Winner: Uncharted 4
Uncharted 4 is an epilogue in its entirety, finally holding a mature mirror to the longtime poster child of action adventure. We meet Nathan Drake and his uncomfortably pedestrian life, but soon enough we’re tossed back into action by the appearance of long-lost brother, Samuel Drake.
Sam is the brasher version of his younger sibling, entranced by the same siren song of adventure that Nathan is struggling to forget. The resulting tension casts a new light on what has always been an unquestioned hero. Can Nathan Drake walk away from his past and live a life free of danger, or is he perpetually doomed to turn away from a future with the ones he loves? These questions are answered in stirring performances from an exceptional cast, but most strikingly in subtle glances and double entedres laid so carefully across the script. The message rings doubly in the very source of their treasure: pirates whose thirst for gold left them lost in the new world.
Uncharted 4’s steps aren’t as fiery as those of its predecessors, though its not short on the classic self-destructing set pieces. This game sets its sharp focus on the connections between these characters and the gunfire-less moments they share, hoping both the player and the cast will learn that those are what matter in the end.
With its fourth entry, Uncharted comes full circle on its series-wide accomplishments. Brilliant writing, phenomenal direction, and unmitigated reflection make Uncharted 4 an unforgettable closing ode to an icon of adventure.
