Heading Into Uncharted Territory
The Uncharted games take the core foundation of the old Tomb Raider games, adds a splash of the supernatural, and throws in a lot of Indiana Jones-esque set pieces. The result is a fantastic “Quadrilogy” blockbuster that’s great fun to play through.
If you’re in the mood for more of the same, fret not! We’ve gathered together 10 books to check out when you’ve finished playing any of the Uncharted games. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favourites, do comment below and let us know!
Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth by Christopher Golden
here better to start than an actual Uncharted novel right? This book delves into the adventures of Nathan Drake as he tries to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of his friend’s archaeologist father.
Drake’s journey takes him to ancient labyrinths spread across three continents, where he must confront a terrifying mythological beast.
As an official tie-in to the game series, this book certainly captures the essence of what makes Uncharted tick, including action-packed scenes, historical mysteries, and the charming charisma of Nathan Drake.
The Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler
This adventurous series revolves around Dirk Pitt, a marine engineer, adventurer, and Director of the National Underwater and Marine Agency. Throughout the novels, Pitt gets involved in maritime adventures, often tied to historical or technological mysteries.
Much like Nathan Drake, Dirk Pitt often finds himself unravelling ancient mysteries along the way as he searches for legendary treasures. Along the way he also battles nefarious adversaries, all whilst globe-trotting into thrilling, exotic locales.
Jack Reacher series by Lee Child
Jack Reacher, a former U.S. Army Military Police major, wanders the United States taking odd jobs and solving crimes, often finding himself in situations where he has to dispense his own brand of justice. S
While Reacher’s adventures are more grounded and less tied to historical mysteries, the relentless action, intricate plots, and the general tone and vibe of the books certainly aligns with the excitement of the Uncharted games.
Sigma Series by James Rollins
The Sigma series focuses on the Sigma Force, a secretive U.S. government agency that combines scientific research with covert operations. The team often finds themselves facing global threats tied to historical secrets and ancient conspiracies.
It’s that blend of modern-day action with historical mysteries and legends that are most reminiscent of Nathan Drake’s adventures. Both Uncharted and the Sigma books involve high-stakes, globe-trotting quests to prevent cataclysmic events from occurring.
Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase series by Andy McDermott
This is probably about as close as you’re going to get to reading something similar to Uncharted. Here, archaeologist Nina Wilde and ex-SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase team up and embark on adventures to locate ancient artifacts and lost cities, all whilst battling rival treasure hunters, warlords, and sinister organizations.
The series embodies the spirit of Uncharted beautifully, harnessing a mix of historical treasure hunts, action sequences, globe-spanning locales, and the excellent dynamic between the two lead characters, which mirrors the camaraderie and banter found in the game series – especially between Elena and Drake.
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
The Lost City of Z is a non-fiction foray that recounts the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett. For those unaware, in the 1920’s he disappeared with his son into the Amazon while searching for an ancient lost city.
Grann retraces Fawcett’s steps, unveiling the dangers and mysteries of the Amazon in the process.
Fawcett’s obsession with an ancient city and the perilous journey through hostile environments mirrors Nathan Drake’s own adventures in seeking hidden civilizations and treasures.
The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle
Professor Challenger, based on claims from his South American expedition, asserts the existence of a prehistoric world deep in the Amazon. A team is assembled to investigate, which ultimately leads to the discovery of dinosaurs and other ancient creatures. Will they all make it out in one piece?
Like Uncharted’s quests, the team of The Lost World faces not only external threats from beasts but also challenges of trust and survival internally from the group dynamic. That uncovering of a hidden world ties in with Nathan Drake’s discoveries of lost civilizations too.
Jack West series by Matthew Reilly
The Jack West books follow Jack West Jr., a soldier and historian, as he races against time to locate ancient artifacts and prevent global catastrophes. Each novel is high-octane, filled with puzzles, traps, and historical secrets.
Similar to Uncharted’s gameplay and storylines, the Jack West series involves deciphering ancient clues, navigating deadly traps, and battling foes in a race to uncover or protect historical treasures.
Dane Maddock series by David Wood
Dane Maddock and his partner Uriah “Bones” Bonebrake embark on adventures that blend historical mysteries with modern-day action. From searching for Atlantis to uncovering biblical artifacts, Maddock faces both human adversaries and ancient riddles.
This combination of treasure hunting, deciphering ancient texts, and contending with competing treasure hunters echoes the challenges and thrills of the Uncharted series in a delightfully enthralling way.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Set in 1665, Pirate Latitudes follows Captain Charles Hunter as he assembles a crew to raid a Spanish galleon filled with treasure off the coast of Jamaica. As they battle storms, navies, and treachery, the crew faces both the allure and dangers of piracy.
While set in a different time, that core essence of adventure, treasure-hunting, and the challenges of navigating alliances and betrayals closely mirrors the excitement and unpredictability of Nathan Drake’s quests.
These are just a few books that will give you the vibe and feel of the Uncharted games. What did you think of the list? Have you read any of these books before? Or are we missing a must-read novel? Comment below and let us know!