For those PS4 owners who skipped Sony's last generation, perhaps jumping on the earlier-to-the-party Microsoft representative, the Nathan Drake Collection is a massive piece of the missing gaming jigsaw that needs filling.

Lara Croft with man bits, the Uncharted collection is also among the finest-scripted software ever released.

And the second and third installments particularly feature some of the greatest playing-in-the-cut-scenes delivered for the last generation. The plane crash in Drake's Deception is just sensational.

At its most basic, Uncharted is a third-person run, shoot and jump, terribly linear piece of work. That the latter feature isn't at any time irksome is a credit to the graphic artists who pushed the PS3 to its limits. There's only one way to wade through the jungle/snow/sand, but it never looks or feels that way. Occasional comical conversation pops up between Drake, his exploring companion Sully, his female accomplices and even his captors, lending the whole thing a natural, cinematic feel.

Although all three have been given a generational lick of varnish, Drake's Fortune, the first offering, looks the most tardy in comparison with the second and third parts, and is certainly the runt of the litter for gameplay variety. In Fortune, Drake also seems far more keen to clumsily lob himself to his death despite where I was aiming the controller. However, controls are tighter for the next two; Among Thieves is stronger for story and Drake's Deception offers unparalleled action scenes (although the opening in Among Thieves is truly glorious).

Wallowing in the paddling pool of Drake's earlier adventures is a refreshing dip indeed, particularly in preparation to dive deep into the astounding-looking Uncharted 4, due for release early next year.