Even our mums knows who Lara Croft is, but Nathan Drake, the star of Naughty Dog's Uncharted series? We're not so sure. Yet. But director Bruce Straley believes Drake is already up there in terms of popularity with the PlayStation audience.
When we asked if Drake could ever be as big as Lara, Straley replied, "Why, do you think he's not already there, if not beyond that point already, in terms of popularity?
"I feel that Nathan Drake can stand on his own in any line up of the video game pantheon," he told us.
"We've created something new with him by infusing him with traits more associated with a good movie protagonist than just a video game icon. It's not just us drinking the kool-aid either - according to not an insignificant number of reviews, press, and forums, people have really taken to Nathan Drake's character.
"I think people like him because he's compelling, and a much needed breath of fresh air in an industry that's been a bit stale for a while, in terms of characters," Straley told us in a recent interview.
I like Nathan Drake, sort of reminds me of John McClane from Die Hard muttering to himself about the crap he's got himself into. Can't wait for the next Uncharted.
In terms of recognisability, Drake is still way behind. But in terms of review scores and actually being a believable humanised character, he runs away with it.
But Lara Croft has been exciting impressionable geeks for sometime with her ludicrously large digital bosom for years, and clearly Drake does not have the allure that she has to become ‘larger’ that her.
Does that mean in the second part they have shoved some socks down his pants to make him more appealing to the female audience?
In terms of recognisability, Drake is still way behind. But in terms of review scores and actually being a believable humanised character, he runs away with it.
aye but give him a few years advertising Lucozade and a decent boob job and he'd be just as big a household name.
got to say that after playing the latest Tomb Raider maybe its just time to give it up. Uncharted blew me away with action, great combat, good climbing mechanics, adventure and humour. only 2 of these would make it into a Lara game and you'd just have to be bored and backflipping around enemies for the whole game.
and whatever happened to xBob who said that TR:Underworld would breath new life into the series and that the combat had evolved since the first game. in the words of a few posters on here, EPIC FAIL
But Lara Croft has been exciting impressionable geeks for sometime with her ludicrously large digital bosom for years, and clearly Drake does not have the allure that she has to become ‘larger’ that her.
Does that mean in the second part they have shoved some socks down his pants to make him more appealing to the female audience?
Never stopped Indiana Jones being popular, did it? And I'd much rather watch one of those movies instead of Tombraider, regardless of boob size!
Drake is a character that more people can associate with. Well, more men anyway! Let the women carry on playing Wii Tennis!
My post was firmly tongue in cheek, or sock in pants if you will, he is a much better character than her. Though as said above, profile wise he has a long way to go. Though neither can compare to the most complete character of all time, Dizzy.
Though neither can compare to the most complete character of all time, Dizzy.
oh come on it was Clumsy Colin from the old KP Skips crisps ads who was the most complete character ever. he had his own video game and everything, Action Biker on the C64. legend(and not of the Tomb Raider kind.)
While he does seem like a fun character, it's absolutely ridiculous to even try to compare his popularity to Lara Croft either within the gaming, movie, or general public's consciousness'.
I feel like this is typical journalism trying to stir up a fuss.....baiting some might call it.
I 100% agree. CVG has twisted the essence of truth to get a fan-boy baiting headline. In response to a CVG question The Naughty Dog director is saying that he has faith in the Uncharted product.
I love this website, but this really wont do. Is there anybody willing to put their name to this abysmal attempt at journalism?
oh come on it was Clumsy Colin from the old KP Skips crisps ads who was the most complete character ever. he had his own video game and everything, Action Biker on the C64. legend(and not of the Tomb Raider kind.)
Action Biker was a weird game, and really amazingly hard, but Clumsy Colin didn't come close to Dizzy in terms of being a platform-selling character. I still want Codies to bring him back but they told me a while back they can't
oh come on it was Clumsy Colin from the old KP Skips crisps ads who was the most complete character ever. he had his own video game and everything, Action Biker on the C64. legend(and not of the Tomb Raider kind.)
Action Biker was a weird game, and really amazingly hard, but Clumsy Colin didn't come close to Dizzy in terms of being a platform-selling character. I still want Codies to bring him back but they told me a while back they can't
You can't say something as Eath shattering as that without telling us why!
I've been dreaming of the return of dizzy for years.
the only other game that i'd do cartwheels over returning would be cannon fodder.
