Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Beta Review

Written by Cole Burton Wednesday, 29 June 2011 08:52

Uncharted 3 is easily one of the most anticipated games of the year.  In fact, it is almost undoubtedly the most anticipated PS3 game of the year.  And at long last, Naughty Dog’s Multiplayer Beta has been released to all PS Plus subscribers and Infamous 2 purchasers.  In other words, pretty much everyone on PS3 can access this thanks to the Welcome Back Package Sony released earlier this month.  So, let’s see if this beta is enough to hold us over until the release of the full game November 1st.  

After starting up the Uncharted 3 beta, the first thing you will notice is the TV at the bottom right of your screen.  It shows trailers and interviews for Uncharted 3.  A very cool feature I don’t recall ever seeing in a beta before.  You can full screen and unmute the video with a couple button presses and pass the time while waiting for friends to join your game.  

You will also notice the customization settings.  It allows you to set up classes with weapons, boosters, and kickbacks.  You can also select your preferred heroes and villains and change the color of their uniforms.  This is nice in that it allows matches with 6 different Drake’s so they can all be different from each other.  You can buy more weapons, boosters, and kickbacks as well buy earning money in the multiplayer and co op game modes, just like in Uncharted 2.

You will also be able to create your own emblem just like in Call of Duty: Black Ops.  This gives you a unique callsign, and gives your fallen foes something pretty to look at as they wait to respawn.  As of right now, the emblem-creating system is far from perfect, as you are not able to move around anything, only rotate and rescale.  This is something I definitely see changing in the full game, but for now it is a bit of a letdown in the beta.

Now, let’s move on to what matters.  The multiplayer and co op game modes will be changing during the course of the beta.  Right now, there is only one co op mode and 4 multiplayer modes.  The current co op mode -- arena -- pits you and 2 friends against enemy AIs while you try to obtain treasures and bring them back, kill enemies from a certain area, and other mini modes.

The current multiplayer modes are Team Deathmatch, Free for All, Three Team Deathmatch, and Hardcore.  Team Deathmatch is, of course, you working in a team to beat the other team.  Get kills and don’t die.  Easy enough, right?  Free for all is the same, but with no team of course.  Then, Three Team Deathmatch is Team Deathmatch but with 3 small teams instead of 2 medium sized teams.  Lastly, Hardcore mode is Team Deathmatch but without boosters or kickbacks, just you and your skills.

The beta had a rough start, and was freezing gamers PS3s as well as preventing them from getting back in the multiplayer afterwards.  However, Naughty Dog did an excellent job in fixing the beta quickly for all of us eager Uncharted fans.  I have had no problems with the beta since that fix and am very happy with it.  For the 5 or 6 of you PS3 gamers that don’t have PS Plus or an Infamous 2 code, you are really missing out.  But do not fear, you will be in on the action soon!  I recommend checking it out ASAP and pre-ordering Uncharted 3 from Amazon immediately if you have yet to do so.