Five reasons to play Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is now available on PlayStation 4, letting players embark on a remastered adventure in the shoes of the quick-witted Nathan Drake. Here are five reasons why everyone should play Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.
It may be hard to believe, but many people have never played an Uncharted game. In fact, when explaining why it decided that Uncharted would be a good series to remaster, Sony said that 80% of PlayStation 4 owners have never played an Uncharted title. That certainly sounds surprising, but more understandable as Sony added that 50% of PlayStation 4 owners never invested in a PlayStation 3.
Once upon a time, before Uncharted and before The Last of Us, Naughty Dog was primarily known for its work on Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, great games in their own rights, but quite different than what was to come. 2007's Uncharted was something of a gamble for Naughty Dog, and its first foray into over-the-top and heart stopping cinematic set pieces. Needless to say, the studio managed to pull it off.
Many Uncharted fans will point to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves as the strongest in the series. The first title let Naughty Dog dip its toes in the water, while Drake's Deception is sometimes accused of overreaching. But Among Thieves helped cement Uncharted's reputation as a must-play franchise. And it is probably one of the strongest sequels ever made, so whether you're a new or returning player you'll enjoy the experience.
Your impression of which series copied the other may depend on whether you played Uncharted or Tomb Raider's reboot first. It has to be said that Uncharted provided some inspiration for Tomb Raider's mechanics; Lara does more structured climbing with stunning vistas and has more near falls than ever before. Plus, her go-to solution is to shoot the thing that explodes. Tomb Raider does have the more grizzly death sequences if you miss a ledge or time a button press incorrectly though. PlayStation 4 owners won't get their hands on the next instalment of the Tomb Raider franchise until next year, so The Nathan Drake Collection will have to scratch that adventure and exploration itch.
Gaining an appreciation of the titles that Naughty Dog has in its back catalogue is certainly one good reason to experience Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection. But there is another, perhaps more pressing reason to do so. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End will be released in March of next year. Whether you're a new or returning player, it may be beneficial to catch up with the story so far ahead of Uncharted 4's release.
