User blog comment:The Milkman/The Awesome Animus/@comment-77.45.54.119-20121224091726/@comment-4237253-20121227182903

That is the most common misconception. The animus is not required. What ties the Uncharted franchise together? What about Grand Theft Auto? Elder Scrolls? Final Fantasy? All of these series have a sevral instalments across different media, and you know what? Each story is self-contained. In hindsight, this series should have done the same. Making a franchise that lasts a long time isn't always Milking.