Cover-Based Shooting

Lore & Background

Cover-based shooting emerged as a defining feature of the Uncharted series, evolving from the third-person shooter genre's growing emphasis on tactical positioning. In the world of Uncharted, Nathan Drake often finds himself outnumbered and outgunned, making cover essential for survival. The mechanic reflects his resourcefulness and adaptability, allowing him to use the environment—whether ancient ruins, urban streets, or jungle outposts—to gain an advantage against heavily armed foes.

As the series progressed, cover-based shooting became more fluid and integrated with other mechanics. In Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, the system was refined to allow smoother transitions between cover and movement, while Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception introduced the ability to blind-fire and use grenades from behind cover. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End further enhanced the system with a rope-swing mechanic that let Drake dynamically enter and exit cover, emphasizing verticality and mobility.

This mechanic is not just about defense; it's a tool for offense. Players can peek out to take precise shots, roll between cover points, or use stealth to flank enemies. The system also ties into the series' cinematic presentation, with camera angles and animations that make every firefight feel like a scene from an action-adventure film.

In Their Own Story

The crumbling stone wall offered little comfort as bullets whizzed past, chipping away at the ancient masonry. Nathan Drake pressed his back against it, breathing hard. 'Just another day at the office,' he muttered, checking his ammo. Across the courtyard, mercenaries shouted orders, their rifles trained on his position. He peeked around the corner, spotted a crate a few feet away, and made a split-second decision. Rolling into cover, he fired two shots, dropping the nearest gunman. The wall might not hold forever, but for now, it was his lifeline — and he intended to make every second count.

Reader's Guide

Cover-based shooting in Uncharted works by pressing a button (typically the circle or B button) to snap Nathan Drake to a nearby surface. Once in cover, you can aim and fire over the top or around the side, or blind-fire without aiming for suppressive effect. Introduced in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the system was refined in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves to include the ability to vault over cover and seamlessly transition between pieces of cover.

In Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, you can use grenades while in cover by pressing the grenade button, and you can also perform a 'cover swap' by moving the left stick toward adjacent cover. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End added the rope-swing mechanic, allowing you to grapple from cover to cover or into the fray with style — think Tarzan meets tactical genius. Pro tip: always scan for explosive barrels or crumbling ledges near enemy cover; one well-placed shot can turn a standoff into a shortcut.

Did You Know?

• Cover-based shooting in Uncharted was inspired by classic action films like Indiana Jones, emphasizing cinematic movement over realistic military tactics.
• The mechanic was significantly overhauled in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End to include a rope-swing feature, allowing players to dynamically enter and exit cover.
• In Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, the cover system was refined to allow players to vault over obstacles while maintaining momentum, a feature praised by critics.
• The blind-fire mechanic, introduced in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, lets players shoot without aiming, useful for suppressing enemies while repositioning.