With two massive PlayStation franchises already under its belt in the shape of Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, it's surprising that developer Naughty Dog's debut PS3 project isn't more visible on the gaming radar. But apart from a couple of brief - albeit incredibly impressive - appearances, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune still remains something of an enigma.
So what do we know about Uncharted? Well, it's a third-person action adventure set primarily against a lush, jungle island backdrop and combines intrepid treasure hunting with gun play, brawling, puzzle solving, pirate dodging and a generous helping of death defying climbing and leaping.
Uncharted's plot is still a closely guarded secret, although we know that it involves lead character Nathan Drake picking up the trail of 16th Century explorer - and Nathan's namesake - Sir Francis Drake's last adventure. Where that leads him, what dangers lurk along the way and what treasures might lie at the end of his expedition are all still shrouded in secrecy...
Of the short glimpses we've seen of Uncharted there's little doubt that it looks the absolute business - we suggest that you check out the E3 2006 trailer and various screenshots with your own eyes for all the proof you need. To pre-empt any doubters, Naughty Dog has already confirmed that the trailer is, indeed, rendered in real-time using its own in-house PS3 game engine and that all the technical spuffery - models, textures, shaders etc - are in-game. Sweet.
While plot details for Uncharted are - as we've said - safely locked away for the moment, Naughty Dog has promised that there will be plenty of story to keep the action propped up, boasting that it already has close to an hour's worth of cinematics in the bag, all of which has been created with real, motion-captured actors.
The developer has also been super focused on making the in-game characters move in a completely human, believable manner, using its animation system to create a staggering amount of motions and stances. So, don't expect Drake to assume exactly the same posture like a pre-programmed mannequin every time he takes cover.
Gamers can also rest assured that they will get plenty of popcorn dropping, cinematic set-pieces for their money, with Naughty Dog promising that the action will be flavoured with plenty of dramatic stunts and cliff-hanger moments, the most dramatic of which will be viewed from the optimum angle for maximum visual impact.
The motion-sensing capabilities of PS3's Sixaxis pad will also be called into action during precariously balanced moments - players will have to delicately tilt the controller when Drake is gingerly walking tightrope style across fallen logs and other such alarmingly narrow routes over neck-breaking drops.
Despite the heavy emphasis on physical exertion, at least some of Drake's exploration of the island will be vehicle-based - so far an army jeep (complete with machine gun turret) and a jet ski are thought to feature. It's also worth mentioning that while all we've seen of Uncharted's world so far is sun dappled jungle forests and some intriguing, platform-friendly ruins, the island will - Naughty Dog has assured - offer a variety of terrains and settings.
It's also been hinted that Drake won't be alone for the entirety of his quest - a female companion has been spotted, although hard facts about her role in the adventure and her relationship with Drake still eludes us...
Indeed, there's still plenty that remains a mystery about Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, but one thing we do know is that Naughty Dog has a proven track record when it comes to crafting wonderfully solid, incredibly enjoyable games and this Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider/Prince of Persia inspired romp looks set to continue that tradition in style.
