The Uncharted series is one of PlayStation’s premier adventure franchises. Today, the Uncharted series is known to millions of gamers worldwide. It revolves around the adventures of treasure hunter Nathan Drake. It features ancient secrets, lost cities, chases, shootouts, puzzles, and characters who regularly find themselves in “five more minutes and everything will explode” situations.
But what if you want to explore the franchise but aren’t sure what order to play it in? Which sequence best reveals the character relationships and showcases the franchise’s development in all its glory? Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a complete list of the games in the series and created a convenient playthrough order.
How many Uncharted parts are there in total?
If you count only full-fledged story-driven adventures connected to the main universe, you get six games:
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune;
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves;
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception;
- Uncharted: Golden Abyss;
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End;
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
It’s important to note, however, that there are only four numbered titles featuring Nathan Drake. This is because Golden Abyss is a prequel, while The Lost Legacy is a standalone adventure for Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. Sony is officially including the fourth game and The Lost Legacy in a single compilation, the Legacy of Thieves Collection.
There are also additional projects, including the card-based Uncharted: Fight for Fortune for PS Vita and the mobile game Uncharted: Fortune Hunter. They aren’t required to complete the story, so they’re not necessarily included in the main route.
So, if the question is “how many parts do I need to play to get to Drake’s main story?”, the answer is simple: four. If you’d like to see two more standalone story adventures, then add Golden Abyss and The Lost Legacy to the mix.
All Uncharted games in release order
Let’s go through each game separately.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
- Year of release: 2007
The first installment in the series introduced players to Nathan Drake, an adventurer and treasure hunter who sets out in search of the legendary El Dorado. Being the first game, Drake’s Fortune is noticeably simpler than its sequels. The gunplay feels less intuitive, and some shootouts feel drawn-out.
But here we have almost everything that makes Uncharted so beloved: cinematic scenes, leaps through ruins, ancient mysteries, humor, and journeys to exotic locations.
If you’re planning your first encounter with the franchise, we don’t recommend skipping the first installment. It’s essential, first and foremost, for getting to know Drake, Elena, and Victor Sullivan.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Year of release: 2009
It was the second game that showed what a great adventure blockbuster could be and thoroughly explained what the series was really about. Drake sets out in search of the legendary Cintamani stone, and his journey takes him to Nepal and Tibet. It’s no wonder that Among Thieves remains etched in most people’s memories as the best installment in the franchise. And it’s understandable.
The game is noticeably more varied than the first one, with more large-scale scenes, more interesting locations, better gunplay, and much more attention to character relationships. And after playing Uncharted 2, you understand why Drake has become such a popular hero. He’s constantly cracking jokes, making mistakes, getting into trouble, but he’s still a person you care about.
If the first game seems a bit dated, don’t be too quick to judge. After all, it was in Among Thieves that the Uncharted formula finally came into its own.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Year of release: 2011
The third installment sends Nathan Drake on a quest to find the lost city of Ubar—the legendary Atlantis of the Sands. However, the game’s main treasure isn’t just another artifact, but the protagonist’s own story. Drake’s Deception delves much deeper into his past and his relationship with Sally. This makes the trio feel more relatable after the first two titles.
The scale of this creation is no less than the second. It features a plane, ships, a desert, trains, and many other spectacular scenes. At the same time, the plot in places places a greater emphasis on the characters.
If you’re ranking just the four numbered games, Part 3 usually ranks somewhere in the middle. It’s very good, but after the incredible Part 2 and before Drake’s finale, it’s hard to call it an absolute favorite.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
- Year of release: 2011
Golden Abyss is a special case. Released for PlayStation Vita, it takes place before the first game. Therefore, chronologically, it comes first, right before Drake’s Fortune.
But there’s a key caveat: this isn’t the best way to get started with the franchise. Why? Golden Abyss was developed as a Vita game and took advantage of the portable console’s features. For this reason, it’s harder to consider it a must-have in the series in 2026, as there’s no official modern remaster for PS4, PS5, or PC.
So, if you’re interested in the order of playthroughs rather than the academic chronology, then save Golden Abyss for later. This is one of those cases where knowing what came “before” is helpful, but playing it in that order isn’t necessary.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
- Year of release: 201
Here begins the final chapter of Nathan Drake’s story. Following the events of the third installment, the protagonist attempts to live a normal life. But the sudden appearance of his brother, Sam, brings him back to his old ways. Together, they set out in search of Henry Avery’s pirate treasure.
Uncharted 4 is significantly larger than its predecessors. The locations are more spacious, vehicles are added, movement and stealth are improved, and the famous grappling hook makes traversing levels even more spectacular. All of this only adds to the game’s appeal. It’s no wonder many call it the best installment of Nathan’s adventures. Perhaps it’s a good thing that Sony is officially calling the game Drake’s final adventure.