He's nowhere near as famous as Lara Croft, I mean the 2-bit bosomed pixel even has her own film. Until Drake can access the tabloids, tv or underwear section he's only as famous as Jak & Dax. And let's face it Lara was more hyped up than Coca Cola turning santa red! It was easy for geeks to 'turned on' by pixellated titilation in the 80s but can you really see the girls fall for a pixel? Unless Brad Pitt or Johny Depp play him it ain't happening. Now if Drake had a sister that might change things... oooh or a fit older mother. MILF!
He isn't as famous but he's a better character and is in a better game series. Uncharted walks all over Tom Raider. Tomb Raider has had a return to form, but it still isn't that special.
the only other game that i'd do cartwheels over returning would be cannon fodder.
i'd join you there. i'm actually surprised that someone hasn't pumped this out on XBLA or PSN in some form or other.
That would be awesome.
Does anyone know if either of the Turrican games on virtual console is the same as Turrican 2 on the Amiga?
I'd much prefer some Amiga games over C64 games. And Super Tennis from the SNES!
And Drake may not be as well known, but on current form, the game(s) are much better (but we all know this doesn't always equal popularity - just look at the ongoing appeal of the Sonic games, and I can't remember one I've really enjoyed since the MD. If they can make SF4 a 2D game with 3D visuals, why can't they do this with Sonic or even a Paper Mario style mix of 2D/3D??). However as others have pointed out, he doesn't appeal to the male demographic in quite the same way.
Perhaps they should make an Uncharted game for the wii????
The only good things Lara had going for her were her ability to do the splits and an ample pair of duberrys.
Drake genuinely had me laughing out loud during Uncharted, and the other characters were well realised too.
More people know Lara, but more people care about Drake, especially on the PS3 side of things. In my opinion, of course.
Well 360/Wii only owners are not going to be fussed about MR Drake obviously .
Lara has lost her way in the gaming side but maybe just maybe she could return. Or it could be the fact the TR was a game of it's time like a lot of titles. Lets see what the future brings and hurry up and finish Uncharted 2 ND.
the only thing Lara's doing better is exploration, in uncharted i never had a feeling of discovering new locations, they already been there waiting for me with guns, this spoiled my adventure.
Maybe the breath of Fresh Air needed to the Tomb Raider franchise is to have a crossover game with Drake, and make the game all about character development, rollercoaster thrills and put the archaeology to the fore. A toned down Lara, even as a cameo would do much to restore the character's lost credibility, or failing that, if Tomb Raider is dead in the water; a last hurrah and a passing of the torch.
Just an idea anyway.
Anyway, back ON topic, I can't wait for this game personally, the first one was a fantasticly well paced, thrilling and enjoyable game with a good plot and some decent action- with a few more gameplay elements lifted from MGS4, this might just be the sleeper best action adventure of the year. (Yes, even over Resi 5. ) It's certainly going to be a good game, that much is practically guaranteed given the quality of the first game. I hope this is the birth of a highly successful franchise, because it's always welcome.
How can ANYONE possibly compare this crap to gamings most iconic icon!?
What are you guys smoking!?
This is Uncharted's 2nd game. Tomb Raider has 8 (even more if you compare mobile and hand held games). I think after 8 instalments all games will need some fresh ideas.
Because Uncharted was a better game that Tomb Raider was. It's that simple. Tomb Raiders 1-3 were slow, jerky, unforgiving, intuitive for it's time but certainly not what you'd call 'fluid' and had some pretty poor narrative and even worse plotlines. Compare that to Uncharted's snappy dialogue, well written plot, good control system (If a little bit flawed.) and you have a mismatch of epic proportions.
Just because Lara is recognisable doesn't make her good- just look at Crash Bandicoot these days or Link, or our Dark ladyfriend from Perfect Dark that flopped so bad. Recognisability is different from being good, in much the same way as noteworthiness isn't necessarily newsworthyness.
Nathan Drake is a fantastic character. Very likeable and very funny to boot but hes not as popular as Lara and I'm not sure he ever will be.
I love Uncharted (second best PS3 game) and I'm looking forward to the next installment. But the first was far to heavey on the action. There wasnt nearly enough exploration and was quite linear in its level design. Imo Tomb Raider Underworld is the better game but I'm expecting that to be beaten if they can get the balance between action and adventure in the next Uncharted game just right.
