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Uncharted 4 street date broken as thieves steal copies

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The Lamp

Member
I don't think I'm going to hype this hard for another game until Kingdom Hearts 3. I can barely sleep knowing my package will come in the morning.
 

Kambing

Member
I was fortunate enough to get one of the ebay copies earlier this morning ($120 shipped). Arriving before 3pm tomorrow. Honestly, more than getting the game early, i am more excited in experiencing this title before the reviews hit... With big game releases, my hype amasses as hard as a dick on viagra. Reviews really set my expectations for what to expect, good or bad, and i don't have the will power to not read them! I miss the feeling of going into a game somewhat blind. I even passed on the MP beta. Fingers crossed that it actually arrives tomorrow lol
 
Damn the hype is engulfing me to the point that I'm checking on this thread every so often for more impressions lol. Keep em coming, it makes the wait for us release day folk bearable
 
I don't think I'm going to hype this hard for another game until Kingdom Hearts 3. I can barely sleep knowing my package will come in the morning.

Same but I'm forcing myself to go to bed because once it's here tomorrow I'm not stopping until I beat it!*

* This isn't true, I'll probably finish it on Wednesday because it's a much longer game than previous Uncharteds.
 

thuway

Member
I was fortunate enough to get one of the ebay copies earlier this morning ($120 shipped). Arriving before 3pm tomorrow. Honestly, more than getting the game early, i am more excited in experiencing this title before the reviews hit... With big game releases, my hype amasses as hard as a dick on viagra. Reviews really set my expectations for what to expect, good or bad, and i don't have the will power to not read them! I miss the feeling of going into a game somewhat blind. I even passed on the MP beta. Fingers crossed that it actually arrives tomorrow lol
Are there eBay copies still around? I'd love to get one!!
 

Armadilo

Banned
Editor-In-Chief of Game Informer Tweet
Andy McNamara ‏@GI_AndyMc 4h4 hours ago
I finished Uncharted 4's story mode today, and let's just say I can't wait for the embargo to lift.

Boys I see 10's in the Horizon
 

Superflat

Member
Shouldn't have read through the past couple pages. Too much, it's all too much!

Was looking at the special edition on amazon and it said i could get it for 64 bucks w/ my prime, so I caved in and ordered it lol
 
Some background before I dive into impressions so that you know my tastes. I am a gameplay first guy, you will find me argue gameplay over story all the time. That said I love a good story, just not at the expense of gameplay. My second favorite series is MGS because even though it has a huge story the gameplay is always top notch.

I am a huge fan of Naughty Dog and this series in particular. I think Uncharted 2 is one of the greatest games ever made and I maybe in the minority here but I think it's NDs best game, better than TLOU. I understand why TLOU is so loved but I am more of an action guy, I love action movies, I like the constant action uncharted gives than the more slow pace of TLOU. Why is U2 so special, because the pacing is pretty much perfect. They took the gameplay from the first and added vertical combat, the moving around the battlefield sets it apart from other TPSs. It's one of those near perfect sequels. U3 was more of the same but just felt like a bad copy with worse pacing, still great but it's not U2.

Ok now you know my stance on the series, I played about 4 hours and there was almost no combat yet I didn't care. The storytelling side is just so damn good, this is movie quality stuff. There is no difference between real acting and these virtual characters, every bit of body language and facial nuance is picked up, I am watching actual acting and I am so invested in this story. I already love these characters but this feels more like they are actual humans than some characters in an action movie, it's so compelling. I wouldn't mind watching uncharted 4 the movie it's so good.

That said it's still a game, interactivity is why this medium exists and I found myself engaged at the cool ways they present the story. I felt like I was in a David Cage game with the level of detail these environments have and the way you can explore. It's kind of what U3 was going for in some of those boring moments but this is done right. There is one moment that had me geeking out so much, you guys that played the game will probably know what it is. While it's doing all this the game is teaching you all the mechanics so it serves as a tutorial as well. I think it works so well because it does all this in so many different locations and situations and the story is always moving forward. Can it be boring in multiple play throughs, maybe, but I think if you power through it can be done very fast.

