1. Uncharted is a much more likeable, can-relate-to guy, rather than lara

   
   Comment by darkos87 — Jan 19, 2009 @ 5:50 pm

2. Since his first line. The only reason he’s not more popular already is he’s on the PS3, not the PS1.

   
   Comment by Toby — Jan 19, 2009 @ 6:03 pm

3. na, he’s just another generobloke character (see ‘This is Vegas’ main character) like nearly all of them. even the Strogg have more personality than Nathan-sodding-Drake.

   but srsly, saying a character your company created is going to be more popular than a character another company made is a bit weak.

   anyway, i just made the best LBP level ever, it will be more popular than any other level, because i say so, so ner! it’s so good i’m not even going to upload it.. you’re not worthy

   
   Comment by mobiletone — Jan 19, 2009 @ 6:21 pm

4. Nathan Drake to me is a cool bloke. Very likable, his acions are funny and I must admit I like his hair. I guess the brawn is talkin gover the boob for a while.

   lara is too cold and stoney, no personality.

   
   Comment by E-ROLE — Jan 19, 2009 @ 6:22 pm

5. I’m not gay….but i’de do him

   
   Comment by JohnSketch — Jan 19, 2009 @ 6:44 pm

6. Good on ya John!

   
   Comment by E-ROLE — Jan 19, 2009 @ 6:45 pm

7. Marks out of ten for Miss Croft?
   I’d give her one.

   Most punters just gave Lara a Miss on the most recent outing & she is now going to have a “family-friendly” make-over (hopefully not by Suzanne & Tranny) before the next Tomb Raider title is released… but unfortunately not soon enough to save the development staff during redundancies announced at Crystal Dynamics.

   Interestingly, the most recent model, Alison Carroll, doesn’t seem to make an appearance in the recent “Edge” article about the decision:

   [ http://www.edge-online.com/news/lara-faces-family-friendly-redesign ]

   “Rubi” from upcoming A2M/Sierra Entertainment title, “Wet”, will contribute to a few moist moments this year… probably more than the sulky drip (Kate Wilson) in “Hydrophobia” (as previously covered at Three Speech).

   Other leading female characters worthy of mention would probably be Rayne from the “Bloodrayne” series, bondage-gear clad [what’s not to like?] “Æon Flux”, Nariko from “Heavenly Sword and, possibly, Jade from “Beyond Good & Evil”.

   As a comparison to Elena in “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune”, does anybody have any suggestions for the best (un)supporting female character? The treasured (chest… as in sunken) character, Elika, from the current generation “Prince of Persia”, maybe?

   PS. the (current US only) PlayStation®Home Beta downloads for the Naughty Dog title, “Uncharted™: Artifact Room”, “Uncharted™: Smuggler’s Den”, & “Uncharted™: Archives”, are worth looking at if you are a fan of the game

   BFN,

   fp.

   
   Comment by fanpages — Jan 19, 2009 @ 7:48 pm

8. Tough call, Lara was literally the reason I got into consoles - I spent all my pocket money on a PS1 and Tomb Raider game after trying it at a friends house. So she will always have a special place in my heart! I’ve owned every Tomb Raider game since - even Angel of Darkness!

   Nathan Drake is a nice enough guy, and after a few more games maybe. But I can’t see Lucozade ever paying for him to promote their drink on TV or see him perform on stage with U2 or see him getting in the Guinness Book of World Records for ‘Most Successful Human Videogame Hero(ine)’ like Lara has.

   It’s hard to imagine any character will be as ‘big’ as Lara Croft, she came at just the right time - when consoles were transitioning from a kids toy to a legitimate form of entertainment, Lara personified that shift for the media, being a million miles from the fat plumbers and blue hedgehogs.

   Unless something happens in Uncharted 2 that radically develops his character I just think he’s a bit too anonymous/generic as a character - he’s certainly lacking two assets that Lara has in her favour ;).

   Lara has had many voice actors, real life equivalents, character models, and developers - but she is still quintessentially Lara Croft. What makes Nathan Drake (so far) is the excellent voice acting of Nolan North and the witty script - the character as a shell is quite forgettable.

