The Lasting Legacy: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy Review
- Ben Stembridge
- Aug 23, 2017
- 5 min read
It’s difficult to be surprised that this game is great, especially if you’re already a fan of the Uncharted games, like myself. However, for the sake of freshness, I’ll pretend that I’m surprised! From the top: Wow, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a crowning, final adventure that sends off the masterful Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End with yet another phenomenal last job, which I am entirely shocked by. How’d I do? You buy it?
In all seriousness, the previous triumphs of developer Naughty Dog (Uncharted, The Last of Us, Crash Bandicoot) made it difficult to envision another Uncharted game that couldn’t live up to the weight of its predecessors, specifically Uncharted 4, the finale of the series. Upon its announcement at E3 2016, fans were thrilled at the prospect of one final adventure with Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, and the return and playability of fan-favorite supporting character Chloe Frazer. Having played through The Lost Legacy, I must say that Naughty Dog continues to master its craft in regards to storytelling, level design, and thrilling and well-paced gameplay. Without further groveling on my part, let’s begin.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy throws two previous characters together in search of a lost civilization in the Ghat in India. Chloe Frazer, professional thief, driver, and badass has teamed up with the stoic and capable Nadine Ross. Fans know Nadine as one of the antagonists from Uncharted 4, a former head of an army for hire, who has turned to individual mercenary work to make some money with Chloe. Nadine also serves to give Chloe insight into the paramilitary insurgency that is flaring in India during the game, and their leader whom she has had run ins with before.
The game starts out quickly, with some classic Uncharted style exploring and observing, then progresses into the high octane, well-scripted, and beautiful Indiana Jonesathon we know and love. Chloe has always seemed like a female version of Nathan Drake, the beloved protagonist of each previous Uncharted game, so shifting focus as a player to her character was easy. Her style in combat and exploration run parallel to Nate’s, but she does introduce her own flare and personality where appropriate and it is wonderful to experience. Strong, witty, and impeccably bright, Chloe is every bit herself as she was during her debut as Nate’s treasure hunting partner and fling in the outstanding Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Mechanics throughout The Lost Legacy are an exact reflection of those in Uncharted 4. Climbing is the best it ever has been - the design of climbing looks more realistic and Chloe’s character reacts realistically as well. The game’s cover system continues its streak of intuitiveness and seamlessness. During gun battles against the insurgents, I directed Chloe to a variety of cover with cinematic fashion and grace (or lack thereof). Even walking or standing idly by looks great! The engines running the trees, water, and even Chloe and Nadine's presence is second to none, and a final stamp on Naughty Dog's record, especially when it comes to their famous motion capture methods.
Further discussing gameplay, firefights continue to be a triumph. At one point, I had stealthily hidden in some tall grasses while I approached some bad guys. I dispatched a few, but was spotted and a battle ensued. There were bullets all around (sported by a variety of new weapons), dynamic cover being chewed up by incoming fire, forcing me to have Chloe commit to a risky (but incredible) rope swing to get to a nearby structure and get a drop on them. All in all, wildly fluid and cinematic combat that we are accustomed to.
The combat may be thrilling, but it’s not exactly perfect. One issue I’ve found, minor as it may be, actually deals with the AI built into your Ally Nadine. She’s a badass herself, who beat the living hell out of Nate more than once, so she’s keen to help Chloe fend off insurgents. However, she sometimes gets in the way. There is a bit of a disjoint between my actions and her own - as I punch a bad guy, she’ll come rushing over to assist, sometimes leaving the area crowded and a bit visually difficult. In most cases it’s freakin’ awesome, but it’s an issue that came up more than once.
In regards to story, this game is shorter than most Uncharted games. Truly, it’s meant as one final sendoff for the series, told from a familiar yet unseen perspective. Chloe and Nadine are on the search for the Hoysala kingdom, an ancient city in India that fell to the Persians. They’re looking for the Tusk of Ganesh, a fabled item that once belonged to the Hindu God himself. Competing with them is Asav, leader of the insurgency plaguing the Ghat, and psychopath that Nadine previously worked with. What ensues is a gripping battle against time and Asav’s forces for the Tusk, which he wishes to use as a way to finance and influence his war. Narratively, The Lost Legacy brings us closer to Chloe and even Nadine, whose respective backgrounds are explored with further depth and angles that we had not yet seen. Pair that with a great few boss fights, another incredible train sequence, and a great ending that rivals that of Uncharted 4 and you've got yourself a winner folks.
Ideally, being "woke" shouldn't be a deliberate quality. It should rather be passive characteristic achieved consciously but with minimal effort, i.e. something you are, not something you try to be. With that being said, The Lost Legacy is easily one the most inclusive and equal games on the market, without trying too hard. It recognizes, without being to on-the-nose, that the series has been driven by male characters. Chloe and Nadine are equal to each of Uncharted's male characters in every way, so, without even mentioning it (aside from a few acknowledgments of their uniqueness in the field of treasure hunting and mercenary work), they equalize the playing field in peak form. Quite simply, the game does a kick-ass job of making it seem like it's no big deal that player's are playing an Uncharted game as two women (because it's not).
To review this review: Uncharted: The Lost Legacy rocks (not surprised at all), gameplay is as enjoyable as ever, and the story is a wonderful last job in Uncharted’s whimsical and challenging world of treasure hunting, mercenaries, and warlords. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will be pleased as punch (punch as in “punching a bad guy) to take this brief but excellent installment for a ride.
Ben Stembridge, Editor-in-Chief
Ben leads the reviews and news coverage for Game Chop. He also offers opinions on games and the industry, covering a wide range of genres and platforms. Ben especially enjoys discussions on game narratives, design styles, and independent titles.
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