A nearly hour-and-a-half documentary, titled Uncovering Amy Hennig´s Uncharted 4, reveals the remnants of the original version of the game. The video compiles development material, discarded scenes, and narrative changes that were left on the cutting room floor when Amy Hennig left Naughty Dog and Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley restarted the project.
Motion capture and levels left behind 🎬
The documentary shows how the team had already recorded complete motion capture scenes with Todd Stashwick as Sam Drake, a darker and more ambiguous character, close to antagonism. It also showcases discarded levels that explored more experimental gameplay, including stealth and platforming sections that did not survive the reboot. The actor change, from Stashwick to Troy Baker, not only altered the character's tone but completely reconfigured the family dynamics of the plot.
Sam Drake: the brother we almost hated 😅
Seeing Todd Stashwick playing Sam Drake is like discovering that your annoying cousin from family dinners was going to be the movie's villain. The original Sam not only stole your treasure but would probably hide your car keys. In the end, Troy Baker came along and turned him into the brother who lends you money for gas. Good thing they rebooted the script, because the Drake family Christmas dinner was going to be tense.