The Uncharted Series Masterful Set Pieces Analysed - Video Essay
8The Uncharted Series is the MASTER of Set Pieces - Video Essay
Uncharted set pieces are built different
The Uncharted Series Masterful Set Pieces Analysed - Video Essay
The Uncharted series redefined what cinematic gameplay could be. But beyond the explosions and witty one-liners lies a deeper design brilliance—meticulously crafted set pieces that blend narrative, mechanics, sound, and character into pure interactive storytelling.
In this video essay, we dive into three iconic set piece styles in Uncharted:
Vehicle Chase — Chaos meets control in the heart-pounding escape of Uncharted 4’s Madagascar chase.
Collapsing Environments — From Uncharted 2's iconic train opening to Uncharted 3's sinking cruise ship, these levels collapse with you, not just around you.
Cat and Mouse — Whether you're dodging a helicopter in Desperate Times, surviving a moving train, or trapped in a tunnel with a turret, Uncharted flips the power dynamic, forcing you into survival mode.
I break down how Naughty Dog uses environmental storytelling, sound design, input tension, and character perspective to create some of gaming’s most unforgettable moments.
If you love games, design theory, or just want to revisit the magic of Uncharted, this is for you.
Drop your favorite Uncharted moment in the comments!
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Games featured
-Uncharted 1 Drake's Fortune
-Uncharted 2 Among Thieves
-Uncharted 3 Drake's Deception
-Uncharted 4 A Thief's End
#uncharted #unchartedseries