yet.

PS3 owners will dig it. but the rest of the world won't even know it existed. plus multiplayer games like Halo 3 and SSBB also RPGS have more appeal than single player adventures like these. people just want more bang for their buck now.

so....hardly a system mover.

Haiddasalami @ Oct 24th 2007 11:20AM

definetly...ppl have ben waiting for this game since those early image leaks...

canuch @ Oct 24th 2007 12:45PM

I don't think it is a system mover in the sense that non-ps3 owners already know they will be buying a ps3 for it. But I do think it will be a huge sleeper hit. If it is as great as I anticipate, once people play it, word of mouth may turn it into a system seller.

It is funny, as I orginally wrote this game off, as Tomb Raider with a dick. But in the last month it has become my most anticipated title. It is also going into a genre which is much less saturated than the FPS genre COD4 will fall under.

~S

kentuckyfried @ Oct 25th 2007 12:32AM

If Uncharted fails to attract an audience b/c it comes in with an abysmal rating from IGN, it'll be an ugly holiday season for Sony.

Haze looks good, but there doesn't seem to be alot of depth with it as a shooter. Sure...the catch is that you can take advantage of the enemy soliders b/c they're amped on whatever drug they're consuming, but aside from that...it's a shooter. One that's coming out at a time when consoles are saturated with shooters. Haze may success, but I think it'll be an uphill battle, judging by the beautiful, but plot-wise cryptically unimpressive trailers.

COD4 will probably be awesome, but it's multi-platform. Sony will not gain an advantage here unless the 360 developers screw it up. By the way that Gamestop is pushing COD4 for the 360 (no goodies for ps3 pre-orders, but a dvd freebie and some other thing for the 360 release), the 360 will be raking in most of the sales for that title.

So that leaves Uncharted. It needs to succeed as a ps3 standalone exclusive. This is not say that there aren't any good ones (Heavenly Sword, Foklore, Ratchet and Clank, etc), but the ps3 needs an absolutely spectacular, perfect, you-must-buy-the-console-to-have-me title to fend off the wave of detractors who keep emphasizing the lack of AAA exclusives on the ps3 that are available before the Christmas shopping season.