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Uncharted 4 spoiler free early copy impressions

I just don't enjoy the exploration here as much as TLOU. I think a lot of it is overrated. Feels mostly aesthetic and pointless as treasure is very rare. In TLOU, we explored to survive and we found crucial items, ammo, health, and story pieces. Here it's just a rare coin or watch every once in a while, but lots of dead-end, pointless alternate paths.

Is it new for Uncharted to have a wide open space in some areas to look around? Yeah, but that space is mostly just there for aesthetics and "feeling" open.

You're the reason we keep getting open-world games stuffed full of collectibles and copy-paste missions. No one wants to explore for the sake of exploring anymore, how sad.
 
You're the reason we keep getting open-world games stuffed full of collectibles and copy-paste missions. No one wants to explore for the sake of exploring anymore, how sad.

I don't like meaningless collectibles, I like reasons to explore other than unclimbable geometry.

I will say that the game finally got to some good open world exploration level design at chapter
12
.

But Jesus at the pacing in this game. It's been 2 hours and 1.5 chapters since I've seen any enemies or guns. Just hopping around listening to banter. No combat.
 
I don't like meaningless collectibles, I like reasons to explore other than unclimbable geometry.

I will say that the game finally got to some good open world exploration level design at chapter
12
.

But Jesus at the pacing in this game. It's been 2 hours and 1.5 chapters since I've seen any enemies or guns. Just hopping around listening to banter. No combat.

Yup. The pacing is very weird. I didn't like it. It has too much TLoU built into it for me.
 
I don't like meaningless collectibles, I like reasons to explore other than unclimbable geometry.

I will say that the game finally got to some good open world exploration level design at chapter
12
.

But Jesus at the pacing in this game. It's been 2 hours and 1.5 chapters since I've seen any enemies or guns. Just hopping around listening to banter. No combat.

Looks like I will love this game.

Also if you dont like collectibles, just dont go after them?
 
Looks like I will love this game.

Also if you dont like collectibles, just dont go after them?

Lol I can't just ignore them ;p either way the level design opens up to where there are several places to look for where to go next so you may have to search several paths to progress.
 
I don't like meaningless collectibles, I like reasons to explore other than unclimbable geometry.

I will say that the game finally got to some good open world exploration level design at chapter
12
.

But Jesus at the pacing in this game. It's been 2 hours and 1.5 chapters since I've seen any enemies or guns. Just hopping around listening to banter. No combat.

This is amazing. I am even more hyped now, love me some slow burn goodness.
 
Yeah lots more exploration in the game, though most of it can be easily bypassed as the game continues to push or make nods at the player by either dialog, something seen, enemies, etc.
 
Most games I liked have a slow start and just get better and better. Shame I have to wait a week after release before I get it.
 
I don't like meaningless collectibles, I like reasons to explore other than unclimbable geometry.

I will say that the game finally got to some good open world exploration level design at chapter
12
.

But Jesus at the pacing in this game. It's been 2 hours and 1.5 chapters since I've seen any enemies or guns. Just hopping around listening to banter. No combat.

I usually hate slow paced games too. But the way its done in Uncharted 4 makes sense. If the game was 8 hours long then I would have a massive issue with it, but for a game thats almost twice as long as UC2 it was a smart idea to have a slow burn to let you soak in the atmosphere and characters.

I think the first 2 or 3 hours of just letting you absorb and take in this wonderfully crafted world was a great idea. Its really immersive.

alas...I don't know how repeated playthroughs will hold up. Still doesn't detract from the overall experience.
 
I just don't enjoy the exploration here as much as TLOU. I think a lot of it is overrated. Feels mostly aesthetic and pointless as treasure is very rare. In TLOU, we explored to survive and we found crucial items, ammo, health, and story pieces. Here it's just a rare coin or watch every once in a while, but lots of dead-end, pointless alternate paths.

Is it new for Uncharted to have a wide open space in some areas to look around? Yeah, but that space is mostly just there for aesthetics and "feeling" open.

I disagree. I found that the exploration in TLOU was a chore because I felt forced to 'scavenge' the environment. I really dislike this aspect to a lot of games, see: BioShock / Bethesda titles.

I'd rather sit back, relax, and enjoy the environments rather than have to look in every little corner for fear of missing out.
 
As someone who thought UC1 was shit, 2 was decent, got bored of 3 about half way in and loved TLoU. Is this something I should go for?

I guess that the question is, did ND take anything they learned from TLoU and put it into UC?
 
This game. Just…incredible. Whilst it's a slow start, it's everything I wanted it to be. And I love that it's sombre, personal, full of fan flick, and appreciative of everything that has gone before. Similar to Slasher, the story is also resonating with me a lot more because in the time between the last game and this new sequel, I too have gotten married, and settled down so to speak. So in a way I can also relate, especially given I used to live a pretty crazy bachelor life back in the day.

Oh and the visuals….what the hell are they feeding them over there! Posted some screens in the screenshot thread. Apologies for any spoilers.
 
I disagree. I found that the exploration in TLOU was a chore because I felt forced to 'scavenge' the environment. I really dislike this aspect to a lot of games, see: BioShock / Bethesda titles.

I'd rather sit back, relax, and enjoy the environments rather than have to look in every little corner for fear of missing out.

This is what's driving me mad. I'm conditioned to scour because of games like dark souls 3 and TLOU so now that I'm in U4 it's maddening haha.

The story is finally getting fantastic, it's a slow burner but man I love these characters.
 
As someone who thought UC1 was shit, 2 was decent, got bored of 3 about half way in and loved TLoU. Is this something I should go for?

I guess that the question is, did ND take anything they learned from TLoU and put it into UC?

Depends on why you didn't like Uncharted all that much but loved TLOU.

By all indications it's a hugely improved Uncharted gameplay experience coupled with a more serious a deeper approach to storytelling similar to TLOU.
 
The game starts a bit slow, yes, but that's because it needs to set up a lot of things. To be honest, I never felt that the pacing was an issue.
 
The game starts a bit slow, yes, but that's because it needs to set up a lot of things. To be honest, I never felt that the pacing was an issue.

I prefer it tbh. Eases you in, sets the tone and backstory, and also does a good job or presenting the time and personal difference experienced by Drake himself. If it just dropped you in to the thick of it, you'd never appreciate just how different it all was from Drake's new life, nor would it have that crescendo building momentum.

I mean, in the beginning they still throw bits of excitement and carnage in here and there, but not so much that it dilutes the sentiment Drake is harbouring within his new life. In a sense, the beginning almost reminded me of Shenmue.
 
This game. Just…incredible. Whilst it's a slow start, it's everything I wanted it to be. And I love that it's sombre, personal, full of fan flick, and appreciative of everything that has gone before. Similar to Slasher, the story is also resonating with me a lot more because in the time between the last game and this new sequel, I too have gotten married, and settled down so to speak. So in a way I can also relate, especially given I used to live a pretty crazy bachelor life back in the day.

Oh and the visuals….what the hell are they feeding them over there! Posted some screens in the screenshot thread. Apologies for any spoilers.

giphy.gif
 
Totally agree. A few hours in and it's spectacular. The lighting is outstanding. I normally game on a 4K pc so I mean it when I say this is truly impressive.
 
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