Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a standalone adventure set in the world of the Uncharted series, in which Chloe Frazer takes the lead role for the first time, alongside Nadine Ross. The pair head into India's Western Ghats in search of a legendary artifact and must stay ahead of a ruthless local militia leader. The gameplay sticks to the tried-and-tested combination of climbing rock faces, cover-based shootouts, stealth takedowns of enemies, and the occasional puzzle, but this time players are given far more freedom. A sprawling chapter with an open valley offers off-road driving, optional tombs, and several paths to the same goal, a step toward a semi-open world previously unseen in the series.

Technically the game builds on the engine of the fourth installment, and on PlayStation 4 it ranked among the best-looking things the console could handle. Lush vegetation, dusty stone temples, and the detailed animation of both heroines still hold up very well even now, and on PlayStation 4 Pro it also gained higher resolution and smoother performance. The atmosphere is carried mainly by the relationship between two women who initially distrust each other and gradually find their way to one another; the dialogue during the car rides ranks among the best moments in the entire series. The music combines Indian instruments with an orchestral score, lending the expedition an exotic touch without slipping into cheap cliché.

Reception at the time was very favorable; critics praised the fact that what was originally intended as a piece of DLC turned into a full-fledged game, and that Naughty Dog managed to move the series forward even without Nathan Drake. Some critics also pointed out that it was a familiar formula in new clothing. Its influence on the genre lies mainly in how convincingly it showed that supporting characters can carry their own story and need not remain mere companions. Today it's the ideal entry point for newcomers: it's shorter, tighter, and requires no knowledge of the previous installments, yet it still delivers everything Uncharted became famous for, from collapsed temples to a spectacular escape from a rolling boulder.