Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is the fourth and final installment in Naughty Dog's PlayStation exclusive Uncharted series. Following the events of the first three games, protagonist Nathan Drake has settled down from treasure hunting to enjoy a normal life with his wife, Elena. However, when his brother Sam resurfaces with the promise of one final adventure, Nate is dragged back into his old ways. Uncharted 4 is the first of the series to debut on PlayStation 4, and as such the series' finale has received a fitting upgrade in terms of scale as Naughty Dog are able to cut loose and push Uncharted to places it has never been. Can A Thief's End meet the high expectations fans have after the previous three fantastic installments?
The answer is quite simply a resounding yes. Naughty Dog are no strangers to delivering some of the best games on the market, with their Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter games considered classic gems by many, and more recently the Uncharted series and the absolutely masterful The Last of Us showing they're still willing to push their limits. Uncharted 4 shows that Naughty Dog are still constantly evolving as it is undoubtedly one of the best looking games you'll be able to find on the market. From the amazingly detailed and convincing character models to the lush environments you visit, Uncharted 4 rarely misses an opportunity to stun you with the graphical capabilities of the game. The hyper-real character models lends a window into Naughty Dog's true trump card too, as the emotions of the characters pour through the detailing in their faces, allowing the player to engage with the characters on an emotional level that ND proved they were capable of providing masterfully through games in The Last of Us. 
The characters of Uncharted have always been one of the series' true triumphs. While the graphics are always outstanding and the gameplay is always a blast, what keeps the games close to the players heart are the characters and their personal stories. Drake returns with Sully and Elena and the bond between them has long been one of the highlights of the franchise, and it's on full form here as their story comes to an end. Among the action and gunfights, Uncharted 4 has emotional scenes that help you engage in the game on a level deeper than the superficial spectacle that makes your actions feel like they have true weight. Beyond that, the story of the game is equally as engaging. The Uncharted franchise has always incorporated isolated stories, with the character arcs carrying through each installment. The same is true with A Thief's End, as the main plot is one newcomers can thoroughly enjoy without having to worry about three games worth of narrative to understand. However, as previously stated the character arcs do carry on throughout all four games, and any new players will probably benefit from playing the original three, or the remastered Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, if they want the character beats to pack a weightier punch. 
As with the previous entries, Uncharted 4 follows Nate as he uncovers a legendary treasure, and as more details come to light about the treasure it becomes apparent that the truth behind it is much more sinister. The game allows opportunities for the player to dig deeper into the mystery behind the treasure as optional notes can be found hinting towards a larger conspiracy, and it shows the developers embracing the video game format once again after Last of Us and telling a deep and interactive story in a way mediums can't. The story of the treasure is indeed an intriguing one, and one that fits well thematically with the issues the characters deal with throughout the game. There is a strange moment within the resolution where the actions of one character doesn't fit within the theme of the game, but it's a minor bump on an other wise extremely smooth journey. Another minor issue I had with the game was the handling of the antagonist. There is definitely enough interesting motivation behind the villain to make him the franchise's best, but the game doesn't highlight them until late in the third act, and even then they are mostly told in passing and not fully explored within the context of the narrative. It feels like a missed opportunity to give Drake and his final rival a truly interesting relationship and explore it more, but thankfully it's not an issue that hinders the enjoyment of Uncharted 4 too much. 
Fantastic characters and stories would be wasted if the game as a drag to play. Luckily, Uncharted 4 features the most refined gameplay of the franchise. Because of the attention to detail that Naughty Dog pour into each location, exploring the environment ends up being funner than previous entries, especially as the locations in game are considerably larger than previous games. The fights with in the game have a raw feeling to them, helped by the spectacular graphics and sound design of the game. Things feel truly desperate as you continue to find yourself outnumbered in fights as bullets whiz through the air and bludgeon the cover you hide behind for safety. Action receives a shakeup with Nate's grappling hook, which allows you to swing through the scenery and get the advantage on your enemy. The action in Uncharted 4 frequently feels ripped straight from a blockbuster, with the franchise's staple setpieces returning to great effect, although this game feels like it was missing a definitive action beat such as the train crash in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves or the plane crash in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. 
Fans can rest assured that there's more to the game than the spectacular fifteen hour campaign, as the game comes with a Multiplayer mode. I haven't poured in enough time to give a detailed insight into the multiplayer, but from the few matches I have played the game manages to provide a fresh feeling to multiplayer shooters as Uncharted's gameplay mechanics fit better with the online format than you would expect. In conclusion, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is another masterpiece from Naughty Dog. Thrilling stories, layered characters, stunning graphics, incredible sound design including a cinematic score and compelling voice acting, enthralling gameplay and more. Uncharted 4 is truly another triumph, and a fantastic send-off, for Naughty Dog's thrilling blockbuster franchise. Like The Last of Us before it on PlayStation 3 (and remastered on PS4), if you own a PlayStation 4 and don't try Uncharted 4, you're doing yourself a disservice. It's games like Uncharted 4 that convince even gamers who don't have a PlayStation 4 to buy it, forcing them to buy a new console in the process. With Nathan Drake's adventures receiving a fitting conclusion, I can't wait to see what Naughty Dog have up their sleeves next.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - 10 / 10
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