How a PS5 Uncharted Can Revamp The Series Formula

Of the numerous PlayStation-exclusive franchises, Naughty Dog's Uncharted could arguably be seen as the most popular. Heading the first-party lineup during both the PS3 and PS4 generations, and now having a feature film starring Tom Holland, the Uncharted series has enjoyed immense success since it hit the scene in 2007. That being said, the franchise has gone quiet in terms of new games, with the last major release being Uncharted: The Lost Legacy in 2017.

Uncharted on PS5 Could Have a More Open-Ended Mission Structure

For the most part, Uncharted is a linear, narrative-driven adventure series. Players are moved from set piece to set piece in structured environments. There's nothing wrong with this, but a new, next-gen Uncharted can't simply be more of the same. In Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and The Last of Us 2, Naughty Dog has shown interest in spicing up the gameplay by adding new scenarios and more open areas to explore.

While going full-on open world may feel like too much of a deviation from what Uncharted is, there are other avenues that can be explored. For one, maybe a branching storyline that gives players more freedom in how to approach missions. A main hub world could have different areas surrounding it to explore in any order, and depending on how they are tackled, it changes the overall outcome of the experience.

Furthermore, considering Uncharted follows characters in search of buried treasure, Naughty Dog could have a bit more fun with this aspect of the series. It could include a bevy of hidden trinkets ready to be discovered, and perhaps take a note from Breath of the Wild in how seamlessly the sense of discovery and wonder are woven into the passing moments of gameplay. In order for this to work, Naughty Dog may have to put story on the back burner more than usual, but considering the studio's talent, it should be able to strike a good balance.

Uncharted on PS5 Could Use Customizable Gear/Equipment

To compliment a more open-ended approach, some tweaks would need to be made to how players engage with the game. To add an extra sense of immersion and really help players feel like a treasure hunter, Naughty Dog could allow for more customization when it comes to the gear and equipment being used. This would be a breath of fresh air, and let players feel like they are the ones calling the shots as globe-trotting explorers.

Players could set a loadout before heading out into a mission, choosing items like a grappling hook, diving gear, or even a dirt bike. However, certain areas could only be accessible by using specific gear, which would bring more replayability to the experience and encourage players to come back to areas later. This could even be marked down in Nate's journal, as seen in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, with players keeping track of interesting locations that they may want to revisit later.

A new Uncharted is rumored to be in development.

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