Second Runner Up : Naughty Dog
Naughty Dog had one heck of a year, not just for what they released but what they announced as well. Of course their shining moment of 2016 was Uncharted 4, an almost pitch perfect ending to the adventures of Nathan Drake.
With writer Amy Hennig and creative director Justin Richmond leaving Naughty Dog, development of Uncharted 4 was handed over to Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley. The new title definitely adopts a much more serious emotional tone than previous games, but it still retains the heart of what we love about the iconic series.
Uncharted 4 introduces us to a brand new character, Nate’s long lost brother Sam Drake, who’s voiced by Troy Baker. Nate and Sam have instant chemistry, thanks in no small part to their talented voice actors. Nate has changed however, as he’s settle down with Elena and taken a day job. Sam draws his brother back into the life of adventure, though behind Elena’s back. These tensions create a brilliant character piece in more than one regard, as Sam virtually acts as a mirror for Nate, encapsulating the exciting life our main character used to lead.
Across Uncharted 4 we see Nate and Elena both struggle with his fate. Sam himself ends up being a fitting addition to Uncharted 4’s cast, and is a character with more depth than is immediately apparent. The slower narrative pace results in an experience less concerned with huge set pieces, and more concerned with character moments and conversations. Of course, there’s still plenty of action to go around.
Uncharted 4 as a whole feels like a fitting cap to Nathan Drake’s story. The game’s actual ending also brings the entire series full circle in a really brilliant way.
There’s still more Uncharted on the way however, as this year’s PlayStation Experience had a huge showing from Naughty Dog. The developer opened Sony’s keynote with the upcoming standalone DLC for Uncharted 4. Titled “The Lost Legacy,” it features Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross in their own story. Then the developer unveiled something even bigger — the highly anticipated The Last of Us Part II, focused on an older, vengeful Ellie. 2016 showed us that Naughty Dog truly are master storytellers, and that we have a lot more to be excited for.
