Is It Worth Playing Uncharted 4: A Thief's End in 2026?

Quite a while has passed since the fourth Uncharted came out. In that time, the series hasn't gotten any new numbered entries — fans only got the spin-off The Lost Legacy and a handful of re-releases. In this piece, I'll revisit Nathan Drake's final adventure, look at its strengths and weaknesses, and figure out just how well the game holds up today.

Judging by our article on 53 best action-adventure games on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch, the genre is going through a great stretch right now. The list has recently grown with quality projects based on film licenses, like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and 007: First Light, both of which actually turned out better than the most recent Indy and Bond movies. Some of them even borrowed elements straight from Uncharted. But that was imitation, not evolution of the ideas. Nobody has managed to beat Naughty Dog on its own turf yet.

So, what undeniable strengths does Uncharted 4: A Thief's End actually have?

Naughty Dog juggles genres deftly, weaving together gunfights, stealth, high-speed chases, cliff climbing, and puzzles. And more often than not, it's up to the player whether to go stealthy or dive straight into a firefight. Previous entries had something similar, but in Thief's End, every single element of gameplay is noticeably refined. Among the new additions, it's worth mentioning the ability to drive vehicles.

In terms of sheer variety, the game remains unmatched to this day. The only one to come close is IO Interactive's James Bond action game 007: First Light, which also delights with its blend of different genres.

With the Uncharted series, the developers managed to bottle the spirit of the best adventure films — the early Indiana Jones movies, or The Mummy with Brendan Fraser in the lead. The game gets us in the right mood even during the buildup to a new adventurous journey, and once things actually kick off, it never disappoints — instead, it delivers plenty of unexpected moments. For instance, the characters might stumble across an unusual location — a lost pirate city, or an actual graveyard of enormous ships (further reading: 31 best pirate games on PC and consoles). In moments like these, you genuinely feel like you're brushing up against something mysterious and unexplored. Exactly the way you would in those iconic films.

A Thief's End's story is written at the level of the best adventure films too. It revolves around the search for Libertalia, a pirate colony where, according to legend, an untold fortune lies hidden. Besides Drake and his friends, other treasure hunters are also chasing after that fortune, hoping to strike it rich. Alongside all this, the story gradually reveals details about a pirate conspiracy, the conflict between its members, and their tragic downfall.

The characters, both male and female, deserve a special mention. We see how much Drake has changed — he looks back on his past adventures with nostalgia, but has decided to leave that life behind. His wife, Elena, in particular pushed him toward that decision, since she wants a peaceful life with her family. But then Nathan's brother, who suddenly shows up out of nowhere, proposes one more job. It carries that same spirit of adventure, and he convinces Nathan to come along. Naturally, this creates a conflict of interest that's genuinely compelling to watch unfold. Alongside familiar faces like Sully, new, colorful characters show up too, like the charismatic mercenary Nadine Ross. If you're into a strong script, check out our list of best story-heavy indie games: unforgettable narratives you can't put down.

But the fourth Uncharted's key strength isn't any single component — it's how skillfully all the pieces fit together. Beautiful, unusual set pieces, well-written dialogue, story twists, and engaging gameplay all combine to create the main thing: the feeling that you're playing a genuinely high-quality adventure action game. Your interest in what happens next holds all the way to the finale, the shootouts and chases never wear you down, and the characters are ones you genuinely want to root for. As a result, the 10-12 hours it takes to fully complete the game fly by in a flash.

So if you missed Uncharted 4 back in the day and are wondering whether it's worth playing today — my answer is: it's absolutely worth your time. A decade later, the game hasn't aged a bit and holds up wonderfully even now. But there's one thing worth mentioning.

If you look at A Thief's End as a part of the Uncharted series or as an adventure game in general, everything's in order. But anyone who decides to compare it to The Last of Us might come away disappointed. Next to Joel and Ellie's story, Nathan's final adventure lacks depth. There's no hidden layer to the story, no extra meaning that makes you stop and think. And the gameplay is noticeably simpler too. Then again, that might have been exactly what the developers were going for — preserving the spirit of a light-hearted adventure, in the same vein as the first three Drake games.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is an adventure that hasn't lost any of its appeal over the years. If you've never played this game, or want to relive Nathan Drake's story all over again, now's a great moment to set off on this gaming journey. Uncharted 4 is available on current platforms in upgraded versions with high-resolution support and higher frame rates. Thanks to that, even in 2026, the game feels fresh and technically current, making it a genuine pleasure to play today — it remains as relevant as ever.

And if finishing Uncharted 4 leaves you craving even more adventure, check out Nathan Drake's earlier stories and the spin-off The Lost Legacy, centered on Nadine Ross and Chloe Frazer. Anyone who loves travel and a spirit of adventure should also check out our list of 120 best adventure games on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.