   Still, he’s in one of the best new franchises on the PS3, so that helps his case. Maybe if they make a successful movie out of it he’ll stand a chance…

   
   Comment by Apnomis — Jan 19, 2009 @ 9:06 pm

9. Another Nathan… another pin-up?

   [ http://www.cornerstorecomics.com/index.cfm?page=shopping/shop&Product_ID=1887 ]

   2 September 2009 sees the availability of four figurines for “Resistance 2″ for all those who missed the Collector’s Edition of the title (with a similar character included).

   No wait… we all did… because the Collector’s Edition was a US only issue… and so are the other four.

   —
   Resistance Series 1 Set of Four Figures
   Rise. Stand. Resist. After a valiant struggle to stop the Chimera invasion in Europe, mankind must make its last stand on the shores of the United States. In the highly-anticipated follow-up to the best-selling PlayStation 3 game, Resistance 2 places players in the heroic role of Sgt. Nathan Hale as he struggles against overwhelming odds to defend mankind from the unstoppable Chimera. While wrestling with this insidious war machine, Hale must also battle the virus raging inside of his own body that threatens to transform him into the very creatures he fights against. Includes: * Chimera Advanced Hybrid * 6″ h * Ravager * 7″ h * Nathan Hale with Swarmer * 5″ h and 2″ h x 4″ l * Steelhead * 6″ h Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base. 4-color clamshell packaging. FEB09
   —

   BFN,

   fp.

   
   Comment by fanpages — Jan 19, 2009 @ 9:13 pm

10. PS. Talking of/like Lara…

    A friendly reminder that you have just one more day to submit an entry for the competition…

    “One Instinctively Knows When Something Is Right”…

    Who voiced Croft originally?

    [ /blog/2009/01/competition-time-win-signed-copies-of-tomb-raider-underworld/ ]

    Good luck to everyone who visits Three Speech regularly & doesn’t just turn up when they spot a competition being advertised on the many other sites across the Interweb.

    BFN,

    fp.

    
    Comment by fanpages — Jan 19, 2009 @ 9:31 pm

11. @JS: That reminds me of a line out of the film True Romance, where the lead character talks about not being gay, but if he had to, he’d do Elvis.

    I never found the fascination with Lara Croft, the game, back in the PS1/PS2 days. It was so bland and I remember watching someone playing it. At the time I was very much into Soul Reaver, a much better example of the genre, if you ask me ( or even if you don’t ).

    I think Uncharted carries on the Soul Reaver pedigree much more faithfully and it more interesting, but I plan on winning that Lara Croft game ( Underworld ) so will be better placed to making a proper comparison between the 2 games, this gen.

    
    Comment by CartBlanche — Jan 19, 2009 @ 9:39 pm

12. Another strong leading female character with impressive physical assets: Faith from “Mirror’s Edge”.

    The (first) Downloadable Content for this title is scheduled to be available on the US PlayStation Store on 29 January 2009.

    If Nathan Drake *is* going to be a character in a movie of his adventures, I would like to see Lucy Liu portray Faith on the big screen.

    Anybody looking forward to Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead character (Prince Dastan) in “The Sands Of Time”?

    [ http://www.1upgamers.com/forums/prince-persia-sands-t392.html ]

    BFN,

    fp.

    
    Comment by fanpages — Jan 19, 2009 @ 10:05 pm

13. I don’t think Nathan is able to catch up Lara. However I prefer Nathan

    
    Comment by HenryMax — Jan 19, 2009 @ 11:01 pm

14. More importantly, and usefully, may I let gamers know that the online play and trophy patch for High Velocity Bowling has been released in PAL?

    TS can’t be bothered to tell you, so I will.

    
    Comment by Steve — Jan 19, 2009 @ 11:09 pm

15. I think that making Nathan Drake the lovable and refreshing everyday simple guy character was done a bit too perfectly.

    He is brilliant in-game, but as a still image on a poster… it’s much easier to remember and iconify a busty woman wielding dual pistols in a skimpy safari suit rather than a normal looking guy in a t-shirt and jeans.

