Nathan Drake stands as one of Sony’s most pivotal game characters, anchoring an exclusive trilogy that holds a comparable significance for the Playstation format as Master Chief does for Xbox. As we anticipate the arrival of the now-delayed Uncharted 4 next year, we receive a package featuring remastered editions of the initial three installments, now optimized for the PS4. The key question: Does this collection justify the price of a full-fledged game?
Nathan Drake is a compelling protagonist, effectively a modern Indiana Jones for the 21st century. His guiding principle, “sic parvis magna,” inherited from his ancestor Sir Francis Drake, translates to “greatness from humble beginnings.” This ethos aptly describes the achievements of Naughty Dog over the past decade. The studio, previously recognized for charming platformers such as Crash Bandicoot on PS One and later the Jak & Daxter series for PS2, redefined expectations with the release of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune on PS3 nearly 10 years ago. By seamlessly blending action, intricate puzzles, globetrotting adventures, and a cinematic presentation, they established the foundation for a franchise that would achieve considerable acclaim, eventually culminating in masterpieces like The Last of Us.
The current console generation has witnessed a surge in remastered titles since the debut of the Xbox One and PS4 in 2013. With neither console offering native backwards compatibility, game development has become streamlined and more cost-effective (owing to their closer resemblance to standard PC architecture). However, this has also rendered extensive libraries of classic games inaccessible. While the financial incentives for re-releasing games at full price may be a factor, the benefit lies in delivering enhanced versions of these titles, leveraging the superior processing capabilities of modern hardware. Halo: The Master Chief Collection exemplified this trend, with the remastered Halo: Combat Evolved exhibiting the visual fidelity of a contemporary game. Similarly, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune benefits from substantial enhancements beneath its familiar surface.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune – Remastered
The visuals have been upgraded to 1080p resolution with a consistently smooth 60 fps frame rate, courtesy of Blue Point Games. The development team has faithfully preserved the essence of the original titles while implementing subtle yet impactful enhancements that bring the games closer to modern standards. Lighting effects have been revamped, and screen tearing, a minor issue in the first game, has been eliminated. Moreover, the introduction of improved depth of field and levels of detail, previously unattainable on the PS3, allows for greater visibility of distant enemies amidst foliage. The enhanced frame rate not only elevates the visual experience but also refines the overall gameplay. Character control is more responsive, and action sequences feel more fluid and precise. Although this may marginally reduce the challenge, it is preferable to difficulty arising from technical constraints. While the original Drake’s Fortune, released in 2006, may not match the environmental complexity of titles like The Witcher 3, its visual presentation remains impressive. The enhancements to textures and particle effects effectively mask its age. The facial models are generally well-rendered, and the environments become progressively more detailed and visually striking throughout the trilogy, reflecting the advancements in technology over time. Overall, the conversion is remarkably well-executed, providing compelling reasons to revisit these titles prior to the release of the fourth installment.
The audio design remains exceptional. The voice acting in Uncharted has consistently been a strong point, with Nathan Drake possessing a highly engaging personality that complements the supporting cast, including Sully, Elena, Chloe, and Flynn. The narrative structure and character dynamics lend themselves naturally to a cinematic adaptation, although a film adaptation has remained in development for several years. While Mark Wahlberg was once considered for the role of Nathan Drake, we believe that Christian Magdu would be a more fitting choice in terms of appearance and demeanor. However, the quality of the games themselves raises the question of whether a film adaptation is even necessary. The Uncharted series embodies the spirit of Indiana Jones, delivering exciting, humorous, and well-written adventures with a balanced blend of irony, romance, and betrayal. The surround sound implementation is largely effective, and the soundtrack often enhances the emotional impact of key moments. The only minor drawback is that the surround mix lacks the pinpoint accuracy found in some modern games. While the audio fidelity improves across the trilogy, this prevents it from achieving a perfect score.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves also offers a little romance and a love triangle.
Naughty Dog has consistently demonstrated technical prowess, creating highly advanced games with exceptional graphics, audio, and compelling content. Their expertise extends to developing optimized algorithms and loading techniques that maximize the utilization of available memory during gameplay. The Uncharted Collection exhibits remarkably fast loading times, even when played from the disc. The seamless experience makes the new speed-run mode a natural addition. The character control is refined, with Drake exhibiting improved responsiveness compared to the PS3 versions. While minor instances of lag in demanding scenes and occasional climbing inconsistencies persist, the overall control scheme is fluid and intuitive. The shooting mechanics are precise and satisfying, with each weapon possessing distinct characteristics.
The engaging storytelling and technical polish create an immersive experience, making it easy to lose track of time as you progress through the adventures of Nathan Drake and his companions. The ability to seamlessly switch between the three games allows for parallel playthroughs, although experiencing them sequentially is recommended for narrative coherence. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune provides a solid introduction, while Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, recipient of multiple Game of the Year awards, captivates with its opening train sequence and fragmented storytelling. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, released in 2011, culminates in a cinematic climax.
In Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception it gets even hotter and offers even more spectacular situations.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a comprehensive remaster and an excellent compilation of classic games. While the omission of Golden Abyss from the PS Vita is notable, it remains a secondary entry in the series, not developed by Naughty Dog and not integral to the core narrative that leads to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. The absence of this game, coupled with the removal of multiplayer (potentially due to storage limitations), prevents the package from being the definitive “ultimate collection.” However, the strength of the series lies in the single-player campaigns of the three main titles. Existing owners of the PS3 versions must weigh the value of the upgrade against their prior enjoyment of the games. For newcomers to the series, particularly those who have transitioned from the Xbox 360, this collection is highly recommended. These are three exceptional games presented in their finest form. We envy those who will experience these adventures for the first time. For dedicated fans, this is a collection to revisit and cherish. The Uncharted games have never been better.
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