PlayStation Vita (Wifi only) with Uncharted: Golden Abyss and 8GB Memory Card PS Vita

PlayStation Vita (Wifi only) with Uncharted: Golden Abyss and 8GB Memory Card Product Details

Released on 22-Feb-2012

• Uncharted: Golden Abyss - Review

  
  

  

  New frontiers

  Uncharted: Golden Abyss is the newest entry in Sony's Indiana Jones-inspired action adventure series and the first to make the leap from home console to a handheld device - the brand new PlayStation Vita. It may be developed by Bend Studio - maker of the popular PSP Syphon Filter and Resistance games - rather than series creator Naughty Dog, but it successfully manages to translate almost all of the magic from the award-winning games released on PS3 to Sony's exciting new portable.

  Set several years before the original Uncharted, the game sees fortune hunting hero Nathan Drake and mentor Sully attempting to uncover the dark secret of a 400-year-old mystery behind a doomed Spanish expedition to Central America. While the banter between its two returning male leads is just as witty as ever, Golden Abyss doesn't quite deliver the great story and characterisation the series is traditionally known for, which is perhaps understandable given the restrictions its prequel billing places on it. You already know, for example, that new female companion Chase isn't going to figure prominently in Drake's future, and her character feels a bit underdeveloped.

  Thankfully though, the gameplay features all of the slick acrobatic exploration and cover-based shooting Uncharted titles are known for, while introducing some impressive new tricks of its own. It also delivers on the series' trademark visuals, serving up a beautiful adventure on the PlayStation Vita's stunning OLED screen that almost feels PS3 quality. The facial animations might not be as strong, and PS Vita can handle fewer simultaneous on-screen elements, but the graphics set a new benchmark for handheld gaming.

  

  Best of both worlds

  As PS Vita's flagship launch game, there's a lot of pressure on Golden Abyss to deliver, including the burden of needing to prove the value of PS Vita's many different control inputs. Largely the touch and motion based controls are very well implemented, with both combat and puzzling sections benefitting from new ways of playing. You can physically aim with the PS Vita's tilt sensors by moving the console to track targets, zoom in and out using up or down strokes of the system's rear touch pad, and lob grenades by tap-dragging an on-screen icon into densely populated areas. Touch and motion controls also lend themselves well to the lever-pulling, panel-rotating puzzle side of the game, although, on occasion, it feels as if you're being asked to perform overly elaborate actions to achieve what could be accomplished with just a couple of button taps.

  Perhaps most impressive though is the fact that the new control options work perfectly in tandem with more traditional ones, leading to a fluid, highly interactive experience. The PS Vita's responsive dual analogue sticks successfully replicate the sensation of playing with a regular controller, making Golden Abyss one of the most comfortable, natural-feeling action games we've played on a handheld yet, and it doesn't take long before you're sliding into cover using the sticks, switching weapons by tapping the screen, letting off some rounds with the shoulder buttons and throwing grenades with your fingertips.

  

  Handheld treasure

  The PlayStation Vita has a strong, varied software launch line-up, but for action fans looking for a home console quality experience, Golden Abyss is the jewel in the new handheld's crown. The best complement we can pay it is to say that it feels like an authentic Uncharted game, featuring gorgeous environments perfectly designed for platforming, extremely solid cover shooting and engaging puzzles that nicely punctuate the action. Even more impressively, it manages all this while introducing a range of new control options that spice up the traditional formula and make the game more accessible for newcomers. It's an impressive achievement indeed, and one we wholeheartedly recommend.

  GAME's Verdict

  The Good

  • Amazing graphics.
    
  • Strong, varied gameplay.
    
  • Largely excellent, multiple control options.

  The Bad

  • Story feels a bit generic.
    
  • Characterisation could be stronger.
    
  • Uncharted isn't as cinematic on a handheld screen.

  Published: 29/02/2012

• PlayStation Vita Midnight Launch at GAME Oxford Street

  
  

  

  Seven years ago, SONY launched into the portable market with the PlayStation Portable - the PSP.

