Games like Uncharted promise a sense of adventure, with a variety of experiences set across all manner of settings that capture the action or feel of Naught Dog's iconic series.
As we said in our Uncharted 4 review, the last entry in Nathan Drake's journey delivered satisfying exploration and combat, and in our Uncharted: The Lost Legacy review, we fell in love with the engrossing storyline. The series really has been home to some fantastic entries, and no matter which Uncharted game tops it for you, there are some great alternatives to tuck into if you're looking for more.
Tomb Raider (2013)
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC
The most common parallel that’s unavoidable to make when you’re talking about Uncharted is Tomb Raider. Both franchises cover similar ground: action-packed, treasure hunting, climbing, puzzle-solving, and getting caught up in outlandish events based on ancient legends. Tomb Raider is like the older sister of Uncharted, and the classic series got a reboot in 2013 that kicked off a new set of adventures with everyone’s favorite Tomb raiding, butt-kicking archaeologist. As the first game in the rebooted series, Tomb Raiders sees a young Lara venture out aboard a ship to find the lost kingdom of Yamatai. When the ship gets caught up in a storm, Lara finds herself alone on an island where she has to fight for her life against the cultist inhabitants known as the Solarii brotherhood. The combat is very similar to Uncharted, and lots of elements will feel very familiar to you. You can approach the fights by opting for a stealthy route, or going in guns blazing, and there are also hunting, crafting, and a new skill tree which lets you become better equipped for certain fighting styles. Exploring hidden tombs and working your way through its puzzles is still one of the best parts about the experience.
Horizon Forbidden West
Developer: Guerilla Games
Platforms: PS4, PS5
It's new, it's gorgeous, it's more Aloy. In Horizon Forbidden West (the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn), you step back into the boots of Aloy, a young woman living in a post-apocalyptic world filled with robotic prehistoric creatures. Explore an even bigger world than in the original, with incredibly impressive visuals thanks to the impressive power of the PS5. RPG mechanics and rock-solid combat will have you barreling through Horizon Forbidden West - this game will gladly rob you of your free time, and you won't be all that mad about it, either.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Developer: Ubisoft
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC
Edward Kenway and Nathan Drake have a few things in common, and the big one is namely treasure. Yes, this swashing buckling Assassins Creed adventure takes place in vast open-world setting in the Caribbean during the 18th century. In Assassin's Creed 4, Kenway has made a name for himself as a pirate and master assassin on the salty sea shores of the various islands. Alongside the infamous Blackbeard, Kenway commands the Jackdaw ship who gets caught up in a conspiracy between the templars and the British Empire. With lots of boat-based combat, endless opportunities for exploration, and plenty of climbing assassinating action, many regard Black Flag as being one of the strongest entries in the franchise. And I mean who doesn’t want to be a pirate? Avast ye mateys, it’s time to do what we do best: hunt for treasure. Drake would be so proud.
The Last of Us 2
Naughty Dog, the studio that brought us the Uncharted series, is also behind the masterful story-driven, zombie infested adventure, The Last of Us and its sequel, The Last of Us 2. If you're looking for a game that will deliver gut punch after gut punch and action that will have you wincing in pain along with every hit, then this series is for you. This isn't for the faint hearted, and is much darker than the Uncharted games, but it has all the character development and set pieces you'd expect from a Naughty Dog title. Expect to rage and cry alongside Ellie, Joel, and newcomers Abby and Dina. The Last of Us 2 will stay with you long after you've beaten it.
God of War
Developer: Sony Santa Monica
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
Santa Moncia studios reunited us with a new kind of God of War experience that brought a new dimension to Kratos thanks to focus on forming a relationship with his son Atreus and trying to move away from his past. The stellar storytelling, gloriously beautiful landscapes and fluid combat cement God of War as a must play title, and fans of Uncharted will no doubt appreciate its narrative approach and attention to detail. The characters are truly at its heart, and you’ll find yourself invested in the relationship between the mighty bearded axe-wielding dad and his son. With figures from legend and mythological creatures, you’ll set out on a journey through the ancient realm of Midgard. Throughout there are also lots of points where you’ll have to solve puzzles and do a spot of climbing to get to the next area. This is one you shouldn’t sit on.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Developer: Machine Games
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
If you're looking for adventure of the whip-cracking kind, then look no further than Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Parallels have been made between Nathan Drake and Indiana Jones for a long time, and there's good reason for that. Both are charismatic adventurers who put their know-how to the test to solve puzzles, and the brawns to good use taking down foes. So if you're looking for something new to jump into, get ready to put on the iconic fedora and venture through Machine's action-packed gem.
