Mane this was the game that came with my ps4 and even though it was only like 2-3 years since I las played and uncharted game I could still feel that time change different era kinda vibe this game had type shit like couldn't think of a better way to end a franchise fr like I dont have much to say about this game but back then and even know I wouod consider this game and read dead 2 as truely perfect games that I could recommend to anyone at any point in time like truely timless man and this game has the first actually good villian in the series man rafe is great like this was one of my first "oh EURUKA i get it now🤓" moment when you was fighting him and he said that he doesn't just want the treasure so people know he finally did something on his own type shit bruh good memories and I liked the multiplayer for like the games I played since the combat is game actually is good?!? And feels good🤯🤯🤯🤯 shits crazy but yeah I love this game and I hope they don't make a new one but who knows Actual Masterpiece/10
7.3/10
This review contains spoilers
Content warning for death of a parent and for a rambling mess of a review that's not really a review.
---
On May 15th of 2016 my dad died.
It wasn't surprising in the larger scheme of things but the moment was really jarring. That's obvious in a stupid sort of way, but I don't know how to talk about it without big obvious statements. He had grappled with diabetes and heart problems for the better part of three decades. Issues like that aren't "if" diagnoses, they're "when." If I really had to pinpoint a turn in his health, things declined when he started dialysis. Apparently sucking all your blood out, pumping it through a machine, and shoving it back in is kind of rough on your body. Wild, right?
In spite of it all, he always had such a great attitude. The guy wasn't even 60 but he looked and felt at least a decade older. And yet he was always quick with a joke, support for someone else--anything he could do to connect with someone and make their load lighter.
I saw him that day. My wife and I passed by my parents' house on the way back home from a trip. I hugged him, told him I loved him. Couldn't ask for much more than that. He died of a heart attack a couple hours after we left.
I was lucky to have some sort of closure with him but anyone who's experienced loss like that can tell you grief sticks around. Sure, it changes from being mad at the world and everyone in it to having a few special voicemails you'll never delete--a fragile time capsule of a file named dadvm.mp4 backed up in a few different spots. Tearing up at a few old songs that aren't sad in the slightest.
Southern funerals are the best and the worst. You get to (have to) see and talk to everyone who has ever even been in the same ZIP code as the deceased and each of them has a different take on the whole affair.
"He doesn't look like himself." Right he died, yeah.
"Somebody's gotta take care of your mom now!" Noted, I'll get right on that after I figure out how I'm going to do this at all.
But I heard so many stories. Dad traveled the US working construction for years before I was born. I met people who told me such cool things about him. One of those tragic pieces of the parent-child relationship is that you don't always get a clear picture of who your parent was--at least not a full one. On that day, my dad was further from me than I had ever experienced and yet I had a fuller picture of who he was than I ever had before.
I spoke on the phone for most of an hour with the organ donor phone rep the night before the service, I delivered the photo slideshow that played during the service, I picked out the songs that played and were sung, I was at the visitation for hours and shook more hands than I can count, I spoke about my dad before the eulogy, I helped carry the casket, I put a flower on the casket as they lowered it. Then I went home and it was quiet. And I was tired.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is about ending things. On its surface, it’s very much the pulp globetrotting action-adventure the series is known for, and it does that exceptionally well. Series-first semi-open world spaces are gorgeously brought to life. Fully operable vehicles make their debut and are executed wonderfully. This will sound silly but this game has the most impressive rope physics of any I’ve ever played. How is one of the highlights of PlayStation Indiana Jones the tow cable? I know that sounds like a dig but I promise it’s not.
The game is excellent. Certainly not above reproach, but excellent at most everything it attempts.
But it’s really about grappling with obligation. It’s about determining where your personal desires begin and end, where they overlap with your responsibilities, and how your life is influenced by those around you. It’s about examining your life and figuring out when it’s best, and healthiest to let something end. It’s about being better at Crash Bandicoot than your partner.
