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For a first playthrough, play Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, and then Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Treat Uncharted: Golden Abyss as an optional PlayStation Vita prequel: place it before Drake’s Fortune for story chronology or after Drake’s Deception for North American release order. The practical buying split is simple: The Nathan Drake Collection contains the first three campaigns, while Legacy of Thieves Collection contains games 4 and The Lost Legacy. Neither collection includes Golden Abyss or the original games’ multiplayer.
What order should I play the Uncharted games in?
The recommended beginner sequence is the original release order for the five main console adventures:
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (2007, PS3)
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, PS3)
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (2011, PS3)
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016, PS4)
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017, PS4)
This order introduces Nathan Drake, Sully, Elena, and the series’ evolving gameplay before shifting the spotlight to Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. It also preserves the emotional context leading into Nathan’s final numbered adventure. Each game is a self-contained treasure-hunting story, but characters, friendships, and references carry forward. Playing in release order lets you see those relationships develop naturally rather than meeting them after years of history have already passed.
For most newcomers, there is no benefit to rearranging the five principal adventures. The numbered games are the easiest route to buy, the clearest route to follow, and the sequence assumed by modern collections. Add Golden Abyss only when you specifically want an extra Vita chapter.
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Release order versus story chronology
Release order and story order are almost identical, with one important exception: Golden Abyss. The Vita adventure is a prequel to Drake’s Fortune, while its North American launch came after Drake’s Deception.
| Approach | Sequence | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended release sequence | Drake’s Fortune → Among Thieves → Drake’s Deception → A Thief’s End → The Lost Legacy | First-time players who want the intended introduction and progression. |
| North American release order with Vita | Drake’s Fortune → Among Thieves → Drake’s Deception → Golden Abyss → A Thief’s End → The Lost Legacy | Players cataloging the adventures by their North American arrival. |
| Story chronology | Golden Abyss → Drake’s Fortune → Among Thieves → Drake’s Deception → A Thief’s End → The Lost Legacy | Players who want Nathan’s earliest listed expedition first. |
There is no wrong choice for Golden Abyss. Chronological placement gives you an earlier Nathan adventure before his first console outing, but release placement keeps the original trilogy together and avoids moving from a later-developed Vita game back to the 2007 presentation of Drake’s Fortune. If this is your first exposure to the series, play the five console campaigns first and return to Golden Abyss when you can access a Vita.
Where does Golden Abyss fit?
Golden Abyss is an optional Nathan Drake adventure made for PlayStation Vita by Bend Studio. It is a prequel in the story timeline, but its placement depends on whether you prioritize chronology or release history.
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| Order type | Placement | Why choose it? |
|---|---|---|
| Story chronology | Golden Abyss → Drake’s Fortune → Among Thieves → Drake’s Deception → A Thief’s End → The Lost Legacy | It places the Vita prequel before Nathan’s first console adventure. |
| North American release order | Drake’s Fortune → Among Thieves → Drake’s Deception → Golden Abyss → A Thief’s End → The Lost Legacy | It follows the order in which North American players received the adventures. |
Golden Abyss launched in North America on February 22, 2012. Some worldwide lists label it a 2011 release, so check which regional date a guide is using. It is not included in either modern remaster collection and requires access to the Vita version; the game’s existence does not guarantee current digital availability or retail stock.
Do not count the Vita prequel as a mandatory sixth step. Nothing in the console campaigns requires knowledge of it, and buying both modern collections will not give you access to it. If you find a physical copy, check the condition of the cartridge, the region, and whether the Vita hardware or account setup you have can run it. Availability can vary, so treat it as an optional preservation or completionist purchase rather than part of the standard bundle.
What happens in each Uncharted game?
These spoiler-light summaries explain what each entry contributes without revealing major twists.
1. Drake’s Fortune
Nathan Drake begins a search for the lost treasure of El Dorado with journalist Elena Fisher and mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan. Originally released on PS3 in 2007, it establishes the climbing, shooting, puzzle solving, cinematic set pieces, and character relationships that define the series. The Nathan Drake Collection supplies its single-player campaign in a PS4 edition that PlayStation lists as playable on PS5.
