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Uncharted Golden Abyss Review PS Vita

Story



This game takes place before Uncharted: Drakes Fortune events. Nathan was asked by his old friend, Jason Dante to look at some of the discoveries found at a dig site. Once Nathan looked around and found Marissa, one of Dantes friend, they discovered that Dante is cooperating with General Guerro, a notorious warlord. As he and Marissa escaped from them, they are also trying to find the secret treasure kept by the Sete Cidades.

The story is good, but not as good as three main games stories. However, this games mythology on the Sete Cidades and the lost civilisation are highly interesting, making you wonder what happen to them during their glory days.

Gameplay




This game plays like the Uncharted games on the PS3 console, but this game was developed by SCE Bend Studio, most likely popular as the Syphon Filters games developer. You can climb on ledges, shoot enemies with your firearms, dodge roll, melee attacks, and others like in the PS3 games. Again, gunfights and melee combat are integrated seamlessly where you can change between these two modes of combat easily.

The main difference is that you can use the implemented touch screen feature to interact with objects in the game, such as identifying objects, solving puzzles, and do charcoal rubbing on certain images. You may also use the touch screen feature to pick up new weapons, pick up treasures or relics, and for platforming purpose. You can use the touch screen feature to highlight the climbable ledges, and the game allows you to do automatic climbing for you. You may also tap the weapon icon on the screen to reload your weapon as well. Some other PS Vita features implemented in the game are the motion sensor feature, where you need to keep balance to avoid Nathan falling off from a beam. Machete also can be used to cut off bamboo trees or clothes that may block your progress, or when finding treasures in the game.

Melee combat plays similarly like Uncharted 2s combat, but you need to swipe at the correct direction to counter enemy attacks in the game. Proper timing is required to avoid excessive damage from your opponents.  You can also take out enemies with stealth attacks, such as from behind obstacles or directly behind them. It is recommended to do so to avoid more enemies from attacking you later on in certain combat sections

Gunfights also remain the same, where you can use a variety of firearms such as AK-47 or other weapons to defeat your enemies. Some weapons have their own pros and cons, so keep cool and find other weapons if you dont like your current ones. You may also throw grenades by using the touch screen, such as tapping the grenade icon to quickly release the grenade, or tap and hold the grenade icon to aim and throw the grenade in an arc.



Puzzles in this game are varied, and few of them are particularly creative where it challenges your mind to complete them. Using your book is important as it may have clues to solve these puzzles easily. Some of the puzzles may require you to use the touch screen feature to rub off dirt or charcoal to solve it, some may require you to drag and drop the pieces to complete it. You may also take photos in the game, and some of them are important in the games story, and some of them are necessary to complete the Mysteries in the game,

Platforming sections and gameplay remain the same as previous Uncharted games, where you can climb ledges, climb on rocks, climb on walls, climb ropes, and other actions. Again, you may use the touch screen feature to do some of these platforming actions, such as automatic climbing or climbing up using a rope.

Unlike the main three games, this game boasts a huge amount of collectibles, such as Bounties, Mysteries, and lots of Treasure Sets. Bounties are dropped by killing enemies, and many bounties can only be collected at certain Chapters. It is highly advisable to install the latest patch to gain an increase of bounty drop rate, otherwise it will take a long time to collect them. Mysteries are a mix of treasures, relics, and photos that can be collected in the game. As you collect and inspect each of them, you will find some insight to some of the backsground stories in the game, such as General Guerros story or about the lost civilisation. Treasure Sets include a collection of glyphs, jades and others which can be collected in many of the games Chapters. Many of them are hidden, so you need to read a guide or explore yourself to find them.

Overall gameplay is solid, but none of the gameplay features are groundbreaking. The PS Vita features implemented such as the touchscreen feature in the game are mostly well-executed, but I highly question the usage of them during the games two boss battles. I felt that it was unnecessary, and I would prefer if the boss battles use the same battle style featured in Uncharted 3: Drakes Deceptions last boss battles. As the games two boss battles test out your reflex in swiping the touchscreen, some of the players may not like it as it can be a nuisance to finish them, especially in harder difficulties such as Hard and Crushing difficulties, as you only have limited number of lives before restarting the whole boss battles.

Graphics





This games graphics is amazing, even for a handheld console. The games graphics is much better than Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, and it looks great as well as having consistent game performance throughout in the game. Personally, I think this is the best looking PS Vita game so far.

Sound





The soundtrack is rather pleasant, and fitting with different scenes in this game. However, not all pieces played in this game are extremely memorable, but I particularly like the two boss themes played in the game.

As always, Uncharted games have high quality voice acting, and this is no different. All voice actors did amazing job in this game as their roles, such as Nolan North as Nathan Drake and Jason Spisak as Jason Dante.

Replay Value





This game has moderate replay value. You may play the game again in harder difficulties such as Hard and Crushing difficulties, collect all artifacts, complete all Mysteries in the game, and others. This game boasts the highest amount of collectibles, so you may spend more time finding them compared to previous Uncharted games.

Conclusion





Overall, this is a solid Uncharted game, but I do not think it is better or worse than three main Uncharted games. Strictly speaking, this games runs, performs and plays better than Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, but I still feel Uncharted: Drakes story is more interesting compared to this games story. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception are still better than this game. The PS Vita features in this game are mostly well-done, but I do not like the touchscreen controls during the games two major boss fights. Regardless, any Uncharted fans should try out this game, as this game has solid gameplay and amazing graphics for a portable game.

Score

Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 8/10

Final Score; 8.0/10.0 or 32/40.

Pros and Cons

Pros

- Good story and interesting mythology.
- Likable characters.
- Overall solid gameplay.
- Huge amount of collectibles.
- Some interesting touchscreen features, such as charcoal rubbing.
- Amazing looking game for a portable game.
- Great voice acting.
- Good music.

Cons

- Not all PS Vita features implemented are good.
- Questionable implementation of touchscreen feature during the games two boss battles.
- Not many gameplay innovations to make it standout among other Uncharted games.