Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves reminds us about the core of the series — and The Lost Legacy did it better
Ever since Uncharted ii, Naughty Dog has ranked among Sony's nigh respected showtime-party studios, pushing technology and narrative in the triple-A space. Uncharted 4 was no different. Released in early 2022, information technology was one of the beginning truly next-gen games of that era.
Cross-gen games similar Watch Dogs showed a notable PS4 and Xbox Ane advantage, but there was still a sense of technical stagnation. Information technology wasn't until Uncharted 4 that we defenseless a glimpse of something that couldn't exist done on previous consoles.
The Uncharted legacy
Uncharted 4's visual fidelity made everything else at the fourth dimension look years behind, but its impression ran deeper than that. The series' association with technical innovation goes beyond pretty graphics. Technology has always been used to drive design, adding tiny details that make the overall feel more immersive or enjoyable.
In Uncharted 4's case, shooting a pile of rocks on a gradient would cause a rockslide that impacted the geometry underneath. Light shafts would penetrate smoke generated from explosions. Nathan'southward chest hair strands were rendered individually. The list goes on.
Combined, these details contribute to this notion of Uncharted being greater than the sum of its parts. Uncharted 4 nailed this minutia of detail, leading to massive acclaim. However, while it has plenty of great qualities, its obsession with detail came at the cost of the core pillars that define a solid Uncharted experience.
Agreement Uncharted
Uncharted is defined past three pillars — gainsay, puzzle solving, and exploration. People recall Uncharted 2's set pieces, but they didn't dominate the feel. While there was a lot of high-intensity action, it also had a decent amount of puzzle solving and platforming. Every boring moment gradually congenital into a smaller enemy encounter, which would balloon into a major set piece earlier slowing back down once more.
This ingenious pacing meant that none of its mechanics overstayed their welcome. Action was serviceable, only shooting never felt as satisfying every bit more dedicated shooters. Similarly, puzzle solving and platforming worked when interspersed with adrenaline-fueled sequences. Uncharted'southward platforming has always lacked agency with its farthermost linearity and automation, filled with countless magnetic jumps.
It sounds damning, but mechanical simplicity is a tool that can exist used effectively. Naughty Dog'south intentionally straightforward puzzles and platforming were a welcome reprieve from the collapsing buildings and convoy hunt sequences. The lack of friction allowed these not-combat sections to play their part, letting players unwind, preparing them for another rising action and climax.
There'due south also the fashion of writing. The Uncharted games have splendid writing, but not in the traditional sense. They're filled with plot contrivances and character archetypes, but at that place'southward a craft to the way these archetypes are used. Every generic plot point or grapheme quirk exists every bit a vehicle to drive humorous grapheme interactions. Uncharted revels in its self-awareness, capable of slowing down for intimate moments only when the need arises.
How The Lost Legacy does it better
Uncharted 4 tosses out all of these lessons, leaning heavily on the franchise's weakest links. The uneven distribution of its core gameplay pillars are where it falls autonomously. The vast majority of the game is spent walking, climbing, and solving puzzles.
With so much automation present during the act of platforming, its undisputed spotlight sticks out equally a sore spot. It works equally a supporting pillar — not as the main consequence. The puzzles are fine, just they're much like the platforming in that they just piece of work when used to support everything else.
It'southward a shame that activeness took a footstep back considering when it's at that place, information technology is fantabulous. The larger combat spaces and more advanced AI allow for more intricate engagements. On a similar note, Uncharted iv'due south Madagascar hunt is i of the best set-pieces in the entire serial. Unfortunately, information technology is the game'south only notable set-piece outside of the fleeting watchtower sequence with Nadine.
The writing direction also changed with a more serious tone that betrays the purposeful archetypes. Information technology also relies too heavily on cutscenes. Naughty Dog used to apply cinematics as a last resort, communicating as much as possible through gameplay. Past contrast, Uncharted four is all too eager to throw in a cutscene at every possible opportunity.
Thankfully, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy addresses practically all of this. To begin with, Naughty Dog found a much better residue between banter and emotional disharmonize. Fifty-fifty when dealing with a journeying that is so personal for Chloe, it doesn't forget that it'due south a dumb popcorn picture in videogame form. Endearing interactions and serious moments ascend, merely never at the expense of the silliness that defines Uncharted.
More importantly, all the same, it strikes the franchise's all-time residual between puzzle solving, exploration, and action since Uncharted 2. It isn't only a matter of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy of having more than activity crammed into a tighter playtime. It'southward its agreement of how to step its highs and lows.
Whereas Uncharted 4 felt content languishing in its lows for extended periods of fourth dimension, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is the complete opposite. It understands that a pocket-size run into ballooning into a larger set piece creates excitement. It as well understands that sustaining such action for too long becomes daunting, which is why its puzzle solving and exploration serve the roles they need to.
You lot're never spending too much fourth dimension engaging with the mechanical simplicity of its puzzles and platforming. Naughty Dog remembered their purpose, creating a more than even feel that doesn't veer into self-indulgent territory. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy knows what it is and information technology's all the better for information technology.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy may not be the best Uncharted game, but information technology is still an splendid entry. Uncharted iv may take gotten all the acclaim, but The Lost Legacy is and then much more in tune with what makes the series tick.
Source: https://www.gamepur.com/features/uncharted-legacy-of-thieves-reminds-us-about-the-core-of-the-series-and-the-lost-legacy-did-it-better
Posted by: summerlinfrour1976.blogspot.com
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