Codex Gamicus
Advertisement


Elena Fisher
Basic Information
Uncharted
Biographical Information
Family
Nathan Drake (husband)
Cassie Drake (daughter)
Sam Drake (brother-in-law)
Gender
Female
Personal Information
Occupation
Journalist

Elena Fisher is one of the protagonists of the Uncharted series created by developer Naughty Dog. Fisher appears in all four games, acting as a sidekick and love interest for main character Nathan Drake. Emily Rose provided both voice acting and motion capture for Fisher.

Elena is an independent, strong female who acts as an equal to main series protagonist Drake. In the games, she is a reporter who accompanies Drake on his adventures. Reception to the Fisher has been mostly positive. She has been called one of the strongest video game females, and her equality with male characters has been praised. However, the character has drawn criticism for her unrealistic combat prowess and abrasive personality.

History[ | ]

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune[ | ]

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves[ | ]

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception[ | ]

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End[ | ]

Creation and conception[ | ]

Emily Rose, the voice actor for Elena,[1] also performed the motion capture work for the character. [2] Fisher was meant to act as both a sidekick and a romantic interest for the main series protagonist Nathan Drake.[3][4]

Originally, Fisher was presented as a brunette with a soft face. However, close to the release of the first game, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, her chin was further defined, and her hair made blonde. When questioned about the purpose of the change response, Sony said "they just preferred her blonde."[5]

Characterization[ | ]

Appearance[ | ]

Elena's appearance was designed to have a "girls-next-door" air: pretty but not overly glamorous. She has a slim build, average height, dark blonde hair, often tied in a ponytail or knot in the back, green-hazel eyes, and a sharp chin.

Her attire varies across games. In the first game, she is seen in a maroon tank-top with knee-length cargo pants and sneakers. In the second and third games, her a

Personality[ | ]

Fisher is a journalist, originally out to make a name for herself through documentary work, then later news broadcasting.[6] Regarding her career, she has been described as a "spunky and nubile camerawoman".[7] She proves herself a resourceful and capable ally to Drake, having skill in combat despite her relative lack of experience.[8]

Rose commented that Fisher matured between the first game and the sequel: "In the first game, she's a lot younger, she's a lot more naive, and she looks at things as being very possible, and in the second (game), has seen murders and adventure...the way that any person grows, you see that in her. She's a little bit more hesitant, a little more cynical".[9]

Reception[ | ]

Reception for Elena has been mainly positive. Blaine Kyllo praised Rose's performance as Elena, calling it some of the best work in video gaming,[10] while Meagan VanBurkleo of Game Informer called Fisher one of her "favorite leading ladies."[11]

Reviewers have commented that she is a strong, female lead uncommon to video games at the time. Dave Meikleham of GamesRadar UK called her one of the strongest females in gaming. He states that she provides a great playoff to Drake, and a good shot to aid the players through levels. However, he also criticized her for a lack of realism, finding it hard to believe that as a reporter who had never fired a gun before could so quickly become such an accurate, fearless shot.[12] IGN said, "She is a true survivor with an array of unusual skills".[13] IGN also named her the fourth best video game heroine, praising Naughty Dog for creating a female protagonist equal in every way to her male counterpart: "She won't let the camera stop rolling, she won't take Drake's crap, and she's not afraid to throw a punch. When you're pinned down by enemy fire, Elena will cap the bad guys for you. When Drake's trapped in the enemy camp, Elena will rip walls down to save her friend. When you're in need of a solid, fleshed-out character, Elena's there as a prime example. "[14]

Fisher has also garnered attention for her attractiveness. Bret Dawson of the Toronto Star compared Fisher's appearance and mannerisms to those of Jennifer Aniston.[15] GameDaily named her one of the top 26 video game brunettes, noting: "No adventure story would be complete without a damsel in distress. Elena Fisher certainly fits the bill, a reporter who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fortunately, she holds her own as she accompanies Nathan Drake deep into the jungle, occasionally managing a grenade launcher."[16] GameDaily called her attractive, but annoying: "Elena plays the stereotypical 'you're a total jerk and you're not going anywhere without me' babe. Unlike Peach, we actually enjoyed our time spent apart. If only she disappeared more often."[17] GameDaily named her the 49th hottest video game babe of all time.[18]

References[ | ]

  1. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Allgame (2007). Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  2. Casamassina, Matt (19 November 2009). Editorial: How Uncharted 2 Can Fix Gaming. IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved on 7 December 2009
  3. Associated Press (5 December 2007). "'Drake's Fortune' Lets You Almost Be Indiana Jones". Fox News Channel. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,315124,00.html. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  4. Crecente, Brian (19 November 2007). "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117935464.html?categoryid=1023&cs=1. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  5. Richardson, Ben (31 August 2007). Naughty Dog prefers blondes. GamesRadar. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  6. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Nathan Drake Resume Feature. 1UP.com (2008). Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  7. Ford, Greg (14 November 2007). Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3). 1UP.com. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  8. Uncharted - exclusive interview. GamesRadar (2007). Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  9. D'Alonzo, Mike (12 June 2009). Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Supporting Cast E3 2009 Interview. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  10. Kyllo, Blaine (3 April 2008). "Games put poetry into running and gunning". The Georgia Straight (Vancouver, British Columbia). http://www.straight.com/article-139257/games-put-poetry-running-and-gunning. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  11. VanBurkleo, Meagan (7 January 2010). Playboy’s Annual Girls Of Video Games. Game Informer. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  12. Meikleham, Dave. 11 badass game characters who should be wimps. GamesRadar. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  13. Elena Fisher Profile. IGN (2010). Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  14. IGN PlayStation Team (8 July 2009). The Wednesday 10: Gaming Heroines. IGN. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  15. Dawson, Bret (1 December 2007). "'Drake's Fortune' a treasure to behold". Toronto Star (Toronto, Ontario). http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/GameReview/article/281108. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  16. Workman, Robert (23 January 2009). Babes of the Week: Brunettes. GameDaily. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  17. Buffa, Chris (6 March 2009). Babe of the Week: Hot, But Annoying. GameDaily. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
  18. Buffa, Chris (21 March 2008). Top 50 Hottest Game Babes on Trial. GameDaily. Retrieved on 14 January 2010
Advertisement