  This week, SONY's new handheld, the PlayStation Vita, arrived in Europe after months of anticipation, and gamers flocked to GAME Oxford Street for our Midnight Launch, clearly unable to wait any longer to get their hands on the PS Vita!

  Pre-Launch Buzz

  The excited crowd eagerly waited for the doors to open, talking animatedly about the system and what it can do, which games they were going to pick up with their console, and what the future holds for the PS Vita.

  The crowd were able to get to grips with the PS Vita, which was being shown off by some of SONY's PS Vita Room crew, in attendance to help make the most of the evening. Those waiting to have a go on the Vita munched happily on pizza provided by SONY and GAME. Aren't we nice.

  Soon the doors began to raise and the queue eagerly moved forward, entering the warmth of the shop. Everyone received a PS Vita goodie bag, but, more importantly, they were now one step closer to the next generation of handheld gaming.

  

  Special Guests for a Special Night

  Sitting at a table near at the front of the store was Karl Jones, lead designer for WipEout 2048, ready to sign copies of the game. He was accompanied by renowned cosplayer Ami Ledger, who was dressed as a WipEout 2048 pilot.

  Once the crowd had filled the store, Karl and Ami stood on the counter to begin the countdown, and to thank everyone who had come out on the cold February night. With their final thank you, midnight struck and the PlayStation Vita was now available, which raised a huge applause from the crowd.

  

  Well Worth the Wait

  The first customer in the queue was lucky enough to walk away with not only his PS Vita, but also a bundle of PS Vita games and a Home Cinema System!

  Soon the queue was moving and customers were walking out triumphantly, PS Vita in hand, ready to get home and start playing. Those that purchased WipEout 2048 stopped to have their games signed by Karl and Ami. Those that didn't asked to have their console boxes signed instead, and Karl and Ami were only too happy to oblige.

  The excitement surrounding the PS Vita had been steadily building since its announcement, growing with every new snippet about what the console can do, and with each new game that was announced. Now the PlayStation Vita is where it belongs, in the hand of the gamers, and from the excitement seen last night, the PS Vita's future looks very bright indeed.

  

  Published: 22/02/2012

• Sony details cross-platform play for PS Vita and PS3

  Sony has reminded prospective PlayStation Vita owners of the wide array of cross-compatibility options it provides with the PlayStation 3.

  The advanced handheld, which debuts in the UK this week, will be able to access much of the same content via the PlayStation Store as the PS3 can, including games such as Motorstorm RC, Hustle Kings and Top Darts.

  Owners of both consoles who purchase certain games on one system will be able to re-download it for the other device at no extra cost, while some titles will even let PS Vita and PlayStation 3 owners compete against each other in multiplayer.

  This also applies to downloadable content, so purchasing new characters and costumes in games such as Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 will unlock the features on both PS3 and PS Vita.

  Sony's newest console will arrive to much fanfare on February 22nd, boasting a gorgeous OLED touchscreen, dual analogue controls and unmatched graphics for a portable console.

  Launch titles include Uncharted: Golden Abyss, WipEout 2048, FIFA Football and many more.

  Published: 21/02/2012

• UFC Undisputed 3 reigns supreme over UK charts

  THQ's new mixed martial arts game UFC Undisputed 3 has performed an aggressive takedown on its competitors in the UK all-formats chart this week.
  
  The acclaimed Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 title debuted in first place in the official GfK-ChartTrack rankings, edging ahead of perennial favourite FIFA 12, which was back up to second.
  
  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 once again showed off its impressive staying power to climb back up to third place, while Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games achieved its highest ever chart position with a fourth-place finish.
  
  Aside from UFC Undisputed 3, no other new games entered the top 40 this week, though there was a newcomer to the top ten: Activision's sleeper hit Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, which continued its steady ascent up the chart to seventh.
  
  Next week, the charts will be well and truly shaken up by the debut of PlayStation Vita, Sony's newest handheld console, as well as a number of blockbuster games.
  
  PS Vita launch titles such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss and WipEout 2048 are sure to make a splash, as are multiplatform games like the sci-fi shooter Syndicate.

