Yes. You can start with an Uncharted game without playing the earlier entries first. PlayStation says each game is designed as a standalone adventure, even though the series has continuity and returning characters. Earlier games add context; they are not required to follow the central adventure in a later one.
What you miss if you skip earlier Uncharted games
The distinction is between understanding an individual adventure and knowing the series’ history. PlayStation’s official UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection FAQ puts it this way: “While the series does have continuity, each game is meant to be a standalone adventure and can be enjoyed without playing any of the other games in the series.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection - PlayStation 5 | $29.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (Playstation Hits) (PS4) | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PS5) | $33.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Uncharted Collection PlayStation Hits (PS4) | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection | $35.00 | Buy on Amazon |
So a new player can follow the story in a later game, while someone who has played earlier entries may recognize returning characters and better understand how their relationships developed. How much that context matters is a matter of player preference; PlayStation’s guidance does not make earlier games prerequisites.
Which Uncharted game should you start with?
PlayStation’s answer to “Which UNCHARTED game should I play first?” is “Whichever one you’d like.” Choose based on what you want to play now and how much background you want—not because there is one required starting point.
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#1 Best Overall
- Seek your fortune and leave your mark on the map in the UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection.
- Uncover the thrilling cinematic storytelling and the largest blockbuster action set pieces in the UNCHARTED franchise
- Delivered by award winning developer Naughty Dog, the UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes the two critically-acclaimed UNCHARTED 4: A Thief's End and UNCHARTED: The Lost Legacy.
- Each story is filled with laughs, drama, high octane combat, and a sense of wonder - remastered to be even more immersive.
- Live the adventure like never before with the features and incredible speed of the PlayStation 5 console.
- Want the original trilogy in sequence? Start with Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, then play Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. They are included in UNCHARTED: The Nathan Drake Collection, as listed on PlayStation’s series and collection page.
- Want the later games? UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. It is not the complete series. PlayStation identifies PS5 and PC versions on its collection page.
- Interested specifically in The Lost Legacy? You can begin with it, but its lead, Chloe Frazer, has history in the earlier games. PlayStation identifies her first appearance as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and her last appearance before The Lost Legacy as Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Those games provide more background on Chloe, though the official standalone guidance means they are not a stated requirement.
Legacy of Thieves or The Nathan Drake Collection?
| Starting point | Games included | Best fit | Platforms identified by PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNCHARTED: The Nathan Drake Collection | Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, and Drake’s Deception | Players who want Nathan Drake’s original trilogy and its character context in sequence. | Not stated in the cited collection description. |
| UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy | Players who want the later pair without first playing the original trilogy. | PS5 and PC, as identified on PlayStation’s collection page. |
These are different entry points, not competing required orders. Pick the original trilogy if chronological character context is your priority; pick the later pair if those are the games you want to play. Check PlayStation’s current regional store listing for platform and edition availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does playing out of order make Uncharted hard to follow?
PlayStation explicitly says the games can be enjoyed without playing the others, but it also acknowledges continuity. That is the clearest basis for deciding: you do not need the earlier entries to start, yet playing them can make returning characters and relationships more familiar. The official guidance does not quantify how much context a newcomer might miss or guarantee every player will have the same experience.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Play as Nathan Drake across a trilogy of thrilling, white-knuckle adventures. Experience Drake's relationships with those closest to him, as he struggles to balance adventure and family
- Brand-new trophies created exclusively for UNCHARTED's debut on the PS4 system
- Freeze gameplay at any time and take control of the camera to capture your most memorable moments from the trilogy to share with friends directly from your PS4 system. Utilize graphical filters, camera controls, and other options to customize your shot
Rank #3
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features: Feel the action unfold with the DualSense wireless controller's haptic feedback through punches, vaults, and vehicular traversal. Experience the tension in rope swings via dynamic adaptive triggers.
- Fast Loading: Jump back into the adventure quickly with the PS5 console's Ultra-High Speed SSD and near-instant load times.
- 3D Audio: Hear the world of UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection come to life around you with 3D Audio.
- Fidelity Mode: Play in a super sharp native 4K resolution with a 30fps target framerate.
- Performance Mode: Play with a smooth 60fps target framerate. 4K-TV players will experience a 4K resolution upscaled from a 1440p base resolution. 1080p HD-TV players will experience a 1080p resolution supersampled from a 1440p base with improved anti-aliasing..Performance+ Mode: Play with a high impact 120fps target framerate and a 1080p resolution.
Rank #2
- Unparalleled Story - Play as Nathan Drake across a trilogy of thrilling, white-knuckle adventures. Experience Drake's relationships with those closest to him, as he struggles to balance adventure and family.
- New Trophies - Brand-new trophies created exclusively for Uncharted's debut on the PS4 system. Photo Mode - Freeze gameplay at any time and take control of the camera to capture your most memorable moments from the trilogy to share with friends directly from your PS4 system. Utilize graphical filters, camera controls, and other options to customize your shot
- Uncharted 4 A Thief's End Multiplayer Beta - purchasers of Uncharted The Nathan Drake Collection will receive exclusive access to Uncharted 4 A Thief's End multiplayer Beta while the Beta is available (a UK/EU PSN account may be required)
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