Sony's known for great first party games, and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is no exception.
Plenty of shenanigans ensue, with you dashing through a lush jungle and ancient ruins, fending off pirates and jumping over a waterfall, all the while enjoying a phenomenal cinematic experience
@Gaara42, I must say I dissagree: while gaming categories might put both in 'action' mentally they fall completelly differently: Ratchett feels for kids, with Pixar type appeal, while Uncharted has adult characters. For me neither Lair nor Heavenly Sword felt adult oriented, both felt a lot more for a younger audience. I'm not saying I have an idea how this will affect sales... i'm just saying.
One thing that worries me, especially reading a recent moderator post about taking off older titles because first 3 months of data accurately predict: trading might stop, but for games like Uncharted and Ratchett I expect to hit big numbers because of install base and bundles 6-12 months from now. Countries getting bundles, platinum collections, price drops: for a long time IMO to come they will be recomended by PS3 owners to new ones as definitory exclusives so that I think will account for a lot.
You seem to have ignored the holiday sales push. Those titles were released nowhere near the holidays.
Besides, Uncharted is practically the only big title left coming out for the PS3 this year. A lot of PS3s will be sold this holiday season and Uncharted has the benefit of being the only highly-hyped PS3 title this holiday period.
We also still lack knowledge regarding the game's quality which Lair and Heavenly Sword did poorly on. Granted that R&C was critically-acclaimed, again, there's the "kiddy" image that it has going which does affect sales unrightfully.
Also, the sales of the two games you mentioned are monthly US sales. Although they contribute to the worldwide sales, they may not matter as much given that the US is the PS3's worst performing region.
I'm not contending that 1.5M may be a bit high and it most probably is. I simply voiced out my opinions which you may have overlooked.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction are basically in the same genre, one in Action Adventure, the other is Action. You assume that because Uncharted: Drake's Fortune received a T rating and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction received a E rating that Uncharted somehow resonates with the PS3 crowd more than Ratchet. Ratchet sold pretty well on the PS2 and was a respected series, so why would it resonate less with the PS3 crowd?
The claim you make is quite extraordinary and I would need to see equally good data to back up such a claim. At the moment I do not see such data and therefore based off of current data this game will do poorly sales wise. Consider Lair, which would fit your 'mature' PS3 crowd quite well, sold 38.71% worse than we anticipated settling at 57,800 copies in its first month. Heavenly Sword, which would also fit your 'mature' PS3 crowd, yet did 23.37% worse than we predicted, settling 139,000 copies in its first month. Both these were as hyped, if not more so, as much as Uncharted, yet both sold much less than we anticipated. Combine that this game will be facing stiffer competition than they did and it doesn't seem likely that a new IP will be able to get 1.5 million sales on a struggling console.
Due to these factors the game should be around 100-115DKP.
@Gaara42, Well you have to consider the genre of the game as well. I think that a title like Uncharted is more in-tune with the PS3's mature hardcore user base. It also has the benefit of being released in the holiday season.
With the string of disappointing sales figures that have accompanied recent high-profile PS3 releases this game will likely do worse than predicted (much like Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction which did 42.34% worse than we expected in its first month. This game has been riding high on the Naughty Dog name, hype, and some good reviews (a 86 metacritic score predicted). Due to this a price of 100DKP seems more accurate considering the current trend for PS3 exclusives.
The breadth of Uncharted's entertaining acrobatics/gunfight gameplay mix more than makes up for its shortcomings, as does the safe but satisfying story (even if it does get a little ridiculous by the end). It's definitely the type of game that makes you glad you have a PS3.
By starting with a great control and camera system, building on that with excellent combat and a wonderful spin on Ico's platform adventuring, and then topping it off with a decent storyline, Naughty Dog has cooked up one of the most relentlessly entertaining, fat-free games to emerge in ages.
@yamaro, I was just about to post this. Awesome news, PS3 needed this gem.
I also liked these quotes: "Uncharted does what few titles manage -- it completely immerses you in its experience. From the moment the game begins with a sweeping camera move through the waters off Panama, a rich score and the words of Sir Francis Drake etched on screen, Uncharted will have you hooked. It'll maintain that hold with its story, style and gameplay."
"Non-playable characters with spot-on AI is something we don't see enough of in games."
I'm big on AI, story, & gameplay myself. I hope this title gets the sales it deserves.
Here's the thing about Uncharted, the final sum is far greater than the individual parts. Maybe you don't dig the combat or maybe the pop-in gets you down, but the overall package of an endearing story, outstanding score, great performances and fun gameplay should put this title on the top of your holiday wishlist. Uncharted isn't just a standout for Sony -- it's a standout for gaming as a whole. Presentation 9.5; Graphics 9.0; Sound 9.5; Gameplay 9.0; Lasting Appeal 8.5; **Overall 9.1**
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