This year marks the 10th anniversary of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. It's a notable game for so many reasons, but many will simply remember it as an unbelievably strong sequel. Naughty Dog was already a highly regarded studio, but with its follow-up to Drake's Fortune, the developer cemented itself as one of the most talented in the industry. Memorable characters, breathtaking action sequences, fantastic writing, incredible presentation -- the game had it all. Subsequent Uncharted titles are still measured against this iconic release. It's truly one of the greats, but it's more than that: it's emblematic of Sony's rise to PlayStation exclusive prominence.
For the last decade, the platform holder's Worldwide Studios group has put out some of the most celebrated and influential new material in the industry. Sure, Sony had been producing some quality games prior to Uncharted 2, such as Warhawk, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, and LittleBigPlanet. The building blocks of the first party resurgence were in place. However, everything seemed to come to a head with Nathan Drake's second outing.
It's seriously impressive how Among Thieves has been followed by a train of almost constant PlayStation exclusive hits. Not every game Sony's released has been a blazing success, of course, but the company has put out at least one corker pretty much every year for the last decade. We won't bore you with a full list, but the likes of God of War III, Gran Turismo 5 and 6, Heavy Rain, Infamous 2, and of course The Last of Us saw the PS3's final years go out with style.
With a new console launch, you'd expect software to take a dip, but the momentum didn't really slow down on PS4 at all. Killzone: Shadow Fall and Infamous: Second Son entertained at launch, but it wasn't long before Sony started really swinging for the bleachers. PS4 has had an excellent track record of exclusive titles: Bloodborne, The Last Guardian, Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Days Gone are just some of them. It all seems to stem from a huge push in PS3's latter years for top tier titles only found on Sony's machines.
It's a strategy that appears to be paying off big time. Uncharted 2 raised the series' profile sky high, and suddenly, it was a sales juggernaut. It's sold in excess of 6 million copies on PS3, and further sequels are even bigger; Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is sitting at over 16 million. Other PS4 exclusives have gone on to break sales records, too.
To think that the console still has Death Stranding, The Last of Us: Part II, and Ghost of Tsushima in the wings is pretty crazy given that PS5 is sat on the horizon. The last decade has been a fantastic time for PlayStation owners, and that only looks set to continue. Uncharted 2 boosted Sony's reputation as a publisher and, whether intentionally or not, was a statement about the company's renewed vision for first party games. Here's hoping it can carry forward that momentum for another 10 years.
What do you think? Has Sony maintained a consistently high standard of games since Uncharted 2? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Comments 45
Really had to be Horizon for me. I did love Spider-Man but I didn't get the same sense of fatigue towards the final hours of Horizon and the world-building was exemplary. Then again, I still haven't played Uncharted 2 and 3 and I've heard that 2 is fantastic. 4 was great, especially finally having a game that nails the Scottish environment dead on.
Nothing will beat U2 for me. Love everything about it, even the multiplayer was great.
3 had some weird plot issues for me and 4’s lack of ‘mystical enemies’ after the tease of skeleton pirates or something in the beginning hours of the island really put a damper on it for me, still loved it tho.
Yeah Uncharted 2 was huge for PlayStation. I think that, MGS4 and Journey really heated up the PS3 when they needed it.
Yeeesh that poll question is a tough one! I went for Bloodborne but it could easily have been several of the others.
Drake's Fortune and Motorstorm were what made me get a PS3 (I likely would've got one anyway though). They've certainly put out a fantastic library over the past decade. Long may it continue hopefully
Where is Astrobot?
i love Uncharted 2, it was probably my favourite game last gen
on a side note did anyone else's copy have a issue where it crashed after the big gun fight in Chapter 25, it would get to a check point and crash, every time, luckily if you booted the game back up you was at the check point where it crashed but it was every single time, no matter how many times i re-installed it or even if i played it on a different PS3's
the only thing i can think off is that there was a problem with the disc itself
thankfully i have the Nathan Drake Collection now so it's not an issue anymore
One of the best games ever. More uncharted less fortnite and call of duty
It had to be Uncharted 2 for me. That game just blew me away at the time - a time when most people i knew had gone for a 360 - and were rightly envious there was no game quite like U2 on their platform.
I agree with the article completely. That game set Sony on a path that has cemented them as the kings of the industry for me.
After all, if there hadnt been an Uncharted 2, we wouldn't have seen a Last of Us or a rebooted God of War. I dont even think we would have seen something like Horizon.
Uncharted 2 truly sent ripples through the industry about what was technologically possible on PS3 and has guided Sony's output for the past decade making it one of the most influential titles they have ever released
That's like choosing your favourite child. But I've plumped for Last of Us as it had such a profound impact on me. I still think about bits of that game years later as I go about my day.
The incredible God of War and HZD tied for second place.
I wish I had the patience to get good enough at Bloodborne...
