Game Settings

Game Settings Guide for Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

This guide covers all configurable settings across PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility), and PC (Steam/Epic Games Store). Optimal recommendations are provided for different hardware tiers, along with common misconfiguration pitfalls.

Important Pre-Check: Platform Differences

• PS4/PS5: Limited to preset display modes (e.g., 30 FPS vs. 60 FPS on PS5) and basic audio/control tweaks. No detailed graphics sliders.


• PC: Full suite of graphics, audio, controls, and accessibility settings. This guide focuses primarily on the PC version for advanced options, but notes console equivalents where relevant.

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1. Graphics Settings (PC only)

#### 1.1 Display Options
#### 1.2 Quality Presets & Detailed Settings

• Quick Presets: Low, Medium, High, Ultra (also Custom).


• Individual Adjustments (accessible after setting preset to Custom):

#### 1.3 Optimal Graphics Presets by Hardware

Budget / Entry-Level (e.g., GTX 1050 Ti, 8GB RAM, old quad-core)

• Resolution: 1080p (or 900p)


• Overall: Low preset


• Custom tweaks: Texture Quality to Medium (if VRAM ≥ 4GB), Anisotropic Filtering 8x, Anti-Aliasing FXAA.


• Target: 30–40 FPS minimum.


Mid-Range (e.g., GTX 1660 Super, RX 5600 XT, 16GB RAM, modern i5/R5)

• Resolution: 1080p or 1440p


• Overall: Medium to High preset


• Custom tweaks: Shadows High, Ambient Occlusion HBAO, Reflections Screen-Space, Anti-Aliasing SMAA.


• Target: 45–60 FPS (use Adaptive FPS if available).


High-End (e.g., RTX 3080, RX 6800 XT, 32GB RAM, i7/R7)

• Resolution: 1440p or 4K


• Overall: Ultra preset


• Enable Ray Tracing (if supported) at Low/Medium.


• Custom tweaks: Motion Blur Off (personal preference), Post-Processing High, LOD Ultra.


• Target: 60 FPS at 4K with DLSS/FSR Quality (if needed).


Ultra / Enthusiast (e.g., RTX 4090, RTX 4080, 64GB RAM, i9/R9)

• Same as High-End but max out Ray Tracing (Ultra), 4K native, DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing).


• Target: 60 FPS locked; or 120 FPS at 1440p.


#### 1.4 Common Misconfiguration in Graphics

• Setting Texture Quality above VRAM capacity → stuttering, texture pop-in. Check VRAM usage bar in settings.


• Disabling V-Sync without adaptive sync → screen tearing.


• Enabling HDR without proper calibration → washed out colors. Use Windows HDR calibration tool and in-game slider.


• Setting Render Scale above 100% without GPU headroom → severe FPS drops.

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2. Audio Settings

Special Attention: On PC, if you use headphones, enable Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos in Windows sound settings, then set in-game to 3D Audio. On PS5, 3D Audio works automatically with compatible headphones.

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3. Controls Settings

#### 3.1 Controller Layout

• Default (Naughty Dog standard) – jump with X, climb with triangle, shoot with R2, aim with L2.


• Alternative Layouts: Several presets (e.g., “Shooter”, “Classic”) available. Can also fully remap every action.


Recommended: Stick with Default for consistency with previous Uncharted games. If you prefer FPS-style controls, try “Shooter” where L1 is aim, R1 is shoot.

#### 3.2 Custom Remapping (PC only, partial on PS4/PS5 via system accessibility)

• On PC, you can remap keyboard/mouse and controller buttons. Common changes: swap jump and climb (if you use bumper jumper), or change cover to hold (toggle vs. hold).


• Mouse sensitivity: Adjust for your DPI. Start at 5 (scale 1–10) and fine-tune.


• Controller dead zone: Default is fine (5%); lower to 2% for precise aiming if you have drift-free sticks.


• Vibration: On/Off. Off can improve aiming accuracy for some players.


#### 3.3 Keyboard & Mouse (PC)

• Full KBM support with options for key bindings, mouse smoothing, and aim assist (toggle).


• Common trap: Mouse acceleration is enabled by default on some systems; turn off in OS settings. In-game mouse smoothing should be Off for raw input.

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4. Accessibility Settings

Uncharted 4 has extensive accessibility options, especially after patches (including “The Last of Us Part II” inspired enhancements).

Special Attention: The Lock-on Aim feature can dramatically change combat difficulty. Newcomers who struggle with aiming may find “Semi” helpful, but it reduces the challenge. Veterans should leave Off.

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5. Language Settings

Important: Changing language mid-game is safe; it does not reset progress. On PS4/PS5, language is tied to system language unless you change in-game. On PC, you can set independently.

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6. Network Settings (Multiplayer & Online Features)

Uncharted 4 has a multiplayer component (co-op and versus) that requires internet connectivity.

Note: Single-player campaign does not require an internet connection after installation. Multiplayer trophies require online.

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7. Gameplay Settings

These settings affect the single-player experience and are separate from difficulty.

Special Attention: Camera Auto-Center can cause motion sickness in some players. If you feel dizzy, set it to Off. Also, Auto-Mantle set to Off gives you more control during tricky platforming sections, preventing accidental falls.

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8. Saving Settings & Profiles

• Auto-Save: The game saves automatically at checkpoints. You cannot manually save in mid-chapter, but you can exit to main menu and resume at last checkpoint.


• Manual Save Slots: Only available upon completing a chapter (chapter select). Use this for testing different choices (there are none in this linear game) or replaying favorite sections.


• Save File Management: On PC, saves are in `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Uncharted 4` or steam user data. Back up if reinstalling.


• Cloud Saves: Steam Cloud enabled by default; PS Plus cloud saves available.


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9. Tips for First-Time Setup



1. Start with Defaults: Only adjust graphics if you experience stuttering or low FPS. Begin with Medium preset.
2. Test Audio: Ensure dialogue is audible during cutscenes. Adjust music/SFX if needed.
3. Calibrate HDR: If you have an HDR display, use the game’s calibration tool (found in Display settings) — set peak brightness and paper white according to your TV's capabilities.
4. Controller on PC: If using a PS5 DualSense, enable wired connection for full features (haptic feedback, adaptive triggers). On Steam, use the official Sony driver.
5. Multiplayer: Before diving into multiplayer, complete at least the prologue to understand basic controls. Set voice chat to Friends Only to avoid strangers.

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10. Frequently Overlooked Settings




• Resolution Scale vs. V-Sync: Many players push resolution scale to 150% not realizing it kills FPS. Keep at 100% and adjust other settings first.


• Motion Blur: Off improves clarity, especially at lower FPS. On can hide judder but may cause nausea for some.


• Auto-Center Camera: On by default; turning it off gives a more FPS-like camera control, which helps in combat.


• Lock-on Aim: People often leave it Off because they think it’s cheating, but “Semi” is helpful without being too easy.


• Subtitles Background: If text is hard to read, switch subtitle background to dark.

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By following these settings, you can tailor Uncharted 4 to your hardware and preferences, maximizing both performance and enjoyment.