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2. Among Thieves
Released on PS3 in 2009, Among Thieves sends Nathan after clues connected to Marco Polo’s lost fleet and the legendary city of Shambhala. It is the second campaign in The Nathan Drake Collection and expands the series’ environments, stealth options, and character drama.
Playing it directly after Drake’s Fortune preserves the momentum of the original cast and shows how the series’ cinematic scale develops. The game remains a complete story, but its returning characters and tension have greater impact when the first adventure is fresh in your mind.
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3. Drake’s Deception
In the 2011 PS3 adventure, Nathan and Sully pursue the lost city known as the Atlantis of the Sands. It completes the original trilogy and gives the relationships introduced in the first two games more history and tension. The trilogy collection includes its single-player campaign.
Finish this game before moving to the newer hardware-era entries if you want the clearest view of Nathan and Sully’s partnership. It is also the last of the three games packaged in The Nathan Drake Collection, so it forms a convenient stopping point if you are buying in stages.
4. Golden Abyss (optional)
Bend Studio’s Vita game is another Nathan expedition, positioned before Drake’s Fortune in the story. It is best treated as extra context rather than a prerequisite: the main console sequence does not require it.
Its unusual position creates two legitimate routes. A chronology-focused player can start here, then continue through the five console adventures. A release-focused player can complete the original trilogy first and insert it before A Thief’s End, matching its February 22, 2012 North American release. Neither route changes the recommended order of the five principal console games.
5. A Thief’s End
A Thief’s End returned in 2016 on PS4 and made Nathan’s brother Sam a central part of the adventure. It follows the original trilogy and is the first of the two campaigns in Legacy of Thieves Collection. Starting here is possible, but earlier games provide useful background for Nathan’s friendships, history, and motivations.
For a PC-only player, this is the documented starting point. PlayStation describes the adventures as standalone experiences, so you can understand the immediate story without owning a PlayStation 3 or 4. You will, however, encounter references to Nathan’s past and relationships without having played their introductions.
6. The Lost Legacy
Released on PS4 in 2017, The Lost Legacy is a standalone adventure led by Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross in India’s Western Ghats. Play it after A Thief’s End for the conventional sequence and to avoid jumping backward in the series’ character timeline. It is the second campaign in Legacy of Thieves.
Although Nathan Drake is not the playable focus, the adventure belongs after game 4 in the practical beginner route. Treat it as a companion story, not as an extra chapter that must be inserted inside A Thief’s End. The collection packages the two campaigns together, making it the straightforward follow-up once you finish the numbered finale.
Which collection contains each game?
The collection names are easy to confuse. Use this table before buying:
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Collection | Included campaigns | Platforms and notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Nathan Drake Collection | Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, Drake’s Deception | PS4 edition; PlayStation says it is playable on PS5, although some PS4 features may be absent. |
| Legacy of Thieves Collection | A Thief’s End, The Lost Legacy | Native PS5 collection and PC release; it does not contain games 1–3. |
| Golden Abyss | One Vita prequel | Separate PS Vita release; not in either collection. |
The names describe separate portions of the series, not two editions of one complete package. Buying Legacy of Thieves does not add Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, or Drake’s Deception. Conversely, The Nathan Drake Collection stops before Sam becomes central and does not include either PS4-era campaign.
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The PC edition of Legacy of Thieves arrived on October 19, 2022 and contains exactly two full-length single-player games: A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy, according to Naughty Dog’s announcement on the PlayStation Blog. It is not a PC release of the original trilogy. The announcement’s count refers to the two games in that collection, not to the number of games in the whole franchise.
Can I play the series on PS5?
Yes, but the route differs by game. On PS5, play games 1–3 through the PS4 Nathan Drake Collection (subject to the publisher’s compatibility notes), then use the native PS5 Legacy of Thieves Collection for games 4 and The Lost Legacy. A first-party PS5 disc listing exists for Legacy of Thieves Collection.
PlayStation also lists PS4 editions of A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy. Do not confuse those original PS4 releases with the remastered PS5 versions in Legacy of Thieves. The PS4 trilogy collection is the documented bridge for the first three games; the PS5-native collection covers the later pair.
