How a Recent "Game of the Year" Winner Almost Sucked

Jason Screier's new book gives people an intriguing glance at the original vision for Uncharted 4. It is a legendary game, but almost became something quite common.

[opinionated]

Uncharted 4 did suck comparatively. I'm a huge fan of the uncharted series and UC4 sits below the original 3 for me.

[AnubisG]

Why is Uncharted 4 worst than the previous 3? It improved on everything possible.

[opinionated]

The pacing, the characters, the shift towards stealth and "grounded" set pieces. It went from a light hearted, over the top action series to a slow, dramatic, boring shift towards realism that relied way too much on cinematic storytelling.

The only things that improved were the graphics and animations (which I do give them credit for). The animation was top notch. The game itself was purely signal garbage though. It's a well built game, I'm not blaming the whole team but clearly the leadership dropped the ball on direction. It's quite terrible in comparison.

[Genuine-User]

1. The pacing could have been better
2. Almost every character in UC4 is appropriately fleshed out.
3. There isn't a shift towards stealth, it's merely an option.
4. Grounded set pieces like the clock tower and Sam's chase? lol
5. You're in need of a reality check if UC4 seems realistic to you.
6. Uncharted cannot be Uncharted without cinematic story telling.

O and get the f**k out of here with your virtual signalling bullshit conspiracy and animation/graphics being the only improvement.

You've got a shit taste in judging the quality of a product.

[AnubisG]

Let's just say that I don't agree with your opinion.

[ziggurcat]

@opinionated:

"The pacing, the characters, the shift towards stealth and "grounded" set pieces. It went from a light hearted, over the top action series to a slow, dramatic, boring shift towards realism that relied way too much on cinematic storytelling."

stealth is optional, not mandatory. you can run n' gun through the whole game if that's your preference. and what was wrong with the characters?

also, uncharted has always had cinematic storytelling - what is it about U4's cinematic storytelling that was different than the other games in the series?

"The game itself was purely signal garbage though."

how?

[bluefox755]

I keep hearing about pacing, I thought the pacing was perfect. A noticeable step up from all of the other Uncharted games, probably my favorite thing about UC4.

[UltraNova]

Did I enjoy U4 more than U2? No I did not. The reason why is simple. The jump from U1 to U2 was so huge(+ the media and gamers went apeshit for it and everyone and their mothers were talking about it for years and it got hundreds of GotYAs) that it was impossible to repeat again within the same franchise (see U3). So that impression left us....well spoiled.

The truth is, U4 is the best game in the series, in all areas(story, gunplay and platforming gameplay, actor/ess performances, character built up, visuals, engine performance, animations, physics, AI, map design etc), BY FAR. Its just not the most memorable because we got "used" to such high quality by ND and our expectations were set to impossible heights.

[Weeblordbad]

Yes because the pirate stuff in UC3 wasn't the worst. I guess the real question is, why does your personal ranking matter? Do you think it matters?

"Signal garbage", "leadership dropped the ball" ohhhh okay, now I see what you're driving at; Neil Druckmann and Nadine.

[opinionated]

It's a comment section, I made a comment. You don't have to agree and you can rank it whatever you want lol. I don't like Druckmann as a director and nadine was an awful character. It's not just those two things though. All of the characters sucked in UC4. I listed the reasons, you don't have to connect any dots.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

Druckman is a clown though lets be honest. I fear the Direction of ND with Bruce gone.

[deafdani]

Lol. The pirate stuff was my favorite thing on U3, and U3 is my favorite game in the series.

Opinions, how do they work???

[ziggurcat]

@opinionated:

why was Nadine an "awful character"?

[bluefox755]

Tbf, Nadine was probably the worst part of that game, and Druckmann is pretty open about his desire to virtue signal. Fortunately that wasn't enough to mar an otherwise fantastic game.

