The Uncharted series by Naughty Dog is one of the most recognizable action-adventure brands on PlayStation consoles. The first title, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, was released in 2007 and followed treasure hunter Nathan Drake in his quest for the gold of El Dorado. It was followed by Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (2011), which brought larger maps, exotic locations, and dynamic mechanics such as climbing and combat. The series has been praised for its cinematic direction and is often compared to Hollywood blockbusters and adventures like Indiana Jones.
Uncharted 2 won numerous awards and is considered one of the best video games ever made. Its spectacular action scenes, including the famous train sequence on the edge of a cliff, solidified Naughty Dog's reputation as a master of interactive storytelling. Over time, the series introduced stealth and cooperative elements, further enriching the gameplay.
Franchise Expansion
After the original trilogy, spin-off titles followed. The prequel Uncharted: Golden Abyss (2011) brought the series to the handheld console PlayStation Vita, while the card game Fight for Fortune and the mobile title Fortune Hunter expanded the brand to other platforms. The compilation The Nathan Drake Collection (2015) remastered the first three games, allowing a new audience to access Nathan Drake's adventures.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016) introduced a more open environment, jeep driving, and a more realistic story. It won numerous awards and sold over 18 million copies, making it one of the best-selling titles on PlayStation 4. The standalone expansion Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017) gave the lead roles to heroines Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross for the first time. The remasters of A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy for PlayStation 5 and PC in the Legacy of Thieves collection (2022) brought improved graphics and faster loading times. Thanks to its quality and sales success, the series sold over 41 million copies by 2024.
Adaptations and Cultural Impact
The popularity of the games inspired various adaptations. In February 2022, the film Uncharted starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg debuted in theaters. The film, produced by Sony, grossed over $407 million, and in mid-2024, a sequel was confirmed to be in development. Besides films, Uncharted has inspired comics, novels, a theme park ride at PortAventura, and a short fan film that garnered significant attention.
The success of the series has influenced the entire industry; set-piece design and high production values have become a model for other action-adventure games. Among Thieves and A Thief’s End regularly appear on lists of the best games of all time, and Nathan Drake has become one of the mascots of the PlayStation platform.
Rumors and Future
Despite the constant interest from fans, Naughty Dog has not released a new main game since 2017. During 2025, the media reported that the studio is celebrating its 40th anniversary with puzzles and collectibles inspired by the series. That same year, rumors emerged that The Lost Legacy director Shaun Escayg is leading the development of a new game featuring Cassie and Sam Drake as the main characters, but the studio has not officially confirmed these claims. Currently, Naughty Dog is working on other projects such as the sci-fi game Intergalactic, and there is little likelihood of Uncharted 5 being released on the PlayStation 5 console.
