According to an analysis by Digital Foundry, the upcoming Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for PlayStation 4 is more than just your average high-definition remaster.
After recreating the recent story trailer using footage from the original PS3 releases, the site found that developer Bluepoint Games has applied more than just a quick HD coat of paint, noting fresh art or geometry can be found in "virtually every shot in this latest trailer."
Said Digital Foundry: “The original character models used in Drake’s Fortune look rather dated next to those used in Uncharted 3. 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.”
Digital Foundry went on to report that motion blur was conspicuous by its absence, although said it hopes the feature will be implemented in the final game. It also observed that the trailer "operates at a near perfect 60 frames per second."
“Keeping in mind the complexity of this project, the results so far are highly encouraging,” the report added. “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 is due out in October, and features remastered versions of Uncharted 1, 2 and 3’s campaign modes. Multiplayer will not be featured, and the collection also removes the mandatory motion controls Drake’s Fortune. Check out the latest screenshots here.