Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Overview

Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a 2011 action-adventure game developed by Bend Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita. A spin-off of Naughty Dog's Uncharted series, the game was released as a launch title for the console. Golden Abyss is a prequel to the series, taking place before the events of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. The story revolves around adventurer-treasure hunter Nathan Drake as he becomes involved in a search for the lost city of Quivira and is aided by fellow treasure hunter Marisa Chase. Gameplay combines action-adventure with platforming elements, with players solving puzzles and fighting enemies using cover-based third-person shooting.

Concept work for Golden Abyss began in 2007, when Sony asked Bend Studio to develop a new Uncharted as a console launch title. Due to the changing specifications of the Vita, much of the early development was done using PlayStation 3 hardware. The entire project was overseen by original developer Naughty Dog, with Bend Studio receiving assets from the first two Uncharted titles and getting access to their motion capture facilities. John Garvin was both director and scriptwriter, the latter under the supervision of main series writer Amy Hennig. Hennig also ensured the return of Nolan North as Drake and Richard McGonagle as Sully.

The game was revealed in January 2011 alongside the Vita. Golden Abyss debuted to strong sales and generally positive critical reception. Journalists praised its graphics, voice performances, and recreation of Uncharted gameplay on the platform. Criticism focused on its storyline and implementation of Vita-specific controls. To date, the game remains exclusive to the platform, as it was left out of the PlayStation 4's Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection due to the standalone nature of its narrative.

Official trailer

PS Vita Trailer. Watch on YouTube

Screenshots

Game details

Genres

Shooter, Platform, Adventure

Developer

SCE Bend Studio

Publisher

Sony Computer Entertainment

Series

Uncharted

Platforms

PlayStation Vita

Age rating

ESRB T

Modes

Single player

Yes

Local multiplayer

No

Online multiplayer

No

Co op

No

Age ratings

PEGI

16

ESRB

T

Release dates

Subscription history

Trophies

Trophies56

Platinum possibleYes

Platinum

1

Gold

2

Silver

5

Bronze

48

Total

56

Points

1350

Grind

• Five Bounty sets, one bronze each: Arcana, Pieces of Silver, Cadiz, Spanish Gold and Gemstones. Bounties drop from defeated enemies and could also be traded through the Black Market, which runs on the Vita's Near app.

• Platinum Collect all other 55 Trophies for this Trophy. Platinum 30.82% of players
• Relic Finder Find the strange relic. Bronze 35.89% of players
• Survivor Defeat 75 Enemies in a row without dying. Bronze 38.96% of players
• 100 Headshots Defeat 100 enemies with headshots. Bronze 40.07% of players
• 250 Headshots Defeat 250 enemies with headshots. Silver 35.75% of players
• Run-and-Gunner Defeat 20 enemies by shooting from the hip (without aiming with the L button). Bronze 36.5% of players
• Hangman Defeat 20 enemies with gunfire by aiming while hanging. Bronze 42.91% of players
• 50 Kills: 92FS - 9mm Defeat 50 enemies with the 92FS - 9mm. Bronze 38.26% of players
• 50 Kills: Micro - 9mm Defeat 50 enemies with the Micro - 9mm. Bronze 35.93% of players
• 30 Kills: Wes - 44 Defeat 30 enemies with the Wes - 44. Bronze 37.73% of players
• 30 Kills: Desert - 5 Defeat 30 enemies with the Desert - 5. Bronze 37.55% of players
• 70 Kills: FAL Defeat 70 enemies with the FAL. Bronze 36.14% of players
• 70 Kills: M4 Defeat 70 enemies with the M4. Bronze 35.38% of players
• 30 Kills: Moss - 12 Defeat 30 enemies with the Moss - 12. Bronze 34.9% of players
• 70 Kills: SAS - 12 Defeat 70 enemies with the SAS - 12. Bronze 32.26% of players
• 50 Kills: M79 Defeat 50 enemies with the M79. Bronze 33.45% of players
• 50 Kills: GP32 - BND Defeat 50 enemies with the GP32 - BND. Bronze 35.99% of players
• 50 Kills: Dragon Sniper Defeat 50 enemies with the Dragon Sniper. Bronze 41.49% of players
• 30 Kills: RPG - 7 Defeat 30 enemies with the RPG - 7. Bronze 33.94% of players
• 200 Kills: GAU - 19 Defeat 200 enemies with the GAU - 19. Bronze 32.04% of players
• 30 Kills: Mk - NDI Defeat 30 enemies with the Mk - NDI. Bronze 35.56% of players
• Bare-knuckle Slugger Defeat 50 enemies with hand-to-hand combat. Silver 40.69% of players
• Master Ninja Defeat 50 enemies with stealth attacks. Silver 36.65% of players
• Steel Fist Master Defeat 20 enemies with a single punch, after softening them up with gunfire. Bronze 33.59% of players
• Steel Fist Expert Defeat 10 enemies in a row with a single punch, after softening them up with gunfire. Silver 32.14% of players
• Charted! - Easy Finish the game in Easy Mode. Bronze 39.27% of players
• Charted! - Normal Finish the game in Normal Mode. Silver 38.1% of players
• Charted! - Hard Finish the game in Hard Mode. Gold 34.4% of players
• Charted! - Crushing Finish the game in Crushing Mode. Gold 31.39% of players
• Secrets of the Kuna Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.6% of players
• Odessa Mining Company Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.94% of players
• The Conquistadors Complete the Mystery. Bronze 33.72% of players
• Proof of Life Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.45% of players
• Poisoned Powder Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.56% of players
• The Revolution Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.68% of players
• Trail of Vincent Perez Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.49% of players
• The Sete Cidades Complete the Mystery. Bronze 34.84% of players
• The Friar's Pilgrimage Complete the Mystery. Bronze 33.74% of players
• The Lost Civilization Complete the Mystery. Bronze 33.62% of players
• The Circle of Heaven Complete the Mystery. Bronze 33.65% of players
• The Ring of Earth Complete the Mystery. Bronze 33.55% of players
• Treasure: Turquoise Glyphs Complete the treasure set. Bronze 33.81% of players
• Treasure: Jade Carvings Complete the treasure set. Bronze 33.65% of players
• Treasure: The Menagerie Complete the treasure set. Bronze 33.67% of players
• Treasure: Minor Deities Complete the treasure set. Bronze 33.49% of players
• Bounty: Arcana Complete the bounty set. Bronze 31.73% of players
• Bounty: Pieces of Silver Complete the bounty set. Bronze 32.32% of players
• Bounty: Spanish Gold Complete the bounty set. Bronze 33.26% of players
• Bounty: Cádiz Complete the bounty set. Bronze 31.97% of players
• Bounty: Gemstones Complete the bounty set. Bronze 32.79% of players
• Puzzle Master Complete all puzzles. Bronze 33.54% of players
• Rub One Out Complete all rubbings. Bronze 33.48% of players
• Paparazzo Complete all photographs. Bronze 33.55% of players
• Touch My Rear Use the rear touch pad to climb a rope or chain. Bronze 43.75% of players
• The Collector Collect first treasure or mystery. Bronze 47.56% of players
• Ruffle My Feathers Force José Parrot to squawk out 8 unique quips. Bronze 34.89% of players

Space and patches

Space neededAbout 2.9 GB

Playable today

Playable offline todayYes

Single-player only, with no online features.

Online

Plays offlineYes

Credits

Publisher

Sony Computer Entertainment

Developer

SCE Bend Studio

Released

2012-02-15

Age rating

ESRB T

Region

US

Time to beat

about 10 hours