Reddit reviews Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - The Complete Official Guide - Collector's Edition

The official guide for Drake's Deception offers the most insight into what goes on "behind the scenes" of Nate's relationship with Elena:

> What's the deal with Nate, Elena, and the rings? Did they get engaged?
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> They actually got married after the events of Among Thieves. The revelation is perhaps a little subtle, but it's there: when Nate says, "You're still wearing it," (referring to her ring), Elena's blunt response to Nate's observation ("It helps in this part of the world. Seriously, don't flatter yourself.") makes it clear that it is a wedding band, which she uses to deter aspiring suitors.
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> Though wealth eludes him at the conclusion of Drake's Fortune and Among Thieves, Nate on both occasions gains a treasure of great value in Elena... and, on both occasions, he blows it, walking out when his phobia of commitment drives the couple apart. Elena perhaps best understands Nate's existential fear: he's afraid of admitting who he really is, and almost obsessively takes refuge in an identity that doesn't truly belong to him.
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> The motto on Drake's ring has defined Nate's entire life; there's a sense that he has always walked backwards into his future, defined by his troubled childhood.

We'll never know the specifics and I doubt Naughty Dog will ever come forth with them.

How I took their estrangement was like this: Nate's obsession with Francis Drake bubbled back to the surface, alienating Elena and causing a rift in their marriage. Nate left and sought out Sully; he probably took off his own wedding band soon after (left it on a bedside table or something) and Sully kept it, with the hope that they would eventually reconcile (as they always do).

Yay for moms who pay attention! My parents never independently figured this stuff out, but they bought me a guide for FF7 (the awesome unofficial one), on a suggestion from the store, which was tremendously helpful on some of the more well-hidden things, and all of the chocobo racing and breeding things.

After they saw how much I used that, I was automatically given a guide with any FF game they bought for me, and several other games. I didn't need or ask for a guide for Uncharted 3, but I received the Collector's Edition Guide. It's beautiful, but I didn't use it much.

I find that the internet is usually more convenient than a guide now-a-days. I have my tablet with me every where I go at home. So, it's just a few taps to whatever I need to know.