Why the ‘Uncharted’ collection is a fantastic idea
Some notes on the remastered versions of Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Tomorrow, the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection releases on PS5 and PC. It’s a package of two games — Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy that originally came out exclusively for PS4 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Made by acclaimed developer Naughty Dog, they’re both showcases of technical brilliance and narrative depth.
I want to remember and highlight some of the reasons these games are worth playing, either for the first time or on a second run. Remasters may be a somewhat boring trend in the video game industry, but it’s nice to see slightly aged games get an update that lets them shine on new hardware. And if any games deserve to be remembered and played again, it’s two titles by one of PlayStation’s most revered developers.
Graphics
Naughty Dog has been known for incredible graphics from the Uncharted games onward. This is most recently evident in 2020’s The Last of Us Part II, which despite being released on the PS4 is still a beautiful experience. The Uncharted games may be an even better visual experience, since the protagonists travel through many different, stunning set pieces on their various quests for treasure.
Attention to Detail
In addition to stunning scenery, Naughty Dog games and the Uncharted franchise in particular are known for creating rich, complex environments that come startlingly close to real life. One example: in Uncharted 4, there’s a scene that plays out in Nathan Drake’s house. Players can walk around, pick up items off shelves, and admire an environment that feels just like a real house.
Likewise, in Lost Legacy, Chloe Frazier will get out her map to look at, and cross off, previously-visited locations with a pencil. These marks will later show up whenever players hit the right button. Little touches like this may mean little on their own, but they combine to form a world that draws players in, beckons them to explore, and promises that every step will be carefully crafted. This is present throughout all five Uncharted games, but is nowhere more evident than in the two included in this collection.
Story
Both Last of Us games are known for their stunning narratives, but the Uncharted games excel in this area as well. The best way to describe them is that the overall plot is typical action-adventure-treasure-hunt material, but the way the scenes and dialog play out goes beyond what most video games can offer. The reasons why Nathan Drake is chasing an artifact may be a little silly, but the conversations he has with his brother, friend, and wife feel organic and interesting.
There’s one sequence in Uncharted 4 where players have to traverse through a large, open area in a jeep. Along the way, Drake and his friends will tell each other stories, make fun of each other, and generally have a good time. When players get out of the car, these conversations will pause, and then resume once everyone is back inside. 2018’s God of War also followed this design choice and it’s a smart way to tell stories without relying purely on cutscenes.
Nostalgia
I’m deeply nostalgic for all things Uncharted (except maybe the movie: that just looks pretty bland). I grew up playing these games on my PS3, I waited eagerly for the release date of Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy, and I can’t wait to enjoy these new adventures in greater detail and with higher framerates. The Uncharted franchise is just fundamentally a blast to play through and I’m glad these games got a new coat of paint for 2022.
Notes:
- Interestingly enough, Lost Legacy started as DLC for Uncharted 4, but was spun out into its own full-length game after some time in development.
- If the rumors about the Last of Us remake are true, we could see another Naughty Dog game later this year
- There are several performance options available for the collection. This review does a good job of breaking them down.
The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.