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Compatibility is not the same as a native remake. PlayStation says the PS4 Nathan Drake Collection is playable on PS5, while warning that some PS4 features may be absent. If a particular peripheral, menu function, or legacy feature matters to you, check the current compatibility notes rather than assuming every PS4 behavior is reproduced identically.
Can I play all the Uncharted games on PC?
No complete PC route is documented here. The documented PC collection starts with Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy. There is no verified PC version of the first three games in the publisher listings used for this guide, so a PC-only player can begin with A Thief’s End, continue to The Lost Legacy, and accept that the earlier introductions are not part of that release.
PlayStation describes the adventures as playable as standalone experiences, so starting with game 4 is reasonable. You will understand the immediate plot, but you will miss the original introductions and the progression of Nathan’s relationships. Do not purchase Legacy of Thieves on PC expecting a six-game bundle or a Vita emulation feature; it contains the two PS4-era campaigns only.
Do I need to play the first three before Uncharted 4?
No, but playing them first gives the strongest character continuity. A Thief’s End is designed to work on its own, while references to Nathan’s past, Sully, Elena, and earlier escapades carry more weight if you have completed the trilogy.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIf you have only a PS5, the practical compromise is to play the PS4-compatible Nathan Drake Collection first. If you are on PC, begin with A Thief’s End rather than delaying indefinitely for access to hardware that may not be available to you. You can always return to the earlier campaigns later if your platform options change.
Does either collection include multiplayer?
No. The Nathan Drake Collection specifies the three single-player campaigns, and the Legacy of Thieves FAQ says its release does not support the original titles’ multiplayer. Buy these collections for their story campaigns, not as a multiplayer package.
This distinction matters when comparing old descriptions, used listings, or marketplace language. A listing that mentions the original releases’ multiplayer does not mean the modern collection restores that mode. The collection contents are campaign-focused, so choose them for the narrative sequence described above.
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What about the Uncharted film?
The film has its own storyline and should not be inserted between the games. It is not a game chapter and does not provide a required bridge between any two adventures. Watch it separately if you are interested in another interpretation of the treasure-hunting premise.
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How should I choose an edition?
- Want games 1–3: choose The Nathan Drake Collection for PS4, playable on PS5 according to PlayStation’s compatibility information.
- Want games 4 and 5: choose Legacy of Thieves Collection on PS5 or PC.
- Want the complete practical console path: obtain both collections and play them in sequence.
- Want Golden Abyss: locate the separate PS Vita release, checking format, condition, region, and current availability.
A physical Legacy of Thieves Collection PS5 disc is one clear way to identify the two-game PS5 package. For games 1–3, verify that a listing is specifically The Nathan Drake Collection for PS4 rather than an individual original PS3 release. For Golden Abyss, verify that the listing is the Vita game itself; neither modern collection substitutes for it.
Upgrade terms can change. PlayStation’s published guidance says eligible PS4 owners may upgrade for an additional fee; PS4 disc owners must insert the disc into the PS5 to download or play the upgraded version, and the disc-upgrade route does not work on the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition. A PlayStation Plus-claimed copy of Uncharted 4 is excluded from that digital upgrade guidance. Verify the current price and eligibility on the store before purchasing.
The disc requirement is easy to overlook: even after an eligible upgrade, a PS4 disc owner needs the disc present in the PS5 when using the upgraded release. Owners of the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition cannot use that physical-disc upgrade path. Because prices, eligibility windows, and store terms can change, treat any displayed fee as current-store information rather than a permanent price promise.
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Common buying and order mistakes
- Assuming Legacy of Thieves is the whole series. It contains only A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy, not games 1–3 or Golden Abyss.
- Putting Golden Abyss ahead of everything without checking access. It is a Vita title, not a built-in part of the PS4, PS5, or PC collections.
- Expecting multiplayer. Both modern collections are centered on single-player campaigns.
- Confusing PS4 originals with PS5 remasters. The original PS4 editions and the native PS5 Legacy of Thieves release are related but not identical listings.
