I think that you don't need to play all the games to enjoy the 4th game. There all really the same. The only reason I you'd have to is to enjoy the attic scene. Playing the first game might help you get introduced to the characters. My problem though was after playing every game but Golden Abyss, I felt like the 4th game got repetitive. Every game doesn't have much change other than the enviorment and story. They all have a car chase scene, over the top running around with things exploding, and basic combat and stealth, length parkor, puzzle solving. This is why I don't need a new uncharted game because I'm satisfied with the series and how it ended.