Uncharted 3 can't come soon enough. With so many games to play this year, Uncharted 3 is sure to secure a place in the wishlist of every gamer who owns a PlayStation 3.
A whole heap of new details were revealed about the upcoming third-person adventure in the latest issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine.
The magazine revealed that players will spend much time exploring the Arabian dunes of Rub' al-Khali, filled with sandstorms, mirages and "all the things you'd expect in a desert."
The sand is said to create a dynamic environment for Drake, which alters the game's geography and impacts gameplay as you move along the dunes. "We've done a ton of research," said Creative Director Amy Hennig. "The way sand blows and curls over the tops of dunes, the way it displaces and flows—it's almost a liquid."
Despite the fact that much of the game will take place in the Arabian sands, Drake and his partner will also visit London, a jungle temple and a few other locations outside the desert. Drake and Sullivan will visit the Empty Quarter, in search of the Iram of the Pillars—an Arabian Atlantis.
The game's primary villain and first female villain to grace the Uncharted series, Katherine Marlowe, is part of a secret order that dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and her history with both Sullivan and Drake are said to play a heavy role in the plot as they search for the hidden city.
Like the story in previous games, Uncharted 3 borrows elements from literature, which in this case is based off the writings and life of Lawrence of Arabia and his fascination with the lost city. The game's story is said to be a work in progress and continues to be polished, leading up to the game's release.
Naughty Dog revealed that the Uncharted franchise was never conceived as a trilogy, and that it will be very likely to see an extended life beyond the third game.
Characters from the previous games will return to Uncharted 3, although Naughty Dog refuses to confirm or deny whether Elena Fisher will be making an appearance.
Every aspect of the series will not go unaltered, with Drake now having access to an all new melee combat system that allows him to use objects in the environment to defend himself in battle. Drake can pick up a bottle from a table and smash it over an enemy's head. The stealth system will also be getting an overhaul with new moves and mechanics that allow Drake to creep up on his opponents and subdue them without drawing attention to himself.
Naughty Dog notes that they will be making an announcement of a public beta if and when it happens, prior to the game's release on November 1, 2011.