[opinionated]

Thanks for this article though. It reminded me that I need to go pick up the lost legacy. I'm willing to give it one more chance, I'm willing to gamble on fresh leadership and new upcoming directors in naughty dog. If lost legacy is the same boring crap as UC4 then I'm pretty much done with naughty dog in the foreseeable future.

[Nyxus]

Your loss.

[SpinalRemains138]

Lost Legacy is awesome.

[opinionated]

@nyxus
Hopefully not. Would you compare lost legacy to UC4?

[Nyxus]

@ opinionated: yes, just like I would compare UC4 to the rest of the series.

[opinionated]

@nyxus
lmao Kay..

[goldwyncq]

You're going to love it. Better pacing and a much tighter experience overall. It's what U4 should have been like.

[Genuine-User]

Neil Druckmann would happily see you to the door.

[opinionated]

@genuine user
That's nice of him to hold the door but how could I leave with you on your knees in front him blocking the exit?

[Genuine-User]

You showcase predictable manbaby traits, as expected from your kind of course. I ain't stooping to your childish level.

[HeisenbergX]

@goldwyncq Sooo Uc4 should have been an 8 hours shorter game with not so much interesting characters and barely even two set pieces ?

[DigitalRaptor]

I think TLL is better than Uncharted 4.

As goldwyncq said, it's a tighter, well-paced and more satisfying gameplay experience. It's somewhat different to UC4 because it improves on some of its flaws and has different storytelling goals. The gameplay feels extremely good - it's the same systems as in UC4, but with improvements and great additions unique to Chloe's character. Talking of her, she's awesome and there are some great surprises in there in terms of story and set-pieces.

[guyman]

Uncharted 4 is one of the best games of this generation. You seem to be pissed off that ND produced another masterpiece. lmao.

[guyman]

Does it hurt known uncharted 4 has been one of the most successful games this generation? I bet it does. Shame man, you're trying so hard. try not to get an anuerism. Clearly you are a hater. Naughty D set the bar with uncharted 4. The lot legacy was just as impressive.

[thegamefox93]

guessin u hate LOU

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Cool story I'm sure their worried about some nobody with crap taste in gaming not buying their next game

[Adrian_v01]

You won't like it, the lead role is female.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Please do drop the best dev in the industry from your future gaming habits, you are not needed. Have fun missing TLoU 2 though..

[GamesMaster1982]

I'm sure Naughty Dog will miss you if you are done with the francise.

[mafiahajeri]

Lol you could have said you didnt like it, that it wasnt your cup of tea, but to call it terrible thats harsh.

I absolutely hate WOW tried to get into it couldnt. But would I say its a terrible game? Heck no. Its amazing for people who enjoy it. I respect your opninon but uncharted is not terrible in any shape or form.

[opinionated]

@mafia
I said terrible comparatively. I think it's terrible compared to the other uncharteds. Not terrible compared to Andromeda for example lol.

[nevin1]

lol, you fanboys got to learned to respect others people opinions.

Are you people blind, as he clearly said he enjoyed the previous games which should indicate he's fan of the series but didn't like the direction of 4.

I'm in the same boat as 4 was to me a complete snoozfest. The majority of my time I was either climbing/puzzling/walking/driv ing/talking.

The actual combat is very limited in this game compared to 1-3. Situations like this I'm glad I don't pay full price for games. I paid $20 for Uncharted 4 and you might aswell say I bought a Blu Ray movie.

Well at least online is still decent.

[gbsrnctaln]

Opinionated

You called it "boring crap". But I guess thats "comparitively" lol. TLL is fucking amazing. I did not like Nadine in U4, but she is really fleshed out in this game, much softer. Im actually a fan of her character now, which just actually has me very excited for ND going forward.

[Obelisk92]

I totally disagree.

[opinionated]

You disagree with what I'm saying or you disagree that it's worse than previous uncharteds? The things I mention like the ultra slow pacing, the overly dramatic characters, the shift towards realism, the stealth and grounded set pieces. These things are fact.

If you think those things are an improvement for the series then I can respect that. I think you are wrong but I still respect it.

