Uncharted Golden Abyss PS Vita attempts the impossible of bringing a console PS3 experience to the new Sony handheld. Even setting aside the online features the delivery is substantial and convincing.
However, it’s not the graphics or audio that really convinced in this ideal rental game, it was the acting and cut scenes. While the visuals are undoubtedly impressive, it is the high production values that are most uncommon in a handheld experience.
On the PS Vita, Nate is joined by two new colleagues, female pacifist Chase and sharp-tongued Dante. These relationships develop over the course of the story in a way that is unusual for a game. Also, the commitment to each of their tropes asks some interesting questions of the game itself.
Chase highlights the Uncharted otherwise loose approach to morality as she refuses to join the gunplay. Dante similarly questions the wisdom of Nate’s hired gun status. As the game continues, and these two characters pass in and out of Nate’s path, you start to question that validity of the Uncharted series itself.
It all sounds a little worthy I grant you, but this is testament to the depth of character and storytelling that Golden Abyss achieves. It does this with technical prowess that does the console versions of the game proud, and makes it an essential rental title.
Even a quick glance at Golden Abyss on Vita is enough for fans of the series to recognize this as an Uncharted game. The developers have obviously worked closely with (and paid close attention to) Naughty Dog to achieve a high degree of similarity.
While the PlayStation Vita can’t quite match the PlayStation 3 in terms of sheer horsepower, its more varied controls make a welcome addition.
The most obvious difference is the touch screen integration that allows you to drag your finger over a series of ledges to get Nate to climb. This is not only more direct than using a SixAxis for climbing but lets you dial in series of handholds which Nate then executes in order. It’s an intelligent implementation on the Vita that is unobtrusive while adding considerable ease to the climbing experience.
Less welcome are the slightly novel touch screen puzzle and cleaning elements. These feel more forced and break up the run of play unnecessarily. Also, the balance-beam sections that trigger as you traverse most narrow surfaces jar you away from the run of play that is otherwise uninterrupted.
More positively, the gyroscope enhanced aiming is a huge success. This adds what is effectively a third analogue stick. Aiming is the same as the console versions except that moving the Vita around in physical space once the Left Trigger is held down provides fine control over the crosshair. This works perfectly and meant I could choose to go for the head-shot more consistently — something that I’ve always found a bit hit and miss on the main game.
Staying on this positive note, the touch screen controls for collecting guns and throwing grenades also work well. Simply tap a firearm to pick it up and drag to aim grenades. Again this adds some useful new interactions that feel functional rather than gimmicky.
Gameplay is rounded off with more collectables and reasons to replay than in the recent console Uncharted games. This feels like the only admission that this is in fact a handheld title. Even the game’s duration (standing at a good ten hours for most players) feels firmly in the console market.
Uncharted Golden Abyss is an essential launch rental game for the PS Vita. For gamers it answers lots of outstanding questions about Sony’s new platform and for Sony it underlines their commitment to make the Vita a going concern.
In many ways Golden Abyss is the game that I wanted Uncharted 3 to be.
Score: 9/10 An excellent start to the PS Vita’s gaming catalogue.
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