It's gonna be a long review but really worth it.
Uncharted 4 is one of the best games ever made and in my opinion, the best adventure game in gaming history. Naughty Dog’s long-running series has given us many unforgettable adventures with Nathan Drake, one of the greatest characters in video game history, but Uncharted 4 is without a doubt the best entry in the series.
The Legacy of Thieves Collection also includes The Lost Legacy, which feels more like a smaller standalone adventure than a full-fledged Uncharted game. Nevertheless, it is still a fantastic experience that introduces some interesting innovations, including one of the largest explorable areas in the series — essentially a mini open world. However, my main focus here is Uncharted 4, a game I genuinely love.
I first played it around 2017, about a year after its release, and even today I remember how impressive it was. In my opinion, Uncharted 4 deserved to win Game of the Year in 2016, and visually, it was a true technological showcase for its time. Even now, the game looks absolutely beautiful. It features countless breathtaking locations, and throughout the adventure, the Drake brothers take us across Italy, Scotland, Madagascar and most importantly, Libertalia — the legendary lost pirate colony.
The pirate atmosphere is one of the game’s biggest strengths. Nathan and his brother Samuel are searching for the lost treasure of the legendary pirate Captain Henry Avery, and the sense of adventure practically pours out of the screen. The story is masterfully paced, constantly balancing exploration, action, humor and emotional moments.
And then there are the characters. Nathan Drake is still one of gaming’s most charismatic protagonists, while Elena and Victor Sullivan return from previous games and once again play important roles in the story. Samuel Drake, Nathan’s long-lost brother, makes his debut here and adds a completely new dynamic to the series. The chemistry between the characters is fantastic, and their relationships feel genuine throughout the entire adventure.
The villains are also among the best in the series. Rafe Adler is an absolutely fantastic antagonist — a wealthy, narcissistic man obsessed with obtaining Avery’s treasure at any cost, with practically no moral boundaries. Nadine Ross, his ally, is another memorable character who would later appear again in The Lost Legacy. Their presence gives the story an additional layer of tension.
Another huge strength is the music. The legendary Uncharted theme from the previous games returns in an even better form, perfectly complementing the atmosphere and making the biggest moments feel even more spectacular.
And then comes the ending.
Uncharted 4’s ending is the perfect conclusion to Nathan Drake’s long journey. It is emotional, satisfying and incredibly well executed. It genuinely managed to bring a tear to my eye. Considering that the game is literally called A Thief’s End, it feels like a proper farewell to Nathan’s life as a treasure hunter and adventurer. It is easily one of the best endings I have ever experienced in a video game, and it is hard not to feel a little sad knowing that this was probably the final major adventure of Nathan Drake.
I also have to mention one of Naughty Dog’s greatest strengths: cutscenes and cinematic storytelling.
Naughty Dog does this better than almost anyone else in the industry. The cinematics are incredibly well directed, emotional and cinematic, and the performances make it easy to feel the emotions and chemistry between the characters. Outside of games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Last of Us, I honestly can’t think of many games with cutscenes this well made. Compared to some of for example Ubisoft’s games, the difference can feel enormous.
And finally, I have to mention the Polish voice acting. In my opinion, it is one of the best Polish dubbing performances in gaming, and Jarosław Boberek’s performance as Nathan Drake is legendary. His voice fits the character perfectly and adds a lot to the overall experience.
To sum it all up: Uncharted 4 is a linear adventure game that still holds up incredibly well. The graphics, pacing, storytelling, music, atmosphere, characters, emotions and adrenaline all come together almost perfectly. It is an incredible finale to Nathan Drake’s legendary career as a treasure hunter and adventurer.
Over ten years later, Uncharted 4 is still one of the best games I have ever played and in my opinion it's a little bit underrated so i love coming back to it every now and then.
10/10.
