Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 1

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End was always going to put in an appearance during Sony’s big PlayStation Experience keynote over the weekend, but we actually ended up with more than we bargained for. We were confident that the conference would play host to at least a cut-scene from Naughty Dog’s forthcoming foray, but instead we were treated to 15 minutes of raw gameplay footage. And while it didn’t quite drop jaws to the same degree as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’ now legendary E3 demo, it still managed to surpass our expectations. Here’s why.

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Combat that’s a cut above

We already knew that the next Uncharted would look amazing on the PlayStation 4, but we were quietly preparing ourselves for a 1080p version of the titles that have come before. You underestimate Naughty Dog at your own peril, though, and the Californian company proved with its gameplay showcase why it’s one of the best developers in the world. This is an evolution of the escapades that have come before it, marrying the sandbox sequences of The Last of Us with the trigger happy action of a Hollywood movie.

Previous entries in the property have included elements of verticality, but it looks much more advanced here. Drake is shown clambering from pillar to pillar, looking desperately for a vantage point from which to get the jump on his foes. However, much more intelligent enemies also occupy the same abilities, working in packs to flush out the action hero, and detain the threat. While the demo seemed to be well rehearsed, the seamless segues between platforming, stealth, and melee were outstanding, and hint at a much more nuanced release.

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Platforming possibilities

While there was perhaps hope for more complex platforming in Uncharted 4, the title appears to be sticking with the tried and true format from previous entries. This almost automatic adventuring perhaps makes sense when you consider that it needs to be married to all of the above, but there do appear to be some more complex options during downtime. The protagonist possesses a climbing pick, for example, opening up the opportunity for much less linear clambering across craggy walls. He also has an Indiana Jones-esque rope, which not only appears to unlock new combat options, but should add an extra wrinkle to the exploration as well.

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Don’t make a sound

Previous entries in the Uncharted franchise have toyed with stealth, but it’s always been an ill-conceived extra, designed to give the impression that Drake isn’t a cold-hearted killer. Here, however, it appears that sneaking past your enemies will be a legitimate option, with the demo showing the protagonist using thick foliage to slip past his foes. A new user interface addition – presumably inspired by The Last of Us – highlights the direction from which you’ve been spotted, hinting that there’ll be more undercover action elsewhere.

What’s especially neat about the sneaking, however, is the way in which it appears to be just one option in your portfolio. The demo switched from stealth to action and then back again, with the audio peaking at the appropriate times. When you’re out of sight, guards will work together to try and find you, splitting up and even updating each other with regular communication. One nice touch in the playthrough sees Drake take out an enemy, only for his buddy to inquire about his whereabouts a few moments later – impressive stuff.

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Attention to detail

And this kind of attention to detail is present throughout the demo. One section sees the protagonist tussling with a mercenary under a water fall, with both characters getting wet. A later punch sees a spray of fluid flash off said antagonist’s attire, proving that the game has remembered the skirmish prior. Meanwhile, while the visuals certainly aren’t at the photo-realistic level of The Order: 1886 yet, the draw distance is above and beyond anything that’s been in an Uncharted game before, while all of the little one-off animations are seemingly present and correct.

What impressed you most about Uncharted 4’s gameplay demo at PlayStation Experience? Are you confident that Naughty Dog can deliver on this level of quality across the full campaign? Do you have any concerns about the combat? Climb down into the comments section below.

What did you think of Uncharted 4's gameplay demo? (85 votes)

  1. Dude, it blew my mind68%
  2. I thought it was okay29%
  3. Meh, it was rubbish2%
  4. I haven't watched it yet  0%

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