To play Uncharted is to become an actor in an action film with improbable twists. It is not for nothing that the series will be the subject of a feature film coming out in February. Uncharted 4 : Legacy of Thieves Collection contains the last two games in the series as remastered versions for the PS5. The perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover these games and their breathtaking landscapes.
Images and copy of the game courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment
Played on PlayStation 5 for review
Versions remastérisées
The graphics have been enhanced for this collection. The Performance+ mode allows you to play at 120 fps with a resolution of 1080p, a question of better appreciating the grandiose landscapes and the frantic action of the games. Loads are almost instantaneous on the PS5 with this mode, so there’s no reason not to. The game also features a 4K mode for those who can enjoy it!
I nevertheless found that the landscapes of A Thief’s End weren’t that impressive in general; they’re a bit dull, and their age (the game was released in 2016) shows. Those from Lost Legacy were more vibrant, and I stopped more often to contemplate them. Of course, the images remain very neat and the detailed decorations are more than pleasant to visit.
The collection also takes advantage of the haptic feedback of PS5 controllers. Whether on foot, in the car or in the rain, the controller vibrates according to the environment. Adaptive triggers are also used when swinging at the end of a rope. All of this allows you to better immerse yourself in the game.
A Thief’s End
The fourth installment ofUncharted, which concludes the story of Nathan Drake, is a continuation of its predecessors. We embark on the trail of a treasure that belonged to great pirates, and the puzzles to be solved take us from Panama to Madagascar via Scotland.
Uncharted’s strength is its complex and endearing characters, whether it’s Nathan Drake himself, Elena, Sully, or the all-new Drake. The arrival of Sam, Nate’s long-lost brother, is a somewhat far-fetched case of retroactive continuity: in the early chapters of the game, we discover his existence shortly before witnessing his supposed death…and then his return. 15 years later.
We quickly forgive his hasty introduction, since he turns out to be just as interesting as the other characters. It serves to motivate and show Nate’s evolution. Indeed, the treasure hunter had been retired for a few years, settled into a pleasant routine with his wife Elena. When Sam walks into his life, he agrees to embark on another final adventure… without telling Elena. However, this one accompanied him in all his previous adventures, so it is difficult to understand why he decides to keep her away.
During his quest, our Indiana Jones from the video game gradually realizes that in his search for the treasure at all costs, he is neglecting important elements of his life. Like him, his brother is ready to do anything for the lure of gain, risking his life and his relationships with others. A bit like the pirates they follow in their footsteps, by the way. In the end, Nathan finally learns from his mistakes, as seen in the glee-laden epilogue.
The problem with the cinematic aspect of Uncharted is that any inconsistencies can be difficult to accept. The undamaged crates found “by chance” in the ruins, the centuries-old puzzles that can be solved in minutes, Nate’s superhuman ability to propel himself from the fingertips of a crack of rock to rock…not to mention the dozens and dozens of soldiers he unflinchingly kills, even though the script insists on portraying him as a “good guy”.
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The fights therefore remain the weak point of the game. Even at easy (because yes, it’s okay to play “easy”), they prove frustrating at times, and each death made me feel like I was failing in my performance as the prodigious Nathan Drake. There is not much room for creativity; we take cover and shoot until our comrade tells us that everyone is dead.
The platforming passages are faithful to the series, but with some improvements. When climbing, there are often several possible paths, which gives a feeling of fluidity to the experience. Sequences of car races, destruction of ancient cities and hand-to-hand combat are also present.
Despite its few weaknesses, A Thief’s End is a game in which one easily gets carried away. It is impossible to resist the charm of Nathan Drake, and we are passionate with him for the quest for lost treasure. Her character arc is also very satisfying in this conclusion to her story.
The Lost Legacy
Special Game, Lost Legacy features Chloe Frazer, a supporting character fromUncharted 2 and 3, accompanied by Nadine Ross, who we see in the fourth opus. Freed from the character of Drake and the constraints of producing a larger game, Lost Legacy offers the best ofUncharted. The scenario is much better put together, and the dialogues between the two adventurers are excellent. We get to know the two heroines, and it is very refreshing to see the dynamic evolve between two female characters, still too rare in this type of work. In addition, the fights are fewer and more dynamic, with a greater number of weapons available, including silencers allowing to advance discreetly.
The presence of a chapter in a semi-open world is also a good innovation. Of course, we stay in Uncharted, so don’t expect to be able to explore everywhere and discover secrets; apart from the points indicated on the map, there is nothing to see. The car rides and the many puzzles to solve to recover statuettes, however, give a real feeling of exploration that we rarely have in Uncharted, since we are busy following the path laid out in advance by the developers.
Short, Lost Legacy is the best part of this collection. Don’t worry about getting bored of Nathan Drake; you won’t have time to even think about it!