Uncharted: Tackling the Series' Major Culprit - A Must-Read for Fans
The highly anticipated return of Uncharted must address its major flaw by introducing a compelling antagonist, ensuring the next game captivates players with an epic clash of heroes and villains
Highlights
The Uncharted franchise, once the jewel of Naughty Dog, has struggled with lackluster and forgettable villains, overshadowed by charismatic protagonist Nathan Drake.
There has been improvement in the series in terms of creating more powerful adversaries, particularly in Uncharted 4 with the inclusion of Rafe Adler and Nadine Ross. However, there is still potential for further enhancement. In the event that a new Uncharted game is developed, it should prioritize the continuation of the advancements made in the previous installment, aiming to craft a formidable and unforgettable antagonist.
The Uncharted franchise, though not the most talked-about IP, was incredibly important for PlayStation. With The Last of Us gaining popularity, some fans may have overlooked the fact that Uncharted was once Naughty Dog's prized possession. Although the series has been quiet recently, with no new entries since Uncharted: The Lost Legacy in 2017, many fans eagerly anticipate its return. However, if a new title in the series does come to fruition, Naughty Dog will need to address one of its biggest issues: the lack of compelling villains.
Although Uncharted has many strengths, there are a few areas where it falls short. One of the most noticeable shortcomings is the lackluster villains. While the charming protagonist Nathan Drake may have distracted from this flaw, it's hard to deny that he never really faced an adversary who could match his charisma and on-screen presence. A new Uncharted game would greatly benefit from addressing this issue.
The Next Uncharted Game Needs a Strong Villain
The Uncharted series kicked off in 2007 with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, introducing players to the charismatic yet rugged treasure hunter Nathan Drake. While the game itself was a tremendous success, the main antagonists, Atoq Navarro, a Peruvian archaeologist, and Gabriel Roman, a mercenary, were rather forgettable. Despite Navarro eventually betraying Roman and attempting to steal the treasure of El Dorado, most players would have likely forgotten both characters by the time the credits rolled.
Naughty Dog followed up with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, a significantly improved sequel. However, it still fell short in terms of creating a memorable and worthy adversary for Drake. The game introduces Zoran Lazarevic, a Serbian war criminal, who boasts a menacing appearance with scars on half of his face from a supposed bombing that he miraculously survived. Unfortunately, Lazarevic fails to make a lasting impression before meeting his demise when the temple of Shambhala collapses.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception marks the introduction of Katherine Marlowe, the first major female antagonist in the series. This character represents a significant improvement in the villain department, as the British tyrant utilizes a variety of physical and psychological methods to torment Drake, pushing him to his limits.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, which is widely considered as one of the best games on the PS4, further enhances the series' villains with the introduction of two exceptionally strong antagonists. The first is Rafe Adler, an old acquaintance of Nate and his brother Sam. As the story unfolds, Rafe becomes one of the most memorable adversaries, particularly in the moments leading to his demise within the depths of Henry Avery's ship. His relentless pursuit of Avery's lost treasure and his continuous witty remarks aimed at the brothers make him a standout character in the series.
Nadine Ross, the formidable leader of the private military corporation Shoreline, is showcased in the same game. With her power and ruthlessness, she effortlessly proves her superiority over Nate in unarmed combat. Despite consistently outwitting Nate, Nadine ultimately betrays Rafe and leaves him to face his demise alongside the Drake brothers.
Nadine's undeniable popularity prompted Naughty Dog to further explore her character, resulting in her being the secondary protagonist in 2017's Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. While encountering the highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant Asav, the primary antagonist of The Lost Legacy, was entertaining, his presence quickly became forgettable. However, if future installments of Uncharted can continue building upon the progress made in the fourth game, crafting a formidable and memorable villain should pose little difficulty.
