BackGame review | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The final instalment of an iconic game provides spectacular graphics, an exciting story and some witty banter
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Uncharted’s protagonist, Nathan Drake, has legions of fans. When the first edition of the game released, in 2007, people instantly fell in love with the sassy, talkative, smart and lovable adventurer. Uncharted, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, brought to gaming a unique blend of edge-of-the-seat action and cinematic graphics. A Thief’s End, which released on 10 May for PlayStation 4, is, sadly, the last game in the Uncharted series.
In this edition, Drake has finally retired from treasure hunting. He has settled down with Elena Fisher, a journalist who has been his love interest since the first game. Yet he still yearns for the life of a treasure hunter. All is peaceful and a bit boring until his long-lost brother Sam, presumed to be dead, shows up. Now, there’s one last adventure Drake has to embark upon, and it involves pirate treasure.
Like the earlier Uncharted games, the narrative jumps back and forth through timelines. It starts with a boat-chase sequence that is nowhere near as riveting as the other Uncharted opening sequences. This is followed by a long and arduous introduction to the dynamics of Drake’s and Sam’s relationship, starting from when they were children in an orphanage. The game had begun to drag when a brilliant prison-break sequence reinvigorated us.
As you progress through the game, you see why it took its time introducing you to Sam. The writing is as good as it has been, and there is some witty banter between the characters. Drake sometimes gets himself into situations that he just quips his way out of. What long-time fans of the Uncharted games will appreciate is that A Thief’s End stops for periods of time to reminisce about past games. You see Drake walking down memory lane in his attic, a fitting finale to a brilliant series.
The gameplay is tight, with exciting gunplay and platforming mechanics. The annoying part is that the camera sometimes moves slowly, as if it’s carrying some weight, making sequences a bit tougher than they should be. The animations are smooth and responsive, letting the Drake brothers jump and climb their way into bad spots. The best parts are the hand-to-hand fight sequences, though they could have used a few more block and parry moves, considering there are so many of them.
A Thief’s End looks unbelievable. The frame rate is smooth and unwavering. The vistas are glorious, as you visit islands, coastal cities and more.
If you are a fan of Uncharted, you cannot afford to miss Uncharted 4. If you have not heard of the series, you should pick up all the previous titles, now remastered for the PlayStation 4, before you jump to the last.
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