Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Destructoid (9.5 out of 10)

With Uncharted: Golden Abyss we have the first must-buy for Sony's PlayStation Vita. It takes the series' much-loved gameplay, storytelling and presentation, and adds on innovative touch and tilt features to make a game that fits perfectly alongside its predecessors. Prepare to be amazed by a portable video game.

GBase - The Gamer's Base (9 out of 10)

Persönlich gut gefallen hat mir, dass die Entwickler die Häufigkeit beziehungsweise die Länge der Schiessereien verkürzt und sie somit knackiger gestaltet haben. Es gibt noch mehr Schätze und versteckte Bereiche zu entdecken als in der PlayStation 3-Trilogie, und der Einsatz von Touchscreen und -pad wirkt nicht aufgesetzt, sondern gut in den Spielablauf integriert. Stellenweise nimmt sich das Spiel ausserdem selbst nicht ganz ernst, und Aussagen von einem hangelnden Drake wie "Freiliegende Balken? Das ergibt Sinn!" regen regelmässig zum Schmunzeln an.

GamezGeneration (9 out of 10)

Wäre da nicht das starke Kantenflimmern und die fehlenden Höhepunkte an die man sich mittlerweile doch irgendwie gewöhnt hat, könnte sich Golden Abyss glatt mit Uncharted 2 und 3 messen lassen. So bleibt ein gelungenes Abenteuer, welches nett in Szene gesetzt ist und sich wunderbar spielen lässt. Mit etwas Arbeit und einem spannenderen Skript könnte ein möglicher Nachfolger noch einiges mehr aus Sonys neustem Handheld herausholen. Uncharted: Golden Abyss ist trotz allem der wohl stärkste Launch Titel und das verdient.

Game Critics (9 out of 10)

Compared to the other Uncharted titles, Golden Abyss may come off as something of a beautifully ugly cousin. The story is less complicated, the implementation of touch screen and motion controls is a mixed bag, the gameplay lacks for showpiece events like the horse riding section of Uncharted 3, and the graphics, astounding as they are, cannot compete with those of more powerful hardware. But make no mistake: It is an achievement that a portable game can even be compared to a full console game in terms of graphical sheen and scope, and it's an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact that the game itself is so much fun. At its core, it's the same Uncharted game we've all played before, but it's bolstered by sterling presentation, a bevy of secrets, and straightforward tomb-raiding gameplay that feels like a love ode to the series' adventure forebears. It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's one hell of a way to launch a console.

PSX Extreme (8.9 out of 10)

Uncharted: Golden Abyss presses all the right buttons and is almost guaranteed to satisfy the loyal fans. It looks fantastic, the franchise trademarks are here (most all of which are of a super high quality), and the blend of high-tech touchscreen and traditional controls is a triumph for the next generation of portable entertainment. You’ll spot a few of the aforementioned sacrifices but they’re not likely to ruin your fun. If you’re picking up the Vita this week, Golden Abyss should absolutely be on your “games to buy” list.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (8.7 out of 10)

There's a wider point here about whether a handheld is the right format for an action blockbuster, as inevitably Golden Abyss can't romp into unbroken technical ground like the PS3 games habitually do and has to settle for a lesser accolade instead: "The best one you can play on the bus", or "Not markedly inferior to the others." But that's not something Sony Bend or its game have to worry about. The fact they've come up with a great Uncharted title while also catering to the demands of a new system, and given us a fat new puzzle book to play with, means that Golden Abyss goes down as a very impressive achievement.

COGConnected / Canadian Online Gamers Network (86 out of 100)

Overall, Uncharted Golden Abyss is a must own for fans of the franchise and Vita owners alike. In fact, if you just enjoy a good old fashion Indiana Jones style adventure, then Golden Abyss is right up your alley too. The visuals are solid, the sound is fantastic and the varied gameplay keeps things interesting from beginning to end. As far as Vita games are concerned, Golden Abyss is very good game and one you can purchase with confidence.

GameTrailers (8.6 out of 10)

Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a powerful tech demo for the PlayStation Vita, but it’s also an engaging game that’s a blast to play in spurts. Touch screen use is a little heavy-handed and it’s missing those “wow” moments we’re used to getting from the franchise, but it’s a solid action adventure with production values strong enough to quell any sense of system buyer’s remorse.

