Last night we were treated to some more gameplay from Uncharted 4; A Thief’s End. The section begins with Nate and Sully (yes – Sully – he isn’t just a disembodied voice) approaching a very dark cobwebby door, over which loom a statue of Henry Every, the pirate at the centre of the history of Uncharted 4. Nate and Sully open said door, and for a moment we wonder what horrors lie behind it.

Well, what follows is a really good indication that Uncharted 4 will indeed be great fun, light when it needs to be, and full of humour. Because what we expect to see, and what we are presented with, are two very different things.

Nate and Sully emerge into a busy market square, which bustles with countless people doing normal things. To their left is a view over a Madagascan* valley which sweeps down to a river, next to which stands a tower which is “Sam’s tower”; identifiable by the explosions around it. The day is bright and sunny, and flowers bloom around them. The two exchange some dialogue, about how long before they are found by Rafe, and jokes are made.

The excrement does hit the fan shortly after and Nate and Sully are involved in an intense gunfight, but it isn’t gritty and humourless or even very tense. In fact Nate is in very good spirits, remarking that ‘they’ didn’t send enough goons, given that the pair are still alive. The colours are rich, yet somehow slightly more pastel shaded than previous games, giving the scene a nice warm feel. The flowers and pinks and purples, the grass is lush and green. It is an entirely different mood from what we have seen before, and makes up 50% of the settings we have been shown.

One thing leads to another, and next we know Nate is driving a jeep (badly) downhill pursued by a guy in a big armoured truck who is doing everything in his power to eliminate Nate. And Sully. What follows is a breathtaking rollercoaster (almost literally) through back gardens (which they really should pay for), across a town square and over fields and farms. And it is funny! It is exhilarating! And full of the Uncharted charm we know and love. Fear not.

*The flag on the back of the jeep is Madagascan.