Besides Anniversary I reckon Raiders been going downhill for a while, including Underworld which had nothing fresh and the same old combat. I have a 360 now so I couldn't check it out but Uncharted looks like a better game than Underworld or Legend. If only because it's still fresh and it hasn't penned itself in wiht it's own backstory.
I have to admit, Drake's fortune was the best tomb raider type game i've played so far. It was the first game i bought on ps3 as well, so it made a good impression.
the only other game that i'd do cartwheels over returning would be cannon fodder.
i'd join you there. i'm actually surprised that someone hasn't pumped this out on XBLA or PSN in some form or other.
That would be awesome.
Does anyone know if either of the Turrican games on virtual console is the same as Turrican 2 on the Amiga?
I'd much prefer some Amiga games over C64 games. And Super Tennis from the SNES!
And Drake may not be as well known, but on current form, the game(s) are much better (but we all know this doesn't always equal popularity - just look at the ongoing appeal of the Sonic games, and I can't remember one I've really enjoyed since the MD. If they can make SF4 a 2D game with 3D visuals, why can't they do this with Sonic or even a Paper Mario style mix of 2D/3D??). However as others have pointed out, he doesn't appeal to the male demographic in quite the same way.
Perhaps they should make an Uncharted game for the wii????
I would love a Amiga section on VC for the Wii. It would save me pratting about with WinUAE. (Although it isn't that difficult to get working) Just for convenience sake if anything else.
Perhaps they should make an Uncharted game for the wii????
they have
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=akKQfQ7ssiA
DAMN MAN YOUR JOKES NEVER FAIL TO BE INSIGHTFUL AND WHITTY.
Think about it buddy. If there wasn't Pitfall there most definately wouldn't be an uncharted. so the Wii wins again for having the original inspiration for uncharted.
DAMN MAN YOUR JOKES NEVER FAIL TO BE INSIGHTFUL AND WHITTY.
Think about it buddy. If there wasn't Pitfall there most definately wouldn't be an uncharted. so the Wii wins again for having the original inspiration for uncharted.
I know it looked terrible but that wasn't actually the Wii you idiot.
I agree 100% with Naughty Dog in that the Uncharted represents the future of the action platformer. Tomb Raider Underworld showed the series inability to fix its long established flaws and evolve the series.
Uncharted Drakes Fortune is a marvellous game and remains so, so its with considerable excitement that I await Uncharted 2.
DAMN MAN YOUR JOKES NEVER FAIL TO BE INSIGHTFUL AND WHITTY.
Think about it buddy. If there wasn't Pitfall there most definately wouldn't be an uncharted. so the Wii wins again for having the original inspiration for uncharted.
I know it looked terrible but that wasn't actually the Wii you idiot.
well you can get c64 games on the vc you dolt, so its only a matter of time before Pitfall makes an apperence. you clod.
the only other game that i'd do cartwheels over returning would be cannon fodder.
i'd join you there. i'm actually surprised that someone hasn't pumped this out on XBLA or PSN in some form or other.
That would be awesome.
Does anyone know if either of the Turrican games on virtual console is the same as Turrican 2 on the Amiga?
I'd much prefer some Amiga games over C64 games. And Super Tennis from the SNES!
And Drake may not be as well known, but on current form, the game(s) are much better (but we all know this doesn't always equal popularity - just look at the ongoing appeal of the Sonic games, and I can't remember one I've really enjoyed since the MD. If they can make SF4 a 2D game with 3D visuals, why can't they do this with Sonic or even a Paper Mario style mix of 2D/3D??). However as others have pointed out, he doesn't appeal to the male demographic in quite the same way.
Perhaps they should make an Uncharted game for the wii????
I would love a Amiga section on VC for the Wii. It would save me pratting about with WinUAE. (Although it isn't that difficult to get working) Just for convenience sake if anything else.
I have winuae, but just couldn't get it going. It kept giving me various errors and the like and I eventually ran out of patience.
I did get my old a500 from my mums garage. It seemed to work fine, and my heart melted a little bit when I saw the workbench logo. However the disk drive was screwed, rusted or something so it was a no go.
'Twas with a heavy heart I took it (and about 500 discs) to the dump.
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(Yes, even over Resi 5. 
