In December 2007 when I first bought my PlayStation 3, it came with an unassuming video game title called Uncharted. I initially dismissed it as just one of those bundled games that I wouldn’t bother with after one sitting. Boy was I wrong…

I was hooked from the very first minute, just one chapter in and I could already tell there was something compellingly different about it. The witty script, incredible dialogue delivery, stunning graphics and engaging gameplay worked so efficiently in tandem that the game never got dreary or formulaic. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it an Indiana Jones simulator, but with those big budget explosions and superb cinematography it gets pretty close to a Hollywood blockbuster.

Uncharted has a come long way from its less extravagant beginnings, with every sequel brining something new to the table and subsequently bigger “OH MY GOD THAT JUST HAPPENED!” moments. And every single Uncharted game has moments that we’ll fondly recall for their sheer brilliance in terms of story, gameplay or graphics - or all three!

So before we usher in what could be the best Uncharted game of the series, or maybe even one of the most memorable games in recent memory, we’re counting down the moments that made Uncharted the critical darling it is.

1. Zombie Spaniard Mutant Things!

Unchartered 1: Chapter 18 – The Bunker

What starts off as a bog-standard platforming level in a bunker quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares. Even though the first game introduced a lot of twists and boldly embraced the unusual, nothing could have prepared me for the Bunker chapter.

The level was a trigger-finger blur that involved copious amounts of screaming, shooting and cursing. And that’s exactly what made this level such a blast!

Going up against thugs and bandits is one thing, but the game turned into a completely different monster under those dim bunker lights. Running from monstrous whatever-they-were creatures in that maze-like level was a claustrophobic survival-horror extravaganza. The ominous music and eerie sound effects (and sometimes lack thereof) really set the stage from the growling echoes to the lose items clinking underfoot – no shame in admitting that I had to turn on ALL the lights at home.

2. The True Definition of Run-and-Gun.



Uncharted 2: Chapter 5 – Urban Warfare

Uncharted 2 has some extremely memorable set pieces, running from an armoured truck while shooting at it certainly ranks way up there. Most of the level consists of pretty standard action fare but it’s the initial section that amounts to a tremendous amount of fun.

A cutscene starts off the chapter without much fanfare, just Drake travelling from point A to point B, Drake conversing with Chloe with customary witty flair, Drake gets assaulted by said armoured truck Drake tries to drive away from it, Drake crashes. That’s when it gets awesome: Drake runs, Drake sprints down narrow alley while shooting at an armoured truck, *spoiler alert* Drake shoots it to kingdom come, Drake walks it off like a boss.

You know, #JustDrakeThings.

3. Tutorials Made Fun.



Uncharted 2: Chapter 1 – A Rock and a Hard Place

Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of tutorial sections. For the most part they are boring and tedious levels that almost always try to teach me how to use a controller again, and keep pulling me out of the action.

That isn’t to say they’re all like that, case in point: the gorgeous opening chapter of Uncharted 2. It is by far one of the most stunning and electrifying tutorial levels I have EVER played. We catch up with Drake bleeding out in a train that’s on the edge of a snowy mountain peak and then precariously make our way back to safer ground. The level features all the cornerstones of platforming goodness namely slips, dangerous jumps and some dizzying graphical wizardry.

It’s a testament to Naughty Dog’s level design and storytelling panache that they actually managed to make a tutorial level exciting.

4. Humble Beginnings.



Uncharted 3: Chapter 3 – Second-Story Work

Naughty Dog never really pulled back the curtain on Drake’s background. It was an open mystery, with everyone being free to come up with their own theories - until we reached this chapter in Uncharted 3. Though not a particularly exciting level, it does have some great story moments that lend the characters more depth and nuance.

It’s a treat to see Nathan Drake as a wise-cracking, risk taking teenager meeting Sully for the first time. The flashback establishes the bond between Drake and Sully, laying out the foundation of the delightful father-son rapport that we’ve come to know and love throughout the series.

5. That Time I Took Down an Army Spec’d Tank.



Uncharted 2: Chapter 2 – Cat and Mouse

The next natural progression from taking down an armoured car is obviously taking down a tank sporting a ridiculous amount of firepower. The harried cover-to-cover dashing is par for the course in an Uncharted game, as are Drake’s free flowing quips, all while a tank rumbles through the terrain blowing up everything in sight.

