Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection – A Shiny Remaster for PlayStation 5, but a Cynical Move by Sony
Uncharted, the beloved action-adventure franchise, returns to PlayStation consoles with Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, bringing the acclaimed Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy to the PS5. While this seems like a natural progression for the series, Sony’s approach to this collection raises eyebrows, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of some players. This comprehensive remaster boasts stunning visuals, enhanced performance, and DualSense integration, but its release strategy, including a paid upgrade for existing owners and a separate PC port, feels calculated and, frankly, a bit greedy.
A Feast for the Eyes, But Not for the Wallet
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection delivers a visual spectacle. The enhanced graphics showcase Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy in their most stunning form yet. The improved HDR renders more detail in even the most dimly lit areas, highlighting the rich textures of faces, objects, and environments. This is especially noticeable in The Lost Legacy, immersing players in the vibrant colors of South Konkan. The collection also features a robust Photo Mode, allowing players to capture breathtaking moments from their adventures.
However, the graphical improvements aren’t just about cosmetic enhancements. The collection boasts three distinct graphical modes: "Fidelity" (native 4K at 30fps), "Performance" (60fps at 1440p upscaled to 4K), and "Performance+" (120fps at 1080p). While the lack of a 4K 60fps mode and ray-tracing is disappointing considering the power of the PS5, the Performance mode delivers a smooth and visually appealing experience.
A Familiar Adventure with New Sensations
Beyond the visual upgrades, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection leverages the PS5’s DualSense controller for an enhanced tactile experience. The haptic feedback immerses players in the action, from the rumble of driving a 4×4 to the distinct feel of firing different weapons. The adaptive triggers add another layer of immersion, offering varying degrees of resistance for activities like swinging with the grappling hook. While the 3D Audio implementation, though available through both speakers and headphones, delivers a more subtle improvement compared to the impactful DualSense integration.
However, despite these technological advancements, the core of the experience remains the same. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection offers the same single-player campaigns, which have been praised and criticized for their storytelling and thematic choices. While the action set pieces and the narrative arcs remain engaging, the lack of multiplayer and the absence of addressing the franchise’s problematic representation leave a mixed bag.
The Remaster That Went Too Far
Sony’s handling of the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, however, ultimately overshadows the technical advancements. While the PS5 upgrade for existing owners is priced at a relatively affordable Rs. 500 / $10/ €10, the requirement to pay for an upgrade for a game you already own leaves a sour taste. Existing owners who access the games through PlayStation Plus have no upgrade path, forcing them to purchase the entire collection again.
This strategy stands in stark contrast to Microsoft’s approach, which offers free upgrades for Xbox One titles on Xbox Series S/X and a superior subscription service with Xbox Game Pass that grants access to hundreds of games including those upgraded to Series X/S versions. Sony’s approach feels like they are trying to milk every dollar possible from existing players, especially compared to the generous offerings from their competitor.
The Uncharted Future Remains Uncertain
The PC port of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, set to arrive later in 2022, offers a sliver of hope and a potential opportunity for wider audiences to experience the franchise. However, Sony’s decision to sell the PC version separately, rather than offering it as part of the PS5 upgrade, further reinforces the impression that they are prioritizing profits over player satisfaction.
The release of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection coincides with the upcoming Uncharted movie, featuring Tom Holland, which further fuels speculation about the franchise’s future. While the film’s release might lead to a surge in interest for the franchise, it’s unclear whether Naughty Dog is working on a new Uncharted game any time soon.
Naughty Dog is renowned for its storytelling and gameplay prowess, but it seems they are being increasingly pulled in different directions, with reports circulating about a remake of The Last of Us and a standalone multiplayer game for The Last of Us Part II. This leaves many fans wondering if we’ll see a new Uncharted game anytime soon, especially given the focus on rehashing older titles.
A Step Forward in Visuals, a Step Back in Strategy
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection boasts a visually impressive remastering of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. The enhanced visuals, the integration of the PS5’s DualSense controller, and the introduction of 3D Audio elevate the experience for returning players. However, Sony’s strategy of charging for upgrades and separate PC ports leaves a bad taste in the mouth, especially considering Microsoft’s more generous approaches. This raises questions about Sony’s commitment to its players and whether they are leveraging their flagship franchise for short-term profits at the expense of long-term fan loyalty.
