Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - Thoughts

Uncharted 4 Review

A Naughty Dog Game

1.) Story

     The story follows years after Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Nathan Drake is now married to the reporter Elena and both gave a vow to never treasure hunt again. An unusual promise for Nathan Drake to make after three games. Although the couple looks happy, in the beginning, Nathan seems to daydream about his pirating days. 

     At the beginning of the game, 15 years before Nathan set out to find Avery's treasure. We see him in prison with two other friends. But one of those friends is his brother, Samuel Drake. Due to unfortunate events, Sam is presumed dead. Until he pays Nathan a visit at his current job working for Jameson. Without telling Elena the truth, Nathan sets out with his brother and Sully to find Henry Avery's missing fortune. 

Thoughts: 

     I think the storytelling in the Uncharted series has always been golden. There is nothing I enjoy more than solving puzzles and looking at riddles set by famous historical figures who aren't alive anymore. A plus in this game though, seeing Elena and Nathan's cute cutscenes. The sweet epilogue at the end of the game gives me signals there might be another. It is awesome and heart-warming to know Cassie is named after Nathan's mother, Cassandra Morgan. 

2.) Gameplay

     The gameplay was alright. The endless Shoreline enemies were probably too much for me to handle. At least from what I am used to. Sometimes, the timed sequences were stressful. But there were better mechanics in the end. 

     The map design and setting graphics were outstanding. For my first playthrough, it was a little messy trying to find my way around. It did not stop me from reaching the end of the game though. And I am glad I did, it was great. 

Final Fantasy XV - Thoughts

Final Fantasy XV Review

Spoiler Warning!

1.) Story: 

     Niflheim and Lucis have been at war with each other for centuries. They also wanted to concur Tenebrae, but Oracle's power and persuasion stopped them from doing so. Due to the ancient crystal's power, Insomnia remained unconquered. But with the crystal's power, comes a health burden as it slowly drains the life from the current King of Lucis. In this case, it would be our protagonist's father, Regis. 

     A peace treaty was arranged between the warring territories. Prince Noctis of Lucis and the oracle Lady Lunafreya of Tenebrae agreed upon an aggraded marriage. Sadly, however, Niflheim invades Insomnia and the king is killed. Both Noctis and Lunafreya are presumed dead. The imperial army now hunting down the lost crowned prince and his fiancee. 

Review: 

     Obviously, there is more to this story. With Noctis's royal guards and events from the past. It's a lot to take in. In the game, many players would agree that there are plot holes that need to be filled. But further looking into the movie, anime adaptation, and novel. Questions have slowly been answered. During events in which Noctis is blacked out and the crowned guards find themselves in trouble, you can play these events in the DLC (downloadable content) episodes. 

     I believe the story still has plot holes and unanswered questions. But for me, I like to keep an open mind. There are shows, films, and novels that always leave people wondering. There is no question that is not unimportant. Not every question can be answered, however. 

2.) Gameplay:

     Many studios had a hand in creating gameplay that would be a "fun and enjoyable" experience. Everything was put into good hands. Clothing and character design took years to create on using many drawing boards. With simple controls similar to previous Square Enix games, I believe it allows more people to play the game. Many developers are taking care of their fans. Some are even adding settings to the main menus which allow players with disabilities to enjoy the franchise. It is a good idea to widen the scope and have a larger audience. This game does just that. But it also adds more challenging quests. 

3.) Overall: 

     I have heard the opinions of players who both love and dislike Final Fantasy XV. Some even say it does not compare to previous series with music, gameplay, and design. But in my honest opinion, I would rate this game 3.5/5 stars (silver medal). Games with plot holes do not sit right with me. Graphics, music, and story development aside. I do not like being kept in the dark with the number of hours put into this series. And there is still more to go. Unless you are a speedrunner, there will be a lot of grinding. One development I do enjoy is the DLC. Instead of spending years creating multiple games for one story, everything can be added through downloadable content.