The Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Multiplayer Beta Stress Test is a small taste of a game I expect to be extraordinary. The gameplay is clean and smooth. While there are some classic Uncharted elements involved, the fine tuning in this game is apparent. The environment is one of the most beautiful and vivid multiplayer environments I have experienced.
If you have not played a game from the Uncharted series, it may be hard to believe that a game with such a strong single player can have multiplayer that holds a close to equal strength capacity. This third person shooter has historically maintained a solid multiplayer experience and Naughty Dog seems to have a knack for keeping all areas of their game spectacular. The Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Multiplayer Beta Stress Test is a small taste of a greater experience to come.
The Beta introduces itself with a brief single player tutorial to help prepare you for matchmaking. The multiplayer offers Team Deathmatch only, but allows you to play on three maps, Madagascar city, rooftops and a forest. While this 5 vs 5 Team Deathmatch was entertaining, I do hope the full game has more multiplayer modes. The gameplay is smooth and clean and even the stealth is fine tuned. There is a wide variety of characters you can choose from, that were present throughout the Uncharted series. Each character has a different costume to chose from and you can customize their hats and their taunts. I cannot get enough of seeing Victor Sullivan do a “kiss” taunt in his tuxedo and Balaclava face mask. You can even taunt by taking a selfie of your downed opponent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcWw9PzHi5M
Six different remade loadouts can be used, or you can customize your loadout by unlocking and purchasing various Weapons, special abilities called “Mysticals”, and support items. Mysticals include AOE damage, speed boost, reviving downs allies, or marking enemies. Supports items include grenades, smoke bombs, scavenger perks, revive boosts, C4 and mines, or a support sidekick character. I feel the support sidekick characters and the Mysticals are a great feature, so I would like to provide some more details about them. The Brute side kick assaults the enemy team by laying down suppressing fire. The Hunter sidekick tracks down enemies and puts them in a choke hold so you can melee them. The Sniper Sidekick defends a location, picks off enemies one by one, and you can move her to a new position. The Savior sidekick will revive, distribute ammo and charge gear for both you and your team. I personally find the Hunter sidekick to be the most hilarious and I’m sure the victim of this sidekick will rage when grabbed by him and you go in for the kill. The new Mysticals include The Wrath of El Dorado, which sends out spirits that continuously damage enemies where you throw it, and the Cintamani Stone creates an area of healing that can revive fallen allies. While the Beta limits you, you can see that the final game will allow you to mix and match between a larger variety of items, Mysticals and side kicks to fit your personal play style. While these new abilities are unique and exciting, there are still some balancing issues.
The Grappling hook addition allows you to swing across platforms and get to higher ground. This can be used anywhere there is an attach point such such as at the edge of a tree branch or a cliff. You can see for attach points when a icon pops up on your screen and this item can even be used in mid air. The multiplayer experience also has some destructible environments to add to your tactics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8pVrhj8EN4
The location of Madagascar depicted in Uncharted 4 Beta Multiplayer is vivid and probably the most beautiful multiplayer environments to date. I can only imagine how strongly my impression will hold
after experiencing the full game. I love seeing the lush forests with serene waterfalls, and I cannot tell you how many times I got killed trying to take in all of its detail. You can hear the sounds of various insects and animals in your environment, with the relaxing waterfall all mixed in with the ominous sounds of gunfire. One of my favorite aspects of the backdrop was being able to take cover right next to a hilariously perched lemur. They’re so cute!
And while Uncharted 4 has been pushed back a few weeks and into May 2016, looking at the beta if this is what we’re in for in regards to the multiplayer aspect, we’re in for a fun ride.
