Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us 2 Remastered, and it seems another game from their back catalog might be returning to the spotlight: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, the first installment in this legendary series which concluded in 2016. Despite Naughty Dog having made it clear they are moving on since their protagonist retired, Sony Interactive Entertainment appears to have different plans. As we approach the 10th anniversary without any new entries in the franchise, fairly concrete rumors suggest a return through a PS5 remake. Several sources feel confident discussing this openly due to data files that provide insights into Sony’s intentions.
Certainly, it is well known that remakes and other remastered versions often face criticism from players, especially those who voice their opinions most loudly on social media (though the reality can be different). However, it is also crucial to recognize that these graphical updates provide an easy profit opportunity for studios and publishers. This is evident in the sales performance of The Last of Us Part II’s remastered version on PS5, which was the best-selling game in France and the UK upon release and continues to rank among the top five best-selling games today. Given the lengthy development times—typically between 5 to 6 years (or even longer)—and the substantial costs associated with creating new productions, a remake can be seen as a sensible alternative. There are discussions about remaking the original Uncharted on PS5 using The Last of Us Part II’s 3D engine. This information stems from various sources, including journalist Nick Baker who works for XboxEra and other sites. Recently, these platforms gained attention for breaking news about upcoming Xbox exclusives being released on PS5 and Nintendo Switch, prompting Phil Spencer to tweet in response to quell the social media frenzy without denying Microsoft’s leaked strategies.
During the latest XboxEra podcast dated February 3, 2024, Nick Baker disclosed information about a planned remake of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. This information is based on multiple sources, and he noted that his co-host Jon Clarke also received similar details. Following this disclosure, an insider named Speclizer, known for datamining, shared files from The Last of Us Part II dating back to 2020 that contain references to Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Additionally, Speclizer was previously responsible for initial hints about the remake of the first The Last of Us, which was released in 2022 under the title The Last of Us Part I.
One can reasonably question why Sony would request a remake of the first Uncharted rather than continuing with another episode in the series, such as the second installment, which is more popular among players. There are several reasons for this decision. Firstly, if Naughty Dog has moved on from the Uncharted franchise to focus on other new licenses, it is highly likely that Sony wants to leverage a strong and dormant brand (the last release being almost 10 years ago). Additionally, there is news of a second film in the works, which highlights the advantage of having a presence across multiple media platforms to create synergies. In the upcoming movie adaptation, Tom Holland’s version of Nathan Drake has not yet encountered Elena, leaving uncertainty about whether this will occur in the sequel. This situation mirrors the first video game where these characters meet for the first time. Among all episodes in the series, the original Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is considered the most deserving of a remake.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is rumored to be planning a PS5 remake of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, the first game in the popular Uncharted series by Naughty Dog. This speculation is based on mined data files and multiple sources, including journalist Nick Baker of XboxEra. The decision may be driven by Sony’s desire to capitalize on a dormant yet strong franchise ahead of an upcoming film featuring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake. This move aligns with the trend observed in Naughty Dog’s recent remaster of The Last of Us 2 for PS5, which became a top-selling game upon release, demonstrating the profitability of graphical updates for studios and publishers. Despite criticism from some players regarding remakes and remasters, such projects offer an attractive option compared to the high costs and lengthy development periods associated with creating entirely new games.
Creating a AAA game of the caliber produced by Naughty Dog requires significant time and effort. If you have seen the documentary on The Last of Us Part II, you would understand the level of involvement from the studio members and the need for adequate time to develop their ideas. This is why Sony needs to find ways to generate revenue more quickly, and remakes and remasters serve as a practical solution. The question remains: who will be responsible for this project? Will it be Bluepoint Games or Bend Studio? Regardless, one thing is clear: Naughty Dog will not be leading the initiative…