  Published: 20/02/2012

• PlayStation Vita Day at GAME

  
  

  As you may know from our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube posts, SONY have been nice enough to let us try out a shiny new PlayStation Vita.

  Well, last Friday SONY rocked up to GAME HQ with cases more of them for us to play with, so that we're ready to help you when the PS Vita goes on sale on 22nd February. While we were having fun, we thought we'd share with you some of our first-hand experiences of this nifty new handheld.

  Double the touchscreens, double the possibilities

  
  

  At the front, a five inch OLED touchscreen. Bright, clear, crisp (the graphics were described as 'lush' by one staff member) and very responsive. Then there's the unique rear touch pad, and that's the real game-changer. You interact with games in ways you've never done so before, and the multi-touch feature means you can use multiple fingers on both pads at the same time.

  In Little Deviants we poked the back of the PS Vita, to physically lift the world that we saw in the game and have our Deviant roll around in response. It felt like we were literally poking into the game itself and it's a refreshingly, immersive experience.

  It's also put to good use in Escape Plan. As well as moving characters and obstacles with the front screen, you can use the rear pad to push objects towards (or away from) you and complete paths. Plus there are some moves that can only be done by 'pinching' both screens at once. Again, it's an incredible experience that needs to be enjoyed first hand!

  Motion - captured!

  
  

  The PS Vita comes armed with inbuilt motion sensors and gyroscopic controls, so the game will move in reaction to the way the PS Vita is being moved. We saw this highlighted in a few different games.

  WipEout 2048 gives you the choice to play it safe and use the buttons and control sticks, or use the motion controls. Choose the latter - you'll tilt the PS Vita in your hands to steer your ship, slingshot around bends and overtake your rivals! Once you get used to it, you won't want to go back to using the control stick!

  In Gravity Rush, after you stumble across a strange cat who (for some reason) grants you the ability to manipulate gravity, a whole realm of possibilities for a whole new type of platforming game are opened up. Specifically, moving your console around in 3D space to aim where your character will shift gravity to.

  Both Little Deviants and Reality Fighters use the motion controls together with the rear camera, superimposing the action onto whatever you're pointing at and following the action around. It's real 360-degree gameplay that became less self-conscious the more we got into the games!

  Two analogue sticks are better than one!

  
  

  Successfully bridging the gap between the PS3 and PSP are the dual analogue sticks, giving a greater freedom - and variety - of control in all manner of games.

  The forthcoming Super Stardust evolves the controls of the PSP version to something more akin to Smash TV (for you old school gamers!). The left stick moves your ship around, and the right stick is used to aim and fire your guns. This may sound simple, but the screen soon fills with tons of enemies and coordination between movement and aiming becomes crucial. On the PSP this was a tricky task; the Vita pulls it off beautifully.

  Then there's the remote control carnage of Motorstorm RC. The steering, using the left stick, is responsive and quiet nippy, as you'd expect from a remote control car, with the cars being able to turn at extreme angles. Using the right analogue stick for acceleration and braking works like a dream as you can determine how much you brake or accelerate by how far you push the stick forward or pull it back.

  ModNation Racers uses the second analogue in two very different ways - if you're lucky enough to be leading the pack you can see who's chasing after you, and by flicking the stick left or right you can bump into other players to knock them away.

  Possibly the most visually appealing title so far shown off is Uncharted: Golden Abyss. PSP players have for a long time wanted to hold drake in their hands whilst on the move. As the Vita packs that second analogue that dream is now a reality as now you can aim and look around like you would on the PS3 versions. It handles like the PS3 version, too!

  All together now...

  
  

  Of all the games we played, there was one that proved to be surprisingly fun, and enjoyably addictive - Frobisher Says. Much like Wario Ware, Frobisher Says is a collection of mini games that use every feature of the PS Vita, whether it's to fan a lady using the motion controls, split clouds using the touch screen or even have your picture taken by the Vita's camera. It may not be at the top of everyone's list, but if you want a party piece to show the Vita's extra features off, look no further than Frobisher.

  Social. Network.

