Topic: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

I didn't click it, but it doesn't say you can't, just that it's v. difficult or something.

SO GOOD

Up to chapter 9 and loving every second. Naughty Dog is untouchable.

Got it installed last night and managed a good few hours on it. Firstly, story and characters are excellent. More depth and the animations are excellent. I forgot I was playing a game. It looks beautiful, it sounds beautiful and it plays like a dream.

I agree with some of the comments made about gameplay and I think it ties into what Mr. Sammy Barkers review noted. It isn't revolutionary, it is more of the same (with some good tweaks) but it is still very enjoyable. Probably why Naughty Dog are knocking it on the head after this entry. Having played Uncharted Collection and Golden Abyss in the last few months, the gameplay is a touch repetitive. Not even a complaint in my book though. Knowing this is the end means I just want to enjoy every last second.

I was smiling like a idiot with some of the fan service in the sections played so far.

The game-play is hardly revolutionary but its certainly been a 'step-up' for the franchise. We now have more vehicle control, more stealth choice, wider linearity, the grapple hook etc. It would be difficult to completely revolutionise the game-play and keep the heart and soul of Uncharted. All games have a certain amount of repetivity - its not like its a shooter in one chapter a race sim, a platformer, hack and slash, space combat, flight simulator etc in subsequent chapters. Unlike previous games though, this allows you skip combat altogether and just 'stealth' your way past enemies in quite a few cases. I notice on one 'engagement' that if you 'Stealth' kill everything, reinforcements don't show up and several have trophies linked to not killing or being spotted - impossible on the hardest difficulty available (not crushing as that was greyed out for me at the start)

I still don't really like the AI help, additional conversations from Last of Us - things I didn't really like about that game and MGS style marking and awareness notifications either as that takes away from the 'beauty' of the game for me - seeing triangles over peoples heads! I find it odd that I (Nate) can be spotted instantly I moved in front of someone yet Sam was running between 2 pieces of cover in front of a guards vision and didn't get noticed (Sam couldn't fit in the cover Nate was yet kept trying). The AI partner isn't quite as ridiculous as the Last of Us with Ellie who was meant to be more vulnerable, a child but was a deadly killer. These partners can kill but never be killed, never miss a jump - unlike Nate? The additional convo's add nothing either other than a frustration if you 'miss' them. I have found 'notes' that don't count towards your collectibles too - one in the first chapter that didn't tell me anything I didn't know from the start (no spoilers) and some in Chapter 4 - exploring Nates house - not the attic - that didn't really add anything either but the level of detail is incredible. Its not a criticism but its things I have noticed so far.

It would take something really special to beat this to Game of the Year and I honestly can't think of anything releasing that will challenge it. Horizon: Zero Dawn has the potential to push it but I don't know if that can realistically challenge it for that particular accolade.

Its proof that even if the rumoured PS4 Neo does release, the standard of gaming on the PS4 is still incredible. Games may not look as pretty by comparison but they will still look incredible!

@BAMozzy: Dark Souls 3 is a better game

@kyleforrester87: A matter of opinion of course... I know which game I think is better and it has a '4' in it! According to 'metacritic', Uncharted 4 is higher rated too scoring 94 compared to DS3's 89.

It's almost impossible to compare Dark Souls III and Uncharted 4. I think the latter does more to evolve the formula established by its predecessors, but they're completely different experiences attempting to do different things.

Agreed they are very different games. Also anyone can pick up and play Uncharted 4 whereas half the people will be smashing their controller against the wall after playing Dark Souls 3 in frustration.

@get2sammyb: Not disputing that they are different but if we're talking game of the year I'd have to give that to Dark Souls 3 so far, over Uncharted 4.

Although, I would argue that if both games are (to a point) about exploration and discovery, DS3 absolutely nails the sense of wonder. You regularly come across places that you feel might not have been found by other players. Conversely, Uncharted 4 feels like you're on a monorail traveling round a safari park. It's a nice day out but I don't really feel like I'm discovering ancient ruins.

You are right that U4 deserves points for trying to evolve certain aspects of the formula though.

@kyleforrester87: Game of the year is already difficult and it's only May!

@get2sammyb: Can't argue with that - Hopefully Doom and NMS offer formidable competition but they could go either way! Still, you'll certainly be exploring uncharted territories in the later!

@kyleforrester87:

Isn't that Uncharted though? A mostly linear and straightforward experience (even with 4)......and that's fine, that's great, for all of the grandiose open world games, we also need the super polished point A to point B experience that Uncharted is........if anything, it's refreshing.

I'm about 3.5-4 hours into 4 so far.....slow beginning, but I can tell things are starting to heat up. The graphical fidelity is out if this world......it's almost too realistic at times! (is that Sully's nose hair!?). I'm really enjoying it thus far.

BTW, the portion with "that old game" is so much trolling. Not a coincidence, lol.

@kyleforrester87: dark souls 3 is bloodborne with more menus, do either games have a great coherent and emotionally impacting story? At least uncharted 4 doesn't make you rehasash old story missions, the last ten chapters of MGSV were funkkking abysmal

@get2sammyb:
I will reserve final judgement until I've finished the game but I'm at the start of Chapter 18 in Uncharted 4 and unless something goes drastically wrong, it's a slam dunk for my Game of the Year. Good lord this game is f**king awesome, all aspects of its gameplay, especially the gun fights, are improves and what a treat for the eyes. My play time is longer than usual because sometimes I just find myself taking in the sights and snapping screenshots. I probably have 25 or 30 now, will post some of my faves on the PushSquare community on PS4 when I get a chance.

I know I am not near completion yet but I have still put in a lot of hours. I am playing on the hardest difficulty but also hunting every collectible (treasure, notes, convo's etc) as well as a bit of trophy hunting. Chapter 10 (Madagascar - no spoilers it has been shown) took a long time hunting everything... I tried some of the 'no killing/getting spotted' trophies but I think I may have to play these 'encounters' on a lower difficulty as they seem impossible to get through on this difficulty.

I haven't bothered with the 'photo' mode but the game looks stunning - easily the best looking game on console so far! I also think its the 'best' Uncharted game - at least from what I have played. I guess its too early to make that statement as I still have half of it to go but the things they have 'added' to the game, coupled with the finer details (not just visual - but character developments etc), its astounding. Its like playing a movie!

Spoiler free, but have just finished it. It's the best game I've played in years, better than 2 IMO. I guess it's taken me about 16-18 hours, still waiting for the credits to finish so dunno if it'll actually tell me. Missed a lot of loots out.

@BAMozzy I was trying to collect what I could on my first play through but realise I already missed a lot. Even when I was trying to be careful some things I just had no idea how to get them. There is a trophy for every difficulty level so think I will end up doing different parts on different playthroughs. I am really enjoying the driving mission so much variety in the game from mission to mission.

Played a good chunk more tonight, story is picking up a bit more and enjoying it. Again, the graphics are pretty rediculous.

Just got to chapter 17. Man is this good, loved chapter 16. I'd say it's definitely out pacing 1-3 so far. The multiplayer isn't really doing much for me though but I never got it for that.

Can't remember what chapter I've played to now, 16 or 17 I think. Absolute rollercoaster. I've not tried the multiplayer yet but the story alone would be worth the price of entry. I'll have it finished tonight or tomorrow, then I'll probably play some multiplayer over the weekend at some point if anyone's up for that?