Uncharted 4 vs. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Graphics
Naughty Dog has long been hailed for its prowess in the graphical department, and two years after its release, Uncharted 4 is arguably still the PlayStation 4’s best-looking game. Recent exclusives such as Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War certainly give it a run for its money, but there’s something about Uncharted 4’s motion capture and facial animations that keep it a step ahead of other contenders. Its environments are also utterly gorgeous, from the incredible lighting to the astounding water effects.
Don’t let any of that make you think that this page is a foregone conclusion, though. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is still stunningly attractive in its own right. There’s definitely a disparity in the quality of lip-synching and motion capture, but the environments are right up there neck and neck with Uncharted 4. The lighting in Shadow of the Tomb Raider is particularly impressive and it really makes the dense vegetation of the Peruvian jungle come to life. In combination with all the chirps and whistles of the jungle wildlife in the background, it transports you to the outdoors in a way that even Uncharted 4 can’t quite muster.
Lastly, we couldn’t talk about graphics without mentioning the cinematic set-pieces of both games, which have been such a hallmark of both series’ in the current generation. The near-misses, close-calls, and spectacular action sequences that have players on the edge of their seats are a big part of what makes these action/adventure titles so absorbing, and both Uncharted 4 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider have them aplenty.
Uncharted 4 actually was criticized for lacking big set-piece moments compared to previous outings, but there are still some brilliant moments. One that springs to mind is when Nate is dragged behind a truck, almost mud-skiing behind the speeding vehicle as he evades obstacles and gunfire.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider has its moments, too. Even from its earliest moments, Lara is thrown into seemingly impossible situations, like tumbling down Cozumel’s tsunami-flooded streets before leaping between floating cars and grappling the sides of crumbling buildings to safety. It’s high-intensity stuff, and often more interactive than Uncharted 4’s set-pieces, but ultimately less spectacular.
For overall graphical presentation, we still have to give the nod to Uncharted 4, overall. Running on a PS4 Pro and a 4K TV, it’s arguably one of the best-looking video games of all time.
Winner: Uncharted 4
