Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Review – The Start of a Legend

🎮 Introduction

This is where it all began. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune introduced the world to Nathan Drake, a hero who felt less like a super-soldier and more like a guy who was just really good at getting into trouble. Playing it today, you can feel the DNA of every cinematic game that followed.

For a dad, this is the perfect "popcorn gaming" experience. It’s not trying to be an open-world time sink. It’s a focused, linear adventure that wants to tell you a fun story about pirates, gold, and betrayal. It’s the gaming equivalent of watching Raiders of the Lost Ark on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection

The best way to play the original trilogy. Remastered 1080p/60fps visuals make Drake's Fortune feel smoother and look sharper than ever.

🌍 Story & Atmosphere

The premise is classic pulp: Sir Francis Drake’s coffin is found empty, leading Nate and reporter Elena Fisher on a hunt for El Dorado. The writing is sharp, witty, and surprisingly grounded. Nate isn't a stoic hero; he stumbles, he jokes, and he gets scared.

The atmosphere is what sells it. The transition from sunny jungle ruins to dark, claustrophobic bunkers is masterful. You feel like you are in the movie. The banter between Nate and his mentor Sully is the heart of the game, establishing a father-son dynamic that carries the entire franchise. Even years later, the "twist" in the third act still hits with a creepy effectiveness.

🕹️ Gameplay & Mechanics

Let’s be honest: the gameplay has aged. It’s a cover shooter from 2007, and it feels like it. The shooting can be a bit floaty, and the enemies are sometimes "bullet sponges." But you know what? It doesn't matter.

The mix of climbing, shooting, and puzzle-solving creates a rhythm that keeps you engaged. The puzzles are never too hard—just enough to make you feel smart (like checking Drake's journal). The "Quick Time Events" (QTEs) are used sparingly to add cinematic flair to fistfights or escapes. And yes, the jet ski section is still annoying, but it’s a rite of passage!

🎨 Graphics, Audio & Performance

If you play the Remastered version (in the Nathan Drake Collection), it looks surprisingly good. The water effects—Naughty Dog’s trademark—are still impressive. The jungle feels lush and dense.

The audio, however, is timeless. Greg Edmonson’s score is iconic, swelling with brass and percussion every time you pull off a daring escape. The voice acting by Nolan North (Nate), Richard McGonagle (Sully), and Emily Rose (Elena) set a new standard for the industry. They sound like real people, not cartoon characters.

👨‍👧 The Dad Perspective

• Session Length: Perfect. Chapters are short. You can play for 20 minutes, hit a checkpoint, and stop.
• Pause Factor: You can pause anytime, even in cutscenes.
• Kids: My kids loved watching the climbing sections ("Don't fall, Dad!"). The violence is constant but bloodless. It’s very "TV-14".
• Difficulty: Play on "Normal" or "Easy" if you just want the story. "Crushing" is frustrating and not recommended for a relaxing dad session.

✅ Pros & Cons

📌 FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions