Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End delivers one of the most gripping and cinematic experiences in modern action-adventure gaming. For many players, completing the game is just the beginning. Among the most challenging goals is unlocking the Crushing Trophy, awarded for completing the game on the hardest difficulty setting. This trophy not only tests your combat skills and strategic thinking but also your patience and perseverance. To succeed, you’ll need a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics, enemy behaviors, and level design. If you’re chasing the Crushing Trophy, every detail matters.
Understanding Crushing Difficulty
What Makes It So Difficult?
Crushing difficulty in Uncharted 4 significantly alters gameplay. Enemies become far more aggressive, accurate, and durable. Nathan Drake, the protagonist, can only take a few hits before dying, and there are fewer opportunities to recover during intense battles. In short, mistakes are far less forgiving. The difficulty level is aptly named it can truly feel crushing.
Unlike lower difficulties, Crushing disables aim assist, increases enemy perception, and reduces ammo drops. You’ll also notice enemies flanking more often and reacting quickly to your presence. It demands a more tactical, stealth-based approach rather than full-on firefights.
Is It Available from the Start?
Yes, Crushing difficulty is available from the beginning in Uncharted 4. However, many players prefer to play through the game once on a lower difficulty to familiarize themselves with the story, mechanics, and level layouts before attempting this challenging mode.
Preparation Before Starting Crushing Mode
Complete the Game Once
Although it’s not mandatory, completing the game on a lower difficulty first is highly recommended. Doing so unlocks several helpful gameplay modifiers in the Bonus menu, such as infinite ammo or weapon select. These can be enabled in a custom difficulty setting, although they disable trophies, so you’ll need to go into Crushing mode without those advantages if you want the trophy.
Study Combat and Stealth Mechanics
Understanding when to go stealth and when to engage is crucial. On Crushing, stealth isn’t just an option it’s often the best path forward. Take time to learn:
- How to silently take down enemies
- Enemy patrol patterns
- Cover transition methods
- Distraction techniques
Timing and observation are your best weapons.
Tips for Earning the Crushing Trophy
Play with Patience
Speed and aggression rarely work in Crushing mode. Every enemy encounter should be approached carefully. Use binoculars to mark enemies, scope out alternate paths, and rely heavily on cover. Rushing into battle almost always ends in failure.
Utilize Stealth When Possible
Many areas in Uncharted 4 can be cleared without firing a single bullet. The stealth system is robust, allowing you to use tall grass, ledges, and blind corners to your advantage. Clearing out enemies quietly reduces the chances of alerting large groups, giving you control over the encounter.
Make Use of Throwables and Explosives
Grenades and dynamite become vital tools. On Crushing, they can clear tight clusters of enemies and give you a breather during tense shootouts. Prioritize enemies who carry them, as they’ll drop useful gear when defeated.
Memorize Enemy Spawn Points
After a few deaths which are inevitable you’ll start to recognize where enemies spawn and how they behave. Use this knowledge to plan ahead. Knowing when and where enemies appear gives you the advantage needed to survive.
Choose Your Weapons Wisely
Not all weapons are created equal. On Crushing, you’ll want firearms that balance accuracy, range, and stopping power. Headshots are critical, so pick weapons you’re comfortable aiming with. Whenever possible, go for:
- FAL (burst fire, accurate)
- HS39 (balanced rifle)
- Spezzotti 12 Gauge (close-quarters power)
- Para 9 or Raffica pistols (precision and speed)
Chapter-Specific Strategies
Watch for Difficulty Spikes
Some chapters are notoriously harder than others. Here are a few to prepare for:
- Chapter 10 – The Twelve Towers: Large open encounters and vehicle sections demand strong positioning and aim.
- Chapter 15 – The Brothers Drake: Stealth-heavy and requires careful movement.
- Chapter 20 – No Escape: Enemies arrive in large waves. Managing cover and making efficient kills is key.
Taking mental notes of these spikes will help you mentally prepare and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Use Cover Creatively
Cover isn’t just protection it’s your best friend. Learn to vault over objects, perform takedowns from behind, and shift between cover points without being seen. Stay low, stay hidden, and don’t be afraid to fall back if a situation becomes overwhelming.
Should You Use Cheats or Glitches?
While Uncharted 4 has a set of gameplay modifiers unlocked after completing the game, using them disables trophies. However, some players have used unintended glitches to their advantage such as skipping sections with precise platforming or exploiting AI pathfinding issues. Be aware that these methods can be patched and are not guaranteed to work consistently. For a legitimate Crushing Trophy, playing fairly is the best and safest route.
Tracking Your Progress
Monitor Chapter Completion
If you’re unsure which difficulty you’ve completed a chapter on, you can check your statistics in the main menu. Uncharted 4 records your progress chapter by chapter, so you can replay individual chapters on Crushing if needed to complete your run.
Don’t Rely on Auto-Saves
Manual saves are crucial. Sometimes, checkpoints may leave you in a bad spot with low health or no ammo. Keeping multiple save slots lets you recover from poor positioning or wrong tactical decisions.
Reward for Earning the Crushing Trophy
What You Get
Aside from bragging rights and a sense of accomplishment, completing Uncharted 4 on Crushing difficulty earns you the Charted! Crushing trophy. It’s one of the core components required for Platinum, so if you’re a trophy hunter, this is a must.
The Real Reward
More than a digital reward, this challenge hones your ability to read situations, manage stress, and make strategic decisions under pressure. It’s a mental test wrapped in cinematic brilliance, and finishing it proves your mastery over one of the PlayStation’s most celebrated titles.
Is It Worth It?
Attempting the Crushing Trophy in Uncharted 4 is not for the faint-hearted. It demands skill, patience, and careful execution. But if you’re someone who enjoys challenges and wants to get the most out of Nathan Drake’s final adventure, this trophy offers the ultimate test. It transforms the game from an action-packed story to a survival-based tactical journey, proving just how versatile Uncharted 4 really is. For many, earning this trophy becomes a defining moment in their gaming journey a badge of honor that reflects true dedication and sharp gameplay instincts.