A Thief’s Trend: My Theories On Uncharted 4

All ideology stated here is conditioned under supervision of rigorous assertions, conjectured presumptions and questionable bull “crap”. 

Having gorged myself on the Intel divulged in all of the Uncharted 4 trailers, coupled with my notably obsessed affiliation with the story and characters, I feel I’m in a cogent position of authority to interject the naturally inquisitive purview of fans and formulate a singular, but extensive hypothesis on the likely inclination “A Thief’s End” will take. I’ve collated existing data, melded the more bespoke inferences I’ve gauged from trailers and various sources in my absorbent cranium, certifying roughly 92% of the retained statistics into tangible fact! Though there is a 90% probability of error. Bah! Who needs statistical certainties when you’re as well versed in the actualities of divination as I. I predict the ambient temperature in the UK will dip to below freezing this evening, that Americans will never truly embrace Soccer and that readers will speculate the precise cognition for me muttering on. Which is a fair point.

“Seriously, Drake: Take a break. You look shattered!”

I’m stuttering because I’m earnestly reticent to begin by attempting to identify a prospective antagonist, simply because of the absence of an offending adversary depicted in any trailer so far. But the only obvious aggressor that could facilitate that Katherine Marlow shaped visage is the “brother”. It’s admittedly a little conspicuous to assert a formerly concealed sibling as being the archetypal betrayer, but I’ve very little to work with. Nates origins up to this point have remained superfluous at best, with only cursory hints at Drakes potential heritage and even his legitimacy as a Drake questioned by suggestions that the lineage linked with the Drake name may actually be an adopted surname of Nates! Though the origination of Sully’s surrogacy to Nate and his destitute life as a branded thief was illustrated, it really only established Marlow’s tyranny. So the introduction of a brother would allude to further exploration of his hermetic past, if indeed there is a biological link at all? Perhaps the “brother” coerced Nate out of retirement at the behest of some unclaimed fortune they failed to retrieve before? Which rather indelicately leads me to the next converging prediction: the story.

“I’m not sure how long I can hold out for either!”

The conceit could veer into various frenetic territories, with a litany of habitual mythologies and contrasting cultures making any kind of cogent assessment on the narrative a far more erratic entity to interpret, that will likely defer into further historical deficiencies and fables. The original trailer was liberally doused in suggestive alleviations though, with guttural voice lurching into an elaborate speech about betrayal, being buried alive for 15 years and an unknown assailant owing him, which certainly advocates the notion that Nates brother returns under the guise of diplomatic civility in order to ensnare his younger sibling to a similar, if more indefinite fate. What can I say, I just don’t trust new characters, particularly relations! Perhaps an incident such as the kidnapping of a loved one (perhaps Elena, or a daughter/son too?), coupled with the subsequent emergence of Nates brother from perennial anonymity could provoke Drake back to attain an allegorical treasure in exchange for the safe return of his family, clearly unaware of his brothers treachery and demand for penance for years of captivity? And stupidly unaware of Elena’s own capabilities to look after herself! (She’ll probably find it before he does!) Whether there is a more explanatory alternative that could clarify this theory into something more robust remains to be seen, but I would be surprised if the new addition to the Drake family is of humble intent. There is also the option that the vilified betrayal is applied to Drakes ancestor, Sir Francis. Though this seems less likely considering the emphasis on “15 years” incarceration. Though Sir Fran’s ardent luminance will undoubtedly be numerable, perhaps even a playable character? It is called “A Thief’s End” after all and I’d be surprised if it wasn’t in reference to Sir Fran Fran himself.

“Drake hates losing at hide and seek, as this guy will soon find out!”

I can’t emphasise just how much I hate the idea that Nathan Drake is the referred “Thief” in the eradicating subtitle. There are simply not enough exclamation marks that could appropriately detract from the very idea of his death, or any character for that matter. It would be rather anticlimactic to watch Victor Sullivan die again! Even with more permanence. It was an hallucinate event that Drake largely contributed too as well, so we’ve already established his reactive motivations under those compunctions. It would be an act of lunacy, as well as stylistically inept to kill off any supplementary cast members. As important as Nate is, his development as a person wouldn’t feel cohesive without Sully and Elena guiding him along the way. Their a contributive force that helps rationalise his glib penchant for killing and sustain a credible degree of humanity. Without that he is simply an immoral grave-digger, with great abs. It’s also not conducive to the way in which Naughty Dog operates and hopefully not a doctorate that they would ever ascribe to. I’m bored with the systemic proclivity for terminating established characters that has become the weaving continuity in television adaptations. With the purported “shock value” diminishing with every aggressive capitulation. It’s a plot device so tedious that it could be used as an alternate sedative! A happily ever after would be the most controversial conclusion to the game. You could have Nate retiring and herding yaks in Nepal (He’d know how to get there!), or opening a bar in the South of France called “El Dorado’s”. The shock should be genuinely shocking, like discovering that Chloe Frazier is a hermaphrodite or something.

We have been so emotionally invested in these characters in the past 3 resplendent adventures that it would be bitterly arcane to sever those emoting ties. I realise how percussive I’ve been in reiterating that point, but I’m so confident in my assertion that no one will die, that I felt compelled to repeat it over and over again……..until I believed it. And I do, I think? There are so many variants that could detract or enhance the franchise; cooperative play, the absence of Amy Hennig, how ageing Drake will affect his mobility, and how inebriated by his own profound notoriety will Neil Druckmann be? There is certainly more to this series than ratifying existing troupes and perpetuating colonial genocide across the globe, which is a rather frequent occurrence. Nothing that this series does could scupper my excitement, nothing!…….Except clowns!

What do you think Uncharted 4’s story will concern? Let me know your ideas. Cheers.