No. You can play Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End on its own. PlayStation says the series has continuity, but each game is designed as a standalone adventure. The first three games are optional context: they add history to Nathan Drake’s story, but they are not a prerequisite for following Uncharted 4.
What you need to know before starting Uncharted 4
In PlayStation’s FAQ, the publisher says players can choose whichever Uncharted game they like first: “While there is a general evolving storyline through the series, each game is meant to stand on its own and has a narrative that’s unique.” The FAQ also says players do not need to complete the series to understand the games in Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection; each is intended to be enjoyable without the others.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End | $5.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 (Renewed) | $22.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
P4 UNCHARTED THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION PS HITS | $20.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - PlayStation 4 (Certified Refurbished) | $17.58 | Buy on Amazon |
That guidance supports starting with Uncharted 4. It does not mean the series has no continuity: earlier adventures give returning characters and Nathan’s history more accumulated context. PlayStation describes Uncharted 4 as Nathan’s return to adventure after retirement, with his brother Sam resurfacing and the story testing what Nathan will sacrifice to save the people he loves. The earlier games can therefore deepen the emotional background, even though PlayStation does not identify any specific plot facts you must know beforehand.
Should you play the first three games first?
| Start with… | What you get | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Uncharted 4 | A standalone adventure you can begin without completing the previous games. | You will have less accumulated history with Nathan and the series’ returning characters. |
| The first three, then Uncharted 4 | More background to Nathan’s journey and a fuller character arc. | You are taking on three full campaigns before reaching Uncharted 4; no specific playtime comparison is established here. |
If you are mainly eager to play A Thief’s End, start it now. If character history and seeing Nathan’s journey build over time matter more to you than getting there quickly, the earlier games are a worthwhile optional lead-in.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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
What order should you play the Uncharted games in?
For the main Nathan Drake storyline, play the games in release order:
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The Nathan Drake Collection bundles the single-player campaigns of the first three games. PlayStation identifies it as a PS4 collection. Check current compatibility and availability for your platform and region before choosing it; the collection is not required to play Uncharted 4.
Rank #2
- 1080p
- Dolby 7.1
- Remote Play
- PS4 Pro enhanced
- Subtitle languages: Gr, EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, DK, PT, NL, fi, no, SE, RU, PL, CZ, TR
Do you need to play The Lost Legacy before Uncharted 4?
No. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is not one of the three earlier Nathan Drake games in the release-order sequence above, and it is not a prerequisite for Uncharted 4. PlayStation’s FAQ describes the series’ games as standalone adventures; it does not provide a detailed newcomer’s guide to every character reference, so any extra familiarity should be treated as optional context rather than required plot knowledge.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- 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
Rank #3
- 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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
