The Uncharted franchise may be lying dormant, but it seems likely that it will return in some form in the future given its massive commercial and critical success. The last full entry in the series released seven years ago, and that game shook up the franchise quite a bit, so the next Uncharted game could look very different. There are a number of changes that the series' fifth mainline entry could make, but there is one key franchise staple that it will need to either keep or cut.

There is a formula that can be observed in the first three Uncharted games. Nathan Drake fills the role of a typical action hero in the vein of Indiana Jones, flying by the seat of his pants and having just enough confidence, luck, and skill to handle the multitude of dangerous situations he finds himself embroiled in. These stories feature betrayals, romance, and historical intrigue, all carried by the wit and charisma of Drake and the other leading cast members. Uncharted 4 deviated from this formula in some ways, and the rumored upcoming Uncharted game will need to either continue the series' tradition or continue to carve a new path; there is one third-act trend that will define which route the game takes.

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The Next Uncharted Will Have Make a Decision About Supernatural Elements

Aside from the charm, wit, and thrills of their blockbuster-style stories, the first three Uncharted games were characterized by their sharp turns into the fantastical. This change would often be dramatic and sudden, occurring in the final leg of the story, so many players were likely expecting Uncharted 4 to pull a similar narrative move. However, this was not the case, and Uncharted 4 kept its third act comparatively grounded in reality.

Assuming that the next Uncharted isn't a reboot or remake and is instead a new chapter in the over-arching story, it will be uniquely positioned to cement the legacy of this storytelling trend. If the next game returns to the late-story fantasy twists of the first three games, then Uncharted 4 will be viewed as an outlier, the exception rather than the new standard. Alternatively, if the next game follows Uncharted 4's lead and keeps things grounded, then it will reinforce the idea that the franchise has moved on from its supernatural roots. The former direction could please players who preferred the original games, while the latter could be preferable for fans of the more mature storytelling of Uncharted 4.

While there are merits to both options, the decision will shape the future of the franchise. Uncharted 5 could feature a new protagonist, a new central conflict, and new gameplay mechanics, thus making it a significant departure in a number of other ways. In light of this, Naughty Dog may want to preserve some of the original trilogy's identity by featuring, or at least referencing, those games' fantasy elements. Then again, Uncharted 4 has often been praised as having the strongest stand-alone story in the series, as it centers on mature and nuanced themes as much as its swashbuckling adventure staples. If Naughty Dog wants to maintain and develop the series' mature identity, it might be best to leave the supernatural plots in the past.

For better or worse, recent Naughty Dog games have followed a pattern of dark, adult themes that are far removed from the witty, tongue-and-cheek personality of the Jak and Daxter or early Uncharted titles. Many players have resonated with these themes, but others may wish for a return to the developer's more lighthearted style of storytelling. The next Uncharted game may be able to strike the perfect balance between these two approaches, but how it handles realism will undoubtedly influence its character and tone.

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