Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is more than just a remaster according to an in-depth story trailer analysis from Digital Foundry.
According to what Digital Foundry found when recreating the trailer using PS3 footage, The Nathan Drake Collection “isn’t just a simple port” as new art or geometry can be found in “virtually every shot in this latest trailer.
Bluepoint Games, who is handling the collection for Naughty Dog “is well known for its accomplished work in converting classic games to new platforms but with this new collection,” said DF, noting this could be “its best work yet.”
“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.
“All three games benefit from an increase in resolution to full 1080p with post-process anti-aliasing.”
It was noted in the report motion blur seems to be absent but that “hopefully it will make a return as it is an important visual effect.”
The report also notes the trailer “operates at a near perfect 60 frames per second” , and increase in alpha effects and their density was noted in Uncharted 2 segments, and there are also noticeable changes to lighting scene colorization.
“Keeping in mind the complexity of this project, the results so far are highly encouraging,” said the report. “The evidence suggests that bringing in the experts at Bluepoint seems to be paying off in spades: over and above the accomplished performance level and new effects, what impresses us the most is the care and attention in improving even the most incidental of background detail.
“The number of changes made to the original assets suggests an overhaul exceeding that of The Last of Us Remastered, with many of the improvements reminding us of the level of effort that went into elements of the current-gen versions of Grand Theft Auto 5.”
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will be released on PS4 October 9 and will contain Photo Mode, trophies, “better lighting, textures, and models,” and other additions.
