Developed by SCE Bend Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Golden Abyss represents the first major Uncharted experience created for the PlayStation Vita. Set as a standalone adventure that unfolds before the events of the original Uncharted game, it offers fans a fresh look at the early days of Drake through a new storyline that slots neatly into the beloved franchise. The project was conceived to push the capabilities of the Vita, leveraging its touch screen and motion sensors to craft gameplay that feels tactile and immediate, while keeping the same sense of cinematic drama fans expect from Uncharted. Players navigate treacherous environments, solve environmental puzzles, and engage in gunplay and platforming sequences that require quick reflexes and strategic thinking. Visuals are tuned to maximize the handheld’s hardware, delivering sharp textures, dynamic lighting, and character animations that stand out on a portable screen, often drawing comparisons to console-quality production while maintaining a portable frame rate and battery-conscious performance. The narrative threads weave through a distinct chapter in Drake’s early career, offering a compact but fully realized adventure that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the console-era installments, yet still rewards devoted followers with nods to recurring characters and lore. The game integrates stylus-based and traditional controls, providing players with flexible options to suit different play styles. On the accessibility side, the title includes intuitive touch gestures for exploration and combat, while motion controls facilitate aiming and platforming challenges in new ways. In terms of reception, critics highlighted the game’s ambition and execution for a handheld title, noting solid level design, pacing, and the successful translation of Uncharted’s signature set pieces into a portable format. The experience showcases how a premier developer can leverage a handheld’s strengths to deliver a cohesive, action-adventure experience that still captures the emotional beats and humor fans associate with the series. It stands as a noteworthy entry in the Uncharted canon, particularly for players seeking a compact but polished chapter that expands the universe without requiring players to invest in a full console-exclusive campaign. While it may not mirror every nuance of the console flagship titles, Golden Abyss earns its place by marrying a robust action-adventure framework with handheld ingenuity, earning a respectable 4/5 rating from critics.