- Assuming PC includes games 1–3. The documented PC release begins with game 4 and The Lost Legacy.
- Treating the film as a required chapter. Its plot is separate from the games.
Are there any other Uncharted games?
Uncharted: Fight for Fortune is a 2012 PS Vita card game. It may matter to readers cataloging every release, but it is not a numbered action-adventure and is not required for the Nathan Drake storyline. Do not treat it as a seventh main game or assume that a current download is available.
For a beginner’s story route, stop after The Lost Legacy. Include Fight for Fortune only when your goal is a complete release list rather than a continuous action-adventure campaign. Its existence does not alter where Golden Abyss belongs.
A simple route for every type of player
New to the series with a PS5: play The Nathan Drake Collection first, then Legacy of Thieves Collection. This gives you games 1–5 in the recommended order while using the two documented collections.
Playing on PC: start with A Thief’s End, then The Lost Legacy. You will be starting late, but both adventures are presented as standalone experiences. Do not wait for a collection that is not documented in the listed PC release.
Collecting every story adventure: follow the five-game route, then add Golden Abyss either before Drake’s Fortune for chronology or between Drake’s Deception and A Thief’s End for North American release order. Confirm Vita hardware, format, region, and availability first.
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Choosing one purchase: select The Nathan Drake Collection if you want the beginning and original trilogy, or Legacy of Thieves if you want the PS4-era games on PS5 or PC. Neither choice is the complete franchise by itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Golden Abyss necessary to understand Uncharted 4?
No. It adds an earlier Nathan Drake expedition but is not required for the plot or character relationships in A Thief’s End. Play it only if you have access to a Vita and want an additional prequel story.
Which Uncharted game is shortest for a first taste?
No reliable completion-time figures are established here, so an exact ranking would be speculative. Choose Drake’s Fortune for the intended introduction or A Thief’s End if your only available platform is PC.
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Can I transfer saves between the PS4 and PS5 collections?
No universal save-transfer path is documented for these releases. Check the specific game’s current PlayStation support information before assuming that a PS4 save will import into the PS5 remaster.
Is The Lost Legacy a sequel to Uncharted 4?
It follows A Thief’s End in the recommended playing order, but it is a standalone adventure with Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross as its leads. Nathan Drake is not the playable focus.
Does Legacy of Thieves include Uncharted 1, 2, and 3?
No. It contains A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy only. Games 1–3 are in The Nathan Drake Collection, and Golden Abyss is a separate Vita release.
Can I play all the Uncharted games on PC?
The documented PC release covers A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy. It does not include the original trilogy, so a PC-only player can start with game 4 but cannot use that collection as a complete six-adventure package.
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Should I play Golden Abyss before Drake’s Fortune?
Only if you prefer story chronology and have Vita access. For a first playthrough, release order is simpler: play the original trilogy first, then continue to A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy; add Golden Abyss later or place it after game 3.
Is the Nathan Drake Collection native to PS5?
It is a PS4 edition that PlayStation lists as playable on PS5, with a warning that some PS4 features may be absent. The native PS5 collection is Legacy of Thieves, covering games 4 and The Lost Legacy.
Does either collection include multiplayer?
No. The Nathan Drake package specifies the three single-player campaigns, and the Legacy of Thieves FAQ says its release does not support the original titles’ multiplayer.
Can a PS4 disc owner upgrade to Legacy of Thieves?
PlayStation’s guidance says eligible PS4 owners may upgrade for an additional fee, with the PS4 disc inserted into the PS5 to download or play the upgraded version. The disc-free PS5 Digital Edition cannot use that disc-upgrade path, and a PlayStation Plus-claimed copy of Uncharted 4 is excluded from the stated digital upgrade guidance. Check current eligibility and pricing.
The Bottom Line
Play the five main adventures in release order: Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, Drake’s Deception, A Thief’s End, and The Lost Legacy. Add Vita’s Golden Abyss only as an optional prequel. Buy The Nathan Drake Collection for games 1–3 and Legacy of Thieves Collection for games 4 and 5; neither collection includes the entire series or multiplayer.
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