Unchartedfilled the void left by theTomb Raiderfranchise as it fell into a decline in the mid-2000s. The puzzles, action, and stealth inUnchartedexcited players, and it has become one of PlayStation’s most enduring franchises.Unchartedwas one of the most acclaimed series' on PlayStation, and afterUncharted 4was released, it seemed the franchise was coming to an end. However, with a new generation of consoles on the horizon, Sony may needUnchartedback.
Unchartedenticed players with some incredible puzzlesand an engaging story in 2007. From this point on, the games grew in popularity and carved out a niche that is still the benchmark of action-adventure games to this day. While the game wore itsTomb RaiderandIndiana Jonesinfluences on its sleeve, the way it balanced mechanics made it stand apart. The legacy of the series and its mechanics are still impacting the gaming market.
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Three years on fromUncharted 4, successful campaign based games are still being compared to the franchise.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Ordernot only drew comparisons to theUnchartedseries but was acclaimed for using some of the mechanics of the franchise.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Ordersold well and this shouldn’t be surprising as the campaign drivenUnchartedgames have an impressive commercial record. It is because of this pull with consumers that Sony needs another game in the franchise.
TheUnchartedseries sold over 41 million copies, outselling other PlayStation exclusive franchises such asGod of War. As an exclusive, the games generated a huge buzz with each console it was released alongside, and this was illustrated by the sheer amount of bundles that came with each game. TheUnchartedseries could provide an impressive sales boost for the console likeGod of Wardid recently for the PS4. In a 43 billion dollar industry,Unchartedis a major player. More importantly, if Naughty Dog has taught the market anything fromThe Last of Us 2, its that players are keen to see characters return even when the story seems to have ended.
TheUnchartedseries is increasingly becoming an oddity in the gaming market. The creator of the game, Amy Hennig, has claimed that experiences likeUnchartedwouldn’t be greenlit today and this is likely because of the focus on multiplayer and loot box dependent games. However, there are still many players who want campaign orientated games and this has been shown by thesales ofFallen OrderandGod of War. On top of that, theUnchartedgames have been so successful that a film is in the works.
While film and game tie-ins are rarely successful, a film based onUnchartedillustrates how immersive the narrative in the games was, how much of a cultural impact the games have had, and the financial impression the games have made. With stars likeMark Wahlberg attached to anUnchartedmovie, it is clear that the studio believes there is an audience for a screen adaptation. The characters have depth, and they have been storyboarded to work on multiple levels as both antagonists and protagonists. It will be interesting to see how a film moulds these characters, yet many will be more invested in how a new game would continue to show characterization. The characters and how players invest them is what makes theUnchartedfranchise stand out and why it has worked so well for Sony as an exclusive.
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The next generation of consoles has exclusives primed andMicrosoft has already revealed plans to releaseHalo: Infinitealongside the launch of Project Scarlett. Sony has entrusted Naughty Dog once again to make an exclusive that will compete and the result isThe Last of Us 2. While this doesn’t spark an immediate need forUncharted 5, there will undoubtedly come a time when Sony turns to a trusted franchise to boost interest in the PlayStation 5.
Whether aPS5 Pro is set for a releaseis yet to be confirmed. However, a series frequently associated with bundles could help ship units of an updated console. In this instance,Uncharted 5could greatly help Sony as it attempts to beat the sales decline that usually occurs a couple of years into the lifespan of a console. There is no doubt that the franchise has the ability to shift units, the real question is when Sony will choose to develop it.
Uncharted 4was an incredible addition to the franchise and conclusion toNathan Drake’s story, although whether it was the best game is hotly debated by fans. WhetherUncharted 5would use Nathan Drake as a central character or follow the route ofLost Legacyremains to be seen. What is for sure is that players are invested in the franchise, and the mechanics it uses are still acclaimed long after the games respective releases. However, many fans will be happy to purchase the game regardless of the context, as it is an impressive franchise and will generate plenty of income for Sony and Naughty Dog if it is released at any time.
