THIS Is The Perfect Setting For Uncharted 5

Jerusalem In The 21st Century

There’s no escaping the hard truth that political tensions are deeply rooted in the city, as it lies between Israel and the Palestine-controlled West Bank. The decades-long conflict has never been far from international news, and though the updates are almost never uplifting, taking Uncharted to such a hostile location is a great opportunity to tell a more substantial tale.

Games like This War of Mine and the exceptional Valiant Hearts prove that global conflict can not only provide so much complexity and depth to the locations on the show but also can be handled in a tasteful way. Naughty Dog has never used a tough political climate to elevate the narrative potential of their stories, and flexing their storytelling muscle by plonking the characters into such a volatile place could distance the series from the somewhat formulaic Indiana Jones-esque adventures they’re known for.

For the first time in years, Naughty Dog has some breathing space, having the freedom to return to previous works for future projects or create something entirely new. Their dedication to linearity and storytelling ensures that they will continue to create great games, and while a new series seems the likely path for the developer, the return of their most beloved franchise is never off the table. Should they decide to revisit the Drakes (in any capacity) the world is their oyster, but Jerusalem undoubtedly provides an immediately compelling location with a whole host of intriguing characters and angles to follow.

It’s always said that greatness comes from small beginnings, well this beginning is as great as it gets.