“Nathan Drake is a legend. You know, I shot the man who told me that.”
On a second playthrough, I think I’ve really come to terms with the fact that Uncharted 4 really is the best this franchise has to offer. And the reason for that mainly boils down to one word - spectacle.
I could write research essays on the importance of spectacle in video games as a medium. And spectacle is what Uncharted is all about - it’s thrilling, it constantly throws grand set-pieces and choreographed combat and climbing sequences at you. And not only do I think A Thief’s End has the most amount of sheer spectacle, it also manages to make that spectacle the most fun.
Some might criticize Uncharted for being as linear as it is, but I really think that’s part of the appeal - Naughty Dog has so much control over these action sequences, and it allows them to craft an experience that makes Uncharted feel like a playable action film. And it’s unbelievably fun, man.
But Uncharted 4 is definitely unique in the fact that it gives you the most tools to create your own spectacle. There’s so many options you have at any given moment in every single encounter the game has to offer, and it makes playing on higher difficulties even more rewarding as much as it is challenging. Once you get on a roll, rapidly traversing from one option to the next, dispatching enemies in countless possible ways, you feel so fucking cool.
And all of this is without even discussing the story of Uncharted 4 - which I feel is undoubtedly one of the best in the series. It understands so intimately Nathan Drake as a character, and it tests him. It puts you in his shoes in a way few other games could because despite how thrilling everything that’s going on is, you’re acutely aware that you’re endangering this man’s marriage and the lives of the people around him. This is a broken man who finally started turning his life around, and you’re enabling him to relapse. It’s a brilliant tale.
I do wish that this game had a “monster” enemy type like the last three - it feels like a big Uncharted staple that’s missing - but I do understand this prevents a lot of frustration late game as these enemies often turned into bullet sponges.
It’s just a beautiful game, honestly. Even visually. When I think of a game that has perfect synergy between storytelling and fun, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is what I think of now. It’s such a perfect end to the story of Nathan Drake and I really hope that even if someday we get an Uncharted 5, they let this remain Nate’s final chapter. I imagine I’ll definitely want to revisit A Thief’s End again a few years down the line. It’s just that good.
Oh, and, yes, every video game should have a grappling hook from now on.
Sic parvis magna.
On a second playthrough, I think I’ve really come to terms with the fact that Uncharted 4 really is the best this franchise has to offer. And the reason for that mainly boils down to one word - spectacle.
I could write research essays on the importance of spectacle in video games as a medium. And spectacle is what Uncharted is all about - it’s thrilling, it constantly throws grand set-pieces and choreographed combat and climbing sequences at you. And not only do I think A Thief’s End has the most amount of sheer spectacle, it also manages to make that spectacle the most fun.
Some might criticize Uncharted for being as linear as it is, but I really think that’s part of the appeal - Naughty Dog has so much control over these action sequences, and it allows them to craft an experience that makes Uncharted feel like a playable action film. And it’s unbelievably fun, man.
But Uncharted 4 is definitely unique in the fact that it gives you the most tools to create your own spectacle. There’s so many options you have at any given moment in every single encounter the game has to offer, and it makes playing on higher difficulties even more rewarding as much as it is challenging. Once you get on a roll, rapidly traversing from one option to the next, dispatching enemies in countless possible ways, you feel so fucking cool.
And all of this is without even discussing the story of Uncharted 4 - which I feel is undoubtedly one of the best in the series. It understands so intimately Nathan Drake as a character, and it tests him. It puts you in his shoes in a way few other games could because despite how thrilling everything that’s going on is, you’re acutely aware that you’re endangering this man’s marriage and the lives of the people around him. This is a broken man who finally started turning his life around, and you’re enabling him to relapse. It’s a brilliant tale.
I do wish that this game had a “monster” enemy type like the last three - it feels like a big Uncharted staple that’s missing - but I do understand this prevents a lot of frustration late game as these enemies often turned into bullet sponges.
It’s just a beautiful game, honestly. Even visually. When I think of a game that has perfect synergy between storytelling and fun, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is what I think of now. It’s such a perfect end to the story of Nathan Drake and I really hope that even if someday we get an Uncharted 5, they let this remain Nate’s final chapter. I imagine I’ll definitely want to revisit A Thief’s End again a few years down the line. It’s just that good.
Oh, and, yes, every video game should have a grappling hook from now on.
Sic parvis magna.