No—you can play Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End without finishing the earlier games. PlayStation says each game is designed to stand on its own, though the series has an evolving story. The first three games are optional background that can add history and emotional context to Nathan Drake’s story.
Can you understand Uncharted 4 without the earlier games?
Yes. PlayStation’s official FAQ says, “You don’t! 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.” That statement appears in its FAQ about the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which includes Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. PlayStation’s Legacy of Thieves FAQ
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End | $5.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 (Renewed) | $22.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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P4 UNCHARTED THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION PS HITS | $20.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - PlayStation 4 (Certified Refurbished) | $17.58 | Buy on Amazon |
PlayStation also answers the broader question of where to begin: “Whichever one you’d like. While there is a general evolving storyline through the series, each game is meant to stand on its own and has a narrative that’s unique.” PlayStation’s Uncharted series page
So you do not need the earlier games to follow A Thief’s End as an adventure. The qualification is that “standalone” does not mean the series has no continuity: returning characters and Nathan’s history can carry more emotional weight if you know what came before.
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#1 Best Overall
- Several years after his last adventure, retired fortune hunter, Nathan Drake, is forced back into the world of thieves.
- With the stakes much more personal, Drake embarks on a globe-trotting journey in pursuit of a historical conspiracy behind a fabled pirate treasure.
- His greatest adventure will test his physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice to save the ones he loves.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood, language, use of alcohol, use of tobacco, violence
What do the first three games add?
PlayStation describes Uncharted 4 as Nathan Drake’s return to adventure after retirement, prompted by his brother Sam’s reappearance. The story asks what Nathan will sacrifice to save the people he loves. Knowing the earlier games gives you more accumulated context for Nathan’s past and the relationships that precede this chapter; it is best understood as added character payoff, not required plot knowledge. PlayStation’s Uncharted series page
The official descriptions do not specify particular plot facts that a newcomer must know before starting Uncharted 4. If you would rather begin with Nathan’s latest main adventure, you can do so without treating the first three as homework.
Rank #2
- 1080p
- Dolby 7.1
- Remote Play
- PS4 Pro enhanced
- Subtitle languages: Gr, EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, DK, PT, NL, fi, no, SE, RU, PL, CZ, TR
Should you play the earlier games first?
| Choice | What you get | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Start Uncharted 4 now | A standalone adventure that PlayStation says can be enjoyed without the other games. | You will have less accumulated history with Nathan and the series’ continuing story. |
| Play the first three, then Uncharted 4 | More background for Nathan’s character arc and the series’ continuity. | You commit to three full campaigns before reaching A Thief’s End; no specific playtime comparison is established here. |
If your main concern is understanding the plot, start with Uncharted 4. If you enjoy character arcs and want the fullest context for Nathan’s past, playing the earlier games first is a worthwhile option, but not a prerequisite.
What is the recommended order?
For the main Nathan Drake games, use release order:
Rank #3
- 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.
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
PlayStation’s The Nathan Drake Collection groups the single-player campaigns for the first three games, making it the relevant collection if you choose that route. The cited PlayStation page identifies it as a PS4 collection; check compatibility, retailer listings, and availability for your platform and region before buying. PlayStation’s Uncharted series page
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need to play The Lost Legacy too?
No. The Lost Legacy is not one of the first three Nathan Drake campaigns, and PlayStation’s FAQ says the games in the Legacy of Thieves Collection can be enjoyed without playing the others. If your goal is to start Nathan Drake’s fourth main adventure, you can go directly to Uncharted 4; The Lost Legacy is not a prerequisite.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Several years after his last adventure, retired fortune hunter, Nathan Drake, is forced back into the world of thieves.
- With the stakes much more personal, Drake embarks on a globe-trotting journey in pursuit of a historical conspiracy behind a fabled pirate treasure.
- His greatest adventure will test his physical limits, his resolve, and ultimately what he’s willing to sacrifice to save the ones he loves.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood, language, use of alcohol, use of tobacco, violence
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
