I’ll be honest. When Sony first announced they were bundling Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for the PS5, a lot of people rolled their eyes. We’ve seen the "remaster" trend get a little out of hand lately. But after actually sitting down with Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer on the current-gen hardware, it hits different. This isn't just a resolution bump. It’s basically the definitive version of Naughty Dog’s swan song for the franchise.
It’s been years since A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy originally dropped on the PS4. Back then, they were already technical marvels. Pushing that old hardware to its absolute limit was kind of Naughty Dog’s specialty. However, playing them today on the PlayStation 5 feels like finally seeing the games as they were meant to be seen. No more jet-engine fan noise from your console. No more long pauses to check your phone while the game loads. It’s fast.
The DualSense Difference in Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection
You might think the haptic feedback is a gimmick. I did. Then I felt the tension in the triggers while driving that muddy 4x4 through Madagascar. The adaptive triggers in the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection actually give you resistance based on what you’re doing. If you’re swinging from a grappling hook, there’s a distinct weight to it. When you’re firing a sniper rifle versus an SMG, the kickback feels totally unique to each weapon.
It adds a layer of "feel" that was missing before. In the PS4 versions, a gunshot was just a rumble. Now, it’s a localized vibration that tells your brain exactly what’s happening on screen. Even the subtle pitter-patter of rain on Chloe’s shoulders in the Western Ghats comes through the controller. It sounds small. It feels huge.
Performance vs. Fidelity: Which Mode Wins?
Most players are going to head straight for the settings menu. You’ve got choices here. Performance Mode targets 60 frames per second, and frankly, that’s how these games should be played. The fluidity of Nathan Drake jumping across crumbling ruins at 60fps makes the platforming feel way more responsive. If you have a high-end display, Performance+ Mode pushes it to 120fps at 1080p, but you lose a lot of that crispness.
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Fidelity Mode is for the screenshot junkies. It’s a native 4K, locked at 30fps. Personally? I can't go back to 30fps after seeing the combat at higher frame rates. The textures are sharp enough in Performance Mode anyway. The hair rendering, the sweat on the characters' brows, and the way mud cakes onto the vehicles look incredible regardless of which mode you pick.
Why The Lost Legacy is the Secret MVP
Everyone talks about Nate and Sam. Their story in A Thief’s End is a masterpiece of writing and pacing. But let’s talk about Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection reminds us that The Lost Legacy was arguably a tighter, more focused experience. It’s shorter, sure. But the chemistry between Chloe and Nadine is electric.
It explores Indian mythology with a level of detail that honestly puts some history documentaries to shame. The open-world segment in the Western Ghats was a massive departure for the series. It gave players a map and said, "Go figure it out." On the PS5, the draw distance in these areas is stunning. You can see ancient ruins miles away, and you can actually drive there without a loading screen breaking the immersion.
The Technical Wizardry Under the Hood
Sony's SSD is the real hero here. If you remember the original PS4 releases, you’ll remember the "hidden" loading screens—those moments where you had to squeeze through a tight crack in a wall or lift a heavy beam. While those animations are still there because they're part of the level design, the actual "cold boot" into the game is nearly instantaneous. You click "Continue" from the main menu and you’re playing in about two seconds. It’s wild.
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The 3D Audio is the other big upgrade. If you’re using the Pulse 3D headset or even just a decent pair of headphones, the spatial awareness is a game-changer. In the big shootouts, you can hear exactly where a mercenary is flanking you from. You hear the rustle of grass behind you before they even open fire. It makes the "Crushing" difficulty slightly more manageable because you aren't just relying on your eyes.
Is the Upgrade Path Worth Your Cash?
Here is the deal. If you already own the PS4 versions, Sony offered a $10 / £10 upgrade path. That’s a steal. You get two massive, polished games for the price of a fancy sandwich. However, there’s a catch. If you claimed Uncharted 4 through PlayStation Plus back in the day, you weren't originally eligible for the cheap upgrade. They eventually clarified things, but it’s always worth checking your specific library license.
For newcomers? It’s a no-brainer. This is peak cinematic gaming. The acting from Nolan North, Troy Baker, and Claudia Black is still the gold standard in the industry. They aren't just reading lines. They are inhabiting these characters. The nuances in their facial animations, now rendered with better shadows and lighting, convey so much emotion without a word being spoken.
Common Misconceptions About the PS5 Version
Some people think this is a "remake" like The Last of Us Part I. It isn't. It's a "remaster." The character models are the same ones from 2016 and 2017, just cleaned up. Don't expect new gameplay mechanics or extra levels. This is about refinement. It’s about taking a 10/10 game and making it run at a 12/10 level of technical polish.
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Another thing: Multiplayer. It’s gone. The Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection does not include the competitive multiplayer modes from the original games. If you were a die-hard fan of the Uncharted 4 ranked matches, you’ll have to keep your PS4 disc handy. It’s a bummer, but considering most people play these for the cinematic campaign, it’s not a dealbreaker for the majority.
Actionable Steps for the Best Experience
To get the most out of your time with these games, don't just rush through the main path. Naughty Dog hid a ridiculous amount of detail in the corners of the map.
- Turn on 3D Audio: Go into your PS5 system settings and make sure 3D audio is calibrated for your ears. It changes the jungle atmosphere entirely.
- Use Photo Mode: These games are gorgeous. Press the touch pad and start playing with the filters. The "Legacy of Thieves" version has some of the best lighting for virtual photography.
- Check the Trophies: If you already platinumed the games on PS4, your save data can be imported. You’ll see those trophies pop all at once. It’s a nice little dopamine hit.
- Prioritize Performance Mode: Seriously. The 60fps target makes the shooting and cover mechanics feel like a modern 2024 shooter rather than a relic from the last decade.
- Play Lost Legacy Second: Even though it’s "shorter," it’s more refined. Save it as the dessert after the main course of A Thief’s End.
The Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection represents the end of an era for Naughty Dog. It’s a farewell to the pulp-adventure style that defined the PS3 and PS4 generations. Even years later, nothing else really captures that same "Indiana Jones" magic quite like this. Whether you’re diving back in for a nostalgia trip or experiencing Drake’s end for the first time, the PS5 is the only way to do it justice. The sheer scale of the set pieces—the clock tower collapse, the chase through the streets of Italy—still holds up against anything released this year. It's just solid, high-octane fun. No live-service nonsense. No battle passes. Just a great story, told well, running on great hardware.