Naughty Dog ended the Uncharted franchise perfectly in Uncharted 4 but PlayStation’s current state needs a revival. So what’s it gonna be?

uncharted 5

If you’re a fan of the Uncharted series by Naughty Dog, then you have surely asked this one question before. Should the studio and Neil Druckmann make another game? Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End had a near-perfect conclusion to Nathan Drake’s story, so the debate is not just about the if, but also the how.

A still from Naughty Dog's Uncharted 4.Uncharted is one of the most celebrated franchises in gaming. | Image Credit: Naughty Dog

The PlayStation 5 has had a lot of successful games but there has been a noticeable drop in exclusive games which means the console hasn’t sold as much. There has also been a gap in the action-adventure genre for a game like Uncharted to shine with strong adventure and story beats.

What incentive does Naughty Dog have to make a new Uncharted game?

A still from Naughty Dog's Uncharted 4.Uncharted 4 has a perfect ending, so why touch it? | Image Credit: Naughty Dog

The ending of Uncharted 4 is one of the best in the history of gaming. When the game first came out in 2016, it was praised for its emotionally satisfying conclusion. And it still is today, which is why the debate about whether we a new entry in the franchise is so fierce.

The game’s epilogue takes us to the perspective of Nate and Elena’s daughter Cassie, and it gave us a heartfelt goodbye. Cassie’s discovery of her parents’ adventurous past mirrored the players’ journey, offering one last chance to explore, reflect, and connect. Instead of a tragedy, we got a touching exploration of family and legacy.

And with everything set and done, there’s just the fact that even if there was an Uncharted 5, it couldn’t live up to the franchise’s previous success. Why? Because Naughty Dog doesn’t have Amy Hennig anymore. Amy Hennig’s influence on Uncharted is undeniable. As the creative director and writer for the first three installments, she built the foundation for Nathan Drake’s world.

Hennig eventually left the studio during the development of Uncharted 4, and the cracks were visible. Under Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley, Uncharted 4 was still a big success. However, the absence of Hennig’s hand was felt in some corners, particularly in characters like Sam Drake, whose dynamic with Nathan differed from Hennig’s original vision.

Naughty Dog has its focus set on the future

A still from Naughty Dog's Uncharted 4.The studio is making an action-adventure game in space. | Image Credit: Naughty Dog

Well, the developers at Naughty Dog are in no rush because the studio has indicated that it is “moving on” from the franchise. Co-president Neil Druckmann has previously stated in an interview that the studio feels no pressure to revisit its past projects unless there’s a big and compelling reason to.

In the current state of the industry, the PlayStation brand could benefit from Uncharted 5. Fans of PlayStation have grown up with Uncharted and a new game would be a big help to the PS5’s lineup with the kind of experience that fans want. The studio is currently working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet but fans aren’t super excited from its first trailer.

Theoretically though, if Uncharted were to return, it might be best if Nathan Drake was out of the story entirely. The studio has created and explored new characters and perspectives. Imagine a game where we explore Chloe and Nadine’s adventures or introduce a new protagonist, such as Cassie Drake, exploring her parents’ legacy.