Filling the void left by A Thief’s End, Naughty Dog is primed to launch Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection on PlayStation 4 this fall and according to a recent analysis carried out by technical experts Digital Foundry, the remaster isn’t your typical current-gen port.
Handled by porting studio Bluepoint Games, DF’s video breakdown goes into the technical minutia of The Nathan Drake Collection, praising the conversion from one Sony platform to the other as some of the studio’s finest work to date. From character models to lighting effects, the port is a significant step up on the original PlayStation 3 trilogy, and here’s what the report had to find in Bluepoint’s upcoming compilation.
“The original character models used in Drake’s Fortune look rather dated next to those used in Uncharted 3,” said Digital Foundry. “It makes sense to create a more coherent look across all three games by upgrading the models, and based on what we’ve seen in the trailer, that’s exactly what has happened.
“In addition to main character models, supporting detail also receives a boost. A significant number of textures are replaced with higher quality versions while special effects work, such as explosions and fire, are improved as well. Models with minimal screen-time receive a healthy increase in detail as do many of the backgrounds. Meshes used for terrain are modified significantly in a number of situations. The changes may not immediately leap out, but taken as a whole, the improvement is impressive.”
Running at a smooth and uninterrupted 60 frames-per-second, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will even introduce a Photo Mode into the adventure trilogy, not unlike the same one found in The Last of Us Remastered on PS4. By all accounts, Bluepoint’s remaster is shaping up to be the perfect package for fans of Sony’s marquee franchise as anticipation for A Thief’s End only continues to grow.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will bring the titular swashbuckling hero to PlayStation 4 on October 9.
