The Uncharted Series has my favorite narrative in gaming, boasting memorable characters, Hollywood style action scenes, and some of the best graphics gaming had to offer at the time. Each game is filled with unique set pieces that give each one its own identity. So, today we’re going to rank the Uncharted games from the least to the greatest.
First, some rules for the list.
We will only be listing the Uncharted games that follow Nathan Drake’s adventures, meaning no Lost Legacy. Also, no bad mobile spin offs. We’re ranking only the games in the main storyline, following Nathan from the beginning of his adventure to the thief’s end. Let us begin.
5. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
"Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" Trailer
Starting off this list is fittingly, the one that started it all. Heck, if it weren’t for classics like Drake’s Deception and Killzone 2, the PS3 would’ve never been saved from its controversial and disastrous launch. Thankfully for the rest of us, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was an actual game, not one that was made up for a tech demo and never saw the inside of a store.
The story follows Nathan Drake, the descendent of Sir Francis Drake as he, Victor Sulivan, and reporter Elena Fisher search for El’ Dorado. Along the way they must contend with pirates, evil archeologists, mercenaries, and an enemy that is far darker than any nightmare could conjure. And let me tell you, I have some pretty vivid nightmares.
This game poured the foundation for the entire franchise. However, this makes it feel like the weakest in comparison, the basic platforming and combat making for a pretty repetitive experience. Not to mention one of the worst vehicle sections and boss battles ever. No, seriously. If you play this game, both of these sections will wake whatever vicious beast sleeps within you. I pitty the guy watching you play.
Despite that, if you want the full Uncharted experience, it is a requirement to play. It still has some great set pieces, like the iconic submarine. Heck, when the supernatural threat makes its presence known, the combat actually becomes interesting when you find yourself in three way wars between the pirates and mercs you were fighting and the evil monsters they unearthed.
Check it out, the characters are still likable and the voice acting is still stellar. There’s enough there to warrant a playthrough.
Behold, Nate and Elena, the ultimate power couple.
4. Uncharted: Golden Abyss
"Uncharted: Golden Abyss" Trailer
Next up is Golden Abyss, a PS Vita exclusive developed by Bend Studio, the studio behind Days Gone. Set before Drake’s Fortune, the game follows Nathan Drake as he, enthusiast Marisa Chase, sleeze bag Dante, and Victor freakin’ Sullivan search for the lost golden city of Quivira.
This game was a massive technical achievement when in its day, having the most pixels on screen for a handheld game according to Guiness’s World Records. Well, that was before the Nintendo Switch was able to run full blown console games like Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag while in handheld mode. I mean, I remember when it was impressive that the Vita could even run Borderlands 2 and then the switch just flexed on it by running the game better, while including the other games in the franchise. Nintendo’s least cold moment.
This game is still a pretty great game though, feeling like a watered down version of Uncharted 2, boasting a similar movement style and even some really strong combat sections that stand above the original game. The story however, isn’t on the same level as any of the Uncharted sequels. It’s still a solid game and given that it was a handheld game makes it an even more impressive achievement.
For A Handheld Game, It’s Still Impressive
3. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
"Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception" Trailer
At number three is Uncharted 3 for the PS3. The game follows Nathan Drake once again, this time hunting for the Iram of the Pillars, the Atlantis of the Sands. Joining him are Victor Sullivan, Elena Fisher, Chloe Fraizer, and newcomer Charlie Cutter as they face a shadowy league of treasure hunters and assassins that will stop at nothing to collect the treasure they seek.
This game doesn’t get as much love as it deserves, though I will admit I understand why. The game does have a few bizarre changes that make the game feel like a worse version of Uncharted 2 at times, including the requirement to throw down your primary weapon if you want a riot shield.
There’s also that terrible grenade throwback system that was so complicated that it was better to dive out of the way than to even bother. Or the hand to hand combat system that was actually really solid and in depth, but it would become a huge pain in the neck in the middle of a gunfight.
