Uncharted 3 Designer Says Too Many Set Pieces Hindered the Action

The journey of a video game franchise is often paved with high-stakes creative decisions, and sometimes, the shadows of past triumphs can influence future creations. In the world of action-adventure games, the success of one title can inadvertently cast a long shadow over the next.

This tension was recently explored by Benson Russell, an ex-Naughty Dog designer, who offered a candid perspective on the development of Uncharted 3. Russell suggested that the spectacular setpieces of Uncharted 2 may have created an unforeseen hurdle for the team working on its successor.

He pointed out that while the grand, cinematic moments in Uncharted 2 felt completely organic, the approach taken for Uncharted 3 was markedly different. Instead of letting the narrative unfold organically, the team arrived with a planned roster of ten or twelve epic set pieces—including iconic moments like the cargo plane sequence—and a pre-determined strategy for which ones would make the final cut.

This planned structure, however, presented a creative bind. As Russell noted, this setup complicated the process for writer and director Amy Hennig, who was effectively tasked with fitting these large, established set pieces into the game’s narrative framework. It created a scenario where she had to find ways to organically shoehorn elements, such as adding pirates and a pirate leader, into the story.

Russell ultimately deemed this situation a big flaw in the development process. Despite the creative challenges, Uncharted 3 was a commercial triumph, selling exceptionally well and earning glowing reviews, including a 10/10 from IGN at the time. Yet, despite its success, the game did not fully capture the series’ legacy in the eyes of some observers.

Despite the internal creative debate, the impact of the series remains undeniable. The cargo plane sequence, for instance, proved to be a standout moment, eventually earning its place in the live-action film a decade later. While Naughty Dog concluded the core series in 2016, the studio continues to tease new projects. Rumors persist that the franchise may be returning, with speculation pointing toward a potential Uncharted 5 soon on the horizon.

By Harper Cole