Uncharted: Golden Abyss is an excellent title that truly performs and replicates the charm that made the series so great
I can safely say that after an extensive play through, this title has earned merit to stand among the larger Uncharted titles and hold its head high. Why? Because Uncharted: Golden Abyss stays faithful to the formula and production values the other games boast and reinvents the series to accommodate for the new portable structure.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss stars Nathan Drake- a seemingly household name now- a charming and daring protagonist deep within the treasure hunting business. Helping a friend delve further into some suspicious ruins and ancient remains, it is not long before Nathan finds himself unknowingly involved in a much thicker and darker plot.
For anyone who has played any of the previous titles, the above won't shock you- all the Uncharted games work the same way. But it is this that works so well. The narrative is rich and detailed, littered with new and familiar characters all with a story to tell. Voice acting is stellar and the characters models feel alive. Even though the story and the people involved can become predictable as it evolves, it never becomes unenjoyable.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss takes place before the events of the original Uncharted, and this is reflected in the gameplay. The more complex and stylised actions- like lobbing back grenades and performing kills from the water- are not featured and the game does feel stripped. This simplicity can make some battles feel less robust but there is enough content to keep you satisfied.
The gameplay mimics that of the other Uncharted titles; a healthy mix of platforming lathered in combat and gun play. Again, it is much of what you would expect from an Uncharted title. But it is this that makes you really appreciate the game; the mechanics and mapping has translated so seamlessly to the PlayStation Vita that this portable instalment naturally feels like an authentic Uncharted experience.
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es, you will realise gun battles are not as strategic and platforming sections are more linear and obvious to the console counterparts, but when you stop and realise you are holding the entirety of the game in your fingertips, you cannot help but commend the title.
Graphically, the game looks outstanding, especially for one released at the birth of the handheld itself. For the most part, the graphical quality sits higher than the first Uncharted, with character models floating a little lower. But this does not subtract from the experience. Climbing ruins bordering waterfalls and canoeing through marshland looks stunning and truly envelope you in the environment. Lighting and effects are on par with that of consoles and lag only became apparent in minor areas where many enemies spawned and over populated the area.
The Vita itself is utilised to perform various actions in the game, and although some do feel tacked on, it does do a good job at expending the peripherals and ways to play. Charcoal rubbings require you to rub your screen, balancing on logs will see you engaging with the Vita's motion sensor and aiming can be done so by waving your Vita around to acquire targets. Arguably, most of these features you will find yourself opting for the button alternative and it was a good move for the developer to allow for this choice instead of forcing gamers to adapt to motion and touch controls.
Other than the main story, which can take between 5-8 hours depending on the difficulty, there is a substantial amount of collectables scattered throughout the levels to hunt down. Uncharted: Golden Abyss has done a fantastic job at emulating the treasure hunting flurry that was employed in earlier Uncharted games and make their own, unique interpretation.
Treasures are segregated into a log book and can vary from precious gems to clues and bounty objects all hidden in their respective chapters. Furthermore, all collectables are accompanied with some background information, which is gratifying and informative once all pieced together.
Overall, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a solid title that capitalises upon the success of the series. Considering the limitations of new hardware and a legacy to live up to, the sheer accessibility and likability of this titles makes it one any Vita owner should add to their collection.