IGN (8.5 out of 10)

I don't mean to sound like I'm being hypercritical of Uncharted: Golden Abyss. The game is great and an impressive launch title for the PlayStation Vita. It's just that the Uncharted series has been known for being a story-driven experience, and Golden Abyss goes in another direction. It's a beautiful, fun game with tons of collectibles, plenty of laughs, and some cool twists on a franchise PlayStation fans know so well. It's just not an instant classic like the other entries in the series. Still, not too shabby for Sony Bend's first crack at the Uncharted legacy.

Softpedia (8.5 out of 10)

Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a good game but it does have quite a few drawbacks that keep it from becoming great. If you look at it after playing previous Uncharted games, it’s not that impressive but, if you consider it’s the franchise’s first foray on the Vita, it’s a more than decent effort. Gameplay feels great, although some activities get annoying very fast, like the touch-based quick time events. Fortunately, the stunning visuals, at least for a handheld game, and the story make you feel like you’re guiding Nate through another set of impressive adventures on the PS3.

4Players.de (85 out of 100)

Es fehlt die Kreativität eines Naughty Dog, die selbst im dritten Teil mit der Drogensequenz oder dem atmosphärischen Marsch durch die Wüste noch überrascht haben. Abgesehen von den Rätseln besteht dieses Uncharted hauptsächlich aus bekannten Elementen, wobei man jüngste Weiterentwicklungen wie das Zurückwerfen von Granaten oder das Kontersystem bei Nahkämpfen nicht berücksichtigt hat. Von daher bekommt man, was man erwartet: Ein filmreif inszeniertes Abenteuer mit einer überragenden Technik, bei dem man trotz der durchschnittlichen Geschichte mitfiebert und die Vita erst dann wieder aus der Hand legt, wenn alle 34 Kapitel abgeschlossen sind. Und obwohl gerade das Ende mit den unsäglichen Touch-K(r)ämpfen einen Dämpfer bekommt, wird man sich beim Abspann zurücklehnen und sich sagen: Es war ja doch ein geiler Trip!

Jeuxvideo.com (17 out of 20)

Uncharted : Golden Abyss s'impose comme un indispensable au lancement de la PS Vita. Techniquement bluffant, le jeu développé par Sony Bend exploite admirablement les fonctionnalités tactiles et gyroscopiques de la machine, sans jamais les rendre gadgets. Tout aussi soignée que les épisodes PS3, cette nouvelle aventure de Drake séduira les fans de la série et incitera les autres à la découvrir en profondeur. Cela tombe bien puisque chronologiquement, Golden Abyss marque le début des investigations de notre explorateur préféré !

Gameplay (Benelux) (81 out of 100)

Op zijn best is Uncharted: Golden Abyss een uitstekende action/adventure, maar tijdens zijn mindere momenten wordt duidelijk dat de game toch een klasse lager speelt dan zijn illustere voorgangers.

Games TM (8 out of 10)

Golden Abyss seems overeager to incorporate every feature of the Vita whether it adds to the experience or not. That aside, if this title is indicative of portable games in the future, it looks like we may be entering an age where the only difference between portable and console gaming is the size of the scren...

Hasta los Juegos (8 out of 10)

Si eres un fan de la saga 'Uncharted' no te decepcionará.

Gamekult (8 out of 10)

Uncharted Golden Abyss est exactement le jeu dont la PS Vita avait besoin pour nous montrer l'étendue de ses possibilités. Le titre possède le plus beau moteur jamais proposé sur une console portable à ce jour, mais il utilise aussi quasiment toutes les autres fonctionnalités de la Vita, et cela sans dénaturer le gameplay redoutable d'efficacité propre à Uncharted. Golden Abyss n'est toutefois pas parfait, et il lui manque peut-être deux ou trois scènes d'anthologie ou quelques innovations pour parvenir à se démarquer des derniers épisodes PS3. Dans les faits, justement, on reste bien devant un bijou de technique et de réalisation qui impose d'emblée un nouveau standard sur les supports nomades.

Jeux Vidéo Network (16 out of 20)

Pour un titre disponible au lancement d’une machine, Uncharted : Golden Abyss évite tous les pièges auxquels on pouvait s’attendre. Loin de se résumer à une vitrine technologique et loin d’être un sous-épisode, le jeu de Sony Bend se montre non seulement digne de la série, il s’érige tout simplement comme un excellent titre.

