Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception – Is it a Prequel? Debunking the Myth
No, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is not a prequel. It’s a direct sequel to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and the third installment in the main Uncharted video game series developed by Naughty Dog. The game’s narrative unfolds two years after the events of Uncharted 2, continuing the adventures of Nathan Drake and Victor “Sully” Sullivan as they embark on a perilous quest to find the lost city of Iram of the Pillars. The idea that it could be a prequel is simply incorrect.
Understanding the Uncharted Timeline
The Uncharted series has a well-defined chronological order. Understanding this order is critical to understanding why Uncharted 3 is definitively not a prequel. The narrative progression of the main series unfolds as follows:
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Each game builds upon the relationships, experiences, and character development established in the previous entries. Uncharted 3 leans heavily on the dynamic between Nathan Drake and Sully, which is significantly explored in flashbacks but firmly rooted in the experiences they shared in the preceding games.
Uncharted 3’s Narrative Context
Uncharted 3’s story hinges on events that occur after Uncharted 2. For example, Nate and Elena’s relationship is shown to have evolved considerably. References are made to past adventures, particularly those of the second game, showing that the characters remember and are affected by their previous experiences. This would be impossible in a prequel.
Moreover, a significant portion of Uncharted 3 delves into Nathan Drake’s past, showing his first meeting with Sully. While these are flashback sequences, they exist within the timeline established by the present-day events of the game, not before.
The Uncharted Movie: A Source of Confusion
A potential source of confusion comes from the Uncharted movie starring Tom Holland. The movie is designed as an origin story for Nathan Drake and his relationship with Sully, acting as a prequel to the events of the video game series. However, this is a distinction specific to the movie’s narrative and shouldn’t be confused with the video game series chronology.
Flashbacks vs. Prequels
It’s essential to differentiate between flashbacks and prequels. Uncharted 3 uses flashbacks to enrich Nathan Drake’s character, but these segments serve to enhance understanding of events in the existing timeline. A prequel tells a separate story that happens entirely before the main narrative.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Several misconceptions contribute to the incorrect notion of Uncharted 3 as a prequel. These include:
- Focus on Nate’s Origin: Some might misinterpret the game’s inclusion of Nathan Drake’s early years as a signal that it takes place before the other games. This is simply not the case; it’s an exploration of Drake’s past integrated within the main story.
- Emphasis on the Drake-Sully Relationship: Seeing how Nate and Sully met could lead some to assume the game is setting up their relationship from scratch. But the game is actually enriching a relationship that has been already established.
- The Prequel Movie: As mentioned before, the Uncharted movie acts as a prequel and may lead to confusion if people assume that the movie is a direct adaptation of the games.
To further clarify, let’s address some frequently asked questions:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. In what order should I play the Uncharted games to understand the story?
The best order is chronological by release: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, and then Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. You could also play Uncharted: Golden Abyss first because it happened before Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.
2. Is the Uncharted movie based on Uncharted 3?
No, the Uncharted movie takes inspiration from several games but primarily functions as an origin story, depicting how Nathan Drake and Sully first meet.
3. Does Uncharted 3 rely on the story from Uncharted 2?
Yes, Uncharted 3 is a direct sequel to Uncharted 2. Events and character relationships from the previous game influence the narrative and character dynamics in Uncharted 3.
4. What happened between Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3?
Between Uncharted 2 and 3, Nate and Elena were seemingly married. This is indicated when Nate states that she is still wearing her ring and Elena answers that it helps in this kind of country to keep unwanted admirers away, though she is wearing it because she still loves him.
5. Where does the beginning of Uncharted 3 take place?
The beginning of Uncharted 3 takes place in London, where Nathan Drake and Sully meet with Talbot to discuss Nate’s ring.
6. What is the original plot of Uncharted 3?
The single-player story follows Nathan Drake and his mentor Victor Sullivan as they search for the legendary lost city of Iram of the Pillars while battling a secret society led by Sullivan’s former employer, Katherine Marlowe.
7. Why wasn’t Sam present in Uncharted 3?
Sam’s absence stems from his and Nathan’s childhood as orphans, navigating life in and out of institutions and prisons. His story wasn’t relevant until the plot of Uncharted 4.
8. Is Sam still alive in Uncharted 2?
Yes, Sam survives the events of Uncharted 2, although Nathan believes him to be dead at the time. He is later revealed to be alive in Uncharted 4.
9. Are all Uncharted games connected?
While each game offers a standalone adventure, the Uncharted games benefit from being played in order to appreciate the evolving character arcs and recurring themes.
10. Is a sequel to the Uncharted movie confirmed?
While not officially confirmed, there is strong indication that Uncharted 2 is being planned. The first movie was intended to be the start of a franchise.
11. How is Uncharted 3 connected to Uncharted 4?
Uncharted 3 sets the stage for Uncharted 4 by establishing Nathan Drake’s character and motivations further, although the main connection is the appearance of Sam in Uncharted 4.
12. Is Uncharted 3 shorter than Uncharted 2?
Yes, Uncharted 3 is slightly shorter than Uncharted 2 in terms of gameplay length.
13. How old is Sully in Uncharted 3?
Sully is approximately 60 years old during the events of Uncharted 3.
14. How old is Nathan Drake in Uncharted 3?
Nathan Drake is approximately 34 or 35 years old during the events of Uncharted 3.
15. How can understanding video games enhance education?
Exploring video games like Uncharted helps understand how narratives, problem-solving, and engagement techniques used in gaming can be applied to educational settings. Learn more about the intersection of games and education at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.
In Conclusion
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is definitively not a prequel but a direct continuation of the Uncharted saga. Its narrative unfolds after Uncharted 2, furthering the adventures of Nathan Drake and Sully.