The night of May 17th, 2016 I didn’t want all that. I wanted the pulp and the fun of that world. I love that series. So around midnight I downloaded the game, cracked open a bag of cold leftover chicken tenders, and started playing. I beat the game on Hard mode on the 21st. Later that year I bought the strategy guide/art book and started a Crushing mode playthrough. It actually wasn’t as bad as I expected but it certainly wasn’t easy. I was digging through something that required effort.
And then life moved on. I bottled stuff up, Mom struggled with a very different life, people expected new things from me, and I had to do some growing up pretty quickly. Mind you, I was 23. I’m not about to play some “smol bean 23-year-old” sympathy schtick but I was a year into being married, living in a new place, taking care of myself for the first time, and a big part of my support system went away. Changes had to happen, and so they did.
Mom and I got good at talking on the phone. We visited a lot. She started taking care of one of our dogs (and still does; shout out to Midas). We went to a couple different grief seminars. I eventually started therapy. We talked about the things he would have liked; the people he should have met. With each new job or stage in life Mom said, “your dad would be proud.” I found an old voicemail where he wasn’t saying anything important. Just “Call me back when you can, buddy.” He’d call me goofy for keeping it but he’d secretly be happy I do.
Every year around mid-May I boot back up Uncharted 4. For the last 6 or so I’ve been stuck at a very specific checkpoint in the aptly named Chapter 13 – Marooned. Why the difficulty peak of the game is at chapter 13 of 22, I’ll never know. But every year, I try that checkpoint for a couple hours, get frustrated, and move on. I’d like to tell you this year’s attempt was some miraculous breakthrough. That the voice of my father harkened through that thin veil and told me the right way to murder 1,000 paramilitants. Hell, how cool would it have been if this breakthrough was in 2026? A clean decade after he passed. Beating this dumb little project and putting a clean bow on that chapter of life? But that’s not how doing difficult things works. It’s slow and requires repetition, refinement, consistency, and dumb luck.
On June 1 of 2024, I quietly beat Uncharted 4 on Crushing. I was the only one awake in the house and there were no leftover chicken tenders available at the time. My dad wasn’t a video game guy but I think he would have liking watching a playthrough of Uncharted 4—though probably not one that took 8 years. I’m a very different person than who I was 8 years ago but I hope I’m someone he would like.
---
On May 15th of 2016 my dad died.
It wasn't surprising in the larger scheme of things but the moment was really jarring. That's obvious in a stupid sort of way, but I don't know how to talk about it without big obvious statements. He had grappled with diabetes and heart problems for the better part of three decades. Issues like that aren't "if" diagnoses, they're "when." If I really had to pinpoint a turn in his health, things declined when he started dialysis. Apparently sucking all your blood out, pumping it through a machine, and shoving it back in is kind of rough on your body. Wild, right?
In spite of it all, he always had such a great attitude. The guy wasn't even 60 but he looked and felt at least a decade older. And yet he was always quick with a joke, support for someone else--anything he could do to connect with someone and make their load lighter.
I saw him that day. My wife and I passed by my parents' house on the way back home from a trip. I hugged him, told him I loved him. Couldn't ask for much more than that. He died of a heart attack a couple hours after we left.
I was lucky to have some sort of closure with him but anyone who's experienced loss like that can tell you grief sticks around. Sure, it changes from being mad at the world and everyone in it to having a few special voicemails you'll never delete--a fragile time capsule of a file named dadvm.mp4 backed up in a few different spots. Tearing up at a few old songs that aren't sad in the slightest.
Southern funerals are the best and the worst. You get to (have to) see and talk to everyone who has ever even been in the same ZIP code as the deceased and each of them has a different take on the whole affair.
"He doesn't look like himself." Right he died, yeah.
"Somebody's gotta take care of your mom now!" Noted, I'll get right on that after I figure out how I'm going to do this at all.
But I heard so many stories. Dad traveled the US working construction for years before I was born. I met people who told me such cool things about him. One of those tragic pieces of the parent-child relationship is that you don't always get a clear picture of who your parent was--at least not a full one. On that day, my dad was further from me than I had ever experienced and yet I had a fuller picture of who he was than I ever had before.
