Top 10 Coolest Things About Nathan Drake

Nathan Drake blends old school adventurer energy with the grounded detail of modern action games, which makes his feats feel both spectacular and practical. Across the ‘Uncharted’ series he chases lost cities, solves centuries old ciphers, and survives set pieces that feel like playable blockbusters. His story tracks from a scrappy teen thief to a seasoned explorer who knows his way around history, languages, and rough terrain. Here are the coolest parts of his character and skill set that the games put front and center.

Master Historian Treasure Hunter

Nathan studies maps, journals, and primary sources to trace the footsteps of figures like Sir Francis Drake and Henry Avery. He identifies clues in Latin inscriptions, old Spanish, and nautical charts to narrow down hidden sites. His investigations lead to discoveries like the Golden Idol linked to El Dorado, the Cintamani Stone in Shambhala, and the pirate colony of Libertalia. The games consistently show him cross referencing artifacts and field notes to turn legends into real locations.

Elite Climber And Parkour Pro

Nathan scales cliff faces, crumbling towers, and shipwrecks with fluid movements that mesh animation and player inputs. He times leaps between handholds, traverses narrow ledges, and recovers from slips with quick grabs that sell the danger. Environmental cues guide the next reach or jump, and the traversal often ties directly into puzzle paths. Vertical navigation stays readable while still feeling like a risky climb.

Signature Rope Swing And Piton

His rope adds momentum based navigation that lets him cross gaps and link movement chains in combat arenas. Players can jump, swing, and then vault into climbs or takedowns without breaking flow. The piton creates temporary holds on specific surfaces, turning sheer walls into sequencing challenges. Together they expand routes through levels and open smart shortcuts during chases and firefights.

Versatile Combat Skills

Nathan alternates between cover based gunfights, close quarters brawling, and stealth knockouts depending on the arena. He swaps sidearms, rifles, and heavy weapons on the fly while scavenging ammo from defeated enemies. Combat arenas stack vertical layers with flanks, rope anchor points, and destructible cover to reward movement. Quick melee counters and contextual takedowns keep enemies off balance when ammunition runs low.

Puzzle Solving With A Field Journal

His worn notebook stores sketches of statues, diagrams of mechanisms, and translations of coded phrases. Players flip pages for rotational ciphers, astrological alignments, and pressure plate patterns that connect to the architecture. The journal also updates when he notices environmental details, which turns observation into hints. Solving these systems often unlocks hidden vaults, elevator platforms, or secret passageways.

Big Ticket Set Pieces

Nathan survives a runaway mountain train, a collapsing cruise ship, and a cargo plane mid flight sequence that turns a desert sky into a battlefield. Convoy chases let players jump between vehicles while maintaining control over aiming and movement. Level scripts sync explosions, crumbling structures, and shifting terrain to player actions instead of passive cutscenes. These moments feel interactive from start to finish with minimal camera loss.

Globe Trotting Expeditions

His quests move from tropical islands to Himalayan passes, from Yemen’s deserts to Madagascar’s highlands, and into storm lashed pirate strongholds. Each region delivers distinct traversal materials like ice, mud, or rotten wood that change footing. Local architecture informs puzzle language, whether it is hidden gears behind temple reliefs or clockwork in Renaissance towers. Weather and time of day also shift visibility, patrol routes, and audio cues.

Partners Who Shape The Mission

Victor Sullivan provides black market contacts, transport, and a mentor’s steady hand during risky deals. Elena Fisher documents expeditions and brings investigative instincts that surface leads and moral stakes. Samuel Drake complicates plans with personal debts and sibling history that affects choices in the field. Their teamwork alters level plans, changes access points, and influences how operations unfold.

A Backstory That Locks To The Clues

Nathan grows up in an orphanage, fixates on the Drake legacy, and learns early how to case museums and spot forgeries. A formative encounter with Sully puts him in circles where he can acquire gear and learn tradecraft. His fascination with historical riddles comes from reading and petty theft turning into targeted exploration. The games revisit these beats to explain why he keeps chasing the next breadcrumb.

Epilogue And Legacy

After the Libertalia expedition he steps back from the high risk life to build a legitimate salvage business with Elena. Their daughter Cassie finds relics and photos that map the whole journey, which reframes the adventures as a family history. The home is full of labeled artifacts and prints that catalog what was once underground and lost. It closes the loop by showing how a lifetime of dangerous discovery turns into preserved stories and shared memory.

Share your favorite Nathan Drake moments from the games in the comments.