What can I say about Uncharted 4? This game is going to set so many high bars.
I’m not trying to over hype this, but just from my couple hours of playing the game yesterday and even today, I genuinely believe that the hype is granted. There’s a few features that I expected to be gimmicky, but when you use them, it really feels like they should’ve been there this whole time. For a beta, this is definitely one of the most successful launches. Granted, initially it was almost impossible to get into a game – a 15 to 30 minute wait, in fact – but a recent patch has fixed the issue, far as I can see. Matchmaking has been made more efficient, even within my first hours with the beta.
The gameplay is so smooth. Really feels quality even this far away from release. When you download the game, it gives you options of starting the single player or multiplayer download first. There is, actually, no single player – it’s just the tutorial. I would recommend going through the tutorial first to really get the best experience with the new features in the beta. As you might expect, some of those new features have been lifted from Naughty Dog’s previous game, The Last of Us. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. However, they definitely grab all the great features from the multiplayer in the Last of Us. When your player gets downed by enemy fire, you can be revived – otherwise, they can come over and finish the job. They’ve also added purchasable perks you can set to your specific loadouts.
(Above: Nick Keogan’s livestream of Uncharted 4 beta)
The perks are a little different, not your typical extra armor or things like that. These are perks that give you assistance like a heavily armored AI companion. You can acquire a tomb (Editor’s note: this is not a joke, you can in fact throw a tomb) that will explode into smaller grenades to annihilate anyone nearby. You can have extra grenade damage or you can get a rocket launcher. There are other perks, but I haven’t had any experience with those yet. These perks are not just bought through money earned by killing players – you can also find money throughout the map via picking up treasures. This system definitely makes the multiplayer feel more balanced.
I would have to say my favorite part about Uncharted 4’s multiplayer has to be the integration of the rope. While running on or below high objects, you can throw a rope to latch onto a ledge. You have the ability to basically slingshot your way across the map or climb and hang to get a better view. While you’re swinging or hanging you can shoot, which is seriously so satisfying. You can even do an aerial attack as you come down on somebody with a melee. I don’t think you really understand how much of an element this puts into the game until you actually play it for yourself.
In the short time the beta has been released there have been so many improvements. Notably, the ability to really have great teamwork. It really requires that you work as a team otherwise you will not win the match. I cannot wait to see what the final product will be like. Sure, the game has its bugs, but they are few. If you have bought Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, make sure you download the Uncharted 4 multiplayer beta. It is an absolute must play if you’re an Uncharted fan.
If you don’t have the Uncharted Collection and you don’t want have to buy it just for the beta, find a buddy that does have it and convince them to share play the Uncharted Collection with you. Once they end the share play, you will then have the Uncharted Collection listed on your dashboard. From there, you can download the Uncharted 4 beta in the overview for the game – simple as that.
Make sure to thank your friend for letting you expose this exploit. Do it fast, because they might patch this before you have the opportunity to download the beta – have fun!
