Uncharted: Golden Abyss Preview

Just Push Start had a chance to play on the PlayStation Vita and it’s looking great. Now that we have played and completed Uncharted 3, we now have a look at Uncharted: Golden Abyss on the PlayStation Vita.

Although I previously mentioned about Uncharted: Golden Abyss on my hand-on session with the PS Vita, I felt it was a good time to dwell into the game more now that I have played and completed Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.

When it comes to handheld versions of games, most of them are usually smaller bite-sized versions of the home console versions. If you have a look at Killzone: Liberations and Resistance: Retirbution on the original PSP, you’ll know what I mean.

The first time I looked at the graphics in Uncharted: Golden Abyss, my jaws dropped at how beautiful they really are. I cannot begin to stress the fact that Uncharted: Golden Abyss needs to be seen on the PS Vita screen itself. Videos and screenshots from the internet doesn’t do the game any justice.

Thanks to the addition of the second analogue stick on the PS Vita, the gameplay in Uncharted: Golden Abyss is just as exciting as if you were playing Uncharted 3 on the PS3. Nathan Drake retains all the moves he can do in the console versions of the Uncharted series. This means you can shoot, do melee attacks, jump and explore the environment just to name a few.

The many things that Uncharted: Golden Abyss has that its console versions don’t is the unique features of the PS Vita itself. Unlike with some of the other PS Vita titles I have played thus far, Uncharted: Golden Abyss makes use of all the new gadgets that the PS Vita has to offer. This includes the built-in gyroscope, both touch screens, the camera and most of the other buttons on the system.

Although you can play Uncharted: Golden Abyss solely without these features, using them can make things more interesting and even easier for you. If you use a sniper rifle, you can aim with the camera much like if you were using a PlayStation Move controller. I found this to be easier than aiming with the right stick like a normal controller. However I find it hard to believe gamers can play like this if they’re sitting on the bus!

The touch screen on the back of the PS Vita can be used when Drake is climbing on something like a rope. You use your fingers to gingerly climb as if they represent each arms of Nathan Drake as he tries to pull himself up. I feel this feature was a bit gimmicky compared to the aforementioned sniper rifle aiming as it was easier just to climb by pushing the left stick up…

Unlike with the rear touch screen, the things you can do using the front touch screen is more useful for players. Throwing grenades in Uncharted: Golden Abyss is arguably easier using the touch screen as all you have to do is equip your grenades by clicking on the left hand corner of the screen. Once you have done that, all you have to do is highlight an enemy with your finger and Drake will throw the grenade. It’s a satisfying experience and I personally found throwing grenades in Uncharted: Golden Abyss to be easier than using my DUALSHOCK 3 controller while playing Uncharted 3.

Another thing that’s easier for you to do in this game is when Drake is shimmering across cliff-tops. Instead of pushing the left stick all the time to find a good spot for him to grab onto, you can just point where you want him to go and Drake will climb to that area automatically!

I only got to play the first level from Uncharted: Golden Abyss but even then, I’m impressed from what I have seen so far. This game does not feel like a cheap spin-off as the gameplay and visuals are just as impressive as Uncharted 3. It’s also good to know that Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a whole new game with an all-new adventure for Nathan Drake – this is not just a port of the original game. If you’re a huge Uncharted fan, it may be a good idea to save up for a PS Vita as you don’t want to miss out on this game. It’s looking brilliant.