Uncharted games are a lot of fun and technical marvels. I've played all five home console games. But, find them a bit forgettable, like summer blockbuster action films. No. 4 got closest to nailing the emotional impact.
I cant pick a favorite....::shakes fist at nothing::
Good Job Sony.
I love them all but it's a tie Between Horizon zero dawn and Bloodborne for me!
Screw it i voted Horizon.
God of War is a very, very close second but I went with Uncharted 2. A top 3 game for me last-gen, my favorite PS3 exclusive and an easy top 20 game of all-time. It had the perfect blend of action and story, great combat for the time. Really loved the set piece moments but the character moments were also great. Nate, Sully, Elena and Chloe all were given a chance to shine and while I really liked Uncharted 1, it was definitely 2 that made me fall in love with the series.
This is why Sony have virtually won next gen.
Have a price point level or lower than the Scarlett and its a wrap.
Sequels to Spider-Man (Fave PS4 Exclusive as i am a HUUUUGE Spider-Man fan) God of War, Horizon etc and new IP that will inevitably be released on PS5 and Sony have it won.
Add in PS4 backwards compatibility for the cherry on top
Horizon Zero Dawn is my favourite exclusive and my third favourite game of this generation.
The Uncharted Collection, Uncharted 4 and Last of Us Remastered were the first games I bought when I got a PS4. Big fan of all them but UC2 is probably their best one as far as I'm concerned even though I had problems with the final boss battle. Running around, throwing bombs, trying to shoot, being mocked all the way. Bloody infuriating!
@RogerRoger
Same here. An unpopular opinion, I guess. U2 may not be my least favourite but I don't get what people see in it. Same thing with Mass Effect- everybody and their mom rave about Mass Effect 2 and I prefer ME1, despite the clunky combat. To each their own. On topic: tough choice, but I went with The Last of Us. Coming from a PC gamer at that time this game was mindblowing.
as much as i like UC2,UC4 was even better.
story telling was better,gameplay was better etc. my order is UC4,UC2,UC3,UC1
but if i have to pick a best exclusive of the decade than it's a tie between HZD,GOW,and TLOU.
Definitely Journey. That game was such a unique experience.
Would have picked The Last of Us for story, but God of War has amazing gameplay AND story.
That was a tough poll but in the end I had to go with The Last of Us above all the others. That’s in my top 3 all time as a gamer.
God of g.o.a.t of war is the best.cant forget about gravity rush.on ps3 resistance is the best fps ever.word up son
I have all these games that are on the poll and love all of them but my number 1 is The Last of Us. I do remember when I 1st played Uncharted 2 and that scene at the beginning from the hanging train cart had my heart thumping the whole time.
Horizon Zero Dawn has become my new favourite PlayStation exclusive. It's gorgeous looking, it's got great combat and has a fantastically told story. The sequel just needs more fleshed out characters.
Absolutely loved UC2 as well... I do love 4 and it's ending as well. I think it may just be that when UC2 came out I associate it with great times in my life back then so I look back with fondness.
I certainly agree with it kickstarting Sony's greatness with games.
However, I fear that with PS5 it may not be as easy, they really tried with PS4 to get fans back after the PS3 lost a few to 360- now they are back on top they may rest on their laurels. I also remember PS3 years starting with an arrogance from Sony and we've lost a few key Sony people in the last few years that the fans had good rapport with so fingers crossed...
I have to agree Sony's quality hit a new level with PS3 and it went through the roof with PS4. So many great exclusive and Uncharted 2 is one of the best and one I must re-play. I also loved "The lost legacy" I thought it was better than U4.
My favourite Playstation game has to be "The last of us" though. I never felt an emotional attachment like it before while playing a game. I'm also a big fan of the Killzone games, Everybody's golf, Gran turismo 5/6 and sport. I haven't played Horizon or Bloodborne yet but I have them in my backlog. It's a great time to be a gamer.
1.Days Gone
2.HZD
3.Until Dawn
Oh c'mon that's just too difficult. I'll just say it's a tie between TLOU, U4, HZD, BB & GOW. I loved U1 & U2 but I think U4 represents both.
Overall maybe TLOU has the edge by a point because there's no explaining how that game makes you feel. It's bitter sweet, terrifying but exciting. The whole game just leaves you feeling all kinds of way after completion. It's just a weird masterpiece!
Yeah Sony's track record since 2008 really has been astounding. They've pretty much had a game in the GOTY discussion every year since 2008 minus one or two. Some years they've had multiple like last year where God of War, Spider-Man, and Astro Bot won GOTY awards. That's insane. They've had the overall game of the year 4 times out of the past 10 years. No other publisher/developer has had more than 1 in that timeframe. And you can bet they will be in the discussion again this year with Death Stranding and next year with TLOU 2 and Ghost.
