Jesper Berg 
Sony’s decision to start re-releasing former PlayStation exclusives on PC has been a most welcome one. I’ve been through most of those released so far, including the two Spider-Man games, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and of course Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. This collection includes the two titles Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
Both were major hits from Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series and they play even better on a PC with a mid-range or higher GPU and the settings maxed out. The main downside is that they eventually end, and at that point, there’s not much replay value to speak of. Although superb the first time around, the narratives are fairly linear and the puzzles are obviously less of a challenge on a second playthrough.
So, what to play next if you want a similar experience?
Key Features of PC Games Like Uncharted
As things stand in 2023, finding other PC games that can compete with Uncharted is a challenge. There are few games that offer the same rather unique combination of these parts:
- A cinematic storyline, with well-developed characters and immersive environments, are things that define the Uncharted games.
- Exploration and puzzle-solving are other key components. In the case of Uncharted, it also happens to weave perfectly into the narrative.
- AAA-quality fighting sequences are also present in A Thief’s End and The Lost Legacy.
With these features in mind, this rather short list of PC games like Uncharted may be worth looking into.
1–3. Tomb Raider Series (Reboot)
If there’s one particular series of games that can compete with Uncharted in terms of narrative, puzzle-solving, and action-adventure gameplay, it would be the rebooted Tomb Raider series starting in 2013.
1. Tomb Raider (2013)
The 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider follows the iconic Lara Croft on her first big adventure in the new story arc. It features an engaging story, plenty of exploration and puzzle-solving as well as RPG elements. The gameplay will keep you interested as a fan of Uncharted for PC. Being from 2013, the system requirements are very modest and the game should run well with any entry-level graphics card. And for a 10-year-old game, it still manages to look good.
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016)
The sequel to the 2013 game, Rise of the Tomb Raider, continues Lara Croft’s journey as she searches for the lost city of Kitezh. Along with improved graphics, this installment also introduces a crafting system and a more extensive skill tree, allowing players to customize Lara’s abilities to their liking.
3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the third and final installment in the rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy. In this game, Lara Croft must race against time to stop the Mayan apocalypse while exploring stunning environments, solving intricate puzzles, and engaging in intense combat. The game also introduces new stealth mechanics, allowing players to approach combat scenarios in a more tactical manner.
Links: Steam, Epic Games
4. The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part I is another former PlayStation exclusive by Naughty Dog that has made it to PC (and also to HBO). Unfortunately, the launch was a disaster and the game still has performance issues on PC at the time of writing.
We know for a fact that the game itself is great, so eventually, it will be worth picking up by any Uncharted or Naughty Dog fan. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game follows Joel and Ellie as they navigate through a dangerous and emotional journey. With its deep narrative, unforgettable characters, and impressive gameplay, The Last of Us Part I has been praised as one of the best games ever made.
Unfortunately, the demanding nature and poor optimization of the PC version means that you need a GPU like the RTX 4090 or RX 7900 XTX to have it run well at 4K.
Links: Steam, Epic Games
5. God of War
On the surface, God of War hardly looks similar to Uncharted – other than being yet another former PlayStation exclusive that is now available to PC gamers. Apart from the mythological backdrop, however, the games actually have a lot in common. There’s plenty of exploration and puzzles, but a stronger focus on combat.
The game follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior turned god, on a harrowing journey through a world inspired by Norse mythology. With its stunning visuals, engaging story, and thrilling combat, God of War offers an immersive gaming experience that many Uncharted fans should appreciate.
Links: Steam, Epic Games
6. Prince of Persia (2008)
The 2008 release of Prince of Persia offers a blend of platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving that, although not exactly like Uncharted for PC, has many elements that could appeal to genre enthusiasts.
Set in an enchanting world inspired by Persian mythology, players take on the role of the Prince as he embarks on a journey to save the land from a dark force. With fluid gameplay, a captivating storyline, and a unique art style, Prince of Persia is a good entry point into the series (most of which are now available on PC).
7. A Plague Tale: Innocence
If a strong narrative, well-developed characters, and immersive environments are high on your list of priorities, you should probably consider adding A Plague Tale: Innocence to your library. It offers a unique gaming experience featuring stealth and puzzle-solving elements, adding variety to the gameplay that will keep you hooked.
The game is set in the medieval era and follows siblings Amicia and Hugo as they navigate a world plagued by war and disease.
Links: GOG, Steam, Epic Games
8. Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game that follows young Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis as he seeks to restore the Jedi Order. With its blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, Jedi: Fallen Order offers an engaging experience that could appeal to fans of the Uncharted series (and fans of Star Wars, obviously).
Links: Steam, Epic Games
9. Control
Control is a third-person action-adventure game that follows Jesse Faden as she investigates the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control. With a rather unique blend of supernatural abilities, exploration, and combat, Control offers a fresh gaming experience with some similarities to Uncharted.
The PC version is also a good place to put your graphics card’s ray-tracing capabilities to work, as it is one of the best games to showcase the technology.
Links: GOG, Steam, Epic Games
10. Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is an action-packed third-person shooter that follows the titular character as he navigates a dangerous and corrupt world. Things that could make it appeal to fans of Uncharted for PC include a strong focus on narrative and well-developed characters.
Like previous games in the series, Max Payne 3 also features a bullet-time mechanic, allowing players to slow down time during combat to gain an advantage over enemies.
11. Horizon: Zero Dawn
Originally released as a PlayStation exclusive, Horizon: Zero Dawn is now available on PC offering an expansive open-world experience with exploration, combat, and a rich narrative. Players take on the role of Aloy, a skilled hunter in a world overrun by robotic creatures, as she uncovers the truth about her past and the world she inhabits. The game’s successor, Horizon: Forbidden West, will also arrive on PC in 2024.
While it’s quite different from Uncharted in some areas, especially in terms of combat and (non-)linearity, it shares breathtaking visuals, engaging gameplay, and an excellent story.
Links: GOG, Steam, Epic Games
Wrapping Up
There aren’t a whole lot of games like Uncharted for PC gamers. It is a rather unique series of games with a combination of cinematic narrative, puzzles, and action-adventure mechanics. A few come close, however, with the Tomb Raider series topping the list for a reason. Incidentally, other former PlayStation exclusives for the PC also come close to offering a similar experience – especially The Last of Us Part I but also God of War.
Don’t hesitate to share your opinions in the comments if you think a game is missing from this list.
There aren’t a lot of games like Uncharted but some of these are worth playing if you like the style. I don’t agree with Max Payne though, that’s more of a straight up action title.