[Razzer]

UC4 did not suck, comparatively or otherwise.

[HeisenbergX]

Ughh yet another "fan" who thinks that the only thing what makes Uncharted are the set pieces every half an hour that Nate stupidly causes himself so we can have some action because screw story! (mainly referencing UC3 here) all though UC2 has this as well.

UC4 has the best writen story and characters by a mile and is the best made Uncharted game by leaps and bounds. It made u fell like you are on a real adventure not just blasting you with fast paced action and stupidly caused set pieces. It had such an amazing pirate lore and characters,locations and epic moments and it was so immersive that every time i play it i want to just stand around these amazing locations and just marvel at the scenery and explore.

The only thing i will give you is the pacing but that's just because UC4 had to set up a really important character and it's such a massive long game you could combine the first three games and that still wouldn't be as big as A Thieves End.

[nevin1]

lol, please tell me I read your ridiculous comment wrong.

As it seems you more into stories than the actual gameplay part.

I mean lol

" It made u fell like you are on a real adventure not just blasting you with fast paced action and stupidly caused set pieces."

I don't know about you, but getting out of those fire fights in Uncharted 1-3 were highly entertaining.

[HeisenbergX]

You read it wrong.

And you are ridiculous if you think that the GAMEPLAY part in Uncharted is just the set pieces.

Yes and getting out of fire fights in UC4 was even more entertaining and meaningful becauase of better story and bigger stakes and bigger levels and awesome gameplay mechanics.

[DigitalRaptor]

"it's such a massive long game you could combine the first three games and that still wouldn't be as big"

I completed Uncharted 4's story in about 19 hours. It's a much longer game than the first three games. But if I recall I finished UC1's story in about 9 hours, UC2's story in about 12 hours and UC3's story in about 10 hours, so that's around 30 hours.

[HeisenbergX]

@DigitalRaptor Yes i did too my friend my first playthrough was about 18 and a half hours and on crushing it took me 21 hours. It's such and awesome experience.

Well how long was it since you last played them ? maybe it took me around 8-9 hours to finish the first three games back when i first played them but now i can finish them in 7 hours Uc1 sometimes in 6. There is no way i can finish Uc4 in less than 17-16 hours every time i play it even when i don't explore as much.

Also i didn't just mean in length.

[TheVetOfGaming]

In your opinion. The game mechanics were far better than the previous versions, and the game play was pretty solid. I'd score it no less than an 8/10. For me, it did drag out a little at times, but I'm not a hardcore fan. To say it sucked, though, is just utter nonsense.

[-GreenRanger]

IMO UC4 was better than 3, but UC1 and 2 are better than 4.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

lol I would never put Uc 1 ahead of 4 that's laughable

[UNCHARTED2FANATIC]

Im sorry but you have to be an idiot to say that. Uc3 was VERY mediocre in all angles in comparison to the rest of the series. The Story especially was bad, arguably the worst in the series

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I have no idea what you're talking about with being grounded and realism, but it was Uncharted 3 that had more shooting and less adventure than previously, so Uncharted 4 brought back the focus on adventure and opening up the game.

[UCForce]

You are so predictable to me. I will say this again, you always have that reckless attitude. Uncharted 4 is my favorite game and it was my GOTY of 2016. I'm a huge of Uncharted series. Even my unpopular opinion, UC 4 is better than UC 2 because it told the story what I wanted for a long time. You what it is ? Uncharted 4 Story was personal and grounded which I love. You do have your opinion but you have a poor statement. And another reason, Uncharted 4 have more detailed than previous Uncharted series, the animation is top notch.

[HeisenbergX]

Actually it's not such an unpopular opinion my friend (maybe on this site it is) UC2 and 4 are generally considered the best Uncharted games in the fan community around the internet it's pretty much a tie between the two games.

I also think that UC4 is better than 2 in almost every way and it really is it's just hard for some people to take of those nostalgia blinders and admit that but it will grow on them give it time.

