When it comes to action-adventure games, Tomb Raider and Uncharted are the two franchises that get compared the most. Both have similar themes, gameplay structure, and adventurous protagonists, so it's natural for gamers to compare them. For a long time, I also believed that Tomb Raider easily outperformed Uncharted and that Nathan Drake’s adventures didn't come close.
Everything changed after I bought a PlayStation and decided to try Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection as my first major download. This collection includes remastered versions of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception in a single package. After completing all three games back-to-back, my perspective flipped. I realized how wrong I had been about the Uncharted franchise.
Storytelling and Characters
From a storytelling standpoint, Uncharted is on another level. The games feel like interactive Hollywood blockbusters with cinematic direction, tight scripts, and constant momentum. The transition between cutscenes and gameplay is incredibly smooth, so you rarely feel a break in immersion.
The characters also make Uncharted stand out. Nathan Drake and his supporting cast appear throughout multiple titles, and their relationships develop naturally over time. This recurring cast helps you forge a strong emotional connection with them. Tomb Raider has memorable characters as well, but the depth of character development and sense of long-term relationships are much more prominent in Uncharted.
Gameplay Feel and Mechanics
In terms of gameplay, Uncharted focuses on seamless third person shooting, platforming, and cinematic moments. The mechanics feel smooth and polished, and there is a satisfying sense of weight to character movement, similar to what you find in more grounded third-person games. This weight makes every jump, climb, and dodge feel impactful.
Tomb Raider, particularly the 2013 reboot, combines action, exploration, and survival using a hub-based design with side activities, crafting, and progression systems. The mechanics are solid and sometimes more complex than Uncharted, but that extra complexity can slightly dilute the tight, focused feel that Uncharted maintains from start to finish.
Pacing and Structure
One of Uncharted's biggest strengths is its pacing. The games generally follow a linear, chapter-based structure where the story moves forward without too many distractions. This creates a very engaging flow that keeps you wanting to play just one more chapter until you realize you’ve finished the game.
In contrast, modern Tomb Raider titles often use semi-open areas, optional tombs, side quests, and backtracking. While this structure is great for exploration and completionists, it can slow down the main story and affect the pacing. For someone looking for a nonstop cinematic experience, Uncharted often feels more consistently engaging.
Level Design and Action Set Pieces
The level design in Uncharted often revolves around spectacular action sequences, collapsing structures, high-speed chases, and large-scale shootouts that feel like playable movie scenes. Almost every major level offers a unique, memorable scenario that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Tomb Raider also has intense combat arenas and dramatic moments, especially in the 2013 reboot and its sequels, but it usually mixes them with quieter exploration and survival segments. If you prefer relentless, high-energy set pieces, Uncharted feels like the more explosive and cinematic experience.
Tone and Overall Experience
In terms of tone, both franchises succeed in different ways. Tomb Raider leans into a gritty, survival-oriented tone, especially in the reboot era, focusing on Lara’s struggles and growth in hostile environments. Uncharted typically maintains a lighter tone with humour, witty dialogue, and an adventure vibe while still delivering serious and emotional moments when needed.
Personally, both tones work well for their stories, but Uncharted’s ability to shift tone slightly between chapters and games keeps it feeling fresh during a full playthrough. It balances fun, drama, and spectacle in a way that made me genuinely addicted to finishing the entire collection without touching many other games in between.
Final Thoughts: Both Great, One Surprised Me
Even after all of this, Tomb Raider is not a bad franchise; in fact, it remains one of my favourites, and I have completed the 2013 game multiple times across platforms. However, after finally giving Uncharted a fair chance, it exceeded my expectations in storytelling, character work, pacing, and cinematic presentation.
If you are an action-adventure fan who has only played Tomb Raider because it’s more accessible on PC, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is definitely worth experiencing; however, you can manage it. For me, it turned from an underestimated series into one of the best action-adventure trilogies I’ve ever played.
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