I spoke on the phone for most of an hour with the organ donor phone rep the night before the service, I delivered the photo slideshow that played during the service, I picked out the songs that played and were sung, I was at the visitation for hours and shook more hands than I can count, I spoke about my dad before the eulogy, I helped carry the casket, I put a flower on the casket as they lowered it. Then I went home and it was quiet. And I was tired.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is about ending things. On its surface, it’s very much the pulp globetrotting action-adventure the series is known for, and it does that exceptionally well. Series-first semi-open world spaces are gorgeously brought to life. Fully operable vehicles make their debut and are executed wonderfully. This will sound silly but this game has the most impressive rope physics of any I’ve ever played. How is one of the highlights of PlayStation Indiana Jones the tow cable? I know that sounds like a dig but I promise it’s not.
The game is excellent. Certainly not above reproach, but excellent at most everything it attempts.
But it’s really about grappling with obligation. It’s about determining where your personal desires begin and end, where they overlap with your responsibilities, and how your life is influenced by those around you. It’s about examining your life and figuring out when it’s best, and healthiest to let something end. It’s about being better at Crash Bandicoot than your partner.
The night of May 17th, 2016 I didn’t want all that. I wanted the pulp and the fun of that world. I love that series. So around midnight I downloaded the game, cracked open a bag of cold leftover chicken tenders, and started playing. I beat the game on Hard mode on the 21st. Later that year I bought the strategy guide/art book and started a Crushing mode playthrough. It actually wasn’t as bad as I expected but it certainly wasn’t easy. I was digging through something that required effort.
And then life moved on. I bottled stuff up, Mom struggled with a very different life, people expected new things from me, and I had to do some growing up pretty quickly. Mind you, I was 23. I’m not about to play some “smol bean 23-year-old” sympathy schtick but I was a year into being married, living in a new place, taking care of myself for the first time, and a big part of my support system went away. Changes had to happen, and so they did.
Mom and I got good at talking on the phone. We visited a lot. She started taking care of one of our dogs (and still does; shout out to Midas). We went to a couple different grief seminars. I eventually started therapy. We talked about the things he would have liked; the people he should have met. With each new job or stage in life Mom said, “your dad would be proud.” I found an old voicemail where he wasn’t saying anything important. Just “Call me back when you can, buddy.” He’d call me goofy for keeping it but he’d secretly be happy I do.
Every year around mid-May I boot back up Uncharted 4. For the last 6 or so I’ve been stuck at a very specific checkpoint in the aptly named Chapter 13 – Marooned. Why the difficulty peak of the game is at chapter 13 of 22, I’ll never know. But every year, I try that checkpoint for a couple hours, get frustrated, and move on. I’d like to tell you this year’s attempt was some miraculous breakthrough. That the voice of my father harkened through that thin veil and told me the right way to murder 1,000 paramilitants. Hell, how cool would it have been if this breakthrough was in 2026? A clean decade after he passed. Beating this dumb little project and putting a clean bow on that chapter of life? But that’s not how doing difficult things works. It’s slow and requires repetition, refinement, consistency, and dumb luck.
On June 1 of 2024, I quietly beat Uncharted 4 on Crushing. I was the only one awake in the house and there were no leftover chicken tenders available at the time. My dad wasn’t a video game guy but I think he would have liking watching a playthrough of Uncharted 4—though probably not one that took 8 years. I’m a very different person than who I was 8 years ago but I hope I’m someone he would like.
Parkour in video games will never not be incredibly fun.
It's disappointing that only the Uncharted and Tomb Raider reboot series offer such a rich blend of action-adventure and platforming elements, as they are such a joy to play. As a kid, I loved jumping straight into a game and being greeted with immediate, thrilling gameplay—no bloated opening cutscenes or overlong tutorials. While I do enjoy cinematic games that tend to prioritize graphics more than anything else, it's also nice just to dive into the spectacle of pure gameplay. The Uncharted series nails this with its exciting parkour mechanics that keep you constantly hooked on the screen.
