Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - Don't jump to conclusions about this game!

"Ostentatious is the word of the day," remarks Nathan Drake, as you guide him through yet another lavishly detailed level, having just displayed the grip strength of a titan, and the ability to dodge and weave around bullets like Neo from the Matrix.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is a game I really should have played sooner. I've had no real excuse not to, but I'm glad that I put it off for so long. One, I now have a 4K HDR TV and a PS4 Pro, which lets me marvel at all the technical excellence that's being pushed by Naughty Dog through the PS4's transistors.

Excellence begins to describe the vast majority of Uncharted 4, with the plot, action sequences, and gameplay being the muse that hollywood should lust upon when seeking inspiration for gripping action adventure genre defining works of art.

In Uncharted 4, the past of Nathan Drake is explored, along with his relationship with his brother, Sam. We flick back and forth from past to present, seeing the burgeoning treasure hunter as a disobedient orphan prior to becoming the charismatic, charming and yet ruthless killer we make him become.

It doesn't all have to be ruthless killing, however, as in Uncharted 4, the large, open maps introduce exceedingly mouth watering options for stealthy takedowns, with the vertical mechanics of climbing, running, swinging, and sneaking all blending together wonderfully.

Stealth is handled a lot better than what it is in Horizon: Zero Dawn, where it felt overpowered, whereas, the fragility of Nathan's character makes a error in stealth give the enemy AI the opportunity ruthlessly chop you down with a barrage of bullets.

The game marries all of its elements well, with stealth, climbing, gun play, exploration, swimming, and even driving (a boat, several vehicles throughout the game) with no real complaints about the core foundations. There isn't a driving scene, or a car chase because there has to be a car chase. It all builds on the plot, instead of taking set pieces and stringing them together like so many games and movies choose to do.

If there's one criticism that I would level at the game, it is the animation of Elena, Drake's wife, and obvious love interest. At times, it feels that the passion portrayed by the voice acting isn't in line with the facial animations, and you get the mixed feeling that's she's just about had enough; yet is simultaneously, madly in love. As a result, there's a bit of a feeling of being immersed in the uncanny valley.

Speaking of valleys, there's no shortage of them in Uncharted 4, and everything is rendered wonderfully. Naughty Dog's pedigree as a legitimate Triple A developer is confirmed time and time again throughout the title, which delivers gripping game play, jaw dropping visuals, an excellent (yet sadly predictable) plot, and gives you the impression that they're not showing off, they're doing this all effortlessly.

Uncharted 4 is a must own, must play title if you own a PS4. Uncharted 4 is an excellent way to enjoy any 4K, HDR display you may have, and is an excellent, ostentatious title that takes you on a wild ride.