The recently released issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine takes an exclusive look into the world of Nathan Drake and discusses some of the key elements you can expect to take place in Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. As expected, Elena will be back and the desert is going to play a large role in the title, but won’t be the only setting throughout the game. Apparently, you’ll travel the world with Drake to exotic locations as always as well as cities like London, England.

One of the biggest aspects of Drake’s Deception, however, is the ability to recreate the effects of sand and the way it moves and operates through nature. According to Amy Hennig, the sand almost has a liquid-like property, making it very interesting to work with.

Included below is some information from the magazine that reveals details of the upcoming installment.

• Drake and Sullivan are in the Empty Quarter, looking for the Iram Of The Pillars, a kind of Arabian Atlantis.
• Locations very from dry and arid lands to exotic jungles and the streets of London.
• The story is based around Lawrence Of Arabia, and his fascination with Iram Of The Pillars.
• Bike sections have been somewhat confirmed. There’s a newspaper cutout in the teaser trailer that mentions motorcycles, and Naughty Dog says “We have a strong tradition of vehicular gameplay, and we try not to repeat ourselves.”
• The plot has yet to be finalized, but villain Katherine Marlowe is part of a secret order that dates back to Queen Elizabeth I.
• Drake’s Deception shouldn’t be the end for Drake as “The Uncharted franchise was never conceived as a trilogy.”
• “Of course, there are recurring characters from previous games,” which all but confirms Elena’s return, perhaps Chloe as well.
• Drake’s Deception features a brand new melee system which includes all-new mechanics and a stealth system.
• “We’ll be sure to alert everyone if a public beta is in the works this time around.”
• Most of the exploration is within the Arabian dunes of Rub’ al Khali.
• Since the game takes place in the desert this means you can expect sandstorms and mirages.
• The sand creates a ‘dynamic environment’ for Drake and this allows for the geography to alter greatly as you progress.