Starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, the Uncharted movie adaptation is about to hit theaters. The exaggerated and thrilling action sequences in the trailer have generated considerable anticipation for the film's fidelity to the source material, once again bringing this highly popular action game, developed by SIE's Naughty Dog studio, into the spotlight.
The enhanced collection, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, ported from PS4, is also set to launch its PS5 version on January 28, 2022, just before the movie's release. This collection includes both Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and its standalone expansion, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Leveraging the next-gen console's more powerful processing capabilities, it enhances graphics, audio, and loading speeds. Furthermore, it integrates new features like the DualSense wireless controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, further immersing players in the thrilling adventure stories. Let's take a look at how our "unlucky" relic-destroyer, Nathan Drake, performs on the PS5!
The story of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End follows protagonist Nathan Drake after he retires from treasure hunting to become a salvage operator and starts a family with Elena Fisher. Just when he thought he could live a normal, happy life, his brother Sam, presumed dead 15 years prior, reappears, drawing him back into a treasure hunt. In Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, players will experience the thrilling adventure of treasure hunter Chloe Frazer and mercenary leader Nadine Ross as they search for the legendary Indian artifact, the "Tusk of Ganesha." This review will primarily focus on several hours of single-player experience with Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.
Breaking the 30FPS Limit: Three Rendering Modes Available
Previously, the PS4 version's story mode was locked at 30 FPS, which, while stable, wasn't entirely satisfying. This PS5 version supports native 4K resolution and frame rates up to 120 FPS. Details in various environments, whether cities, jungles, or caves, are sharper and clearer, and character facial expressions are more vivid and realistic. The game offers three rendering modes for players to choose from, suiting their preferences.
Fidelity Mode: Native 4K resolution, targeting 30 FPS. Activating this mode transforms the entire world into a more beautiful spectacle, allowing you to switch from adventurer to photographer and utilize the in-game photo mode to discover hidden scenic wonders! However, for actual gameplay, Performance Mode is recommended. After all, this is an action game, and the difference in fluidity between 30 FPS and 60 FPS is very noticeable.
Performance Mode: A balanced mode targeting 60 FPS. While the resolution is slightly lower compared to Fidelity Mode, it maintains a high frame rate close to 60 FPS in most scenes, offering a comfortable viewing and smooth gameplay experience. Why wouldn't you choose it?
Performance+ Mode: A mode locked at 1080P resolution, targeting 120 FPS. This is suitable for players whose displays only support 1080P or those seeking extremely high frame rates. While the resolution is significantly reduced compared to the other two modes, the fluid action is incredibly exhilarating. However, a prerequisite is that your display must have a refresh rate of 120Hz or higher.
▼ Gameplay footage in "Performance Mode."
Powered by High-Speed SSD: Load and Start Your Adventure in Under 20 Seconds
Chapters in Uncharted 4 flow almost seamlessly, giving you little time to catch your breath once you start playing, much like watching a continuous, thrilling movie. The PS5's built-in high-speed SSD primarily impacts the time it takes to launch the game after booting up and load save files. After actual testing, the time from launching the game to loading a save and entering gameplay is approximately 15 seconds. Drake will be waiting for you before you've even unzipped your pants for a bathroom break – it's incredibly fast.
Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers Enhance the Adventure
The most impactful enhancements in this remastered version are undoubtedly the DualSense controller's unique adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The controller's vibrations subtly change based on the varying degrees of impact Drake experiences or the different materials of weapons he interacts with, such as carrying heavy objects or throwing a rope. Adaptive triggers, on the other hand, increase the resistance when pressing the R2 and L2 buttons, creating significant resistance when pressing the accelerator or pulling a gun's trigger, making the tactile sensation more realistic. Especially in firearm combat, where both technologies are integrated, you can feel the realistic, powerful recoil of weapons like the AK-47, delivering maximum exhilaration.
It's somewhat regrettable that achieving more than 30FPS in a native 4K environment remains challenging; currently, players must choose between 4K and 60 FPS. It's uncertain if there will be a future update to fully support 4K 60FPS output. For players seeking the ultimate experience, perhaps the PC version, slated for release in 2022, will be the one to wait for!
The PS5 version of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection has a suggested retail price of NT$1490, which is quite a bargain for two content-rich games. If you previously purchased either Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, or the digital bundle containing both Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, you can upgrade to the digital version of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for NT$300. This highly recommended masterpiece, with its various enhancements, is a must-experience for both new and returning players!
PS5 Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection Unofficial Rating:
Gameplay Fluidity:8.5 / 10
Visual Presentation:9 / 10
Immersive Experience:9 / 10
Enjoyment Factor:9.5 / 10
