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Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Reviews: What Critics Say

Uncharted 4 received a strong PS4 critic consensus for its cinematic action, environments and character story, though one notable review flagged a slow, exposition-heavy opening.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End earned a strong critical consensus on PS4: Metacritic lists a 93/100 critic Metascore from 113 reviews, classified as “Universal Acclaim.” Reviewers praised its cinematic action, detailed environments and character-driven story, while some noted a slow, exposition-heavy opening. The score is a snapshot of the PS4 page retrieved in 2026, not a permanent rating.

What do reviews say about Uncharted 4?

The PS4 aggregate is strongly positive, but not unanimous. On the Metacritic PS4 page retrieved in 2026, 111 of 113 critic reviews are classified positive, one mixed and one negative. The same page shows an 8.7/10 user score from 18,018 ratings; both the critic and user figures can change as the page is updated. These are aggregator scores, not official measurements of quality.

Critics’ broad enthusiasm centers on the way the game combines spectacle with a more personal story about Nathan Drake and his brother. TIME reviewer Matt Peckham gave it 5/5 in a review dated May 5, 2016, praising its scenery, action and character moments. He also found the exposition slow and the early pacing uneven. That is one reviewer’s assessment, rather than a description shared by every critic.

What are the game’s strengths—and its caveats?

Cinematic action and environments

Peckham highlights the visual scale and action, as well as the contrast between set pieces and quieter character scenes. TIME’s review also describes levels that can offer multiple routes, traversal tools such as a piton and grappling hook, and third-person gunplay. The mix gives players more to do than move from one scripted action scene to the next.

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#1 Best Overall
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
  • Several years after his last adventure, retired fortune hunter, Nathan Drake, is forced back into the world of thieves.
  • With the stakes much more personal, Drake embarks on a globe-trotting journey in pursuit of a historical conspiracy behind a fabled pirate treasure.
  • His greatest adventure will test his physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice to save the ones he loves.
  • Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood, language, use of alcohol, use of tobacco, violence

A more personal story, with a slower start

The story’s focus on Nathan Drake and his brother gives the adventure a personal thread alongside its action. Peckham’s main pacing reservation concerns the opening, which he describes as slow and heavy on exposition. Players who want an immediate run of action may find the early stretch less engaging than the later spectacle.

Is Uncharted 4 worth playing?

The review record makes a strong case for playing it if you enjoy story-led action adventures, cinematic set pieces, traversal and character-focused scenes. The main qualification is that the opening takes time to establish its story; the game’s critical reputation does not mean every part moves at the same pace.

Rank #2
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 (Renewed)
  • 1080p
  • Dolby 7.1
  • Remote Play
  • PS4 Pro enhanced
  • Subtitle languages: Gr, EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, DK, PT, NL, fi, no, SE, RU, PL, CZ, TR

Peckham’s 5/5 review captures the appeal in his own terms: “But the best parts are still the way the characters and story can bolt you to a chair and devour afternoons or evenings.” That is a reviewer’s response, not a guarantee that every player will react the same way.

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Which version should you consider?

Option What it is Review-score context Best fit
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) The standalone PS4 action-adventure released May 10, 2016, developed by Naughty Dog. Metacritic lists 93/100 from 113 critic reviews on its PS4 page, retrieved in 2026. Players seeking Uncharted 4 on PS4 or the standalone adventure.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PS5) A separate collection with remastered versions of Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Metacritic lists 87/100 from 79 reviews for the collection, on its page retrieved in 2026. PS5 players who also want The Lost Legacy alongside Uncharted 4.

The collection’s score is for the collection, not a second score for the standalone PS4 release. PlayStation’s store listing says the PS4 game is playable on PS5, though some PS4 features may be absent. Subscription-catalog availability can change, so check the current store listing in your region rather than assuming it is included.

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Rank #3
P4 UNCHARTED THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION PS HITS
  • Unparalleled Story – Play as Nathan Drake across a trilogy of thrilling, white-knuckle adventures. Experience Drake’s relationships with those closest to him, as he struggles to balance adventure and family.
  • New Trophies – Brand-new trophies created exclusively for UNCHARTED’s debut on the PS4 system.
  • Photo Mode – Freeze gameplay at any time and take control of the camera to capture your most memorable moments from the trilogy to share with friends directly from your PS4 system. Utilize graphical filters, camera controls, and other options to customize your shot.
  • UNCHARTED 4: A Thief’s End Multiplayer Beta – purchasers of UNCHARTED: The Nathan Drake Collection will receive exclusive access to UNCHARTED 4: A Thief’s End multiplayer Beta while the Beta is available.

For more review context, see Metacritic’s PS4 review page, GameSpot’s game listing, TIME’s review, Metacritic’s Legacy of Thieves Collection page and the PlayStation Store search result.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 (Renewed)
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 (Renewed)
1080p; Dolby 7.1; Remote Play; PS4 Pro enhanced; Subtitle languages: Gr, EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, DK, PT, NL, fi, no, SE, RU, PL, CZ, TR
$22.64
Rank #4
Sale
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - PlayStation 4 (Certified Refurbished)
  • This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
  • Several years after his last adventure, retired fortune hunter, Nathan Drake, is forced back into the world of thieves.
  • With the stakes much more personal, Drake embarks on a globe-trotting journey in pursuit of a historical conspiracy behind a fabled pirate treasure.
  • His greatest adventure will test his physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice to save the ones he loves.
  • Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood, language, use of alcohol, use of tobacco, violence

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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