Few serials have attempted to change for the better as much as Uncharted has, and it takes a collection like this to truly appreciate it. I found it edifying, to say the least, and I’m happy to have finally played through all three to completion. I’m suitably eager to get my hands on Uncharted 4 now, and in that regard, The Nathan Drake Collection has done a great job.
If you were already a fan of the series, this remastered bundle will be worth picking up. Those who are a bit more cynical, as I was, may very well find themselves surprised by the time they’ve slogged through all three of them. Pleasantly so.
“Greatness from small beginnings” is a phrase that runs throughout the Uncharted series.
Nothing typifies that phrase more than the series itself.
As a technical remaster of three important PlayStation games (including two great ones), Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is undoubtedly a strong package and a sterling example of a remaster done right. But its must-have status for your PS4 is less certain and will depend greatly on your series experience and what you value most in your games. If the allure of 60 fps smoothness and improved graphics means more to you than a filmic 30 fps and multiplayer access, and especially if you’ve never played the trilogy before, the collection is a no-brainer. But if you’re a series diehard with access to all three games, know that only the graphics, extra modes, and Photo Mode are objective, inarguable improvements. Those elements alone place it among the best remastered collections but don’t quite warrant an unconditional recommendation.
At various times throughout the Uncharted games, our protagonist carries the ring of Francis Drake on a leather band around his neck. The ring's inscription reads: "Sic Parvus Magna," or, "greatness from small beginnings."
I can't imagine a better way to encapsulate this collection. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was a fine game in 2007, but its wrinkles are deeper now, its age more apparent.
With Uncharted 2 and 3, though, Naughty Dog transcended Drake's own small beginnings. The Nathan Drake Collection is a firsthand account of Naughty Dog's growth as a storyteller, and this collection is the best way to relive that history, and witness its transformation up close.
Time has not been kind to Uncharted, then, but the latter two games are still enjoyable, despite their many flaws. The obvious influence of Saturday serials of the 50s (and the films which were inspired by them from the 80s) is interpreted well, dragging players through to the next big set-piece, and while he is a serial killer and mad war/conflict profiteer, Drake is also a somewhat charismatic shit-eating grin of a man, as are his friends. It's like an ultraviolent travel show, presented by three or four people who seem to be having a great time. It's just a shame the player has to slog through so much nonsense to join them.
Comprised of the three games that most define the PlayStation 3, it’s nice to be able to experience the trilogy on current hardware. There’s not a lot new here, but all three modern classics are presented likely as good as they’ll ever look. None measure up to what we’ve seen from Uncharted 4, but all three shine in 1080p and are right at home alongside other PS4 exclusives. With such a rapid advancement in the industry, the trilogy hasn’t aged perfectly (especially Drake’s Fortune), but all three still hold up and are some of the most cinematic experiences to grace the format. Anybody who’d like to replay the series or experience it for the first time before the looming release of Unharted 4 have no reason not to pick up The Nathan Drake Collection; it’s simply the best way to experience three great games.
