Uncharted is one of PlayStation’s most famous game series. If you enjoy movies like Indiana Jones, with ancient ruins, lost cities and daring escapes, Uncharted is the video game version of that feeling.
This guide explains what the series is about, who the main characters are, the order of the games, and the easiest ways to play them today.
What is Uncharted?
Uncharted is an action-adventure series made by Naughty Dog, a studio owned by Sony. “Action-adventure” means the games mix exploring, solving puzzles and fighting enemies.
You mostly play as Nathan Drake, a charming treasure hunter who travels the world chasing legends and historical mysteries. The games are known for their movie-like storytelling, witty dialogue and big set pieces. A “set piece” is a dramatic, carefully staged moment, like escaping a collapsing building or fighting on top of a moving train.
The gameplay is “third-person,” which means the camera sits behind your character so you can see them on screen. You climb walls, jump between ledges, take cover during gunfights and solve environmental puzzles.
Meet the main characters
- Nathan “Nate” Drake: The hero. A quick-witted adventurer who claims to be a descendant of the explorer Sir Francis Drake.
- Victor “Sully” Sullivan: Nate’s older mentor and best friend, who loves cigars and a good deal.
- Elena Fisher: A journalist who becomes one of the most important people in Nate’s life.
- Chloe Frazer: A clever treasure hunter introduced in the second game.
- Sam Drake: Nate’s older brother, introduced in Uncharted 4.
- Nadine Ross: A tough mercenary leader who becomes a lead character in a later spin-off.
The main games in order
Here are the main Uncharted games in the order they were released:
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (2007, PS3): Nate follows clues left by his claimed ancestor, Sir Francis Drake, in search of a legendary lost treasure. This is where the series began.
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, PS3): Nate hunts for Marco Polo’s lost fleet and the legendary city of Shambhala. Many fans and critics consider this one of the best games of its generation, and it won numerous Game of the Year awards.
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (2011, PS3): A story that digs into Nate and Sully’s past, with a hunt for a lost city in the Arabian desert.
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016, PS4): A retired Nate is pulled back in by his brother Sam to search for a pirate treasure. As the title suggests, it was designed to wrap up Nate’s story.
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017, PS4): A standalone adventure starring Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross, set in India.
There was also a handheld game, Uncharted: Golden Abyss (2011 in Japan, 2012 elsewhere), released for the PlayStation Vita. It was made by Sony’s Bend Studio rather than Naughty Dog and is set before the first game.
Do you need to play them in order?
Each game tells its own adventure, so you can enjoy any of them on its own. That said, the characters and relationships grow over the series, and Uncharted 4 means much more if you have played the earlier games.
If you have the time, playing in release order is the best way to go. If you want to start with the most modern-feeling game, Uncharted 4 is a popular entry point, though it contains spoilers for earlier events.
How to play Uncharted today
You don’t need an old PS3 to enjoy the series. Sony has re-released the games in two collections:
- Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (2015, PS4): Remastered versions of the first three games. “Remastered” means the games were updated with sharper graphics and smoother performance for newer hardware. PS4 games also run on PS5.
- Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (2022, PS5 and PC): Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy, upgraded for PS5. It launched on PS5 in January 2022 and on PC in October 2022.
Availability in subscription services like PlayStation Plus changes over time, so check the PlayStation Store to see what is included right now.
The Uncharted movie
In February 2022, Sony Pictures released a live-action Uncharted film. Tom Holland plays a young Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg plays Sully. It works as an origin story, showing how the two first team up.
The movie was a box office success, though critics gave it mixed reviews. You don’t need to see it to enjoy the games, or vice versa.
Why Uncharted matters
Uncharted helped show how cinematic video games could be. Its mix of storytelling, acting performances and action influenced many games that came after it. Nolan North voices Nathan Drake, and strong voice acting is one of the things critics praised most, helping the characters feel natural and believable.
Naughty Dog later used many of the same storytelling strengths for The Last of Us, another of PlayStation’s best-known series.
Is there a new Uncharted coming?
As of November 2026, Naughty Dog has not announced a new main Uncharted game. The studio’s next announced project is a brand-new series, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, revealed in December 2024. Until there is official news, treat any rumors about Uncharted 5 with caution.
Tips for first-time players
- Choose an easier difficulty if you mostly want to enjoy the story. There’s no shame in it.
- Look for glints of light in the environment. They often mark hidden treasures you can collect.
- Use cover during gunfights. Running into the open is the fastest way to lose.
- Take your time in quieter moments. The conversations between characters are a big part of the fun.
The bottom line
Uncharted is a fun, cinematic treasure-hunting series starring Nathan Drake and a lovable supporting cast. There are four main games plus The Lost Legacy, and the easiest way to play them today is through The Nathan Drake Collection and the Legacy of Thieves Collection. Start at the beginning if you can, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the ride.
Featured photo: włodi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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