Naughty Dog has an array of well-received games that have been touted for their creativeness. Some prefer The Last of Us series, although most will agree that the Uncharted games have been Naughty Dog's biggest successes. One of the most recognizable elements of the franchise's core gameplay would have to be the puzzles.
While these are easy enough for the most part, there have been certain puzzles that have proven very difficult to beat. For this reason, it’s worth checking out the techniques to beat them. To that end, here are the most difficult puzzles in the Uncharted series and how to solve them.
10 The Tower - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is considered one of the best PS3 games due to the balance between puzzles and combat. Chapter 23's puzzle is difficult on the surface but is pretty straightforward. The idea here is to match the shapes in Nathan’s book with the cylinders on the walls.
Firstly, place the objects on the ground based on symbols that match the colors of the mythological creature. Once that’s done, the cylinders are exposed. Then match the color of the symbol in the book with the color of the inscriptions and turn the cylinders accordingly. A pedestal will appear from the ground, ushering you on your way out.
9 Stars Puzzle - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Nathan always has some quotes handy to voice his frustration, and this puzzle might have you making a few of your own. The hard part here comes from having to train the scope at the right angle until Nathan spots it.
In Chapter 8, when Charlie tells you, use the scope and investigate the sky. The notebook will show you the North Star, which is part of a constellation that looks like a pot with a long handle. Train the scope on the bottom star, and Nathan will confirm it.
8 Moon Puzzle - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
This can be a frustrating puzzle that suits Lara Croft more than Nathan. Regardless, the aim here is to find the right hole in which to pull the lever. The trick is to see the moon symbol on the map and match it to a slab on the floor. Then, step on it and hold the map in front of you.
Nathan will exclaim that the sketch matches, with Sully and Elena positioning themselves accordingly. Pull the lever in front of you to activate the way forward. The puzzle is a challenge because the moon symbol can be difficult to locate.
7 Zodiac Symbol - Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
This puzzle drops in suddenly during Chapter 2, right when you’re getting into the platforming. This makes it relatively difficult for one to put their thinking caps on. As it happens, Nathan arrives in Joseph Burnes’ cell, and you have to figure out which brick on the wall to push.
The trick is to fold Burnes’ letter, which reveals two symbols. Inspect the walls to find them, and you’ll see the Roman numerals “X” and “II.” Put them together to get “XII” and push the brick inscribed with this number.
6 Chateau Puzzle - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Not getting this right can make Uncharted 3 a frustratingly long game. Chapter 6 features this particularly confounding puzzle which has numerous symbols on a wall. You have to place the images of the bull, horse, eagle, and lion in the appropriate spots.
The symbols here determine where you place the animal on the wall. Two are already in Nathan’s notebook, so place the symbols accordingly. The remaining images are found in the side of the room on the walls, under which are dark plates. Once these are investigated, Nathan’s notebook will show the correct position of the remaining two animals. Repeat the previous sequence to finish the puzzle.
5 Bucket And Cross Puzzle - Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Chapter 9 sees the Drake brothers trapped in this huge room. This can be extremely difficult to crack, and usually takes several attempts to get right. Activate the lever to reveal a bucket in the contraption. Once water has been collected, Sam will place it in the wheels. Following this, the answer can be seen in Nathan’s notebook, showing the white cross to be put on the left side, and the black on the right.
Use these rotations on the dials: one turn right in dial 1; two left turns in dial 3, one right turn in dial 4; one turn left in dial 2; two right times in dial 4; two rights in dial 3, and one right in dial 1.
4 Library Puzzle - Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
This shows up in Chapter 13, when Sully is reunited with Nate and Elena. The ambiguous clues to unlock the passage in the library have contributed in no small measure to its status as a particularly difficult puzzle. The key things to note are the names of the statues in Nate’s notebook, and the direction they have to be pointed.
A compass is situated on the floor in the middle of the statues. The directions shown are where the statues need to be pointed. It’s hard to distinguish though, which causes many players to be confused with the directions.
3 Knight Puzzle - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
While it’s a minor puzzle, many are unable to interpret what Nate's notebook sketches are supposed to mean. Chapter 6 has a room with four knight statues - the intention here is to place them in the right order.
Each knight is distinguished by the weapon they carry. The solution is in the sketches, as they show which weapon each knight should be facing towards. Simply rotate them to face the correct knight and the path is opened.
2 The Wheel Chamber - Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
This is easily the most hated puzzle for Uncharted 4 players, despite the game's positive reception. Showing up in Chapter 12, Nathan arrives in a room with a wheel at the center. It’s not made clear at all what there is to do here, leading many to spam their buttons to no avail.
At the heart of it, the method to use here is to move the spheres in the tracks on the wall. They have to be rotated when they shift to the marked zones, and the designs need to be matched on the spheres over to the light that shines on them.
1 Mural Puzzle - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Easily the puzzle most want to skip in the series, this Chapter 11 puzzle may seem like it's near-impossible to figure out what to do. The technique involves using a cane in the middle of the room and deciphering Nate’s notebook to realize that the silhouette of a figure attacking another man has to be shone on the wall.
It’s simple enough to explain, as the player needs to head to the right of the chamber, judge by themselves if the likeness from the notebook to the figures is good enough, and wait for Nathan to confirm it. However, the major issue here is the fact that the positioning has to be absolutely precise, which is easier said than done.