and I mean that in a good way. The firefights make sense when they happen and, even better, it makes sense how you can avoid them or play with them in interesting ways. The stealth system works really well and I've definitely caught myself with the same itch MGSV provided of intentionally dying to retry an encounter if I didn't sneak my way through the whole thing.

That said, the guns sound and feel EXCELLENT. while it's not quite as smart as GTA V's targeting system I do appreciate the lock-on mechanic (this is an option that's off by default). This game is already proving to be super fun so I'll likely play through it again on Hard with the lock-on turned off but for a first time through and primarily being invested in the narrative it's a nice thing to have.

I will say the targeting system is a little odd since you have to be aiming before you can mark people, but most of the encounters are typical Uncharted so it looks weird constantly popping your head out to mark someone while a guy is standing right ahead of you so his suspicion meter doesn't fill all the way.

also, yea, GORGEOUS game. just got the second main map and took a photo I'd love to make my PS4 wallpaper for a while were that an option.

I'm on chapter 10 and feel like I'm still mostly on set-up, and while there hasn't been anything close to the spectacle this series is known for yet the big moments that have occurred have been really fucking cool to look at and, because the gunplay is so fun this time around, a real joy to mess with. chapter 10 is when the environments really start to open up and I'm really excite to stealth and rope my way around the encounters.

if anything I'm actually a little disappointed there haven't been MORE fights which might be a first for an Uncharted game, haha. trophies seem to indicate there's plenty of that to come, though. one gripe I do have with the combat is they changed hand-to-hand from uncharted 3 a little, you can't grab guys and throw them into stuff anymore and the counter system has been hard to figure out. granted I think most of the hand-to-hand combat so far has been fairly scripted but it's less intuitive than 3. the buddy takedowns with your brother are cool though, in one fight we had three guys lined up in front of us that'd been worn down enough we did a triple shin-kick face-punch one by one. it looked goofy but was awesome in the moment.

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"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
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