Uncharted 5 is a highly anticipated title from Naughty Dog, but where is it? In this day and age, games take a lot of time to develop from start to release day. However, many franchises are getting sequels such as Horizon Forbidden West. Furthermore, these titles utilize the tech in the PlayStation 5. But, we have yet to see anything on the globe-trotting, shooting adventures of the Uncharted franchise.
The latest adventure, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, gave a somewhat definitive answer to what Drake’s future holds. However, a possible cause to bring him back into the fold or bring in a new protagonist like his brother Sam could justify an Uncharted 5 release. So why hasn’t Naughty Dog decided to launch the development yet? Well, there are a few potential reasons:
1. Uncharted 5 Could Be Hard to Crack Story-Wise
Naughty Dog is a studio that aims to bring conclusions to its franchises. This is something that has happened with Uncharted. After the harrowing journey to find Libertalia, Nathan and his brother Sam manage to do so. Nearly losing his life and his family in the process, Drake decides to hang up the gun holster and ring. Furthermore, he starts a family with Elena and has a daughter named Cassie. Because of this, it is hard to justify a new sequel with the character, especially after using the trope of bringing Drake out of retirement for a new adventure. It is highly doubtful to see it happen again.
Moreover, the Uncharted series centers around Nathan Drake’s adventures for treasure. But, with him out of the equation, especially with the implication at the end of the last title, it is likely he won’t return. While many players wouldn’t be opposed to seeing a new character, Drake is the heart of the franchise and with his absence, it’s hard to justify needing to continue the story in Uncharted 5.
Additionally, Naughty Dog is a studio that tends to use their workforce to be dedicated to one project. The aim of this being that they can create the best game for players to experience. Therefore, as the studio is already working on their next project, that only delays the possibility of Uncharted 5.
2. Uncharted 5 May Make Way for The Last of Us Part 3
After The Last of Us achieved higher popularity, due to the TV series, many have been curious about a third game. Neil Druckmann, the game director of the series has said that there is “one more chapter to tell in the story.” Because of this, the entire team at Naughty Dog is likely shifting focus to work on The Last of Us Part 3. Therefore, the work on this game means that any pre-production or thoughts on doing an uncharted 5 get shelved until the team is almost done or finished with making the latest post-apocalyptic story game.
As mentioned above, Naughty Dog likes to wrap up stories of some of their franchises rather than let them be open-ended. Druckmann stating what he did means they wish to wrap up The Last of Us as well. Focusing on this only further shows that the team is moving on from Uncharted.
While this does not guarantee the IP is done forever, it does for the foreseeable future. Also, the studio can aim to move its resources rather than waste them on an IP that has concluded. This allows for Naughty Dog to also begin developing a new IP to release at some point. Something that they plan to do.
3. Naughty Dog Wants to Head to Space Rather Than Uncharted 5
While many thought Naughty Dog was going to start remastering another established game, the opposite happened. While there are still many rumors, they suggest that the studio is working on a sci-fi game set in space with lots of player freedom. Furthermore, aside from The Last of Us Part 3, the team looks to develop this title as well. This happening pushes the importance of Unhcarted 5 being developed only further down the totem pole.
Naughty Dog likes to think out of the box when developing their titles. Games like Uncharted and The Last of Us prove this time and again. However, it’s hard to innovate and improve by working on the same IPs. Rather the studio would likely be “developing on cruise control,” so to speak. Using this opportunity to make this new game allows the studio to branch out and try something new. I greatly agree with this direction they want to take.
There needs to be risks in game development sometimes. While seeing a new Uncharted would be fun (as a massive fan of the series) it plays too safe if it is made. It seems like a backlog of games is in Naughty Dog’s future and Uncharted 5 is not one of them.
So, Where in the World is Uncharted 5?
Likely, we will not see an Uncharted 5 anytime soon at all, to be honest. The series’ narrative is complete, with Nathan Drake retiring. Additionally, Naughty Dog has their plates full with several projects to release both with The Last of Us and a new IP. While Uncharted is a very popular franchise and one that many wish to see, there is no reason for it to come back anytime soon. While games such as Horizon are being continued, the main thing to remember is that there is still more to tell with that adventure.
But, Uncharted concludes perfectly. Unless there is a remaster or a next-gen upgrade for them, likely, we will not see much for the series. Players hoping to get a new adventure with Nathan Drake may have to resort to marathoning the old games. While there is a possibility in the future of a series, the demand will likely have to be numerous. As a fan of the wisecracking adventurer myself, I would love a new title. But the series needs its time to rest and bask in how it ended perfectly. Furthermore, Naughty Dog sees this the same way and looks to the future to develop new stories to captivate players instead.