It's been nearly five years since the release of Uncharted 3,
...and in that time, The Last of Us has been heralded...
...as Naughty Dog's crowning achievement,
...propelling the studio into the highest pantheon of quality.
In its return to Uncharted, the team met with controversial staff changes...
...and multiple delays. But now we finally have Uncharted 4 in our hands.
This latest tale may mean an end to this thief's adventures...
...but does it leave a legacy that the industry will never forget?
Several years after the events of Uncharted 3,
...Nathan Drake is living a peacful, domestic life doing salvage jobs and sorting through his attic,
...but it's clear that he quietly yearns for the thrills of his treasure-hunting days.
Naturally, his situation is about to change.
Drake's brother Sam, presumed to be dead, returns to give Nathan an offer he can't refuse...
...and the stage is set for another globe-trotting adventure in search of vast riches.
The relationship between Nate and Sam is just one layer...
...of the nuanced web of emotions among the key players.
At its core, Uncharted 4 is a character study,
...exploring intimate themes like regret, love, and pride.
The cutscenes and conversations blend seamlessly between gameplay,
...never truly removing you from the proceedings.
The visuals are unquestionably the best we have ever seen,
...further emphasizing characters' subtle intricacies.
From far-off mountains to torch-lit caves,
...the variety of things to look at is equally impressive.
Like its predecessors, Uncharted 4 utilizes the minutia of its scenery to bolster its storytelling,
...filling locations with detailed detritus that relays messages of history and character,
...and so much of it is simply fascinating to examine.
During the sixteen-hour journey, Drake and his companions...
...explore high-society auctions, the muddy foothills of Madagascar,
...scottish ruins, and lush islands formerly inhabited by pirates.
While much of the game is still focused on following the trail and forging ahead,
...some areas are broader than Uncharted has ever been before,
...giving you wide spaces to stretch your legs...
...and stumble across whatever you may.
Each location features numerous nooks and crannies to explore.
Optional treasures, journal entries, and side conversations litter each stage,
...and collecting them unlocks bonuses for subsequent playthroughs.
In fact, even when there isn't something to pick up,
...there's still so many sight to see, you may find it hard to progress forward...
...in fear of missing something significant.
Nathan's trusty journal plays a more prominent role in A Thief's End,
...serving as an entertaining collection of notes and sketches...
...regarding the journey, as well as a bit of humorous commentary.
It also provides clues to solving the game's puzzles,
...and while these aren't the most challenging to overcome,
...each is stimulating in its design.
As the journey takes our heroes closer to the elusive trasure,
...devious traps raise the stakes...
...and make for a more sinister tone.
Throughout your search, rival mercenaries...
...will catch up with Drake's team and try to stop you...
...in magnificent full-scale shootouts.
Combat plays similar to the previous games,
...but with a greater emphasis on mobility.
The new grappling hook makes navigating the terrain fast and efficient,
...making it easy to get up close on a lone gunman...
...or swing away when outnumbered.
The arenas are large, encouraging constant movement,
...wether it's ducking behind cover amidst a hail of bullets...
...or striking from the shadows to quietly even the odds.
Each weapon has strengths and weaknesses depending on the situation.
Some enemies tend to rush in guns blazing while...
...others tend to take cover in the distance...
...and throw grenades in an effort to flush you out.
Additionally, if you're too trigger-happy,
...you may find ammo in short supply,
...forcing you to get the jump on an enemy to acquire a new weapon.
The feeling of exhiliration is relentless during these firefights,
...and each new area is a joy to destroy.
Stealth has been tweaked considerably...
...and some players may prefer the challenge...
...of clearing a guarded zone entirely unseen.
Tall grass can be used to subdue and hide unsuspecting victims...
...while the grappling hook offers high-flying takedowns.
If you manage to eliminate a group without being spotted,
...they won't be able to call in reinforcements,
...rewarding your efforts for playing cautiously.
At times, you'll have AI companions in tow,
...but they won't blow your cover...
...and they do a fair job of helping to thin the ranks.
Multiplayer takes advantage of the wide open spaces featured in the campaign,
...but also adds new weapons and abilities.
Similar to Counter-Strike, performing well in each match...
...earns you money, which can then be spent on mysticals, sidekicks, or upgrades.
Mysticals are powerful ancient artifacts from previous Uncharted games...
...than can turn the tide of battle in an instant.
The Wrath of El Dorado deals damage to enemies in an area,
...the Cintamani Stones instantly revive teammates,
...while the Spirit of the Djinn lets you teleport.
Sidekicks are like personal bodyguards...
...that come equipped with different abilities...
...like the Sniper, Medic, or Hunter.
Additionally, the grappling hook can now be charged...
...to perform a powerful melee strike.
This all culminates to offer a unique dynamic to each encounter...
...not available in the campaign.
When teams go all in and use multiple mysticals and sidekicks,
...the battleground becomes a chaotic and envigorating frenzy.
It's still early in its life, but at this point,
...the maps, modes, and weapons feel relatively balanced.
The shotgun needs to be used point-blank to score a kill,
...while the sniper rifle needs to land a headshot for one-shot kill.
There are only three modes at launch:
Team Deathmatch, Command, and Plunder.
Command involves capturing specific locations but...
...additionally, each team has a captain with extra perks...
...and killing them rewards bonus points for the team.
Finally, Plunder is the most strategic mode,
...tasking each team to steal the relic and deliver it to their base.
Picking up the heavy relic slows you to a walk, making you extremely vulnerable.
Also, most maps have gaps, forcing you to toss the relic,
...requiring you to coordinate with teammates to move the relic upfield,
...or you'll risk it being snatched away by the other team.
Naughty Dog has already revealed plans for more modes...
...and support comming between now and spring of 2017.
So there's still a lot to be excited about.
Even now, multiplayer offers a distinctive dynamic...
...that sets it apart from the campaign...
...and is a valuable addition to an incredible game.
When you don't want to compete against other players,
...Trials offer ways to familiarize yourself...
...with maps and loadouts in a less aggressive environment.
Completing these also earns you a generous amount of relic points...
...to start customizing your characters.
You can earn more relic points over time through matches and daily challenges...
...or, if you prefer to unlock cosmetic items more quickly,
...you can use real money to purchase an equivalent amount of uncharted points.
Uncharted 4 is a landmark title...
...that anyone remotely interested in interactive storytelling should invest in.
Naughty Dog has once again raised the bar across the industry.
Thrilling shootouts, a staggering level of detail,
...breath-taking visuals, and emotional depth...
...come together to make Uncharted 4: A Thief's End a must-play masterpiece.