I particularly enjoyed Drake’s hilarious chatter during this level as he comments on the tank and its driver. It feels a lot like a boss fight in motion, spanning the entire level. It’s really rewarding when you finally do what Drake does best - blow things up. In this case, a tank.

6. Oh Ship.



Uncharted 3: Chapter 15 – Sink or Swim.

Just like the train level from Uncharted 2, this level is unique in the way that it plays with our perception of what a videogame level can be. You sneak onto the ship and notch up your personal body count even further after which the ship cargo bay explodes. Naturally, water enters the ship and it slowly makes its way to the bottom of the ocean, while the player shoots villainous thugs and races for the exit.

It’s also another example of exceptional attention to detail, the ship actually gets tossed around in real time, using software that procedurally generates waves. Platforming through the cavernous ship as it slowly capsizes is one heck of a wild ride.

7. Air Force Drake.



Uncharted 3: Chapter 17 – Stowaway

You’d think sneaking onto a cargo airplane through tight claustrophobia-inducing passages only to get caught by a massive brute doesn’t sound like fun. But trust me, you’d be wrong.

The level is a mini-melee boss fight against said brute on the open ramp of the cargo plane and then things go south pretty fast, in expected Uncharted fashion.

An exciting vertical platforming shootout section in mid-air as the plane literally disintegrates is the real highlight of this level. Most of the level actually takes place in real time, once again eschewing cutscenes in favour of letting the player dangle from the cargo hold. It’s a nerve-wracking airborne rollercoaster ride, ‘nuff said.

8. Murderous Helicopters, Marco Polo and Collapsible Buildings.



Uncharted 2: Chapter 6 – Desperate Times

There’s some pretty fun back and forth between Chloe and Drake throughout this level, including that really memorable Marco Polo Easter Egg achievement. But that isn’t the only thing this particular segment is known for.

Discuss Uncharted with anyone familiar with the series and they’ll probably bring this funky number up. You run from cover to cover taking out a small army of Lazarević’s goons while dodging a helicopter gunning for Drake’s head. This level totally defines what the series is about - fast paced, humorous, hectic and challenging but also a visual extravagance. You don’t get too many chances to really enjoy the scenery while running from a rampaging helicopter, but it’s always right there in your periphery, in rich detail.

The icing on the cake is when a building starts to come down (the furniture skates around in real time!) while people, i.e. you, continue shooting and/or punching each other! And then you go flying through a plate-glass window! Yes, it’s intense.

This level really needs to be played or at least watched because words can’t communicate the sheer awesomeness on display here.

9. Trained to Thrill



Uncharted 2 - Chapter 13 – Locomotion

We’re finally here. The winner. In my opinion, anyway.

The first time I saw this level I kept saying to myself, “Woah, I’m fighting on a moving train! Technology!” Then I actually played the level and I still kept saying to myself, “Woah, I’m fighting on a moving train! Technology!”

This level is a highlight not just from a gameplay standpoint but also from a technical one. The much touted level was so complex that Naughty Dog actually had to create proprietary technology called the “Dynamic Object Traversal System” to make it. And sure enough the painstaking work gone into this level shows, from the attention to detail to the amount of amusement derived from playing this level.

Most games at the time would normally just push this story segment into a cutscene but Naughty Dog decided to push the envelope by making it entirely playable. Even today, it’s the level that I keep going back to when I’m trying to introduce someone to the series. If that doesn’t impress them, nothing will.

10. Special Mentions:

The Uncharted series is peppered with some great moments that aren’t particularly big-budget in nature but still extremely poignant.

Like the contemplative desert scene in Uncharted 3 after the cargo plane crash lands. A level that simply exists as a respite between all the white-knuckle action, to reinforce the idea that Drake has truly and absolutely hit rock-bottom. Literature aficionados will also notice that the sequence beautifully integrates verses from T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”.

Being blown away by that U-Boat View from Uncharted 1, foreshadowing the scenic splendour that Uncharted developed with increasing skill with every succeeding sequel.

The final cutscene in Uncharted 2 manages to be both heart-warming and hilarious. It’s a very tender display of Drake and Elena’s loving relationship as they rate their fears on a scale of 1 - 10 and Drake reveals his biggest fear - clowns.



As for Uncharted 4, if these screenshots are anything to go by, Nathan Drake's adventure promises even more of such memorable moments.

Those were our favourite moments! What do you think, did we miss out on any moments that captivated your imagination?