An Uncharted Remake Is the Wrong Game for Naughty Dog to Make

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For many PlayStation fans, the Uncharted series defines a particular generation of gaming. Developed by Naughty Dog – the team behind Jak and Daxter and the original The Last of Us – Uncharted helped the studio become known for creating games that felt like playing through a big-budget movie. The series is arguably their greatest success in this area, with each game carefully crafted around delivering impressive, cinematic moments.

Although the main Uncharted story concluded in 2016, talk of a remake started when Shaun Escayg, the creative director of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, shared photos online from a research trip that looked similar to locations from the original game. While it’s possible Nathan Drake could return for the character’s 20th anniversary, I’d prefer a brand new sequel over a remake. The older games still hold up well, and a sequel would be a much more exciting path for the series.

Why Uncharted Doesn’t Need A Remake

The Uncharted series really showed how AAA games started to focus more on delivering a cinematic experience. Instead of complicated gameplay or lots of customization options, Uncharted prioritized a grand sense of spectacle and a compelling story. The action, climbing, and puzzles weren’t just obstacles—they helped move the story forward. The games were designed to keep players hooked through their narrative and characters. While each game could be enjoyed on its own, they all connect through the personal journey and growth of the main character, Nathan Drake. The series began with Nathan as a modern take on classic adventure heroes, a treasure hunter seeking thrills in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. But by Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, almost ten years later, Nathan had changed, becoming more focused on his family and considering a life beyond adventure—something he wouldn’t have considered in the earlier games.

Overall, the original game feels like a complete and satisfying experience. It’s still an exciting adventure with visuals and gameplay that remain enjoyable today. The games don’t need significant changes to run on modern systems; a remake would primarily benefit from updated graphics, which have aged surprisingly well. By the end of the original Uncharted story, it felt fully realized and well-packaged. A re-release or remaster to polish the graphics for newer platforms would be welcome, but altering the core gameplay would diminish the unique sense of grand spectacle that was central to its design. I believe Naughty Dog would be better served focusing their efforts on new projects instead.

If We’re Getting Another Uncharted, Make It A Sequel

As a huge fan, I’ve been thinking about where the Uncharted series could go next, and I think a legacy sequel would be amazing! The ending of Uncharted 4 showed Nathan and Elena’s daughter, Cassie, and I’d love to see her follow in her parents’ footsteps as a new treasure hunter. It would be so cool to see Nathan and Elena return, maybe as mentors or guides, and even bring back some of the other characters we’ve loved from the previous games. It feels like the natural way to continue the story!

Changing the focus to Cassie would let us finish Nathan’s story while still creating opportunities for new adventures. By giving Cassie a unique personality and viewpoint, the games could explore the more challenging parts of Nathan’s past, creating a compelling story about how the next generation views the last. Plus, Cassie could have her own adventures, taking advantage of today’s technology to create bigger and more ambitious experiences.

While revisiting Drake’s Fortune would feel familiar, a new Uncharted story could take players to fresh locations and offer unique experiences. If Naughty Dog wants to experiment with how the game plays, introducing a new protagonist would be a great way to do it. They could even blend the old and new by letting players control both Nathan Drake and the new character in a few levels, similar to how Resident Evil: Requiem handled its dual protagonists. Considering the series is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, a new Uncharted game should focus on what’s next, not just retread old ground.

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2026-04-08 02:42