Uncharted's Long-Awaited Return Officially Teased by Neil Druckmann
After nearly a decade of silence, the Uncharted franchise might finally be waking up! A recent teaser from Neil Druckmann suggests the saga could be making a long-awaited comeback.
It’s hard to believe there was a time when Uncharted reigned supreme on PlayStation consoles. Since the 2016 release of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, would-be adventurers have had to settle for remasters and ports to satisfy their thirst for exploration. That’s an eternity in gaming, especially for a franchise that defined a generation with its spectacular set pieces and charismatic hero. But Neil Druckmann’s recent statements might change everything, breathing new life into a series that PlayStation fans have been desperately missing.
Image credit: Naughty Dog
Neil Druckmann’s Words Rekindle the Flame
In an interview with Variety, Neil Druckmann — co-president of Naughty Dog — dropped a small bombshell: there are still ongoing discussions about Uncharted. While he remained vague about what form this return might take — a game, an adaptation, or something entirely new — just mentioning the franchise was enough to ignite the community.
“There’s more stuff happening in The Last of Us world that has not been announced,” said Neil Druckmann.
“There’s just ongoing conversations around #Uncharted, #TheLastOfUs and now #Intergalactic, as far as different adaptations or expansions.”
via @Variety pic.twitter.com/Y2Dt14mN8k — The Last of Us News (@TheLastofUsNews) September 11, 2025
These few lines were enough to reignite fan theories: some are already imagining a new entry centered on Cassie, Nathan and Elena’s daughter, while others dream of a full-on comeback for the Drake brothers — especially after the surprise trailer from last March where they appeared side by side to promote Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Naughty Dog Balances Its Flagship Projects
The studio’s current situation perfectly illustrates the challenges faced by major developers. With three major franchises on its plate, Naughty Dog has to make some critical strategic choices:
- The Last of Us continues to thrive with its hit TV series and unannounced projects
- Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet represents the studio’s bold sci-fi gamble
- Uncharted remains in limbo despite its massive legacy
It’s worth remembering that last May, Neil Druckmann officially confirmed that a new game is in development at the studio alongside the much-anticipated Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This revelation only fuels speculation about Nathan Drake’s possible return.
The Future Is Yet to Be Written
While it’s important to keep expectations in check, these statements mark a turning point in Naughty Dog’s communication about Uncharted. After years of complete silence, the fact that Neil Druckmann is publicly mentioning the franchise in the context of future projects already feels like a win for fans.
The video game industry has shown time and again that no successful franchise is ever truly gone. With the ongoing enthusiasm around Uncharted and Naughty Dog’s technical expertise sharper than ever, all the pieces seem to be in place for Nathan Drake’s triumphant comeback. The only question is when fans will finally get to set off on a new adventure with their favorite hero.
