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Uncharted is Naughty Dog’s cinematic action-adventure series about fortune hunters chasing historical mysteries and lost treasures around the world. Nathan Drake leads the first four main games; Uncharted: The Lost Legacy shifts the focus to Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. To follow the fullest character arc, play the games in release order. If you want to begin with the newer adventures, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a supported starting point—but it contains only the fourth game and The Lost Legacy, not the original trilogy.
What is Uncharted?
Uncharted is a cinematic action-adventure franchise developed by Naughty Dog. Its games combine exploration, puzzles, gunfights, and blockbuster set pieces with fictional treasure hunts inspired by historical people, places, and legends. The adventures span settings around the globe, but each centers on a distinct mystery rather than one continuous quest.
The first four principal games follow Nathan Drake, a fortune hunter whose friendships and family relationships develop across the series. The Lost Legacy gives former supporting character Chloe Frazer the lead, with Nadine Ross as her partner.
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What happens in each main game?
The following descriptions are spoiler-light and cover the five principal console adventures:
#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.
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune: Nathan follows a clue linked to Sir Francis Drake in pursuit of El Dorado.
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves: Nathan investigates Marco Polo’s lost fleet and the Himalayan valley of Shambhala.
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception: Nathan and his mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan pursue the so-called Atlantis of the Sands.
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End: Nathan has retired from exploration when his brother Sam returns and pulls him toward Libertalia, a lost pirate settlement.
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy: Chloe and Nadine search for the Golden Tusk of Ganesh in India’s Western Ghats.
PlayStation’s overview describes the series as a cinematic action-adventure experience built around historical mysteries, globe-spanning environments, lost treasures, and large-scale action. Read PlayStation’s Uncharted overview.
Which Uncharted games are in each collection?
The two collections split the five-game path: one covers Nathan’s first three campaigns, while the other packages the two later adventures. Neither collection includes all five games.
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.
| Collection | Games included | Platform information | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nathan Drake Collection | Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, and Drake’s Deception single-player campaigns | Listed for PS4; PlayStation says it is playable on PS5, though some PS4 features may be absent. | Players who want to start at the beginning and get the most context for Nathan’s relationships. |
| Legacy of Thieves Collection | A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy | Remastered collection listed for PS5 and PC. | Players who want the newer adventures or a shorter route into the series. |
PlayStation’s collection pages give the included campaigns and platform details for The Nathan Drake Collection and Legacy of Thieves Collection. The Legacy of Thieves collection release does not include the multiplayer modes that appeared in the original titles.
What is the best order to play Uncharted?
For the fullest character arc: play in release order
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
This order lets you follow the development of recurring relationships and recognize callbacks as they appear. The first three campaigns are grouped in The Nathan Drake Collection; the last two are in Legacy of Thieves Collection.
Rank #3
For a newcomer who wants the newer games: start with Legacy of Thieves
You can begin with Legacy of Thieves Collection without playing the original trilogy first. PlayStation says each game has a unique narrative and is meant to stand on its own, even though the series has an evolving storyline. Naughty Dog likewise says newcomers can understand Chloe’s story by starting with the collection. You will, however, miss the earlier games and the context they provide for Nathan and his recurring relationships.
If you are choosing just one game
Choose Drake’s Fortune if you want to begin Nathan’s story at its start. Choose Legacy of Thieves Collection if your priority is a newer standalone adventure and you are comfortable starting later in the series. PlayStation’s guidance is that you may start with whichever game you prefer; the trade-off is how much earlier character context you want.
Rank #4
![UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PlayStation 5 [New Video Game] Pla](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51m3NcNgi7L._SL160_.jpg)
- UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PlayStation 5 New Video Game
PlayStation answers both which Uncharted game to play first and whether the full series is needed for Legacy of Thieves.
What should you know about the PS5 disc edition?
PlayStation Direct lists a PS5 disc edition of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. It contains the single-player stories of Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy; it is not the collection of the first three games. If you want Nathan’s story from the beginning, The Nathan Drake Collection is the companion collection, listed for PS4. Disc stock and edition availability can vary by region and change over time. See PlayStation Direct’s PS5 disc listing.
Best Value
- 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
Why does The Lost Legacy feel different?
In a 2017 PlayStation Blog interview, creative director Shaun Escayg discussed how The Lost Legacy used a more open structure and optional exploration to give Chloe and Nadine room to develop. He described the aim as letting narrative spill into gameplay, with character bonding or conflict able to affect how encounters played out. These comments concern The Lost Legacy specifically, not every game in the series. Read the 2017 PlayStation Blog interview.
Quick Recap
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