Assassin's Creed Origins
Developer: Ubisoft
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC
Okay, so we’ve included another Assassin’s Creed game in this list, but with good reason. Assassin's Creed Origins catapulted the series into a bigger open-world environment than ever before in the sandy climbs of Egypt, and any Uncharted oficiando is sure to enjoy solving it’s many puzzles and finding treasure hidden around the beautiful setting with its glittering tombs. You play as Bayak, a Medjay who is tasked with protecting the ruler of Egypt. When things take a turn for the worse, Bayak exiles himself and sets out on stealthy adventure to unravel mysteries and pursue tracking down masked cultist to exact his revenge. With other great characters in the line up such as Bayak’s secret agent wife Aya. With gorgeous scenery, an endless amount of things to do, and an engaging story, this is a great way to occupy your time.
Prince of Persia
Developer: Ubisoft
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
As the oldest game on our list, Prince of Persia first released back in 2008, but it still holds up very well to this day thanks to its appealing cell-shaded art style and pretty backdrop. Ubisoft brought the prince back to life with an updated story which originally landed on the PS3 and Xbox 360. When the evil ancient god Ahriman is accidentally set free after being sealed inside the Tree of Life, corruption begins to spread throughout the lands. The prince sets out on a journey to heal the fertile grounds in the kingdom and rid Persia of corruption once and for all with the help of princess Elika. With lots of acrobatics including wall climbing, jumping, there are also plenty of puzzles to solve and areas to traverse. You’ll feel right at home in the likeable prince’s shoes - especially since he has a very good sense of humor. He’s the kind of guy we can imagine Nathan Drake would happily hang out with. And wait, he even sounds like Nathan! Yep. Nolan North is the voice of the prince, too.
Far Cry 4
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
If you’re after more adventures in an exotic location where lots of people shoot at you, you can’t go wrong with Far Cry 4. While it’s storytelling isn’t as strong as the Uncharted series, the sheer scope of the world you can explore still makes it worth your while. And if you loved driving a jeep around in Uncharted, you’ll have ample opportunity to zoom around the vast landscapes of the Kyrat. Played out in first-person, you take on the role of Ajay Ghale who returns to his homeland to spread his mother’s ashes. But Ajay finds Kyrat has become divided by a civil war, and gets caught up in the action between the Royal army and a group of Rebels knowns as the Golden Path who hope to reclaim the land from the rule of the game’s antagonist, Pagan Min.
Just Cause 4
Developer: Square Enix
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC
Thanks to all its absurd action and over the top antics, Just Cause 4 from Avalanche Studios offers a fun ride of mayhem and chaos. Uncharted’s characters are so likeable, and part of this is how they react to rather outlandish situations. If you’re being shot at by a lot of people as you pursue a legend that may or may not lead you to bountiful treasures, you can’t be serious all the time after all. If you love the tone and action of Uncharted, Just Cause 4 takes it to the next - albeit more outlandish and goofy - level, with a protagonist called Rico who looks like Nathan Drake’s long lost twin. Both Rico and Nathan certainly go up against a lot of enemies during their adventures, but since Rico is a trained soldier, he has a lot more up his sleeve. Armed with a grappling hook just like Drake in Uncharted 4, as well as an endless supply of over the top weapons at his disposal, Rico can tackle an endless number of foes in a whole array of explosive and destructive ways. Oh, and you'll be up against a villain who can control the weather, so you better be prepared for some tornadoes to crash the action-packed party.
For even more action, check out our list of games like The Witcher 3.
