Why Uncharted: Golden Abyss Deserves a Second Look (and Maybe a Remaster?)
Uncharted: Golden Abyss Pros:
- Beautiful graphics.
- Platinum trophy.
- Action-adventure gameplay.
- A lovely-looking game that you come to expect from the Uncharted series.
- You have the ability to take in-game shots that look slick.
- Uses all the VITA capabilities and uses them well, like for rubbings, you run your finger over the screen.
- GYRO enabled.
- Powerful soundtrack.
- The lengthy campaign was over 8 hours without looking for the collectables.
- Excellent cover-based combat.
- Everything you know, like the humour and banter from the series, is still intact.
- Has the same polish levels as the console games.
- Big boss battles.
- A handful of QTE cutscenes.
- In-game cutscenes.
- Jaw-dropping vistas and locations to explore.
- Hidden collectables.
- Strong aim assists, and it is needed.
- The black market feature allows you to trade cards and coins with Near. You collect cards by killing HVT people through the campaign.
- Checkpoints aplenty.
- Controls are good and solid.
- A lot of environmental hazards.
- Markers like ledges are clearly shown to help with level traversal.
- Stealth mechanic, whilst optional, is another method.
- Varied locations set around the jungle, from shanty towns to caves.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss Cons:
- Overuse of touch controls, including using them on QTE.
- No online multiplayer or co-op.
- Very repetitive, basically get to an area, kill loads of enemies, and then go to another area and kill loads of enemies. Rinse and repeat 1000 times.
- All the enemies look the same with their stupid Hawaiian shirts.
- Black market features are not very clear and easy to use.
- The worst Uncharted boss fight ever resides within Uncharted: Golden Abyss.
- The story is a bit weak, and near the end, you are just wanting the story to end.
- Chapters vary in size. One could be half-hour-long, while another one could literally be a cut scene
- There are no “new” innovations in the campaign, literally, just touch controls being the new way to do something that you have done a million times before with a controller.
- Annoying sub-section mini-game type things. One that sticks in my mind is where you use the tilt function to control Drake as he goes down a fast water river, avoiding rocks. Disgusting.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss Review
Summary
Uncharted: Golden Abyss – The Thrills and Highlights of Gameplay:
Uncharted: Golden Abyss delivers a surprisingly full-fat Nathan Drake adventure tailored for Sony’s PS Vita. This handheld-exclusive brings trademark Uncharted mechanics, tight cover-based shooting, climbing, banter, and cinematic storytelling into the palms of players, with added motion and touchscreen integration. Players explore lush jungles, shanty towns, and ancient ruins, guided by stunning vistas and a solid 8+ hour campaign. From collectables and photo ops to clever rubbings and stealth takedowns, there’s depth here, reinforced by gyro-assisted aiming and a Platinum trophy for completists.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss – Where It Falls Short: Key Negatives:
Despite its ambition, Uncharted: Golden Abyss suffers from control gimmicks and repetition. Overreliance on touch for puzzles, melee, and even quick-time events breaks immersion. Enemy encounters grow monotonous, with wave-based shootouts and cookie-cutter foes in Hawaiian shirts dragging down the pacing. Boss fights lack polish, one in particular is notorious, and the inconsistent chapter lengths can make the flow feel jarring. Some mini-game segments, like the tilt-controlled river escape, feel more frustrating than fun.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss – Immersive Story and Narrative Elements:
The story in Uncharted: Golden Abyss adds a new chapter to Drake’s globe-trotting legacy, offering a prequel that explores his roots with a new cast of allies and villains. Though the narrative is lighter and sometimes meandering, the charm is intact. Drake’s wit, his evolving dynamic with partner Marisa Chase, and the intrigue of a lost expedition deliver that familiar pulp-adventure flavour. The game’s use of in-game cutscenes and a handful of quick-time moments helps maintain narrative momentum, even if the finale lacks emotional payoff.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss – Visual and Performance Aspects:
Graphically, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a technical showcase for the PS Vita even in 2025. It boasts richly detailed environments, striking lighting, and smooth character animations. Vistas are jaw-dropping, whether peering over a ledge or examining ancient ruins up close. Performance remains solid, with responsive controls and gyro-assisted aiming enhancing precision. Despite some dated UI and blurry cutscene compression, its visual polish remains among the handheld’s finest.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss – Overall Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?:
Uncharted: Golden Abyss revisited in 2025 still holds value as a unique artefact in the franchise, especially for fans or collectors seeking Drake’s full journey. While its reliance on Vita-specific inputs and repetitive combat may deter modern players, the game’s production quality, satisfying gunplay, and cinematic presentation make it a worthy detour. With no remaster on the horizon, dusting off your Vita might just be the best way to experience this underappreciated gem.
Back of the Box Quotes:
“Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a handheld treasure worth rediscovering.”