I took my sweet time because my jaw was on the floor at basically everything. This is without question the most beautiful game ever made. The level of detail present is staggering. Photo mode has loads of options and I spent a good hour just taking pictures of random plants, I couldn't help myself.

At some point though the game had to get going and I played through the first major action chapter and holy shit the action is incredible!! First thing you will notice is that shooting feels great, finally some weight to the bullets, it feels right. The game introduced the new stealth mechanics and it works like most every game with guards that get suspicious and go alert. The area I played wasn't large but it had multiple paths to take, to either hide or shoot. It's so great to have these options as it makes replaying each section a blast, I didn't mind dying.

One time I got seen so all hell broke loose, I jump out a balcony to reposition, guards were following, they are coming from all sides. I am playing on hard and these guys seem relentless. I was jumping into another room, they were jumping right after me. I turned and smashed one guard into a wall, took his gun, jumped out a window shot some guys from outside, jumped back in and went into hiding. Guards lost track of me so I was able to sneak up on some and snap some necks. In one area I got caught and like 5 guards came out so a huge firefight broke out. I died so the next time I didn't get caught and killed the three guards on patrol, no backup, no firefight. So that's the level of changes you can expect to see depending how you play.

In terms of AI they seem smart enough, they flank, take cover, use grenades. I think they lose track of you a bit too easily and they seem to go right back to their normal patrol. This is not MGS level sneaking here; I tried to shoot out some lights and that didn't work. Doesn't matter cause it's mostly about the action and this section ended in a massive scripted shootout. The environment was crumbling around me, I am rolling all over the place trying to get better weapons while avoiding fire. The music is pumping and it is AMAZING, my cover is being torn to shreds, my palms are sweaty, it's everything a great action sequence should be and it wasn't really a big setpiece, it was just a great firefight. If this game keeps this up it’s going to easily be the best game in the series.

This game feels special. It's definitely uncharted, mechanically most of it is the same but the refinement with the better shooting, alert states and larger areas make it feel like a true step forward from Uncharted 2. The story, graphics and presentation are at a whole different level. Man I can't wait to get out of work and play more tomorrow.
 

nib95

Banned
Uncharted 4 : A Thief’s End ( A NEOGAF story mode review) – No Major Spoilers!

Completed on moderate difficulty – 15 hours (excluding cutscenes), 58 treasures collected

 
Alright, so let’s just put in a bit of perspective here so you all know where I’m coming from for this post. Been a fan of cinematic gaming experiences all my life, ever since they started. Uncharted released and I absolutely loved it. Sure it’s dated now and had some questionable designs, but it was the first time I ever felt like I was playing in an “Indiana Jones” like adventure film. Sure Indiana Jones games had come prior to Uncharted, along with Tomb Raider, but nothing gave me that feel like the first time I played Uncharted 1.  Then 2 comes out and just blows 1 away… followed by 3 releasing with some mixed reactions.  As I feel on that 3rd game, I prefer the variation in set pieces and variety of locations more than 2, but 2’s story/setting/and theme are much more solid and coherent.  Since Uncharted has come, its apparent Tomb Raider has followed in its cinematic footsteps and bigger and better seems to be a theme with these titles. I loved the new Tomb Raiders (as action games) and rightly so, they are entertaining and fun as well.  That said, my passions for this genre is high and I just can’t get enough of these games. This brings us up to the release of Uncharted 4 and my ability to grab an early copy, but what did I think at the end of my adventure?   

 

Uncharted 4 is a bold step in a more serious direction. Some people might be freaking out thinking that “oh no, they turned Nate into a serious character, void of all humor” no, no, no.   While the story here gets more personally than ever before and is darker with more serious overtones, it still have the summer blockbuster cinematic flair and style that the other games did, along with the humor.  I laughed consistently throughout the adventure, but at the same time there were moments I was genuinely concerned about the relationships Nate has. While some of you out there might think this is pertaining to people being in trouble, etc… no it’s not anything like that. The way these characters come together and some of the stuff going on in the background is what got me thinking, relating, and taking Drake more serious than ever before but also concerned. It’s really hard to describe without going into spoiler territory but rest assured, one moment I laughed, then some moments later, I was hit with much more somber thoughts.  That’s all I’ll say about the story, aside from one aspect, the ending… and I thought it was the perfect way to finish the franchise. The rest I leave my lips sealed.

