PS3 Playthrough: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (spoilers)

Uncharted is my first disc game on the PS3. I've heard nothing but great things about it and its sequel. Well, more Uncharted 2, but I can never go into a series in the middle, stupid videogame OCD (obsessive collecting disorder). 
 
So I finished the first of Nathan Drake's adventures, and I wasn't disappointed... entirely. The game looks fantastic, though that may be because I've never owned or played a video game in HD, whatever it is I was blown away. The jungle was lush, and green, and having never been to an actual jungle seemed to be fairly faithful (Thats after the pop in...). I think the visuals are the best thing about the game. Now I'm sure that as I play more games it will become less so, but as it is I was blown away. 
 
The story was serviceable. It was Indiana Jones light, and very much reminiscent of the National Treasure style. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't memorable either. I couldn't tell you any of the villains names, or why the hell you fight the guy at the end (if only Drake carried a cell phone, he could have called for help on the ride to the boat). The take on El Dorado was interesting. It was nice to have something other than the stupid city of gold BS. But the payoff was pretty dumb. Zombies? Really? The guy in the making of stated something about not wanting to make a game where you fight monsters in dark hallways. Yeah... that's exactly what you do at the end. I guess he didn't play his own game. 
 
I can't comment on how good the gameplay is, I've only ever played Gears of War in the cover based genre, and I wasn't the best at it. Here, though, I had fun and that's more than I can say for some games. I've seen many complain about bullet sponging enemies, but I never really had too much of a problem with it. There was more than enough ammo lying around to even out the amount used. The game is challenging enough for me to get frustrated ( which I think is a good to a point, it makes me want to finish it all the more), but not enough to stop playing.  
  
I really do like Drake and Elena. He's the type of hero I like best. Kind of bumbling, but in control. Sarcastic, but not a dick. He's a great character. I can't say enough good things about Elena. Video Games never portray females in a good way, and when they try they just wind up Tomb Raidering themselves. Here, she seems like a real woman, and very much the female version of Drake. I can only hope she continues to be great in th sequel. I never got on board with Sully. He just came off too goofy for the setting and story. It's one thing to have Bruce Campbell in Burn Notice, but that exact character here doesn't work for me. 
 
One last thing I have to get off my chest. Why does every video game always have to end in some sort of half-assed climatic moment? Can't there be a game that doesn't turn into a final boss fight to end all boss fights but turns out to be kinda lame? Even my favorite game of all time, Psychonauts, falls into this trap. It's something movies have to deal with, and many action movies take different routes, but games usually never do. Even Indigo Prophecy did it. I realize that there is a mentality that you have to finish your game strong, but it ultimately feels forced and underwhelming. Focus on story before gameplay.