RPG-7

Lore & Background

The RPG-7 is a staple of modern military arsenals, and in the Uncharted universe it is often found in the hands of enemy mercenaries or hidden in weapon caches. Its presence signals a significant combat encounter, as its explosive power can turn the tide of a firefight. The weapon's design is based on the real-world Soviet-era RPG-7, known for its simplicity, reliability, and devastating effect against armor and personnel.

In the context of Nathan Drake's adventures, the RPG-7 is a rare but memorable tool. It is typically encountered during set-piece battles, such as defending a position against waves of armored vehicles or clearing a path through fortified enemy positions. The weapon's slow reload and limited ammunition make it a tactical choice rather than a primary armament, rewarding careful aim and timing.

The RPG-7's inclusion in the series underscores the high-stakes, action-movie tone of Uncharted. Its thunderous report and screen-shaking explosion are signature moments in the franchise's combat design, often accompanied by dramatic music and slow-motion effects during key encounters.

In Their Own Story

The jeep bounced over rubble as Sully slammed the accelerator. Behind them, an armored truck bristling with gunmen closed the gap. 'Drake, we need something bigger than that pea-shooter!' Sully yelled. Nathan scrambled in the back, kicking aside spent shells until his hand closed around cold, familiar steel. He hoisted the RPG-7 onto his shoulder, sighted through the smoke, and squeezed the trigger. The backblast rattled the jeep as the rocket streaked forward, punching through the truck's grille. The explosion sent a fireball rolling across the canyon, and the pursuing vehicle vanished in a shower of debris. 'That's more like it,' Nathan muttered, dropping the empty tube.

Reader's Guide

The RPG-7 functions as a heavy weapon pickup in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. It fires a single rocket that detonates on impact, dealing massive damage to enemies and vehicles. The weapon has no upgrades or variants in the series; it appears only as a static pickup in specific combat arenas.

Its first appearance is in Uncharted 2, during the urban warfare chapter in Nepal, where it can be used to shred enemy armored vehicles. In Uncharted 3, it appears in the cruise ship and desert fortress sequences, turning tight corridors into fiery kill zones. In Uncharted 4, it is found during the Madagascar chase and the final island battle, where a well-placed shot can instantly halt a pursuing jeep.

Narratively, the RPG-7 is not tied to the legendary artifacts that drive the treasure-hunt premise. Instead, it serves as a gameplay tool that reinforces the action-adventure tone. Its presence often signals a major combat encounter—a cue for players to ditch their pistols and brace for explosive chaos.

Did You Know?

• The RPG-7 model in Uncharted is based on the real-world RPG-7, a Soviet-designed weapon first introduced in 1961.
• In Uncharted 2, the RPG-7 can destroy certain environmental objects, such as wooden barricades and weak walls, to reveal hidden paths.
• The weapon's backblast effect is visually depicted in the games, with a cone of fire and smoke behind the shooter when fired.
• In Uncharted 4, the RPG-7 is one of the few weapons that can instantly destroy the armored jeeps used by Shoreline mercenaries.