 

Gamplay here has been tweaked even more. Shooting feels extremely well and the feedback from enemies getting hit and the weight and sound of weapons “feels good” little details like the strap of a gun, flailing around when firing is a small detail but just thrilled me to see that in the game at all. The attention in the detail is great.  The flow of shooting, to melee, to grappling with a hook all feel rather seamless and add to the intensity of fights.  Especially as of now that there is much more verticality to the experience and with wider environments.  The start of the game, in particular, feels much like the other Uncharted, more linear in nature, and plus a lot of character exposition and story building.  Combat doesn’t even kick into play right away. It’s a gradual buildup. I’d even go as far to say that chapter 1 through 7 are sort of a tutorial/buildup and more in vein with the original games in size and scope. When chapter 8 comes, the training wheels are thrown off and things just get bigger, better, and more robust. This is where Naughty Dog simply unleashes the real meat and potatoes of the game and how different these moments feel suited with the new gameplay mechanics.  Huge fire fights, stealth gameplay, the grapple, all can come into play during some of these huge explosive moments. Which also never really feel like wave after wave of bad guys.  At least not at the start or for the most of the game. They did a great balance of making the fights seem more naturally occurring and more set to each specific location.  Also you can surely play this like a third person cover shooter, but doing so might provide you less of an experience then if you take true advantage of the combat mechanics at play.  It’s simply wonderful. The AI will try and flank you at times, or go straight towards you depending on if you’re hiding, blind firing, etc. Nothing plain, but also not exactly super different then what most players expect these days. The bullet sponge effect that the other games had also feels mostly gone. Sure late you start running into enemies that are more protected, but even then, they can be taken down much quicker if you have the knowledge how or their weak point.  Still this ties back into the player feedback with shooting and it just feels great to aim and shoot in this game. You can even do so while swinging on a grapple, or jumping off a ledge.  What about vehicle control? Those are fairly solid as well.  I can’t really complain and I think they have some very cool ways of making it feel like players are actually using a jeep for off-roading and not just as a form of transportation.  Let’s also talk exploration.  Uncharted prior always had little path ways to check but were pretty linear in nature or hall like even at moments, maybe small little action hubs even.  Uncharted 4 blows those out of the water to reveal some truly awesome locations to explore and different ways to get to those locations in the process. It makes treasure hunting fun, but also intense and much harder than before. Some levels had me scouring everywhere I could before I eventually moved on in defeat.  I’ll be back for those for sure! Some I found were in tricky spots, others just sort of casually sitting there. Luckily chapter select shows how many treasures remain along with journal entries and optional dialog moments. I missed a bit of everything and surprisingly so as I felt pretty thorough.  All this said, I couldn’t really ask for more from a gameplay perspective.  Some folks are worried that due to some comments about set pieces not being as  “bombastic” as the other games means there is a lack of these moments and I’m assuring you, there is no shortage of holy shit moments in this game, which a few had me screaming at my tv at what was happening on it display. So please don’t worry on that. Also puzzles, they are back and more in depth or elaborate then 1 or 2. Think more on part 3 levels. They take a back seat towards the end of the game mostly aside from one moment or two, but very well done and really enjoyable, a great maturing of that element in their games.

Graphically the game looks amazing. The lighting can at times just make locations and character look photo realistic. Yes sometimes things don’t look AS good as they do at other times but for the majority the game just is a site to behold. Can’t tell you how many vistas I’ve seen and moments I was breathless. Even enemies are highly detailed as I’ve seen in photo mode shots, which is going to be a feature many people use. This could be called Photo mode, the game! It’s hard to talk about this without spoiling things but just know, the amount of variety and depth in locations and exploring along with the insane visuals is just something to treasure. Sound wise I think the VA is great as usually and it really sells the more serious tones at times along with the humor. The sounds of guns and effects is what you’d expect. The music, while I really like it, does feel a bit different due to different composers, but I still felt it was extremely appropriate for the setting and along with what’s happening on screen. The main battle music I really enjoyed.  