That poll was hard though as I'm fond of many of those games. Went with TLOU over God of War. Sad that The Last Guardian has 0% right now as that game is great.
Sony has been a roll for a while now from Uncharted 2 which was excellent, even with a horrible last boss but that opening is one I'll never forget and I probably still my favourite entry. It definitely took them a while to get into their stride on PS4 but had a purple patch with Uncharted 4, Horizon (my personal favourite), God of War and Spiderman with either Death Stranding or The Last of Us 2 picking up that momentum again. There have been some misses like Knack and to a lesser extent Killzone and Days Gone but overall it's been a pretty great and consistent run which hopefully will continue for some time
Great article but I would change one thing. Uncharted 1, was the one who started it all imho. A true next gen game, a true first party AAA, system seller.
Indeed, U2 perfected the recipe but U1 was the engine start for PS road roller!
Nice. That's true for the ps3 era. On ps4 that would be Bloodborne.
I voted 'Other'...
@kohiba99
I think they mean widely accepted 'Success' from all perspectives.
Oh how far from grace The Last Guardian has fallen!
I really don't get the uncharted games, yeah they look nice, but the combat is awful, the climbing was tedious, the levels were too linear, the story was bland and even the set pieces( the one on the train especially) were so frustrating. The poor combat, the often insta deaths and the crap checkpoint system made them so frustrating, when they should have been grand spectacles. Am i missing something in these games? I played through the first one, half of the 2nd one and about 2 hours of the 4th one( which did have better combat, but not by much).
Was really on the fence with my vote .... ANYTHING that can make me think twice before auto-selecting GoW has to be great. Had to go with my heart and choose Last of Us. Replaying it now (play it once every year) and I think it might just be my fave game of all time. I always liked the Uncharted stories and cutscenes BUT the wave combat felt awful to me. Horizon Zero is prob my 3rd and Spidey 4th.
God of war is my fav because it has the best combat hand to hand ever for 3rd person games
'What's your favourite PlayStation exclusive from the last decade?' That is the most DIFFICULT QUESTION EVER!!! I couldn't choose For me tho when SONY were back with the PS3 was when they showed LBP and HOME + the PS1 and PS2 days were AMAZING to
Bloodborne for me, so engaging and thrilling. I have to say uncharted 2 is my fave naughty dog game, closest thing you can get to being indianna jones. UC4 was good but I actually thought they punished going loud too much, lost legacy seemed to have the balance of stealth vs crazy maniac shooting better.
You’re all wrong.
It’s Shadow of the Colossus.
God, I absolutely LOVED Uncharted 2. 1 was good, but 2 just blew me away at the time. Just stopping and taking in the environments (the one that I remember being genuinely jaw dropping was when he climbs the stairs of the temple in the ancient city, and it's hammering down with rain and there's lightning and it was just incredible). 3 was alright, 4 was a disappointment. But | am absolutely hyped for whatever gets released on ps5, I can only imagine what is going to be created for this system throughout its lifetime.
Am I the only one that couldn't stand uncharted 4? I played the first 3 or 4 chapters, it was so boring I couldn't stand it and kept falling asleep. I really wanted to like it and it was getting scores of 10. Traded it in for Rise of the Tomb Raider and had a blast.
I knew TLOU would have had the most votes before i even voted .
@ChineseJames the combat in 4 is a huge improvement over the others and with you only playing two hours you didn’t even get to experience more than a fraction of it. The checkpoints were always well done and only set you back a min or two so I don’t get that complaint,the setpieces were amazing and never frustrating,the levels being linear isn’t bad not to mention 4 and lost legacy really opened them up and I just don’t see how anyone can feel the stories or characters are forgettable like are you serious lol.
Uncharted 2 if you ask me was the big sign that PlayStation was turning itself around after a rough start with the PS3. The turning point where it started to look more like a quality machine with games to match.
For me personally, Uncharted 2 is just a really good game, and still the high point of the series for me. One of the best openings in gaming, with simple yet refined gameplay, a great cast of characters with a memorable villain, and graphics that still look great even if it was outdone by Uncharted 3 later on. Overall, just a well made game.
@dark_knightmare2 from what I played, the combat was better, but still not as good as many other 3rd person shooters. The checkpoints were incredibly frustrating in 2, especially in the train where there were so many insta deaths, resetting your progress, it through off any momentum that sequence had. Playing through 1 and 2 the narrow level design just felt too linear and dated, I cant speak for 4 because I never played much of it. As for the story I played through 1 and half of 2 less than a year ago and I cannot remember anything that happened in the story and the only characters I remember are drake and I think sully.
Marvel's Spider-Man will always be my #1 favorite...also where is inFAMOUS: Second Son?
That was an amazing game and I'm still hoping Sucker Punch will return to the series after Ghost of Tsushima.
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