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Reviews
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017)
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - A Promising Future
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy shows promising signs of what the future holds for Uncharted.
Chloe returns with a different Nadine from Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016) in an epic adventure against menacing villain, Asav.
There are plenty of positives to take from The Lost Legacy. One would be that it's totally stunning (as is tradition in the series). Halebidu is a truly beautiful setting. The gameplay is brought over well from the previous entry and Chloe is a great lead, with Nadine and Sam completing an intoxicating trio, with players wanting more once the credits roll. It's a well empowering and positive portrayal for female leads, without the game becoming patronising or forcing its ideals upon us. Naughty Dog are so good at that.
For negatives, the game does become slightly boring despite its short running time. The story simply doesn't rival the previous entries and while the trio is great and the signs are good for any possible future entries, this trio can't match up to Nate, Elena and Sully.
In conclusion, The Lost Legacy is a more than worthy entry to the series. It's a good game, with a fantastic finale. Overall, this shows the series can go on and still rival its competitors.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - 8/10
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016)
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - Nathan Drake's Final Flawless Masterpiece
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is the perfect send off for gaming's greatest hero, Nathan Drake.
Thrown back into a life of adventure through the re-appearance of long lost brother, Sam (played brilliantly by the legendary Troy Baker), this final adventure sees Nate's relationships with Elena and Sully pushed to the absolute brink.
It's tough to find a place to start. It's this generation's most stunning game. From the astonishing Scottish Highlands to the awe-inspiring Libertalia, A Thief's End fends off the likes of Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) to be that. The story is possibly the best in the series. It's perfectly written and presented amazingly, as well as any Hollywood production. In terms of gameplay, A Thief's End hits the series' lofty possibilities. It's fluid, flawless and feels so satisfying. The game's set-pieces blow anyone away. The pick is the motorbike/jeep chase through Madagascar. That sequence rivals any other in games, films or TV. It's a true marvel. Along with the set-pieces, the slower moments complete it all. The flashbacks... just wow. I can't say any more.
Nolan North, Emily Rose and Richard McGonagle returned for what will likely be their last appearances in the Uncharted series. It's been a true honour to witness their amazing performances from all three of them. The journey of the greatest trio in gaming history is unrivalled throughout the industry. As mentioned, Baker puts in one of his greatest performances in his career as Sam, while the great Laura Bailey appears as Nadine and Rafe proves an intimidating, curious villain.
Negatives... can't be found. It's truly impossible. This conclusion of Nathan Drake's arc is a titan of a game.
In conclusion, A Thief's End signs off the main Uncharted series through sheer perfection and nothing else. From top to bottom, it's immaculate. An emotional rollercoaster... play it. Just play it.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - 10/10
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (2011)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - Nathan Drake's Greatest Adventure
Drake's Deception is an all-rounded, psychological and emotional adventure for gaming's greatest hero that the players buy fully into for one of the greatest titles of all time.
Drake's Deception explores more into the backstory of Nate. I won't go into detail, you deserve to see it for yourself, but I will say it adds a whole new level to Nate and to Sully. This makes the two all the more endearing. With this theme, we also see Nate's dangerous obsession with treasure hunting pushed to the brink and challenge the relationship between him and Elena. This makes for an interesting plot point worth the player's time. The overarching story of an Uncharted links to an important historic figure. From Francis Drake to Marco Polo to now T.E. Lawrence. These links are possibly the series' best, with Lawrence of Arabia being a hugely great idea for the franchise. The action is truly stupendous in Drake's Deception - with some of the best set-pieces in the franchise (the Talbot chase and the shipwreck are insanely good, but the outstanding moment here, and the franchise, is the plane crash. An enthralling, fantastic and brilliantly dramatic moment guaranteed to blow you away. An historic gaming set piece). The villain, Marlowe, makes for an interesting character. Rather than a physical threat, she's chillingly psychotic in her attacks on Nate, a different threat for him to face. As a given by now, every performer turns in a great performance, with North delivering possibly his best as Nate. The gameplay perfected in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) is brought over for gamers here.
As for negatives, you become truly stumped. Perhaps, despite it being perfectly fine, the soundtrack isn't as good as the others? Truly difficult to find any.
In conclusion, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is simply a masterpiece. It explores Nate's backstory, delivers beautiful locales, has a classic Uncharted story delivered just like a perfect Hollywood blockbuster with characters all given an arc or purposes that drive and has sensational action set-pieces that rival any film, show or game that can be named.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - 10/10
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - The Spectacular Adventure Continues
Among Thieves continues the swashbuckling adventure of Nathan Drake and company in beautiful style.
Gameplay-wise, Among Thieves builds on Drake's Fortune's groundwork. The climbing and jumping is fine-tuned very well to be seemless. New fighting techniques also improve what was already very, very good. The story is also gripping, just like Drake's Fortune. It's a fantastically woven story, with twists when the story calls upon it that keep players on their toes. Newcomer Chloe is a great character. Her confidence and sheer power in battle, along with her witty demeanour makes her a great addition to the story - who'd later become even more important. Harry is a greatly cocky and a great love-to-hate character. While Sully doesn't have as a bigger role in the game, his appearance in the start is very welcome and does have a few funny moments, his interactions with Nate, Elena and Chloe are all fantastic. Elena is, as always, amazing. She's more battle-hardened now, but that doesn't stop her witty and endearingly great character.
Not much to say for negatives. An argument could be made Lazarevic is a fairly formulaic villain. He's somewhat a typical villain - big bad guy, looking for a power to dominate the world. However, more of the villain is the journey and challenge in finding Shambhala.
In conclusion, Among Thieves is another spectacular Uncharted game. From epic set-pieces (the hotel and train sequences... just wow!), great performances, a terrific story, a splendid score and beautiful locales it's a must-play!
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) - 10/10
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007)
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - The Original Classic
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is still a genuine classic videogame title more than a decade on.
PlayStation have no shortage of fantastic exclusive titles but perhaps the most important and the one they're most indebted to is Drake's Fortune. Its biggest selling point has to be its cinematic feel and blockbuster-type approach. It really feels as though you're playing a classic adventure film (akin to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) or The Mummy (1999)). While its sequels are more filled with crazy set-pieces, Drake's Fortune has no shortage of great moments (finding the German U-Boat and escaping Raja's men, along with a great showdown stand out). One thing that can't go unmentioned is this was the game in which we were introduced to gaming's greatest trio. Nate, Sully and Elena are classic characters all played by fantastic performers (this game introduced Nolan North's greatest work).
There are next to no negatives to think of. One thing that could be argued is some gameplay doesn't hold up overly well. Gunfighting and melee attacks remain fine, but some may say the climbing and jumping may seem sluggish (climbing less so). This doesn't change an unforgettable experience.
In conclusion, Drake's Fortune is still a swashbuckling, excitement-fest, with a characters and a story to rival any film, game or TV show. It's still a fantastic adventure more than a decade on. It's a must-play for all gamers.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007) - 10/10