I got a whole heaping shit ton of praise for this game but I’m going to wrap this up. Uncharted 4 A Thief’s end is not a perfect game.  It has a few moments I took some issues with.  The start of the game is fairly heavy handed in cut scenes and story. Along with the more limited grandeur of levels at first and their play times, could get people thinking “what have you done to my Uncharted” rest assured, make it to chapter 8 and your doubts will start to melt away.  So while it’s great for story and setting the game up, some might feel it’s a bit too little early on. That said there is still exploration, action, and intrigue all over those first 7 chapters, fear not. I think another issues some will have is with *you knew I was going to say this* the final boss encounter. I was visually blown away by it but I think some won’t care for the gameplay element at that point (will be interesting to hear others thoughts on that) A final note, the game runs smooth as hell looking as it does which is mighty impressive, but there was a few times I saw some framerate slowdown, sometimes due to battle, or sometimes simply for finding an area I’m exploring and turning the camera and running just caused it to chug. A little distracting but ultimately something that didn’t seem to rear its ugly head too often.  . So hmm… let me think…. Yeah that’s about all the qualms I have with Uncharted 4.  I have to say, currently as I’m typing this and letting the end results play over again in my head since finishing last night. This is definitely in my top 5 games of all time and my favorite third person shooter ever.  Alan Wake, Quantum Break, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Vaquish, Binary Domain, Uncharted 1-3, The Evil Within,  The Last of Us… all games I’ve truly enjoyed and loved and had a great time with (in various manners of enjoyment)… but this just blows them all away for me personally. From graphics to gameplay, combat scenarios, set pieces, puzzles, and story…. Uncharted 4 is the first system seller of this new console generation! If I didn’t have a PS4, I’d have to buy one for this, and everyone that doesn’t, I tell them they need to experience this game! I can’t get over how much this games story elements hit me, how I related to it in some subtle ways, and just how it all came to a close.  Bravo Naughty Dog, you are truly amazing at your craft and a pioneer in cinematic gaming.  I’ve yet to even get to experience the MP, but it could suck for all I know (it probably won’t) and still… I’d give this a 10 out of 10!

 


Some background before I dive into impressions so that you know my tastes. I am a gameplay first guy, you will find me argue gameplay over story all the time. That said I love a good story, just not at the expense of gameplay. My second favorite series is MGS because even though it has a huge story the gameplay is always top notch.

I am a huge fan of Naughty Dog and this series in particular. I think Uncharted 2 is one of the greatest games ever made and I maybe in the minority here but I think it's NDs best game, better than TLOU. I understand why TLOU is so loved but I am more of an action guy, I love action movies, I like the constant action uncharted gives than the more slow pace of TLOU. Why is U2 so special, because the pacing is pretty much perfect. They took the gameplay from the first and added vertical combat, the moving around the battlefield sets it apart from other TPSs. It's one of those near perfect sequels. U3 was more of the same but just felt like a bad copy with worse pacing, still great but it's not U2.

Ok now you know my stance on the series, I played about 4 hours and there was almost no combat yet I didn't care. The storytelling side is just so damn good, this is movie quality stuff. There is no difference between real acting and these virtual characters, every bit of body language and facial nuance is picked up, I am watching actual acting and I am so invested in this story. I already love these characters but this feels more like they are actual humans than some characters in an action movie, it's so compelling. I wouldn't mind watching uncharted 4 the movie it's so good.

That said it's still a game, interactivity is why this medium exists and I found myself engaged at the cool ways they present the story. I felt like I was in a David Cage game with the level of detail these environments have and the way you can explore. It's kind of what U3 was going for in some of those boring moments but this is done right. There is one moment that had me geeking out so much, you guys that played the game will probably know what it is. While it's doing all this the game is teaching you all the mechanics so it serves as a tutorial as well. I think it works so well because it does all this in so many different locations and situations and the story is always moving forward. Can it be boring in multiple play throughs, maybe, but I think if you power through it can be done very fast.

I took my sweet time because my jaw was on the floor at basically everything. This is without question the most beautiful game ever made. The level of detail present is staggering. Photo mode has loads of options and I spent a good hour just taking pictures of random plants, I couldn't help myself.