The fourth game’s greatest strength is its characters. The game doesn’t simply present the player with another ancient mystery; it brings the story of Nathan, Elena, and Sally to a close. That’s why A Thief’s End isn’t the first game you should play, even if you’re tempted to start with the most modern and beautiful version. Many emotional moments work precisely because gamers are already familiar with the characters and have been through many trials.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
- Year of release: 2017
This installment is notable for the fact that Nathan Drake is absent. Not at all. The Lost Legacy focuses on Chloe Frazer, who travels to India in search of the Golden Tusk of Ganesha. She is assisted by Nadine Ross, a character familiar to fans of the previous installments.
Essentially, it’s a standalone adventure built on a familiar formula: ancient ruins, shootouts, puzzles, exploration, and constant banter. Sony explicitly positions Lost Legacy as a standalone story within a collection, along with A Thief’s End.
A Thief’s End or The Lost Legacy first? If you’re faced with such a daunting question, the answer is simple: first A Thief’s End, then The Lost Legacy. This way, Drake’s story gets a proper conclusion, and then the series shows that it can exist without its protagonist.
Uncharted Games Ranked From Best to Worst
Judging all the installments in order based solely on graphics would be odd: the first game would almost inevitably lose to the fourth due to the generational difference. Therefore, it’s more important to look at the story, the direction, the characters, and how well the game plays today.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The best in technical execution and one of the strongest in character development. Huge locations, excellent production design, a good balance of gunplay, exploration, and puzzles. And most importantly, a worthy conclusion to Drake’s story. Recommended for: anyone who’s already played the first three games.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
The fourth installment’s main competitor. It was here that the series’ formula achieved a near-perfect balance between adventure, action, and story. Recommended for: Anyone who wants to understand why the series became so famous.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
An excellent adventure with strong characters and several memorable scenes. Plot-wise, it’s especially important for understanding Drake. Recommended for: those who’ve completed the first two games.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Smaller in scale, but wastes almost no time. Chloe and Nadine work well together, and India becomes a welcome change from Drake’s usual settings. It’s excellent proof that the series can work without its iconic hero. Best for: fans of the series after the fourth installment.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Today, the game feels the most dated. Its value lies more in its historical context, as it laid the foundation for the franchise. For this reason, it’s still worth playing. Recommended for: those looking to play through the entire series, as well as history buffs.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
A good portable spin-off. But in 2026, it’s not very accessible and isn’t all that important to the overall story. Best for: hardcore fans who want to see everything Drake-related.
Where to play Uncharted in 2026
The situation with platforms is quite simple, and there are several ways to progress through the series.
PS4
On PS4, you can play the first three games in Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection. It includes remasters of Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, and Drake’s Deception. Released in 2015, the collection is designed specifically for PS4.
Then you can move on to Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy, or more precisely, their PS4 versions. This is probably the most convenient option, provided that your PS4 is gathering dust somewhere on the shelf and you really don’t want to buy a new console just for one series.
PS5
On PS5, the series is most conveniently divided into two collections: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, which includes the first three games. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which includes A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy. The latter collection contains remastered versions of both games and is designed for PS5 and PC. This means you can get the entire series with just two purchases.
PC
The situation with Uncharted on PC is more complicated. The first three installments were never officially released on computers. However, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is available on the platform. It includes A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy.
The PC version features additional graphics settings, support for ultra-wide monitors and 4K, and other features designed for PC hardware. So, if you’re used to playing exclusively on a PC, you have two options: start with the Legacy of Thieves Collection and explore the later installments of the series; or use a PlayStation if you want to play the entire story from the first game.
Starting with the fourth game on PC is possible, but it’s not ideal. Yes, it’s a great game, and you’ll be pleased with its quality. If you’ve ever heard the strange word “Anchander,” know that this is how newcomers sometimes misrepresent the franchise, confusing names and titles. However, a gamer will know about as much about Drake’s past adventures as “Anchander” knows about proper museum etiquette.
What should a beginner choose?
If you’ve never played Uncharted, there’s no need to try to get to grips with the entire franchise, mobile games, and older versions at once
The optimal route is:
- PS4: The Nathan Drake Collection – Uncharted 4 – The Lost Legacy.
- PS5: The Nathan Drake Collection – Legacy of Thieves Collection.
- PC: Legacy of Thieves Collection, provided that familiarity with only the later part of the series is sufficient.
If you have access to a PlayStation and want to experience Drake’s full potential, it’s best to start with the first game. Even despite its age, it makes subsequent games emotionally stronger. For fans of high-quality storytelling, this cohesive anthology will provide dozens of hours of adventure, as the creators’ work is evident in every detail. It’s definitely not worth missing.
For most players, the optimal option looks like this:
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune;
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves;
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception;
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End;
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
This is the best route for a first encounter with the franchise. If you really want to play through everything, Golden Abyss is the best place to start. This is the correct plot chronology, as the title is considered a prequel.
But in my opinion, it’s best not to do that. The series evolved alongside the player. Drake’s Fortune introduces the characters, Among Thieves develops relationships, Drake’s Deception reveals the past, and A Thief’s End concludes. Putting a prequel ahead of all this feast would lose the impact of introducing Drake.