[UCForce]

I know what Neil did last year (which I already aware that) and I know what he is. But I rather let go and move on. If I have to be honest, i just don't like your gut. Even you made a right statement which i agree with you sometimes, but still I don't like your gut. You know, you do make some unnecessary words that often lead to misunderstanding and misconceptions.

[Sam Fisher]

Imo unc 3 blew, i couldn't even finish it. 2 is still king

[Nivekki]

I'd put UC4 just below UC2, but only just. UC2 is still, in my eyes, the best out of the series. Partly because it made the most impact on me when it first came out, but also because it is just an amazing game. The set pieces, the locations, the perfect pacing. I played it again not long ago and it's still as impressive as when it first came out.

But UC4 is above the others, without a doubt. I can't see how it sucked at all, it was a great game that ended Nathans story perfectly.

[ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

I loved the game but it would have gained by being a bit out there, by killing either Sam or Sully, or even Nate and then have some kind of the same final where we find out that Elena was pregnant that the past of Cassie's dad has been hidden all these years and she finds out when she's a teenager.

[OB1Biker]

Uncharted 4 is a great game and thats a fact :)
Whether you like it or not is another story

[meka2611]

Really?!? Something that is entirely subjective and you say it's a fact? lol. Uncharted is the type of game if you don't like that story your not gonna get drawn in. I did not like the story of four, I like 2 the best, but four is below that for me, couldn't get into the story. So let's go with your idea, if I like a movie and think it has a great story and you don't, does my opinion equal fact or yours?

[OB1Biker]

@Meka
Its widely acknowledged as a great game by almost everyone in the gaming industry.
No game can please everyone of course but just like LTOU is a great game as a matter of fact acknowledged as such. There s no denying either of them to be true despite some individuals who might dislike what they want to.

Besides there's nothing wrong with a great game not being your type of games. There's are many hugely popular and greatly appreciated games I actually don't really like.
What I'm saying is personal liking us not the point here. It's about a quality game VS what could have been a quite divisive game

[BeRealisticNow]

Uncharted 2 is my personal favorite, followed by 4. 3 was too annoying with the enemies they spawn behind you constantly

[Germaximus]

The pacing is literally the only thing I would change about Uncharted 4. It was pretty bad.

[georeo]

Bro is you high? How is uncharted.4 any different from the others? Uncharted 4 just improves off the other titles.

[WelkinCole]

Pretty sure climbing and swigging around in U4 was pretty unrealistic compare to previous games.

Gameplay was improved upon the previous games so I am not sure what you are talking about here.

The characters were more fleshed out does not mean they are grounded

The story was a personal story about Drake from his past to his future. It was his final send off and what a send off it was.

Loved every bits about U4 and it was the best in the series for me.

If ND followed the exact same formula as from 1-3 U4 would have been quite stale like it was with GOW Accession

[meka2611]

Wow you fanboys need to calm the hell down, he has a different opinion so you trash him? Real tolerant there guys, I agree with him, I love uncharted but couldn't get into four, not sure if it was pacing but I just wasn't drawn into the story like in 2 or 3. Definitely gotta try out the new expansion/game, but I'm broke so gamefly it is. Seriously though you guys are nuts for bashing a guy that goes against your narrative, it's pitiful.

[Legatus]

I never had any doubt in the ND before, i don't have any doubt in the ND now and i will never have any doubt in the ND in the future. They are not called Naughty Gods for nothing. Keep up the legendary work ND and i can't wait for your upcoming masterpiece that is TLOU part II.

[McGlinchey12]

Could of would of should of, this articles actually pointless thats like saying last of us could of been shit?

[DigitalRaptor]

I liked Amy's style, great mind, but I don't think I could have got along too well with this.

Over half the game, with a forced melee in combat, and no guns? Sounds okay on the surface but when you think about it... doesn't sound appealing. Uncharted 4 ended up being a fantastic game, and I actually prefer The Lost Legacy to it. If this first version of Uncharted 4 was completed, it sounds like it would be worse than UC3 to me.