At some point though the game had to get going and I played through the first major action chapter and holy shit the action is incredible!! First thing you will notice is that shooting feels great, finally some weight to the bullets, it feels right. The game introduced the new stealth mechanics and it works like most every game with guards that get suspicious and go alert. The area I played wasn't large but it had multiple paths to take, to either hide or shoot. It's so great to have these options as it makes replaying each section a blast, I didn't mind dying.

One time I got seen so all hell broke loose, I jump out a balcony to reposition, guards were following, they are coming from all sides. I am playing on hard and these guys seem relentless. I was jumping into another room, they were jumping right after me. I turned and smashed one guard into a wall, took his gun, jumped out a window shot some guys from outside, jumped back in and went into hiding. Guards lost track of me so I was able to sneak up on some and snap some necks. In one area I got caught and like 5 guards came out so a huge firefight broke out. I died so the next time I didn't get caught and killed the three guards on patrol, no backup, no firefight. So that's the level of changes you can expect to see depending how you play.

In terms of AI they seem smart enough, they flank, take cover, use grenades. I think they lose track of you a bit too easily and they seem to go right back to their normal patrol. This is not MGS level sneaking here; I tried to shoot out some lights and that didn't work. Doesn't matter cause it's mostly about the action and this section ended in a massive scripted shootout. The environment was crumbling around me, I am rolling all over the place trying to get better weapons while avoiding fire. The music is pumping and it is AMAZING, my cover is being torn to shreds, my palms are sweaty, it's everything a great action sequence should be and it wasn't really a big setpiece, it was just a great firefight. If this game keeps this up it’s going to easily be the best game in the series.

This game feels special. It's definitely uncharted, mechanically most of it is the same but the refinement with the better shooting, alert states and larger areas make it feel like a true step forward from Uncharted 2. The story, graphics and presentation are at a whole different level. Man I can't wait to get out of work and play more tomorrow.

These impressions.... I just can't...
 
Just wait Wesker... I know it's hard to fathom but it just gets better and better! !!

Oh I know, I am basically going nuts over the first big firefight. I just hit chapter 8 which is when you guys say the game really starts. Oh and that area, damn! They hid quite a bit from us.

BTW fantastic final write up, thank you.
 
Some background before I dive into impressions so that you know my tastes. I am a gameplay first guy, you will find me argue gameplay over story all the time. That said I love a good story, just not at the expense of gameplay. My second favorite series is MGS because even though it has a huge story the gameplay is always top notch.

I am a huge fan of Naughty Dog and this series in particular. I think Uncharted 2 is one of the greatest games ever made and I maybe in the minority here but I think it's NDs best game, better than TLOU. I understand why TLOU is so loved but I am more of an action guy, I love action movies, I like the constant action uncharted gives than the more slow pace of TLOU. Why is U2 so special, because the pacing is pretty much perfect. They took the gameplay from the first and added vertical combat, the moving around the battlefield sets it apart from other TPSs. It's one of those near perfect sequels. U3 was more of the same but just felt like a bad copy with worse pacing, still great but it's not U2.

Ok now you know my stance on the series, I played about 4 hours and there was almost no combat yet I didn't care. The storytelling side is just so damn good, this is movie quality stuff. There is no difference between real acting and these virtual characters, every bit of body language and facial nuance is picked up, I am watching actual acting and I am so invested in this story. I already love these characters but this feels more like they are actual humans than some characters in an action movie, it's so compelling. I wouldn't mind watching uncharted 4 the movie it's so good.

That said it's still a game, interactivity is why this medium exists and I found myself engaged at the cool ways they present the story. I felt like I was in a David Cage game with the level of detail these environments have and the way you can explore. It's kind of what U3 was going for in some of those boring moments but this is done right. There is one moment that had me geeking out so much, you guys that played the game will probably know what it is. While it's doing all this the game is teaching you all the mechanics so it serves as a tutorial as well. I think it works so well because it does all this in so many different locations and situations and the story is always moving forward. Can it be boring in multiple play throughs, maybe, but I think if you power through it can be done very fast.

I took my sweet time because my jaw was on the floor at basically everything. This is without question the most beautiful game ever made. The level of detail present is staggering. Photo mode has loads of options and I spent a good hour just taking pictures of random plants, I couldn't help myself.

