A designer who worked on the original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune has expressed skepticism about the value of a potential remake or remaster for the 2007 title. Benson Russell, speaking with FRVR, stated that while he is not fundamentally opposed to remakes and remasters, he feels the original Uncharted remains accessible and relevant on modern platforms.
Russell questioned the necessity of such a project, asking, "What's the point of remastering [or remaking] it?" He suggested that a more compelling direction would be to create a new game that builds upon the lessons learned from later entries like Uncharted 4. He posited that a remake or remaster of the first game might be perceived as a "cash grab" rather than an essential update to bring it up to contemporary standards. Russell expressed a desire to see Naughty Dog "take the spirit" of the franchise and use it to develop an entirely new adventure.
This perspective comes amidst ongoing speculation and fan anticipation for a new Uncharted title. Previous reports from Bloomberg indicated that Sony had considered remaking or remastering Uncharted, but ultimately decided against it due to the high costs and significant design work involved. The franchise has seen remasters for other entries, with The Last of Us and The Last of Us 2 receiving updated versions from Naughty Dog. The original Uncharted, along with its sequels Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3, are currently playable on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 through The Nathan Drake Collection, which features remastered versions of these games.
The debate over the value of remakes and remasters continues within the gaming community. While many players embrace these updated versions of classic games, others argue that developers should prioritize the creation of new intellectual properties and experiences. Gaming luminary Shigeru Miyamoto has previously defended the practice, highlighting their role in introducing older titles to new audiences and their potential to fund future game development.