GamingUnion.net (8 out of 10)

Uncharted: Golden Abyss features a fun story, strong core gameplay, and very impressive visuals. However, the implementation of the motion controls is very hit and miss and it feels as though Sony Bend had their hand forced. There are times when it feels like a natural fit, but that's how it should have stayed. The lack of multiplayer, which featured in the past two main-series games, may also be a deterrent for some. However, it doesn't stop Golden Abyss being a Vita title that should be on everyone's launch shopping list.

Nukezilla ( )

Uncharted: Golden Abyss really is a must-have for any Vita owner. It strikes a near-perfect showcase combination of the system’s graphic, sound and gameplay capabilities. Just don’t expect the full PS3 Uncharted experience.

PlayFrance (8 out of 10)

Avec Golden Abyss le Bend Studio de Sony débarque en fanfare sur PSVita et nous offre à coup sûr l'un des incontournables de la console pour son lancement : magnifiquement exécuté, intégrant intelligemment les spécificités de la machine, et parvenant à reproduire au creux de la main une expérience autrefois réservée aux consoles de salon, ce nouvel Uncharted est tout bonnement impressionnant. Alors certes la mécanique de jeu n'est pas nouvelle, les décors manquent quelque peu de variété, et le jeu en ligne est passé à la trappe, mais la grande qualité du titre fait qu'on lui pardonne aisément ces petits défauts. Que vous connaissiez ou non la saga, Golden Abyss doit accompagner votre PSVita flambant neuve lorsque vous irez la chercher le 22 février prochain !

VentureBeat / Gamesbeat (78 out of 100)

If the game had started with the second half and then proceeded to get better from there, I would’ve liked it much more. But as is, the execution of this game is a bit of a setback for the previously unblemished Uncharted brand, and the full potential of the PlayStation Vita is as yet unrealized. For Sony, that’s tough. Developers won’t get good at making games at the Vita for a while, but by the time they do so, Sony’s rivals may eat its lunch.

Hooked Gamers (7.5 out of 10)

(...) Golden Abyss is Uncharted through and through, just on a smaller scale. It has all of the franchise cliches you would expect; from the epic set pieces to the grand story of unsolved secrets of history that only Nathan Drake can solve.

GamesCollection (7.5 out of 10)

Tirando le somme, si può dire che Uncharted: L'Abisso d'Oro non sia una Killer Application. Il gioco fallisce nel soddisfare l'hype che le anteprime avevano montato e, con maggior demerito, fallisce nel soddisfare gli elevatissimi standard a cui la serie ci ha abituato. Resta di fatto la concretezza di un titolo molto buono che, al di là delle considerazioni relative a PS Vita, ha in sè e per sè pochi difetti, purtroppo sostanziali, ma anche moltissimi pregi. Se non di un capolavoro assoluto, parliamo comunque di un ottimo titolo di lancio per la console, che tra le altre cose offre buone speranze per il futuro dei titoli action su console portatile e offre diverse ore di sicuro intrattenimento. Comunque imperdibile per i veri appassionati della serie, sicuramente uno dei migliori, se non il migliore, fra i giochi disponibili nella lineup iniziale di PS Vita, L'Abisso d'Oro è un titolo forse non imprescindibile ma ugualmente consigliato.

HCL.hr Gaming Portal (75 out of 100)

Prezentacijski gledano, igra je dostojno predočenje Uncharteda u malom obliku. Golden Abyss doslovno pršti od detalja, pa iako pojedini efekti (sjena, vatra, voda) nisu toliko kvalitetni, u globalu to izgleda jako dobro. Palac gore ide i za auditivnu stranu igre. Voice acting odrađen je na zavidnoj razini te na tom aspektu nije napravljen nikakav kompromis. Glazba spada pod onaj stereotipni dio, no ako ste voljeli dosadašnje Uncharted skladbe ne vidimo zašto bi s ovima bilo ikako drugačije.

Digitally Downloaded ( )

I think the major problems with Uncharted: Golden Abyss arose due to the fact I have played the console versions. By itself it is an good game, however it just lacks what makes the series so much fun. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that it was developed by Bend Studios and not Naughty Dog. If you’re a newcomer, this will be an excellent springboard into the series, though veterans will most likely wish to stick to the console releases.

Giant Bomb ( )

Uncharted: Golden Abyss feels like a made-for-cable version of a proper, big-screen Uncharted adventure.