In one of the behind-the-scenes featurettes they talk about their creative process. Basically, they explain how they came up with ideas about cool set peace scenarios first and then they tried to build a game around those scenarios. That's exactly what it felt like and I don't mean it as praise. Uncharted 3, to me, is a bunch of, admittedly, really cool and technically impressive set peaces, held together by a somewhat disjointed plot. The pirate section is the perfect example. Very neat concept, fun to play and a technical showcase, but it comes completely out of left field and feels tacked-on story-wise. The game lacks the cohesion of the second installment, which makes it less enjoyable overall, even though many of the individual elements are objectively improved.

I read online that the actor who plays Cutter had to leave the project early due to his schedule, which lead to the story being rewritten last minute. Maybe it would have turned out better, if it hadn't been for that. Maybe not. Either way, Uncharted 3 is still lots of fun - it's just not as good as Uncharted 2.

All the first three Uncharted games are really fun… when you’re not in a god awful shooting section. And that’s a real shame because shooting is all you do for like 60% of it. If it weren’t for the lovable characters, great music, and incredible set pieces, I’d hate this game.

But what’s also a shame is how lame the story is. The plot was a jumbled mess and the villains were not great. They weren’t horrible like in Drake’s Fortune but they weren’t at all interesting. Also I didn’t like how we were retreading Among Thieves with the whole lost city plot. The ending also left a lot to be desired. But I can’t wait to play 4 given it’s reputation.

i was so excited for uncharted 3 after starting/shelving it nearly a year ago. when i finished among thieves, i was so into the series and the characters. but after this playthrough, i felt like i was just so caught up in the things that were frustrating that any redeeming qualities felt difficult to appreciate!

shooting feels clunky at times & lacks any sort of feedback, leaving me emptying entire magazines into regular enemies only for them to flinch. getting in/out of cover is inconsistent. i'd also oftentimes feel confused as to where i was supposed to go/what i was expected to do (not necessarily in a fun, puzzle-y type way), running around a small area trying to find where the game wanted me to hit triangle. any time i was exploring/traversing an area, it felt as though i was always bumping into something/not quite where i wanted to be.

i don't think that the series as a whole is lackluster, and im not saying that i dont think this game didn't have anything to offer. i did enjoy the shipyard chapters, music, and action set-pieces, but about halfway through i found myself just speeding through trying to get it over with! just my experience with this one.

The only mainline Uncharted game I hadn't played until recently!

I can see why it's a divisive entry. The plot is kind of a mess and some of the combat sequences near the end of the game severely overstay their welcome.

But man, it is STILL so breathtaking to play through some of these sequences. Escaping the burning mansion, the sinking ship, the plane crash, and the horseback chase sequence are all stunning moments that perfectly showcase what makes Uncharted special and still worth playing all these years later.

Also, everything with Sully is genuinely touching and is almost the sole reason this chapter in the story matters.