*DISCLAIMER: Man, even on a new platform, I still have to give a disclaimer with this series. While GameSpot lists this as being a review of the PlayStation 4 version of the game, my opinions will be based on my experiences with the PlayStation 5 version, played through the "Legacy of Thieves Collection." This may not be a huge deal for some, but it does have at least some impact, given that the version I played offered a 60 FPS framerate that the PlayStation 4 didn't. Just wanted to leave that for you to bear in mind as you read the review.*
I feel like my journey through the "Uncharted" series doesn't get too much bigger than this (well, this or "Uncharted 2"). "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" was a massive game when it came out, serving as pretty much the culmination of the entire franchise, and the end of Nathan Drake's story (since the next game didn't star him at all). With how much of an impact this franchise had on PlayStation, it only made sense that what seemed like the "final" game at the time would be a huge deal for the company. It was the end of an era, and one that may have seemed unlikely to be returned to again. Sure, Sony franchises like "Ratchet & Clank" and "God of War" have persisted, but Naughty Dog may not feel the need to return to "Uncharted" after this. As it is, I went into this game with high expectations; despite the franchise's iconic status, I have yet to give one of the games a 10/10 score (and I have given quite a few 10s, I'd say). I loved the first three games, but not quite enough to place them among my all-time favorites. With a new system to work with, did "Uncharted 4" reach that vaunted company? Sadly...no, not quite. But did I still enjoy the hell out of my time with it? Definitely; it's honestly my favorite in the series.
"Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" is largely the culmination of everything Naughty Dog had crafted with "Uncharted" up to that point. The writing is some of the sharpest, most memorable stuff the series has provided, with a fitting amount of emotion that serves as a perfect sendoff for Nathan Drake's journey in the series. The series has always thrived on its characters, and those characters remain great here (even if some have polarized the fanbase), but this is really Nate's finest hour. It feels like the story and gameplay have also found more of a happy medium, connecting to each other with less of the "ludonarrative dissonance" the series has been associated with, and that makes it all the more compelling. Visually, it's crazy how much of a jump this was from "Uncharted 3." It's stunning to look at, brilliantly detailed, and an absolute marvel that was made even better when played on the PlayStation 5. The gameplay is also the most polished that I've seen out of the series. The gunplay is smoother than ever, the action sequences remain potent, the puzzles are enjoyable, and the platforming (my biggest gripe with the previous games) has never felt better. And while the game is not heavy on major changes, I do think the rope makes for some even more fun platforming, and the driving sections have their charm to them.
The only thing that held this game back from reaching the pinnacle of my scores is that the back half dragged more than I hoped it would. "Uncharted 4" is significantly lengthier than any other game in the series, and it really starts to feel that way in some of the later chapters. Sure, I may have done it to myself by playing the games so close to each other, but I don't buy that; I've played plenty of franchises in close proximity and didn't get burnt out by the fourth game (look at "Ratchet & Clank" or "Devil May Cry" as perfect examples).
Overall, "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" is an excellent sendoff for Nathan Drake, and even if it didn't quite reach the 10/10 mark for me, that shouldn't take away from its incredibly high quality. It's got some of the most potent writing in the series, and definitely the most polished gameplay yet. Sure, it may drag at a few points, but it's still a worthwhile adventure that rounds out a strong series in fantastic form. You've probably already played it plenty, but if you haven't, give it a go!
Final rating: 9 out of 10 "Awesome"