    
    Comment by Rick — Jan 20, 2009 @ 12:56 am

16. I thought Sackboy was the poster boy for gaming? do you mean poster boy of PS3 action/adventure gaming? because this would probably be correct… however you can’t say ALL of gaming because Drake doesn’t swing on all the consoles like Lara does.

    
    Comment by jollygoodshow — Jan 20, 2009 @ 1:55 am

17. Nathan is the man! Deffinently A guy who I would invite to parties.

    
    Comment by MaceWisdom — Jan 20, 2009 @ 4:05 am

18. Yes i completely agree with BRUCE it no just that Uncharted is more of a game then Tomb Raider but its also that the character Nathan is way better well put character the Lara Croft..

    
    Comment by Mezzo — Jan 20, 2009 @ 5:22 am

19. Lara Croft is all about tits and asses, which is why the concept has worked so well throughout the year. She has always been a fairly shallow character, so the reason for Lara’s media attention (I recall there was a time everything was TR, a german Band called “Die Ärzte” even had a Lara Croft music video clip). Alison Carroll is the best that I have ever connected to Tomb Raider, the first sentence of my post explains why. Also, and this is not sexism, a female badass like Lara has serious credibility problems.

    The game itself doesn’t stand half a chance against uncharted, which has been both written and implemented very well. Nathan Drake is in fact a very amiable character, but I guess he won’t make it beyond the PS3. There are already a few Indiana Jones spinoffs, and none have reached / surpassed the original.

    
    Comment by Sebi — Jan 20, 2009 @ 7:06 am

20. Did I just post that? Damn, it’s too early! So many incomplete sentences…You’ll have to make up the missing parts,…sorry

    
    Comment by Sebi — Jan 20, 2009 @ 7:16 am

21. Nathan is the “bit of rough” that “posh bird” Lara would be all over given the chance

    
    Comment by reakt — Jan 20, 2009 @ 9:20 am

22. One thing I would say about Uncharted2 is that I hope girly is back from Uncharted at least, if nothing else, as a phone call at basecamp or something as I really liked her character!

    
    Comment by JohnSketch — Jan 20, 2009 @ 10:06 am

23. @ 10 - Thanks FP!

    
    Comment by Three Speech — Jan 20, 2009 @ 10:53 am

24. Lara is long dead from the video game scene. The last instalments have been poor to average. That IP has already dried up. People have become saturated with Lara.
    Nathat is the new Lara Croft.
    RIP Lara.

    
    Comment by Torpedo — Jan 20, 2009 @ 11:17 am

25. (You’re welcome, Three Speech)

    RIP, Tony Hart, yes,… Lara Croft? Not so. She will return. Only with a proportionally smaller interest.

    FYI: A farewell from Media Molecule (who recently released the Tony Hart-inspired “LittleBIGPlanet”, of course):

    “A Harted Creator”
    [ http://www.mediamolecule.com/2009/01/19/a-harted-creator ]

    You can see from the photo of the development team with Mr Hart that he wasn’t well at the time, and had recently been unable to draw (or even sign autographs) due to the affect effects of suffering two strokes.

    I prefer to remember him from the images on the BBC News site & the reminder every time I start “LittleBIGPlanet” & hear the theme tune to “The Gallery” (or “Left Bank Two” by the Noveltones, if you prefer).

    A very sad loss to the world.
    One of life’s great gentlemen & an inspiration to at least one, if not more, generations.

    Thoughts with, and condolences to, his family & friends.

    BFN,

    fp.

    PS. New “LittleBIGPlanet” downloadable characters will be the Pipo Monkey from the “Ape Escape” (”Ape Academy”, etc) series, and the Kratos character that many of us snagged via a voucher code within the “Official PlayStation Magazine - UK” (as well as others from the “God of War” franchise).

    Back on topic: Naughty Dog have also mentioned that there is a possible upcoming “Uncharted…” themed Game Pack.

    
    Comment by fanpages — Jan 20, 2009 @ 6:04 pm

26. “affect effects”=”after effects”

    Oh dear

    
    Comment by fanpages — Jan 20, 2009 @ 6:11 pm

27. Quick experiment, stop somebody in the street & ask them do they know who Lara Croft is? Repeat with Sonic, Mario & Master Chef Lloyd Grossman (see what I did there?).

