Uncharted Has An Excellent Prequel Nobody Remembers

The Uncharted series has proven itself to not only be consistently excellent but also one of PlayStation’s greatest series, a rather impressive feat considering the competition. It makes sense, though, considering it comes from a truly talented group of developers and aims to replicate the excitement found in inarguably some of the best action movies ever made. The result of all this brilliance and talent is a level of adoration few series get, as well as a surprisingly moustache-less film adaptation.

One would assume then that all Uncharted games receive this same level of affection from fans, but that simply isn’t true. Case in point is Uncharted’s somehow overlooked and lesser-known prequel. This title largely flew under the radar, despite being a key part of one of the greatest PlayStation series of all time. It is about time this prequel gets its flowers, especially considering it’s about the only Uncharted media fans can enjoy as they continue to endure the extremely long wait for the next mainline entry.

Waiting For Uncharted 5? Don’t Sleep On This Hidden Gem

All the way back in 2011, Bend Studios, the folks behind Days Gone, released the critically acclaimed yet severely underappreciated Uncharted prequel game, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, for the PS Vita. To this very day, the game remains one of the lesser-known titles in the series, despite featuring many of the mechanics that define it, a story that fleshes out events before the first game, and the ever-charming performance of lead actor Nolan North.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss may actually be one of the best PS Vita games, despite its relative lack of console-specific features and controls. It is one of the better-looking games on the platform, and certainly feels like one of its higher-budgeted entries, in large part due to its status as a first-party title in a beloved flagship series. Frankly, if you’ve thoroughly enjoyed every other Uncharted game and somehow missed out on Golden Abyss, it is well worth going back to.

Of course, its PS Vita exclusivity is undeniably the major contributing factor to its lack of presence in the current gaming zeitgeist. Sony elected to preclude Golden Abyss from the PS4 Uncharted collection, which means that it’s still stuck on the handheld device and completely out of print. However, should you be able to get your hands on a copy, it is a pretty excellent way to spend the seemingly interminably long wait before Uncharted 5’s potential release date.

Uncharted Is Long Overdue A Return

The last standalone Uncharted release was Lost Legacy back in 2017. It has been almost a decade since Naughty Dog’s legendary series had a new entry, a fact that would perhaps be all the more devastating if it weren’t for the fact that it has also been six years since the studio’s last game was released. Nevertheless, Uncharted is more than overdue for a new entry, especially considering there’s plenty of scope for new entries.

Back in 2022, Uncharted: Lost Legacy’s creative director, Shaun Escayg, told Games Radar+ that “Uncharted is a franchise we love – that the studio loves […] It’s a world we want to see more of,” and to “never say never” in regard to future entries. Since then, there have been plenty of teases and speculation surrounding a future entry, although with Naughty Dog hard at work on the upcoming Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, it could be a long way away.

It remains to be seen if we actually get a new Uncharted game in the twilight years of the 2020s, or, indeed, at all. However, there is clearly a demand for it from fans, and, as aforementioned, plenty of room for potential stories to blossom. At the very least, those who skipped out on Uncharted’s underrated prequel, Golden Abyss, have something within this adventure-riddled world to look forward to.

Released

February 15, 2012

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

Bend Studio

Publisher(s)

Sony Computer Entertainment

Engine

Naughty Dog

Number of Players

1