David-D--Nelson“A Thief's End” could be a literal statement.
Maybe it's just me, but the feel of this next Uncharted is precarious in my mind. Nathan Drake voice star Nolan North voiced his opinion that this could be the final Drake adventure and signs seem to be pointed in that direction elsewhere.
Other than the subtitle we recently learned that Naughty Dog is having a small mental identity crisis. We know they want to show us just who Nathan Drake is, but seem to be playing a balancing act by preempting thoughts that Uncharted may go way dark like The Last of Us.
That sounds like they want to finally reveal the whole character, and thus end his story. There's no way this wouldn't cause some dark turns for the franchise, and the overall feel of their trailer is murky. Uncharted has dealt with some of that painful human grittiness before, it would be nothing new, so I believe them when Naughty Dog says Uncharted 4 will retain the overall comical adventure tone. I also think it won't all be fun and games.
However Nathan Drake ends his story, it would be a shame to lose this franchise. Some say it can't continue without him, others wouldn't mind a new cast. I propose another option: the franchise continues with Chloe Frazer, Drake's sometimes partner in numerous situations.
Is she strong enough to pick up and carry the legacy? She's the most physically tough female character of the series, she has all the worldwide hookups that Drake does, her sense of humor is dry and irreverent, plus she doesn't seem like the type to retire.
As a character worth exploring she could have a great deal of back story to draw from, Drake could still take a side role as he has been a part of her adventuring experience, and we deserve a look at why she plays the game a bit dirtier than he does. What drives her? She's not the hero Drake is, but could he inspire her to become one?
On the flip side with a female protagonist you get the fact that Uncharted could just become a competitor to Tomb Raider in consumer's eyes. Tomb Raider's female heroine adventuress routine is kind of locked up tight after that awesome reboot. After all, Uncharted was originally conceived as a kind of “Dude Raider.” So maybe it wouldn't be the best idea. Then again, we just found out Lara will be leaving Playstation and Chloe could be needed to step in.
If Nathan Drake makes his exit I'd be okay with Chloe taking the reigns. I'd also be okay with new characters, but I believe fans want to stay as close to home as possible.
Do you think Chloe can or should carry Uncharted if Nathan Drake's story is complete?
… In other news, but sorta related: The next Tomb Raider will be an Xbone (timed?) exclusive.
What's you guys thought about that? As for me, I totally hate that whole exclusiveness business. It's not in the gamers best interest, and I don't care what anyone says.
I only became aware of it in the middle of writing this (you can tell where), and I'm pretty not happy about it. I assume it is just a desperate attempt from a dying MS gaming endeavor and PS4 will get a better version later.
@Beamboom: Agreed but smart business move by MS to counterpunch Uncharted 4. They need to start moving consoles and this will certainly help. that being said it does stink.
Not even sure if it is a timed exclusive.
It'll come over eventually. Just like Mass Effect and many others. If MS doesn't own it, it will make it's rounds eventually.
One thing im upset about TR is that MS probably gain some sales for being exclusive, use those money to pay SE off. So microsoft does not financially gain from this move. They are paying to keep us gamers from playing it and SE agreed!
Theres the TR definitive editoon, but I wont buy it now because I wont get the full experience with other games. Lost for you SE
The only good thing from this deal is that this game is not going to be hampered trying to cater to last gen systems. It will eventually come around to the PS4 for sure.
@surfer: Of course it is a smart move by Microsoft. Just like buying up the best developers back then was a smart move by Sony. Smart from a business-perspective, but darn annoying for the gamers on other platforms nonetheless.
@Underdog: The first Mass Effect came far, far too late for the consoles. I'd rather use that as a worst case scenario of how long it might take.
But the wording is in this case a bit interesting. It was something like "exclusive on the Xbone for the holiday season 2015" or something like that – indicating that it might only be a timed exclusive for the holidays.
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/12/2014 2:21:52 PM
Beam, have other timed exclusives used that language? Or do they merely say "available only on XBOX360"? That isn't a lie, afterall.
Underdog, the exact quote is, "exclusive on Xbox for holiday 2015". It may indicate that it's exclusive only for the holidays.
But never mind that. Sony won, easily. Screw Lara Croft, I *want* WiLD!
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/12/2014 2:56:31 PM
@Beam:ok,but after that i stil like to play with her also
@Slow: Well, uhm… Yeah.
Exclusivity sux.
I have a feeling that one year later PS4 will get Rise of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition.
Would love to see Chloe take over. I'll be skipping Tomb Raider (and SE) games from this point forward so I really would love to see Chloe go head to head with Croft. After all she'll have 2-3 times as many potential machines to show up on.
Chloe would make for a great successor to Drake. But do you really think that would go over well with the gaming community?
The consumers that don't mind would keep to themselves about it in contrast to the loud winy gamers complaining with there underwear in a twist because U5 didn't go the way they wanted. Meanwhile if ND kept Drake reviewers would condemn it for not being innovative enough.
In reality the the game would still be awesome and I would enjoy playing it. As Chloe if need be.
I think it would cause serious ripples, but if ND delivered what it always does then all that would smooth away.
Id be for this one thousand percent. Or Nate and Elena's son actually being the protagonist of UC4 and he is retracing his father's steps ala Drake with Sir Francis. Nice job putting it out there in the cosmos, World.
Keepin it real for the peeps 🙂
Yes, Chloe would be a great Uncharted female lead.
Crystal Dynamics can kiss my gaming money goodbye!
If I buy any of their games it will be used. I hope PS fans boycott the next downloadable game.
Done with Square. Screw Lara Croft and the bastards at E3. Keep your FFXV square, and shove it right up your arse.
I'd love to see Chloe take over. She's a total cool chick. But, she would definitely need an origins story type of game.
i dont know – Uncharted is tied to Drake – just wouldnt be the same draw. As much as I enjoyed Resistance 3 – it just felt wrong playing as Capaldi and not Nathan Hale and took away from the experience. Similarly I just cant think of Mass Effect without Shepherd.
Capaldi?
No.
I'd be completely fine with Chloe taking over the lead. She's a great character and the gameplay wouldn't be altered. It would also potentially open up new story opportunities. It would also help with losing Tomb Raider, if it is indeed a true exclusive and not just timed.
I love Claudia Black, and anything that gets her more work is A-Okay with me.
Nah. This is one of your wishes. I've been reading your comments for awhile on this subject and this is pretty much conceived from something you want. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Nor is she a bad character. But a lead? Nope. I just don't think the Chloe we know can steal the show. If you get rid of Drake it has to be a character that makes us forget about him. And thats the biggest problem. Uncharted is tied to Drake. It's going to be a tough thing to accomplish.