I don't want to discuss it too deeply because it would ruin it for other people. The clock tower was one of the smaller set pieces for instance and the E3 demo would be an example of a longer set piece (actually two set pieces back to back), but there were many others.

The game had more than 1 big set piece. Can't take your opinions serious if you're going to flat out lie.

The game is a cinematic adventure, we already know that. If that isn't your thing then why play it and complain about those things you knew it was about? For me it has a good balance of slow bits, cimematic cutscenes, gun fights, set peaces and climbing/exploring. Slow bits and cutscenes are needed to balance the pacing and tell a cinematic story. They aren't a bad thing like you're trying to make out.

He ends up as a world-renowned (legal) archaeologist/fortune hunter with his wife. How does that compare to being a run of the mill salvager? Would you have felt significantly better if he died or something?

I won't go into great detail on the grounding of Uncharted, but after 3 jumped the shark it was either go even further into insanity for the sake of keeping the series as simply an enjoyable tropefest or dial it back in order to develop the entire experience more and make it a tad more meaningful of an arc.  

Plus, Naughty Dog outright admitted a few years ago exactly what you're just discovering. This is what they do, and so long as they put out compelling, entertaining experiences like Uncharted 2 or 4, especially when they're as perfectly paced as 4, they have all the right in the world to do so. If they make another TLoU with false setpieces to try and solidify  the experience, on top of a predictable plot and poor pacing, I won't be interested. 

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?

Fair enough but I disagree on some points. The game does drag a bit during the Scotland area but picks up nicely right as you go into madagascar. There is also an excessive amount of jumping but at least the rope is a great new feature that alleviates this issue a bit (or adds to it, depending on your perspective)

All in all, it is only beaten by uncharted 2 as that was a bit of a sleeper hit after the fairly average Drake's fortune. It's hard to replicate that same feeling of uncharted 2 cause we've done it all before, but in every other aspects, Uncharted 4 nails it. The ending and epilogue were perfect. The final "boss" was a step up from uncharted 3, no forced tear jerking moments and no sequel baiting. A send off to the greatest adventure franchise of all time, in my opinion.

This.  

The thread title saws spoilers so you're free to discuss them. So, please go ahead.

What other big set piece? I'm still waiting. I finished the game this past weekend and the only one I remember is the E3 one.

To me it was too long. It didn't need to be five hours longer than 2/3 because all it did was draw out the time between the good moments with boring ones.

The highs were very high, but too many lows where I switched off and just went through the motions. Didnt help that I didn't really like Sam much at all.

The final boss was a step up from Uncharted 3 but it was still a let down. Other than the main villain being a total idiot (what's with villains preferring to kill the main character rather than escape an fiery hell lately?), the gameplay in that final boss fight itself wasn't very enjoyable.