Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PS5) review - Uncharted still top-class in 2022 — Too Much Gaming

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, both games that I adored when they were released on the PS4 several years ago, are now being re-released on the PS5 with the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. I replayed the new versions of both titles and was reminded how entertaining they are, not only to the player, but to those fortunate enough to be spectating. It’s as if you’re settling into your seats to watch a cliché action flick: the experience is intense, over the top, and will likely put a smile on your face once it’s all done and dusted.

While the added features on the PS5 versions of these Uncharted titles are greatly appreciated, you are not completely missing out if you decide to pop in the PS4 iterations of either game instead - you will, however, be missing out on more frames and faster loading times.

**The new Uncharted dual pack**

What this collection provides is not necessarily a remaster in the sense of porting a classic game into the modern era, but rather, juiced-up versions of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted Lost Legacy. You won’t see improved textures or lighting, new lip-synching, or even added content, just more resolution options and the ability to take in the game at a higher framerate, which is fine, as both games remain graphically stellar in 2022.

I can say that the PS4 versions of these Uncharted adventures are easy on the eyes, as I booted both up for the sake of comparison, but that in turn made me realize how spoiled one’s eyes can get once they’ve seen a game running at a constant 60 frames per second (or 120, if you go for the Performance Plus option). I simply can’t go back to 30 fps. The added frames just make every insane Uncharted set piece look more crisp and entertaining, and the fact that I didn’t experience any sense of loading between levels in the PS5 version makes me appreciate that console gaming is finally heading towards a time where SSDs will soon be the standard for file storage and transfer.

Thankfully, I didn’t experience a single hiccup, frame drop, crash, or texture pop-up that would make me giggle.

The other bells and whistles in this collection are the usual additions for the PS5, like DualSense features (haptic feedback, adaptive triggers), 4K resolution, 3D Audio - the necessary icing on the cake if you’re running a game on the PS5. If you’ve got the right equipment, these will simply add to Naughty Dog’s already fantastic experiences.

Our original review of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Regarding Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, I find the fourth installment of Nathan Drake’s adventure to be the best in the series, as it’s a nail-biting treasure hunt with a promising start and a delightful conclusion, especially if you’re someone who’s played the first three games multiple times throughout the years (thought not a requirement as the game is still welcoming to newcomers of the series). A Thief’s End experimented with different ways to traverse, introducing the grapple hook, piton spike, and sliding all over the place.

Minor stealth mechanics were added in to weed out the excessive amount of goons Nathan will have to face, while the gun-play remained familiar to fans. Then, of course, we were blessed with the crazy set pieces and scenes with impressive performances by the actors who brought these characters to life, easily selling the fact that Uncharted is a unique cinematic experience transposed into video game form. It still holds up as one of the best action adventure games out there despite its many cliches, and deserves to be part of anyone’s shelf if you enjoy the likes of Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, or even National Treasure (personal favorite).

Our original review of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

The above statement is just as applicable to Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, a spin-off title that was released a year after Uncharted 4. You play as Chloe Frazier in her own separate adventure with her partner Nadine Ross. Here, everything remains the same, but with a few tweaks, such as collecting clues by taking a photo on your phone instead of having Nathan just drawing or writing down notes on his notebook. There’s subtle changes here and there, but everything else remains the same, right down to the craziness of the set pieces. If you like Uncharted 4’s gameplay, Lost Legacy simply provides more of it.

While I do prefer Uncharted 4 over this one, Lost Legacy shouldn’t be overlooked, as it gives us a glimpse of how the Uncharted series could move forward without Nathan Drake, as Chloe is an exceptional lead that’s charming, witty, and is more than capable of beating an army of goons, keeping them from finding and claiming her prize.

Once I had my fair share of the PS5 versions of both titles, I was left realizing that there aren’t any changes to gameplay aside from the overall performance. As far as the overall experience, these games play exactly the same as they did on release, making Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection aptly titled - a collection, but with patches making performance options available. This package also does not come with Uncharted 4’s multiplayer game mode. If you’re hoping to get a few rounds of multiplayer in, you’ll have to stick with the PS4 version of either game.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is an okay option for those getting into Uncharted for the first time with the latest games on the PS5. If the collection is something you don’t necessarily want to invest in, especially if you’re someone who owns a PS4 copy of either title, consider this a paid upgrade, as playing these games in silky-smooth 60/120 fps will definitely be a treat for diehard fans.

8/10

PROS

The games look and feel amazing at 60 frames per second
Still two fantastic games worth replaying as they can still hold their own against games recently released that have provided similar experiences

CONS

Aside from performance, no other significant changes to gameplay or quality, with only minor changes in presentation to differentiate from the PS4 versions
No Uncharted 4 multiplayer

What I’ve Played