UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection Review
A Treasure-Trove of Adventure or Just Another Map to Nowhere?
last updated Dec 05, 2023
It offers an action-packed narrative that thrills and charms in equal measure.
Press Start to Adventure
The UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection invites players to fill the boots of the charming rogue Nathan Drake and the cunning Chloe Frazer, through cinematic journeys that are as gripping as they are grand. While the gameplay sticks largely to the tried-and-true Uncharted blueprint of climbing, shooting, and a smattering of puzzle-solving, the series’ debut on PC brings a fresh coat of paint to its parkour mechanics, with fluid movement that makes every leap and climb feel like an acrobatic feat fit for the big screen. Granted, it does at times feel like you've been through these motions before, but if it isn't broken, why fix it? There's a comforting sense of familiarity here that's sure to please series veterans and newcomers alike as they navigate these epic environments.
An Auditory Voyage
An experience is only as compelling as its score, and thankfully, the audio production here is akin to a blockbuster more than just background noise. The bullets whip, the environments hum with life, and the dramatic string sections and robust orchestral swells punctuate each story beat making sure that your heart rate syncs up with the characters on screen. The attention to detail in the sound design is nothing short of what you’d expect from a AAA title, and the escapades of Drake and Frazer are all the better for it. The voice acting remains a high point, bringing life and personality to characters we’ve come to love, with all their quips and one-liners effectively delivered to evoke a chuckle or a smirk, further fleshing out the cinematic experience.
A Graphic Novel Come to Life
The visual fidelity of UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a testament to what modern hardware can render. From lush jungles to ancient ruins, every locale is rendered in stunning detail, begging players to pause and soak in the vistas. But let’s not just make this a love letter to graphics; performance, the unsung hero of many a PC port, holds its own here, offering a smooth experience that ensures the spectacle never stutters. While there might be the occasional hiccup – mostly anecdotes of crashes and some bugs – these moments are mercifully sparse, preserving the game’s cinematic fluidity.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Despite its sheen, the collection isn't without its quirks. The cover system and combat exhibit the occasional awkwardness akin to a leading man forgetting his lines—the controls can sometimes be uncooperative during high-octane sequences, leading to a few 'unscripted' deaths. The game's puzzle design, while engaging, rarely strays from its predecessors' blueprints, suggesting the developers might have played it too safe. And while the collection is a solid package that showcases two of the franchise's heavyweights, the unavoidable linearity might not resonate with the explorers yearning for an untamed wilderness.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Naughty Dog LLC, Iron Galaxy Studios
Publisher
PlayStation PC LLC
Release Date
October 19, 2022
The Verdict
The UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection stands as an ode to the series' greatness while gracefully leapfrogging onto the PC platform. It offers an action-packed narrative that thrills and charms in equal measure. Despite the occasional bout with petulant controls and the odd performance stutter, this collection, much like the treasures its protagonists pursue, is a rare find. Adventure seekers and story aficionados, take note: this is your call to arms—or perhaps, grappling hooks.
