Top 10 Uncharted Moments

“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

When released in 2009, “Uncharted 2” was praised for its blockbuster action and cinematic style, and we're sure that anyone would agree after battling the tank in the village. After returning from the ice caves, Drake has to defend himself and the Tibetan village from a warlord’s attack, killing soldiers on foot and dodging deafening attacks from the tank as it crumbles the foundations around you. It may be frustrating, but there's no denying the sheer amount of excitement that comes from dodging tank shells and running from collapsing buildings.

“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

Before the tank decimates the village, the game allows you to control Drake as he simply walks through the small town, observing the culture, the buildings, and the beautiful scenery. At this point in the game, Nate is recovering from a brutal and life-threatening attack, giving the player a well-needed break after moments of pure adrenaline and excitement. It's moments like this that make any game worthwhile; giving the player a chance to take a breather and simply observe the gorgeous world that the developers have brought to life.

“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

It's entirely possible that this opening scene was the best introduction to a game on the seventh generation of consoles. Immediately after pressing start, the player is treated to a breathtaking view of a derailed train precariously hanging over a cliff, then given control of Nate as he lays dying. What follows is a tense traversal of the vertical train as it slowly slips down the cliff. Not only is it exciting, but it leaves players with a load of questions and a strong urge to continue playing, if only to see how the game could top its own introduction.

“Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” (2007)

In the series’ first entry, Drake flies to the Amazon in order to hunt down the lost treasure of El Dorado, a giant, cursed gold statue. Unfortunately for Drake, Spanish Conquistadors stole the statue and relocated it, succumbing to the curse and turning into savage, zombie-like creatures. It's a horrific surprise in an otherwise adventure-based game, and it provides the game one of its most shocking battles. While players may not have been expecting mutated zombie things in “Uncharted,” it set the outrageous tone for the series and gave players a white-knuckled experience.

“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

And we're back to the sequel! What can we say, it was a great game. Early on in the story, Drake and Chloe reach Nepal and find it ravaged by the warlord’s men, leading to an intense helicopter battle on the Nepalese rooftops. The chase features terrific and chaotic moments like hanging over the city while being shot at and riding a falling skyscraper as it crashes into another building, both of which wowed players into open-mouthed amazement. This would be an amazing set piece for a Hollywood blockbuster, let alone a video game.

“Uncharted: Drake's Fortune” (2007)

While “Uncharted” did have its fair share of great moments at the beginning, it's not until the U-Boat scene when players finally received the true breadth and scope of the game. Searching the Amazon for El Dorado, Nate and Sully come across an abandoned Kriegsmarine U-Boat underneath a waterfall. The initial sight is beautiful enough, but climbing through the jungle and standing on top of the boat with the blinding sunset in your eyes made players know that this game was going to be truly cinematic and breathtaking.

“Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception” (2011)

Players of the “Uncharted” series waited anxiously for four years for Nathan Drake’s back story, and the opening of the third game finally delivered with enough excitement and emotion to satisfy every fan. This flashback sees a 15 year old Drake in Colombia as he steals Francis Drake’s ring from a museum. The scene presents a gorgeous Colombia to explore, intriguing drama, and a pulse-pounding rooftop foot chase. When the flashback ends, players’ questions have been answered, and the game presented one of its finest moments in its first hour. What a way to open a game.

“Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception” (2011)

If you had one scene to present a non-player to show how cinematic the series can be, the ejection scene would be it. Arguably the finest moment of the game, players control Drake as he falls out of a moving cargo plane. Amidst deafening and immersive sound design, players are forced to avoid falling objects, crawl up a dangling, and catch a parachute while free falling. As if that wasn't enough, the game immediately presents another gorgeous scene, as Drake stumbles away from the wreckage while a rousing score sets the adventurous tone.

“Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception” (2011)

While the game presents stunning set pieces in the desert, it also does well on the other end of the spectrum, delivering stunning action on the water. After coming across Rameses on a ship, Drake throws a live grenade, blowing a hole in the ship. Swimming through flooded hallways provides a fantastic challenge, but simply looking around in awe at the scope and detail of the ship makes the scene memorable. Even though Nate probably wouldn't have survived, it leaves players both breathless and in sheer amazement.

Before we get excited from our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Elena and Chloe Meet
“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

Mountain Convoy Chase
“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

Exploring the Ice Cave
“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

Elena Punches Drake In His Stupid Face
“Uncharted: Drake's Fortune” (2007)

“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)

Anyone who played “Uncharted 2” is sure not to forget the famous train level where Drake has to rescue Chloe. While traversing the sides of the train are fun, the best part comes at the end when you have to take on a helicopter. The sound design makes the game come to life, with rockets whizzing by and bullets clanging on the metal platform. Drake also sprouts some hilarious one-liners, and the scene ends with a literal bang when the train derails in awe-inducing fashion. It's completely chaotic, but we wouldn't have “Uncharted” any other way.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favourite moment from the “Uncharted” series? For more chaotic top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com.