This review contains spoilers
A magnum opus, truly. A beautiful game. I was struck many times during cutscenes at just how good the character models looked. Six years since release it holds up as one of the best looking games I've played. For me this is far and away better than the first three games. It has been weird to find out that there are those out there that don't like this game or prefer any of its predecessors. I suspect nostalgia plays a part, but I have none of that and so I think 4 is objectively (and subjectively!) better that 1,2, or 3 in every way.
I loved the story and the conflict between characters and the parallels and the callbacks and references to previous games. The moment to moment dialogue between characters as you play was excellent and it was wonderful to have time on missions with Sully and Elena between time with Sam. I loved Sam, except when his lie was revealed; I suspected something, but not exactly that. And for being in prison for 15 years, Sam sure was fuckin good at climbing and rope swinging and everything. An excellent voice performance by Troy Baker as well. I think Rafe was a good villain, and Nadine was pretty badass; looking forward to see more of her in lost legacy.
Loved the all the bloody pirate stuff. Favorite treasure hunt/story of the lot. Pirates are cool. Enjoyed the puzzles. Many beautiful locations. The set piece escape scenarios felt like a greatest hits compilation at times, bigger and better than before. Could also feel the Last of Us influence, with the movement and pushing around boxes to climb on and such. Also the rope, that was fun; why didn't Nate ever think to bring a rope before?
Something I did not enjoy as much, was the combat. This felt a lot harder than previous games, just playing on moderate. The aiming felt less precise, probably a switch to more realistic gameplay or whatever, but it took me a long while to get used to, and even still I tried to stealth as much as I could. Going for trophy cleanup with auto aim on was wonderful. Probably will be more likely that I eventually go back for the crushing playthrough and the plat knowing I can use auto aim and infinite ammo. Otherwise I cannot imagine how fucked crushing difficulty is.
Not even gonna talk about multiplayer cause who cares, that shit can get in the bin. Can't imagine wasting more time on it than needed for the trophies.
Shame the PS4 version didn't get a 60fps upgrade/unlock for PS5 like so many other games, but after the initial noticement, the 30fps wasn't an issue.
What a game, what an experience.
- 61/68 Trophies
I loved the story and the conflict between characters and the parallels and the callbacks and references to previous games. The moment to moment dialogue between characters as you play was excellent and it was wonderful to have time on missions with Sully and Elena between time with Sam. I loved Sam, except when his lie was revealed; I suspected something, but not exactly that. And for being in prison for 15 years, Sam sure was fuckin good at climbing and rope swinging and everything. An excellent voice performance by Troy Baker as well. I think Rafe was a good villain, and Nadine was pretty badass; looking forward to see more of her in lost legacy.
Loved the all the bloody pirate stuff. Favorite treasure hunt/story of the lot. Pirates are cool. Enjoyed the puzzles. Many beautiful locations. The set piece escape scenarios felt like a greatest hits compilation at times, bigger and better than before. Could also feel the Last of Us influence, with the movement and pushing around boxes to climb on and such. Also the rope, that was fun; why didn't Nate ever think to bring a rope before?
Something I did not enjoy as much, was the combat. This felt a lot harder than previous games, just playing on moderate. The aiming felt less precise, probably a switch to more realistic gameplay or whatever, but it took me a long while to get used to, and even still I tried to stealth as much as I could. Going for trophy cleanup with auto aim on was wonderful. Probably will be more likely that I eventually go back for the crushing playthrough and the plat knowing I can use auto aim and infinite ammo. Otherwise I cannot imagine how fucked crushing difficulty is.
Not even gonna talk about multiplayer cause who cares, that shit can get in the bin. Can't imagine wasting more time on it than needed for the trophies.
Shame the PS4 version didn't get a 60fps upgrade/unlock for PS5 like so many other games, but after the initial noticement, the 30fps wasn't an issue.
What a game, what an experience.
- 61/68 Trophies