At some point though the game had to get going and I played through the first major action chapter and holy shit the action is incredible!! First thing you will notice is that shooting feels great, finally some weight to the bullets, it feels right. The game introduced the new stealth mechanics and it works like most every game with guards that get suspicious and go alert. The area I played wasn't large but it had multiple paths to take, to either hide or shoot. It's so great to have these options as it makes replaying each section a blast, I didn't mind dying.

One time I got seen so all hell broke loose, I jump out a balcony to reposition, guards were following, they are coming from all sides. I am playing on hard and these guys seem relentless. I was jumping into another room, they were jumping right after me. I turned and smashed one guard into a wall, took his gun, jumped out a window shot some guys from outside, jumped back in and went into hiding. Guards lost track of me so I was able to sneak up on some and snap some necks. In one area I got caught and like 5 guards came out so a huge firefight broke out. I died so the next time I didn't get caught and killed the three guards on patrol, no backup, no firefight. So that's the level of changes you can expect to see depending how you play.

In terms of AI they seem smart enough, they flank, take cover, use grenades. I think they lose track of you a bit too easily and they seem to go right back to their normal patrol. This is not MGS level sneaking here; I tried to shoot out some lights and that didn't work. Doesn't matter cause it's mostly about the action and this section ended in a massive scripted shootout. The environment was crumbling around me, I am rolling all over the place trying to get better weapons while avoiding fire. The music is pumping and it is AMAZING, my cover is being torn to shreds, my palms are sweaty, it's everything a great action sequence should be and it wasn't really a big setpiece, it was just a great firefight. If this game keeps this up it’s going to easily be the best game in the series.

This game feels special. It's definitely uncharted, mechanically most of it is the same but the refinement with the better shooting, alert states and larger areas make it feel like a true step forward from Uncharted 2. The story, graphics and presentation are at a whole different level. Man I can't wait to get out of work and play more tomorrow.

Dude.

I am now officially excited.
 
I don't know if this has been corrected in Uncharted 4 but in Uncharted games and in TLOU, you have to push the left stick very hard to the end to run which isn't comfortable at all and may wear the stick by hitting the sharp end of its plastic socket all the time.

This wasn't the case in previous ND games i.e Jak And Daxter series where pushing the analog stick subtly gives a wide range of walking/moving/running and the highest speed doesn't need to to push the stick o the end and hit the socket.
I hope ND didn't repeat the same weird clumsy controls from past Uncharted games and TLOU.
 
If anyone knows where to get an early copy in the Dallas, TX area please pm me. I can make it worth your while.
jayzcringe.gif
 
Oh I know, I am basically going nuts over the first big firefight. I just hit chapter 8 which is when you guys say the game really starts. Oh and that area, damn! They hid quite a bit from us.

BTW fantastic final write up, thank you.

And glad to see this hitting others as hard as it hit me. Hot damn!!! Enjoy man. I'm already dying to play more but my copy shipped out to another via the ebay. Waiting for me CE now!
 

kyser73

Member
Has there been any info on when pre-load starts for digital orders?

Can't read this thread tho - too hype! Especially Slasher as I'm a cinematic TPS fan too...
 

thuway

Member
I wonder if ND might reconsider breaking release date after review embargo... Plenty of places selling it now, no reason not to. Within a day or two, NYC stores will be breaking as well.
 
I wonder if ND might reconsider breaking release date after review embargo... Plenty of places selling it now, no reason not to. Within a day or two, NYC stores will be breaking as well.

Plenty of places in areas like Taiwan, HK, Malaysia and Singapore are doing big scale launch events and roadshows.

Those plans would be really fucked with a release date reshuffling this late in the cycle.
 
After the dissapointments that were other new sequels in franchises this gen, like Batman, MGSV, etc. This one is worth the hype and totally blew me away and my expectations. :)
 

thuway

Member
Plenty of places in areas like Taiwan, HK, Malaysia and Singapore are doing big scale launch events and roadshows.

Those plans would be really fucked with a release date reshuffling this late in the cycle.

The big issue is release dates get broken in those countries as well. The floodgates are already open and people are paying premiums just to play it first. I'm not gonna lie if the price of the Ebay copy was just 20-30 bucks cheaper Id buy it right now.
 
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