Summary
The PlayStation 3 housed plenty of high-quality franchises and games, fromInFamoustoGod of War, andLittle Big Planet. It’s a system that started slow, but when Naughty Dog released the firstUnchartedgame in 2007, it finally managed to find its footing, and went on to stand toe-to-toe with the Xbox 360 through the rest of the generation.Nathan Drake had a big hand in its success, and his legacy has only got larger with each new entry in the now beloved series.Uncharted 5has not been confirmed, but heavy rumors have circulated for a while, giving fans of the IP something to be tentatively excited about.
The fourthUnchartedgame did well to provide a worthy conclusion to the overarching story, which was a tough feat asUncharted 3had a satisfying conclusion as well. However, should the series return for a fifth installment, it would have to pull out all the stops to adhere to the lofty heights that were achieved all those years ago. Visiting new locations would be an obvious first step to something special, and there’s one nation that Nathan Drake is yet to chart.
RELATED:Uncharted 5 and Red Dead Redemption 3 Are In the Same Boat
Japan’s History is Untapped by Uncharted
Unchartedhas taken players from cramped forests to bustling cities, and Japan has the environmental diversity tomakeUncharted 5shine. Exploring Okinawa, Hokkaido, or the islands that surround the nation could provide new places that would be perfect for a treasure hunting adventure. Not only this, but Japan’s strong culture and rich heritage would provide substance as well as style, with the developer choosing to have the protagonist decipher clues from the feudal era on the road to rediscovering a relic that has long been lost.
The setting is far from untapped in gaming. To name just a few, the likes ofGhost of Tsushima,Nioh,Trek to Yomi, andthe upcomingAssassin’s Creed: Redall lean into Japanese folklore and history in some capacity. However, for some games, the setting is largely there for presentation, and their narratives don’t dig too deep into the characters, structures, and customs of Japanese history.Unchartedis inherently linked to questions of the past, and would be in a suitable position to shine a light on some of the lesser known stories in the country.
Uncharted is a Globe-trotting Adventure
Though the carrot on the stick inUnchartedis the treasure that awaits at the end, Nate’s motivator has always been the thrill of the chase. Those adventures have led the character to some of the furthest corners of the world, from towering Himalayan mountains to the ominous streets of London, and some islands that have yet to even be named. Aside from the first game that largely takes place on island UK2642, the series never stays in one place for too long, keeping level design and story beats fresh.
That usually means that a few countries and locations will litter each new game. It’s entirely plausible thatUncharted 5could spend no small amount of time in Japan while not stepping on the toes of games likeGhost of TsushimaandPersona 5that completely submerge themselves in both historical and contemporary Japanese culture. The nation has a fascinating tale to tell, and for a treasure hunter with a penchant for the past – be it Nathan Drake, Cassie, or someone else – it could be a worthwhile trip with so much narrative and presentational potential.
