E3 2011 Impressions: Uncharted Golden Abyss (Playstation Vita)

The graphical showcase of Playstation Vita is clearly Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Nathan Drake looks as impressive on Vita as he does on PS3

Visually, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is unmatched in the games demoed at E3 2011 for PS Vita, or any portable system. The environments were lush and bursting with color, providing all the eye candy of a jungle level. Nathan himself looked amazing, with super detailed face and animations. While it was only a brief glimpse, and I’m sure there are minor differences, the overall impact of Golden Abyss is the same as the PS3 versions.

For most sections of the demo, the game could be controlled in two different ways. The first is the traditional console-style controls, with buttons, shoulder buttons and the dual analog sticks used in the same ways.

However, there were alternate controls for each type of gameplay too, using the touch screen and the gyroscope to move Nathan and engage enemies and obstacles.

The level in E3 showed Nathan in a jungle climbing mountains and ridges and engaging some enemies shooting at him.

The combat can be played as in the console version, with shoulder buttons used for targetting and shooting, and both analog sticks used for movement. However, there is also an alternate combat method using the front touch screen. This type of combat reminded me most of an iPhone game, with touches used for hand to hand combat. I still preferred the traditional method, but the new method might attract new gamers to the title.

The platforming in Golden Abyss also had two ways of control. Traversing the mountains and ledges could be done with the analog stick and jumping. But the game also illuminates various grab-able areas, allowing the player to use the front touch screen to touch each point to grab to. The player can swipe across multiple touchable areas to create a path for Nathan to automatically follow. The Vita can also be tilted left or right to help Nathan “lean” towards a ledge to jump to next,

As a marquee title, Uncharted: Golden Abyss was graphically impressive and is showing signs of having two unique control methods to attract the largest possible audience.

More of my PSP Vita Impressions:
10 Thoughts on PS Vita
Little Big Planet
Little Deviants
Virtua Tennis 4
Sound Shapes


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One response to “E3 2011 Impressions: Uncharted Golden Abyss (Playstation Vita)”

  1. […] 4) However, the back touchpad was the most exciting new feature of the Playstation Vita. In various game demoes, the back touchpad was used as a primary gameplay driver (in Little Deviants) as well as a compliment (in Uncharted: Golden Abyss). […]

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