Uncharted reboot needs to bring back Nathan Drake

At some point in everyone’s lives, it’s time to say goodbye. It’s as inevitable as Thanos’s finger snap of doom. But that doesn't mean we have to say goodbye just yet, especially when it comes to my beloved Nathan Drake of the Uncharted series.

In 2007, despite not being a perfect game, developed by Naughty Dog, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was the ideal release to propel this new series as one of PlayStation’s most popular new properties. Quickly, fans were won over by Nathan Drake's charismatic, cocky yet charming personality.

Check out the Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End trailer below!

Uncharted would spawn three sequels (as well as a prequel, a standalone spin-off and remasters) with the last mainline entry being Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End in 2016 which was initially released on PlayStation 4 before being remastered on PC and PS5.

We’re now approaching a decade since we were treated to Uncharted 4. The way it’s looking right now is that the PlayStation 5 could be the first console not to have a new Uncharted game since its inception in 2007, which would be an absolute travesty if that came to be.

I am about to go into spoilers for the epilogue of Uncharted 4, so please consider this to be your spoiler warning.

During the epilogue of Uncharted 4, we’re introduced to Cassie Drake, the teenage daughter of Nathan and Elena, now residing in a picturesque beach home in Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico.

In this bonus chapter, playing as Cassie, you can beat her parent's Crash Bandicoot score on the OG PlayStation. Fuss the family dog, Vicky the Labrador Retriever. Take a walk around the home, and snoop in Nathan and Elena’s treasure trove of goodies that they’ve acquired over the years. We also find a letter from Sully and Sam, revealing that they’re enjoying retirement in sunny Havana, Cuba. Apparently.

It’s a calming chapter after what is a very hectic, fun and emotionally draining story campaign. But this chapter seems to have another purpose, or so we’re led to believe. It seems to indicate that a passing of the torch moment is on the way with Cassie stepping into her parent's shoes for when Nathan and Elena are truly ready to hang up their holster and camera.

Uncharted is one of my favourite video game series of all-time and Nathan Drake is one of my favourite characters, as indicated by a proud tattoo on my arm. However, even I admit that at some point Nathan Drake needs to take a back seat. After all, there are only so many stories that can be told before retreading on old ground. So it may be time for Nathan to take a step back one day, but not yet.

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Aside from Sam and perhaps Chloe Frazer, Cassie seems like the obvious choice to continue the Uncharted legacy. But it may be too soon for Cassie to take on such a huge role. Nathan Drake is a beloved character and having someone replace him will not be accepted by a large portion of fans, no matter how well written and even if it's his daughter that carries the torch.

Unless something drastic happens during this generation, I’ve reluctantly conceded that we’re not getting a new Uncharted game. Perhaps the best we can hope for is a remake of the original game. So having whatever optimism remains, despite Naughty Dog already having Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and presumably, The Last of Us Part III in the works, my chips will be betting on the PlayStation 6 to be the home of Uncharted 5.

Naughty Dog has already proven that it can entwine compelling stories with the heart-wrenching tales of Ellie and Abby being the prime example in The Last of Us Part II. I think this concept should make its way in Uncharted 5 with Cassie, now a few years older, and a battle-hardened Nathan, who may remind his daughter that he’s too old for this s**t.

No matter how the story goes or how great the game might be, it’s never going to be easy to say goodbye to Nathan. That being said, Nathan Drake needs to return in the next Uncharted, but it’s important that he passes the torch to his daughter, Cassie to continue his legacy.