I'm so happy they took everything from Uncharted 2, one of the best in the series, and enhanced it in every conceivable way, delivering yet another action-packed, over-the-top experience. The visuals and environments are stunning, and you can truly feel the passion Naughty Dog poured into this game.
While the story and characters in Uncharted 4 are phenomenal, the combat falls a little bit short. The gunplay never felt better, and it's fun to shoot enemies, but at certain points, it started to feel more like a chore rather than something I was actively excited about, mainly because it became a bit too repetitive. Luckily, the platforming and traversal make up the vast majority of the game.
At its core, Uncharted 4 offers a perfect conclusion to the Nathan Drake adventures, delivering entertaining gameplay that is truly the spectacle of the game and proves that cinematic games can be more than just good graphics. This nearly 10-year-old AAA game is more enjoyable than many cinematic €70-80 games that forget to prioritize fun nowadays.
So no shade to The Last of Us, but I hope Naughty Dog's next game—hopefully not another remaster or remake—will actually have fun gameplay again.
It's disappointing that only the Uncharted and Tomb Raider reboot series offer such a rich blend of action-adventure and platforming elements, as they are such a joy to play. As a kid, I loved jumping straight into a game and being greeted with immediate, thrilling gameplay—no bloated opening cutscenes or overlong tutorials. While I do enjoy cinematic games that tend to prioritize graphics more than anything else, it's also nice just to dive into the spectacle of pure gameplay. The Uncharted series nails this with its exciting parkour mechanics that keep you constantly hooked on the screen.
I'm so happy they took everything from Uncharted 2, one of the best in the series, and enhanced it in every conceivable way, delivering yet another action-packed, over-the-top experience. The visuals and environments are stunning, and you can truly feel the passion Naughty Dog poured into this game.
While the story and characters in Uncharted 4 are phenomenal, the combat falls a little bit short. The gunplay never felt better, and it's fun to shoot enemies, but at certain points, it started to feel more like a chore rather than something I was actively excited about, mainly because it became a bit too repetitive. Luckily, the platforming and traversal make up the vast majority of the game.
At its core, Uncharted 4 offers a perfect conclusion to the Nathan Drake adventures, delivering entertaining gameplay that is truly the spectacle of the game and proves that cinematic games can be more than just good graphics. This nearly 10-year-old AAA game is more enjoyable than many cinematic €70-80 games that forget to prioritize fun nowadays.
So no shade to The Last of Us, but I hope Naughty Dog's next game—hopefully not another remaster or remake—will actually have fun gameplay again.
Yeah its pretty good
Sic Parvis Magna
obra-prima.
obra-prima.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End puts a fitting end to Nathan Drake's story, and it felt like a true next-gen experience when it was released. The game holds up amazingly well even today. It was one of the first games I played on PS4, and I was so engrossed that I finished it in a day or so.
The story is very good, introducing new characters while also bringing back the classic ones. Nathan’s brother, Sam Drake, is a significant addition, adding layers to Nate’s backstory and motivations. The dynamic between the brothers is well-developed and emotional. The scenery is breathtaking, taking you to incredible places like Scotland, where the atmospheric and moody landscapes enhance the sense of adventure, and Madagascar, with its vibrant and expansive environments. The semi-open world approach, especially in Madagascar, made me feel like I was in a safari simulator, exploring vast areas with a sense of freedom. The inclusion of a jeep for exploration in open areas was a fun addition, allowing for more varied gameplay. The scripted events were seamlessly integrated, adding to the flow of the gameplay. However, I wasn't a huge fan of Libertalia. While it wasn't bad, it dragged on for too long, and at some point, I lost some of the initial excitement, I wasn't feeling it anymore.
The graphics are stunning and are a joy to look at. The detailed environments, character models, and realistic lighting make the game visually spectacular. It's rarely that I care much about graphics, but I was genuinely amazed by this game. The gameplay didn't reinvent the wheel, but the new additions were very well integrated. The shooting felt solid, the climbing was improved with new mechanics like the grappling hook, which made the traversal more complex, and the overall mechanics were smooth and engaging. This game had lots of memorable moments that stick with you long after you’ve finished playing.