My rankings are: UC2 > TLL > UC4 > UC1 > UC3 > GA.

[DrShoe]

Isn't Jason Screier that tard from Kotaku? I'd imagine you'd get the same benefit form his book as Chelsea's (Zoe Quin) book.

[spektical]

while uncharted 3 did have flaws, it was still a masterpiece. And uncharted 4 improved on so many of the small criticisms in u3. I think its hilarious that we are missing the character development, graphics, animation, pacing as improvements to u3. Someone must have reviewed a different game.

[il-JumperMT]

Persona 5 GOTY

[imahustla19]

I'm currently reading Jason Schreier's new book blood, sweat and pixels. Maybe next time spell the name of the author correctly lol.

[DrumBeat]

Lol. CCC even tries to exploit Elena suggestively.

[King_Lothric]

U4 was amazing. Some people make this kind d of articles just to generate clicks and look for income. It is sad that the gaming industry is filled with this negativity just for the sake of those trying to grab cash on it.

[Xenophon_York]

Okay, N4G_4Life is now on my post of sensationalize extremest writers to avoid. Uncharted 4 did not come close to almost "sucking." Also, being "common" and "sucking" are not the same thing.

[P_Bomb]

Seen stealth come up as a negative? F that, I love stealth! Always use it given the choice. Metal Gear, Splinter Cell, Hitman, Batman, AC, Manhunt, Horizon etc.

Lost Legacy and UC4 improved on their's well enough imo with spot'n'mark, foliage cover and silenced weapons being franchise firsts.

The melee improved from UC3 as well. Love the triangle counters and actual choreography in survival MP. Better than most MP games' R3 one hit noogie.

[GamesMaster1982]

Yep love me some stealth. Hate going in guns blazing in any game.

[vastolorde666]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aarghh fanboys and haters crying over a movie hahahahaha..poor souls.. Why don't you argue over real games for once like dark souls, mgs or zelda instead of a movie.. Uc has never been a game its just a forward direction hold and you complete the damn thing. Everybody can finish the thing,no challenge and do they still give hints for pea brains who cant solve puzzles in 5 minutes? Anyway uncharted is the best cinemetaic experience out there..top notch story, graphics, build to climax but a a game..no..its not a game....i swear i know some tough shabboss water games.

[akurtz]

have you played its amazing multiplayer? bet not

[Jon_Targaryen]

Never really liked UC4... I always sit and wonder what would've been if they sticked to their original concept of Nathan's brother being the antagonist.

[WelkinCole]

In Drakes final send off he kills his brother?

[Jon_Targaryen]

Nonono.. You dont understand... Here watch this https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[TheEroica]

My biggest disappointment is that they raised the bar so high with the last of us and then brought the bar waaaay back down again with uncharted 4... Samezy bull crap we've been doing for 6 games now.

I mean, if you're really a fan of the developer, wouldn't you want them at this point to get to make new things? Actually be creative again? What are people hanging on to uncharted for? Let it pass.

[WelkinCole]

I still don't get why people complain about Drake killing so many people. Every other game does it. Why do people just focus on Uncharted?

I think Amy was wrong to focus on that. It would have been stupid to focus on Nates guilt over killing so many people in U4 after 3 games. It would be out of place and forced for the sake of putting it there. Uncharted is not TLOU. In the TLOU its a struggle to kill people and you feel it. That is not uncharted.

[xHeavYx]

Great game

[Picnic]

Whilst not having a gun for a while could be interesting in terms of using stealth (setpieces could also be triggered where, for instance, a falling bridge kills enemies), if it meant brawling that is not a long lasting pleasure to me. Whilst dancing doesn't in itself sound compelling (makes it sound luike a Kinect game), trying to steal a treasure from under the noses of other people does sound a great idea for a small section of the game. It's something that could have been done at the auction.

[roadkillers]

I started from the original (never played Lost Legacy), but Uncharted 4 is at the top. -1 point for getting rid of split screen though. WTF.

[mattbrown]

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