The Game-Changing Addition Uncharted 5 Must Incorporate, Distancing Itself from Uncharted 4

Rumors have circulated for years about a potential fifth installment in the Uncharted series, gaining momentum shortly after the successful release of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. This series proved to be a lifeline for the PlayStation 3 during challenging times, earning high praise from both Sony and a wide audience. The iconic character, Nathan Drake, has become a beloved figure in the gaming world, and the excellence of the Naughty Dog IP has extended to remasters, side projects, and spin-offs on the PlayStation 4 and 5.

In addition to their success with Uncharted, the California-based developer has also achieved great feats with their other franchise, The Last of Us. This series has seen a sequel, a TV adaptation, a comic, and an upcoming online offering, solidifying its influence in the entertainment industry. Elements from The Last of Us even made their way into the gameplay of Uncharted 4. However, if a fifth installment is indeed on the horizon, it would be beneficial for it to return to the roots of the series, embracing the greatness of the PS3 era.

Stealth in Uncharted was Fun, but Unspectacular

Uncharted leverages its simplicity to great effect across numerous games. While its linear level design, ordinary combat, and intermittent cutscenes may not be groundbreaking individually, when combined, they create an unparalleled experience that many developers aspire to improve upon. The production value is consistently top-notch, and the character development never falls short of exceptional. All of this is enhanced by the game's straightforward third-person shooter format, which is highly appreciated by many players.

In an attempt to bring some variation to the formula, Uncharted 4 introduces more interactive environments and allows for stealth as a viable approach to dealing with groups of enemies. While this idea may have been influenced by Naughty Dog's success with The Last of Us, it doesn't contribute significantly to the quality of Uncharted 4. Nathan Drake is a character who tends to jump into action before assessing the situation, relying on luck to narrowly avoid disaster. Quiet infiltration has never been his preferred method, despite the presence of light stealth elements in Uncharted 2 and 3. Consequently, the emphasis on stealth in the fourth and potentially the fifth game seems inconsistent with the narrative and character.

Nathan Drake Can’t Do Stealth Like Solid Snake or Joel

The stealth genre boasts an array of impressive protagonists like Sam Fisher, Agent 47, and Solid Snake. These characters exhibit finesse and calculation, making it logical for them to patiently await their enemies. However, in Uncharted, the instances where Drake lies in wait feel awkward, seemingly included solely to provide players with additional ways to overcome obstacles. Uncharted 4 incorporates stealth to add variety to its action-packed scenes but fails to fully satisfy either genre.

While The Last of Us influenced Nathan Drake's PS4 adventure, the favor has been returned in The Last of Us 2. The two series have intertwined, as Uncharted 4 shared many gameplay similarities with Joel and Ellie's journey. For Uncharted 5, regardless of the protagonist, it would be more beneficial to abandon the elements that The Last of Us excels at and revert to its previous approach. By including stealth options in numerous instances, Uncharted places itself in direct competition with stealth-focused games that it cannot rival.

Uncharted 5 is rumored to be in development.