--Marisa Chase, Uncharted: Golden Abyss
The only handheld Uncharted game (other than entries like the mobile spin-off and the very different Fight For Fortune on the Vita), Golden Abyss is a genuinely excellent representation of the franchise style and gameplay despite not being made by developer Naughty Dog, the company responsible for the main console releases. The translation of classic Uncharted gameplay to the Vita and the interactions between the characters is absolutely masterful. As is the case with the original Uncharted on the PS3, the story is by far the weakest part of the game, with practically everything else being crafted with excellence. There are simply few directions to take most adventure stories like this in that are not extremely repetitive on a narrative level, and this is a genre where the locations, characters, artifacts, and loose historical references are supposed to carry the tale even though there are a very limited number of settings, plot twists, or character goals that can be included.
Production Values
Golden Abyss represents the early capabilities of the Vita extremely well, so well that it is a 2011 game, one released close the beginning of the Vita's own release, that has better graphics than many later games also exclusive to the system. Strong voice acting that is right at home among the dialogue and delivery of the rest of the series complements the excellent visuals. In fact, the dialogue given to the voice cast and the quality of the delivery itself rivals some of the best in the original trilogy of games. Nathan Drake and newcomers like Marisa Chase give plenty of the sarcastic interjections Uncharted is known for. Even Sully himself makes an appearance closer to the beginning of the game and contributes to some of the best witty humor in the game as he stays with Nathan for several levels.
Gameplay
All of classic Uncharted gameplay from the shooting to the climbing of ruins or mountainous areas make it into this portable title. The series formula is on full display in what is likely one of the most faithful spin-offs made by a developer other than the one behind the main installments. Yes, the weapon selection and melee attacks are very, very limited, but this was the case with every primary Uncharted game I have played (I have not yet played the most recent ones). The spectacle, the climbing, and the main characters are the central strengths rather than the nonexistent extremes of variety across the general series. At the same time, Golden Abyss does branch out somewhat by making use of the PS Vita's touch screen, gyroscope, and camera. In fact, the Vita-specific features become the biggest source of controversy in the entire game.
On one level, these aspects of the game are frequently used. Moving dust off of artifacts, assembling torn pieces of paper, and making charcoal rubbings all require the touch screen. Optional touch screen controls for climbing or jumping to ropes and gyroscopic motions for aiming weapons can also supplement or replace the standard controls, with the player being able to switch between them at will. In some cases, motion controls are a necessity, like when you have to tilt the Vita to move as a river pulls you along--and then there are other parts where the Vita's special functions get utilized. Holding the rear camera up to a bright light to get past another part is a key example of this. Though they reportedly annoyed many, these inclusions actually tried to integrate the Vita's abilities into the game and do a great job of illustrating the various ways the system can be used for gaming without relying on the button alone.
Story
Some spoilers are below.
Explorer Nathan Drake and his companion Jason Dante search Panama to discover what happened to conquistadors in the area, but Nathan soon allies himself with Dante's other partner Marisa Chase, only to find the Dante has betrayed them by helping an egoistic warlord named Roberto Guerro who wants funding for a revolutionary campaign. Marisa's grandfather had previously explored the region before his death. The Seven Cities of Gold, it turns out, have been sought after for centuries by some who made it closer than historical documentation suggests, and Nathan's journey brings him to one of these seven fabled cities.
Intellectual Content
On the level of gameplay, a legion of optional collectibles that often require intentionality and careful observation to locate are present, a few of them in each level after the prologue. On the level of the story and concepts, while the characterization is great, very little abstract depth is a core part of the plot or themes. At least Nathan Drake is not only seeking out historical treasures for nothing more than "fortunate and glory" like another famous fictional explorer says he is at one point. Golden Abyss does start to address the moral ramifications of treasure hunting after showing some of the different motivations people might have for engaging with this line of work, but it all either comes very late in the game or is just there to further the plot along instead of explore an issue with genuine weight.
Conclusion
Sony did not handle the Vita well overall, but the system was home to some incredible games that pushed the boundaries of portable gaming at the time. Golden Abyss sits among these games. Fittingly, for a game about cities of gold, it is a prequel of sorts to the original release, Drake's Fortune, in which Nathan Drake hunts for El Dorado. For such a strong launch title to have come out on a handheld system more than a decade ago is no small feat. The lackluster story does nothing but amount to one mediocre part of a game that otherwise is almost perfect in its execution. It also could have done a much better job of deeply examining some of its themes. Besides these things, though, it is mostly masterful. That it has never been ported or remastered for another Sony system means the Vita is still the only PlayStation console to play it on, and it is a hell of a game that, annoyingly or not, was made to explore the Vita's many functionalities fairly thoroughly.
Content:
1. Violence: The most "graphic" violence, as tame as it is, is just spurts of blood when enemies are shot.
2. Profanity: Words like "bitch" and "bastard" are used.
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