The best franchises tend to be the ones with a distinct identity, and that identity is usually embodied by an extraordinary protagonist. The likes ofGod of WarandTomb Raiderwould probably be very different concepts without Kratos and Lara Croft. SinceUncharteddebuted in 2007, the series has been widely embodied by its charming, witty protagonist Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter with a tendency to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Spanning across four mainline entries and a spin-off, Nathan Drake has been the face of theUnchartedseries, and the series going on without him would’ve been unthinkable at one point. However, at this stage, it seems an increasingly likely possibility.
During the Epilogue of 2016’sUncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Nate’s story seemed to reach a natural conclusion. Gamers were given a glimpse of his life an unspecified amount of years into the future, with the weary globe-trotter having settled in an apartment on the beach with his wife Elena and their teenage daughter, Cassie. The next installment in the franchise wasUncharted: Lost Legacy, which starred Chloe Frazer, a recurring character who debuted inUncharted 2: Among Thieves, as the protagonist. This seemingly signaled an intent from developer Naughty Dog to move past Nathan Drake, but he casts a very large shadow, and the future of the franchise without him is uncertain.
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Nathan Drake’s Journey Seems to Have Reached its End
In terms of a successor to Nate, a couple of candidates are vying for the spotlight, and each of these characters could make a compelling case as to why the responsibility to carry the franchise forward should be theirs. First up isSamuel Drake, Nate’s estranged older brother, with whom he shares a complex relationship. Introduced inA Thief’s End, Sam is a character who gamers were initially extremely wary of, thanks to his untrustworthy demeanor and the fact that he seemed to be serving his own interests with little concern for collateral damage, even if that included his brother.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his motives, as the plot unravels, Sam shows a deep affection for Nate, and it is this bond that ultimately ensures the brothers survive. While Nate’s adventuring days are behind him, this is not the case for his big brother. A game that focuses on Sam’s adventures could certainly come to fruition. Whether Sam has the charisma to carry the franchise forward on withoutNathan Drake, though, is definitely up for debate.
Next, there is Chloe Frazer. Having already served as the protagonist once before, Chloe could feasibly become the franchise’s ongoing lead character.Uncharted: Lost Legacywas a fun entry in the series, and many would play a sequel with Chloe back in the driving seat. However, while the plucky adventurer packs a punch, she struggled to carve out an identity of her own, which is something that Nathan Drake excelled at from day one. Recasting Chloe as the lead character wouldn’t really feel like a huge step forward, which is arguably what the series needs at this stage.
Perhaps the boldest option for the next lead character would be Cassie Drake, Nate and Elena’s daughter. While much about Cassie is unknown, it is already made clear that she possesses her father’s adventurous spirit and knack for learning. With Nate possibly around the same age as his mentorVictor Sullivan in the firstUnchartedgame, Cassie and her father could set out on their own adventure, with Cassie at the helm under Nate’s tutelage. Keeping the family name of Drake at the front and center ofUnchartedsomehow feels like the natural thing to do. Whatever option Naughty Dog decides to take with theUnchartedseries next, Nathan Drake will be an extremely difficult protagonist to replace.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collectionis available now for PC and PS5.
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