  
  

  One thing that really stood out was how well-designed the PS Vita is for connecting with others, from online chat and 'Parties', to social networking through Facebook and Twitter, and, of course, PlayStation Network.

  Thanks to the Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity of the PS Vita, mobile PSN Messaging from wherever you are is now possible. You also have access to over 300 PS1, PS Minis and PSP Essential games available to download at launch - and if you've already bought it, you can download it again no extra cost. You can even play music and rent movies.

  For more social gaming, there's NEAR. If you're sat in, say, a coffee shop or restaurant that has Wi-Fi then you can turn on to NEAR that will show you all Vita players that are 'NEAR' to you. You'll be able to see what they are playing, and join them for a game. And with Crossplay, you can even play against PS3 players on certain games, with full compatibility.

  There's also the trophies. For some, collecting trophies is an obsession and to know you can collect them on the go is brilliant. Much like the PS3 system, whenever you do something that is deemed worthy, like complete a level, come first in a race, set the fastest lap etc, you'll be awarded a trophy that your friends can see and become jealous of. And by connecting your PS Vita to Facebook, you'll be able to post a status showing off the trophies you have just collected. Your friends now have no escape from your trophy collecting skills!

  With all these social and mobile features, plus the selection of mini-games, movies and music, the PS Vita appears to be the missing link between the PlayStation and modern smartphones.

  Anything else we need to know?

  
  

  The PS Vita is easy to use and to set-up. It comes with all the leads you need to power and charge it, and to connect to a PC to help manage your content. There's even a 'Welcome Park' to guide you through how to use it. It also comes with an Augmented Reality card to get you going with the AR features.

  But the real treat is how you can personalise it. You can have up to 100 applications, and even have different applications running at once. You can move and customise your icons, menus and backgrounds, including taking your own screenshots from within the games you play. It really is your PS Vita, your way.

  Final Thoughts

  
  

  We had a great day enjoying everything the Vita had to offer. There really seems to be something for everyone, from the most casual of gamers to the most devoted PlayStation player, and SONY really seem to understand what modern, mobile gamers want.

  We've got a PS Vita in every GAME store - with a lucky 150 stores having a nifty pod - so why not pop in and try one out yourself!

  Published: 01/02/2012

• Try out PlayStation Vita in GAME stores now

  Gamers across the country can try out Sony's eagerly-awaited PlayStation Vita console at their local GAME stores right now.

  A PS Vita unit has been sent out to each of the chain's 600 dedicated shops in the UK, while 150 leading outlets will also be setting up a special interactive display unit showing off the high-tech handheld's capabilities.

  It means fans can get hands-on time with the sleek device, as well as ensuring that GAME's in-store staff will be familiar enough with the machine to answer any questions.

  Fergal Gara, vice president and managing director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK, said: "PlayStation Vita is an amazing piece of technology - but the very best way to make people realise this is by putting it in their hands."

  The successor to the popular PSP, PS Vita features a stunning five-inch OLED screen, front and rear touch panels and dual analogue controls, as well as graphics to rival PlayStation 3 games.

  Launch titles include big-name releases like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, ModNation Racers: Road Trip and WipEout 2048.

  Published: 31/01/2012

• Jak and Daxter Trilogy confirmed for February 2012 launch

  PlayStation 3 owners will be able to experience the greatest hits of Jak and Daxter with the launch of The Jak and Daxter Trilogy in February 2012.

  The new compilation title includes the first three instalments in the classic platform adventure series on one Blu-ray disc, with each title having received a high-definition facelift and optional 3D visuals.

  Created by Naughty Dog, the award-winning team behind Crash Bandicoot and Uncharted, the Jak series celebrated its tenth anniversary last month and is well known for its imaginative worlds, technical innovations and creative gameplay.

  The 2001 original Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is joined in the collection by its darker sequels Jak II and Jak 3, with extensive PlayStation Trophy support promised for each title.

  More than 100 Trophies are available across the three games, including three prized platinum awards, offering hours of fun for gaming completionists.

  The Jak and Daxter Trilogy has been created by developer Mass Media, with support from the original Jak team at Naughty Dog.

  Published: 26/01/2012

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