The Uncharted series has become one of the most loved and praised video game franchises recently. Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, this popular franchise has kept players engrossed with its captivating narratives, mind-blowing visuals, and fun gameplay. From humble beginnings to becoming an unforgettable adventure, the Uncharted series has become a PlayStation icon.
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From its debut with Drake’s Fortune in 2007 to now getting an epic conclusion in their fourth title A Thief’s End in 2016, each entry has built upon the foundation laid by its previous entries, delivering increasingly polished and mesmerizing experiences. But with so many great titles, which ones truly stand out? Here’s a list of the eight best Uncharted games, ranked based on their gameplay, popularity, and overall experience.
8. Uncharted: Fight for Fortune (Spin-off)
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bend Studio | PlayStation Vita | February 15, 2012 |
Uncharted: Fight for Fortune is a spin-off of the series by Bend Studio designed as a turn-based card game for PlayStation Vita. As an extra Uncharted experience, though not directly in line with the series, fans could collect characters and cards, devise strategies, and battle against each other.
Despite being a spinoff, it gained recognition for its strategic depth as well as its faithful depiction of the Uncharted universe. While not being true to the core games it managed to adapt the franchise decently, being well respected by fans, but catering to mostly strategy-lovers. The online servers were eventually shut down, possibly due to a low player base and Naughty Dog’s 2019 plan to retire online features in their PS3 titles.
7. Uncharted: Fortune Hunter (Spin-off)
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Mobile Inc. | Android and iOS | February 15, 2012 |
Uncharted: Fortune Hunter was a free-to-play mobile puzzle game by PlayStation Mobile Inc., designed for mobile phones exclusively. This game had players working through challenges based on the Uncharted series, unlocking new content and earning rewards. But thanks to Sony, this one also took an early retirement and is no longer available in the App Store and Play Store.
The reasons behind this could be partly because the player base was dwindling as well as licensing issues. Though minor in scope, Fortune Hunter offered an amusing and easily-playable route for mobile users to enjoy the world of Uncharted via bite-sized adventures.
6. Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Spin-off)
| Creator(s) | Platforms | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bend Studio | PlayStation Vita | February 15, 2012 |
Uncharted: Golden Abyss was the first game in the series to appear on the PlayStation Vita handheld console, it was developed by Sony Bend Studio instead of Naughty Dog. Although it lacks the same polish and high production values as the main line Uncharted titles, Golden Abyss is still an extremely well-made and portable adventure experience.
Golden Abyss takes as a prequel to the first title, following Nathan Drake and Sully, who are exploring the Panama jungles in search of the Lost Civilization. It has all three central elements of the franchises’ gameplay: platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving, and also capitalizes on the Vita’s unique control schemes, including touch-screen and motion controls. Because of these reasons, this title, while being a spinoff, ranks significantly higher than the rest.
5. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Naughty Dog | PlayStation 3 | November 19, 2007 |
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is the title that started everything, even though it may not have aged as well as its sequels, it’s still an important and enjoyable entry into the franchise. The narrative follows Nathan Drake on his search for the lost treasure of El Dorado – along with his mentor Sully and a journalist Elena Fisher.
Although the gameplay can seem clunky and repetitive by today’s standards, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune established the key features of cinematic platforming, third-person shooters, and puzzle mechanics in the series. The plot is relatively simple compared to its sequels, nonetheless, it remains an amazing searching-for-treasure adventure featuring great gameplay and breathtaking visuals.
”Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune may not reach the same heights as its sequels, but it’s an essential experience for any fan of the franchise”
POPULAR OPINION
4. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Naughty Dog | PlayStation 4/5 | August 22, 2017 |
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy was a stand-alone hit without its iconic protagonist Nathan Drake. It features Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross, two side characters from the previous titles, on their quest for the Tusk of Ganesh. Set in the lush mountainous landscapes of India with signature Uncharted-esque cinematics and even open-world action, this title was a sure hit among fans and gamers alike.
Unlike its predecessors, in terms of narrative scope and plot points, The Lost Legacy does not fall short. It provides an adventuristic narrative highlighting everything great about this series. Uncharted: Lost Legacy surprised many with its superb plot and the now-iconic Chloe/Nadine duo.
3. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Naughty Dog | PlayStation 3 | November 1, 2011 |
Drake’s Deception is the third major title in the Uncharted series and is a continuation of Nathan Drake’s adventurous escapades. The plot features Nate and Sully on their hunt to find the Iram of the Pillars. While it did not quite reach the same heights of popularity as its prequel, Drake’s Deception still had some of the most impressive set pieces and action sequences in the series.
This time, the narrative and plot points were more personal and introspective as they dwell on the character of Nate. However, it lacked some overall consistency, as some plots felt dragged while others were rushed over making them lose their importance. Nonetheless, Drake’s Deception is still a well-crafted and must-play Uncharted experience from start to finish.
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Naughty Dog | PlayStation 4/5, PC | 4 May 10, 2016 (PS5 – January 28, 2022) |
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End marks the end of Nathan Drake’s story in a great finale. This title took what was cinematic action in previous entries and made it more open-ended, leaving players with much more to experience. The plot features an older retired Drake who gets dragged back into the treasure-hunting life through his long-lost brother Sam.
The title also features some of the best graphics at the time, with realistic details that go above and beyond what was expected. Uncharted 4 also nailed the character development along with portraying themes of family and legacy. The epilogue came with an emotional finish that gave an appropriate ending to Drake’s journey. While Uncharted 4 can be considered “less innovative” in comparison to its prequels, it still managed to provide players with great cinematic storytelling and gameplay quality
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
| Creator(s) | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Naughty Dog | PlayStation 3 | October 13, 2009 |
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is widely regarded as one of the best action-adventure titles ever made. It set a new benchmark for cinematic gameplay and astounding set-pieces. The overall plot for Among Thieves is much more interesting while also featuring well-designed and relatable characters.
This title also incorporated the iconic platforming techniques, puzzle-solving and even added a third-person shooter experience. The visually stunning graphics, and motion-capture cinematics used in conjunction with exquisite voice acting made it into a gaming masterpiece even by today’s standards.
“Uncharted 2: Among Theives was the title that defined the series as well as the PlayStation 3 era”
POPULAR OPINION