However, the game still looks fantastic, the environments being absolutely gorgeous. The voice acting by Nolan North and crew are top tier. And you know what? Despite the complaints people have about this game’s story, I think it’s still pretty fantastic.
This game has some of the best story moments in the entire franchise, including some touching moments between Elena and Nathan (one of the best romances in gaming, btw). Its villains are really interesting as well and overall the narrative is pretty solid despite its problems. Don’t overlook this game just because it isn’t as masterful as the game before and after it.
It’s still a fantastic game that you need to check out.
Nate fights for his life after wandering the desert for days.
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
"Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" Trailer
Ending Drake’s incredible journey is Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. Nathan Drake has retired from adventuring following the events of the third game. After Sam Drake, his long lost brother finds him and the two go on an epic adventure across the globe to find Libertalia, the mythic city of pirates. Along the way, he is forced to contend with greedy archeologists (again), a desperate squad of mercs (again), and the strain his adventures put on his marriage and relationships in this epic finale.
Technically, this is the best Uncharted game. It has the best gameplay, stealth, climbing mechanics, graphics, and set pieces of the entire franchise. The story is fantastic, having some of the best character moments in the series. Nolan North and crew truly gave the best performances of their careers and it’s an excellent send off for an excellent cast of characters.
However, the one thing holding it back is Niel Druckmann’s useless strong female character, Nadine, who contributes almost nothing to the story. Well, unless you count the absolute BS feats of strength she pulls off. Nathan Drake has one of the highest kill counts of any video game character. He’s been in prison fights, bar fights, gunfights on exploding trains, and every other crazy scenario you can think of and you’re telling me that he can barely contend with a single woman?
Bro has literally gotten in one on one fistfights with no neck thugs and won. But Nadine, this spoiled little brat, gets to be the one that takes him out and he can’t even fight back? Ridiculous.
However, if you can overlook that, the game is basically perfect. Absolutely play it, the gameplay improves on the games before it in every way and it has the best mobility system of the entire series. And you know what? If you ignore Nadine, it also has the best story in the franchise. Highly recommend it.
Nate and Elena Drake gazing across Libertalia
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
"Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" Trailer
The best of the best, baby! Uncharted 2: Among Thieves picks up after the events of Drake’s Fortune, following Drake on a globe-trotting adventure as he searches for the lost city of Shamballa. The main cast returns, with a welcome addition of Chloe Fraizer, Harry Flynn, and Zoran Lazarevic’, the most deadly antagonist of the entire franchise.
I can’t say enough positive things about this game. In fact, for much of my life I touted this game as being the bestest game ever. It’s a step up from the first game in every way. The story, characters, combat, environments, set pieces, boss fights, all of it is drastically improved here. The game has my favorite locations of the franchise, from the snow covered mountains or war torn cities, they all still look and play fantastically to this day.
I could talk all day about the train, about the incredible tank bossfight, about the stellar action scenes.
I could talk about how Lazarevic’ is an absolute menace , being Drake’s biggest threat in the franchise. Bro would wipe the floor with Nadine’s army. Nadine was with Rafe because her army sucked so bad they needed funding or the entire thing would fall under. My boy Lazarevic’ is an international war criminal that would march into small countries and conquer entire cities to get what he wanted.
The story is obviously great, the characters fantastic, the music incredible, and it has my favorite Uncharted companion of all time. My boy, Tenzin. Would have never made it out of that cave without him.
I love this game and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s one of my favorites and I think it will stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Bleeding from a gunshot wound, Nate must hold onto a derailed train for dear life.
I’d like to thank everyone who made it this far for achieving such a feat and hope you all have a blessed day. I’d also like to thank Gamers Decide for allowing me to nerd out about another favorite video game of mine. If you liked this article, here’s a few others you might enjoy:
Bro, this guy basically did what I did, but better. Excellent article. Great job.