    If Uncharted 2 gets blanket exposure “outside” the gaming media. Then Nate will have a chance to be more than just another face in the crowd. He & Sackboy have a real chance to be mainsteam gaming icons for Sony but only if the marketing outside the usual channels gets turned up to 11…

    Can anybody say Saturday morning cartoon?

    
    Comment by Mr.Monkey — Jan 20, 2009 @ 10:30 pm

28. Master Chef? Who lives in a software house like this?

    Well, it certainly isn’t Nathan Drake.

    If asked your question, Mr M, I reckon most people would say “Angelina Jolie”.

    Many would mention the video game series, and none would say, “Oh, she’s the character than Nathan Drake is supposedly better than”.

    I bet your average PS3 owner (if there is such a thing) unless they are very familiar with “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” wouldn’t even know who Nathan Drake is!

    Now ask the same cross-section of the public the name of the cowboy in “Toy Story”, or the mouse in the Walt Disney cartoons, and you’ll get a more positive reaction.

    Video gaming has a long way to go before a more global recognition of certain brands & characters.

    Uncharted’s director, Bruce Straley, has got his point across. We are now talking about the second instalment in the “Uncharted” franchise.

    Without such comments nobody would be paying any attention. Certainly not “man or woman in the street”.

    I bet if you asked the same people who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, many would also struggle!

    BFN,

    fp.

    
    Comment by fanpages — Jan 21, 2009 @ 1:37 am

29. @25 [me!]:

    [ http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=b_EN_GAMES_general_lbp&thread.id=42240 ]

    “Little Delay To LittleBigPlanet Content”

    MusterBuster
    Community Team Leader
    —
    We know you guys have been looking forward to the next batch of downloadable content which was due to launch this Thursday, 22 January. Unfortunately, we’re not going to be able to release what we had planned at this time, so the wait is going to be just a little longer before the new year’s content updates start to arrive. In order to make up for this disappointment, we thought you might like to see all the new content we’ve got lined up to come out between next week and the end of February, so hold on to your hats as there’s quite a bit!

    Seasonal content
    To get the new year started in the right way we’ve got matching Sackboy and Sackgirl Chinese New Year outfits which will be available for free next week to help you celebrate the year of the Ox. At the same time you can also dress up as the world famous Groundhog in a bid to predict the length of winter. When February rolls around you’ll have no excuse for forgetting to buy a card as we release a special Valentine’s Day pack containing 12 stickers and some themed costume pieces for your Sackperson. Each of these downloads will be available for a limited time, so grab them while they’re hot!

    God of War Costumes and Stickers
    If you missed out on the pre-order offers to get hold of Kratos and the God of War content pack here’s another chance to get hold of an all time classic Sackboy costume. Inside the pack you’ll find Medusa and Minotaur costumes and a bunch of themed stickers to help you recreate ancient Greece in your game.

    Supersonic Sackboy
    In February why not pick up the pace and splash out on the WipEout content pack. Containing the WipEout costume kit and plenty of stickers to add some flavour to your game this is a very cool pack indeed.

    Early 2009 Release Schedule

    Please note all these dates may change, but we’ll announce what is coming, and when each week.

    26 January
    - Chinese New Year Costumes - available for 10 days only.

    29 January
    - God of War mini pack
    - Kratos costume
    - Groundhog Day costume - available for 1 week only. [Make up your own punchline - fp.]

    05 February
    - Valentines Day mini pack - available for 2 weeks only.
    - Groundhog Day costume - available for 1 week only.

    12 February
    - Ape Escape Costume
    - Toro Costume
    - Groundhog Day costume - available for 1 week only.

    19 February
    - WipEout Costume Kit
    - Groundhog Day costume - available for 1 week only. [enough already? ;)]

    There’s plenty more to come, and we’ll be releasing details of upcoming content and fixes every week.

    MB
    —

    BFN,

    fp.

    
    Comment by fanpages — Jan 21, 2009 @ 11:27 pm

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