Naughty Dog at this is point is pidgeonholed into making "narrative-driven" games.
As if emphasizing good storytelling is a bad thing? It's not like their games are walking simulators or point and click adventures.
They will put story ahead of gameplay
The gameplay is also the best of the series, in mechanics, variety, and scope. It's funny how you seem to think bigger scripted setpieces equate to better gameplay.
which is fine if the story was compelling. I wished at least that Drake had more of an arc. He ends up exactly where he started.
Going from a depressed and longing retiree salvager to a fulfilled legitimate archaeologist, treasure hunter, brother, and father is ending up exactly where he started?
You're right about Uncharted being Indiana Jones, which Uncharted 4 isn't. What's the point of grounding the game?
Making the character more human and relatable than superhuman? Jones never did half the fantastic stunts that Deception Drake did.
Naughty Dog unfortunately is too big to fail now so they will be putting out same-ish games for the next few generations.
Believe it or not most developers tend to find a particular identity in the industry and refine it with each release. That's normal, especially when you have all of this tech you've developed over the years that you don't want to go to waste.
Give me some examples because nothing else is jumping out at me atm.
The clock coming down, the jeep swinging from the cliff by its cable, Libertalia crumbling, the second APC chase on the island, the 'boss fights' against Nadine and Rafe, and more I'm sure I'm forgetting. Many gunfights were also practically their own open ended setpieces with varied scenarios like protecting Elena in the elevator, breaking out of prison, or dealing with rpg and turret squads.
Did you play this game stoned or something?