One of the highlights of the game is its detailed and expansive environments. Whether you’re scaling cliffs, exploring old ruins, or driving through muddy trails, each location feels meticulously crafted. The game’s attention to detail, from the lush vegetation to the intricate architecture of the ruins, enhances the experience.
The puzzles in Uncharted 4 are also worth mentioning. They are well-designed and integrate seamlessly into the environment, offering a good balance of challenge and enjoyment without breaking the flow of the game. The use of Nathan’s journal and Sam’s input adds a collaborative element to solving these puzzles, making them feel more organic to the story.
⚠️SPOILERS⚠️
I won't discuss much about the story, but I will say this: finally, an ending that doesn't involve destroying an ancient city! It was a refreshing change and a satisfying conclusion to Nathan Drake's adventures. The final scenes are poignant, wrapping up the character arcs in a heartfelt way that pretty much every fan of the series appreciated, it was a satisfying ending.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is on par with Uncharted 3 as my favorite from the Nathan Drake quadrilogy. I'm not sure which one I like more, but both hold a special place for their memorable moments, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals. This game is a testament to how far the series has come and how well it has evolved over the years. Uncharted 4 stands as a crowning achievement in the action-adventure genre, combining cinematic storytelling with exhilarating gameplay to deliver an unforgettable experience.
The story is very good, introducing new characters while also bringing back the classic ones. Nathan’s brother, Sam Drake, is a significant addition, adding layers to Nate’s backstory and motivations. The dynamic between the brothers is well-developed and emotional. The scenery is breathtaking, taking you to incredible places like Scotland, where the atmospheric and moody landscapes enhance the sense of adventure, and Madagascar, with its vibrant and expansive environments. The semi-open world approach, especially in Madagascar, made me feel like I was in a safari simulator, exploring vast areas with a sense of freedom. The inclusion of a jeep for exploration in open areas was a fun addition, allowing for more varied gameplay. The scripted events were seamlessly integrated, adding to the flow of the gameplay. However, I wasn't a huge fan of Libertalia. While it wasn't bad, it dragged on for too long, and at some point, I lost some of the initial excitement, I wasn't feeling it anymore.
The graphics are stunning and are a joy to look at. The detailed environments, character models, and realistic lighting make the game visually spectacular. It's rarely that I care much about graphics, but I was genuinely amazed by this game. The gameplay didn't reinvent the wheel, but the new additions were very well integrated. The shooting felt solid, the climbing was improved with new mechanics like the grappling hook, which made the traversal more complex, and the overall mechanics were smooth and engaging. This game had lots of memorable moments that stick with you long after you’ve finished playing.
One of the highlights of the game is its detailed and expansive environments. Whether you’re scaling cliffs, exploring old ruins, or driving through muddy trails, each location feels meticulously crafted. The game’s attention to detail, from the lush vegetation to the intricate architecture of the ruins, enhances the experience.
The puzzles in Uncharted 4 are also worth mentioning. They are well-designed and integrate seamlessly into the environment, offering a good balance of challenge and enjoyment without breaking the flow of the game. The use of Nathan’s journal and Sam’s input adds a collaborative element to solving these puzzles, making them feel more organic to the story.
⚠️SPOILERS⚠️
I won't discuss much about the story, but I will say this: finally, an ending that doesn't involve destroying an ancient city! It was a refreshing change and a satisfying conclusion to Nathan Drake's adventures. The final scenes are poignant, wrapping up the character arcs in a heartfelt way that pretty much every fan of the series appreciated, it was a satisfying ending.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is on par with Uncharted 3 as my favorite from the Nathan Drake quadrilogy. I'm not sure which one I like more, but both hold a special place for their memorable moments, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals. This game is a testament to how far the series has come and how well it has evolved over the years. Uncharted 4 stands as a crowning achievement in the action-adventure genre, combining cinematic storytelling with exhilarating gameplay to deliver an unforgettable experience.