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I think the best word to describe my feelings towards Lord of the Rings etc. etc. is appreciation. There are many legendary artistic works that I respect: I understand what they do and how they do it, I acknowledge their place in modern cultural canon, and yet I do not particularly enjoy them. That doesn’t prevent me from understanding what their creators accomplished and why others speak of them so highly. On the flip side are works that I admire and adore, my favourite franchises, those I personally believe mark the heights of their media and genre. Somewhere in between are those that I appreciate. When it comes to these, I generally acknowledge that I like them without loving them. They might not speak to me on the deepest level, but I find more value in them than simply respecting their place in the canon. On the occasional weekend, I might be possessed by a sudden obsession for them, for the feelings that surround them, but after a few days this intensity recedes and they fall fr

 Naughty Dog are the oft-disputed masters of the modern action-adventure video game, and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy might just be the best in the franchise. In an era when progression bars and upgrade systems have a seemingly-absolute grip over singleplayer experiences, it’s refreshing that a prolific franchise from one of the most celebrated developers has so far declined to incorporate them. This absence of long term gameplay systems allows players to better engage in the treasure-hunting thrill ride, unburdened by decisions that last beyond one or two combat encounters. There aren’t too many gunfights in Lost Legacy’s relative short campaign, and each feels relatively unique, fitting into the overall pace well. Early combat sections begin in stealth, with reasonably open spaces offering plenty of cover and grass to stay hidden in. One optional combat area saw me accidentally bring myself close to a machine gun emplacement before being discovered, at which point I was able to take