No Co-op
Okay, we understand that shooting other players in the face after swinging across a huge chasm and stomping on some other poor sap is fun. There’s just something about the intensity of competing against a lobby full of people just like you. We totally get that. But, what’s also fun is grabbing a few friends and showing the AI who reigns supreme.
Unfortunately, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End did away with co-op . No Co-op Objective mode from Among Thieves, and no Co-op Adventure from Drake’s Deception. Just killing other players as you twerk to your heart’s content.
It honestly feels like a missed opportunity. The new mechanics, particularly the verticality and versatility offered by the rope, would have made co-op play pretty interesting. Hopefully this is something that Naughty Dog realizes. With a plan for the coming months revolving around the multiplayer component of the game, there’s still a chance they may add it in.
Trials Are So Lonely
Trials, a mode found in the Multiplayer menu of Uncharted 4, are a single player affair. Players complete challenges in order to unlock some Uncharted Points or Relics so that they can purchase things from the in-game store. They’re a great way to fatten up your wallet, but they could use a bit of life.
If Naughty Dog wanted players to be able to earn currency playing solo, the studio could’ve placed some rewards within the stellar campaign. Instead, players are left running multiplayer modes against bots. While you can adjust the difficulty to up the challenge, it just isn’t the same as playing with actual humans. Trials are reduced to nothing more than a lesser version of the base game.
Throwing some players into the mix, adding some real unpredictable challenge to the mode, would have been a perfect touch.
No Experience, No Growth
You don’t earn experience while playing Uncharted 4’s multiplayer. For some, this may not seem like much of a big deal, but to others it removes the point of playing. Competitive play hinges on bragging rights for a lot of players. Getting that fifteenth prestige is like a badge of honor, and the things you can use to customize your soldiers are just added perks.
Uncharted 4 lacks this. There is no bragging outside of the match unless you saved a recording or you’re around those who happen to remember. You don’t have a ton of accolades, or some cool symbol near your name to denote just how much time you’ve spent shooting other players. Sure there are the Ranked matches which allow you to place into a bracket, but it just isn’t the same.
Again, for some it’s no biggie. They’re in it for the fun, and just wanna dance over the corpses of their enemies. But for those who want prestige and honor, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Why Can’t I Pick Chloe Right Away?
Yes, we know that there has to be unlockables. That’s what keeps players engaged. Having something to work towards is important, because fun alone can’t always carry the experience. But when you have a character as awesome as Chloe locked behind some type of gate, you’re doing something wrong.
It’s true that she isn’t a major character this time around, so that is probably why she isn’t available from the beginning. But come on. She’s a series staple at this point, and there aren’t too many characters who are believably as tough as she is. Chloe Frazer is a certified badass, no two ways about it. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to part with your hard-earned coins to queue up as her.
Mode Scarcity
Uncharted 4’s multiplayer is actually very fun. Swinging around, shooting, hitting with hooks, and all of the other madness you can do is enjoyable. There are a few modes to get into here: Command, which lets you control points on the battlefield, Team Deathmatch for some old fashioned mayhem, and Plunder, which is sort of like your typical capture the flag mode. But that’s it for now.
There isn’t much variety on display, nor is there an option to play with mode parameters. It places a heavy limitation on what fun you can have, which isn’t something expected in most multiplayer modes. The inclusion of some type of co-op activity, which we’ve already mentioned, would have gone a long way towards keeping this from being an issue.
There will be another mode added in the future, though details are non-existent. We’ll wait and see what more Naughty Dog has under their sleeves.
Microtransactions
Microtransactions have become a sort of “dirty word” in video games over the past few years. The idea of having to pay more money to unlock things in a game you’ve already payed full price for just doesn’t sit right with many consumers. It’s true that they aren’t mandatory, and Uncharted 4 does a good job at making it clear that you can still unlock things just by playing, but their mere presence doesn’t sit quite right with some series fans.
One particular problem with microtransactions is that they tend to ruin pre-order bonuses. Where once upon a time you could get a badass weapon or suit of armor, or even a physical item, you’ll now get a little bit of the microtransaction currency. It’s sort of like saying “here’s some money to buy some things that you’ve already spent your money on.”
Uncharted 4 has no real need for Microtransactions, so it sucks that there are so many right at launch. No matter how good a game is, this word always seems to leaves a stain.
Are you having any issues with Uncharted 4’s multiplayer? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
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