Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Lore & Background

Set before the events of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Golden Abyss follows Nathan Drake as he investigates a centuries-old mystery tied to the Spanish conquistador Esteban de Dorantes and the lost city of Quivira. The story begins with Drake joining an archaeological dig led by his old friend Jason Dante, but quickly unravels into a race against a ruthless paramilitary group led by the corrupt Roberto Guerro. The game introduces Marisa Chase, a young woman searching for her missing grandfather, an archaeologist who had discovered crucial clues about Quivira's location.

Reader's Guide

The campaign follows Nathan Drake as he is drawn into a hunt for the lost city of Quivira in Panama. The central MacGuffin is the 'Golden Abyss,' a legendary chasm said to contain immense treasure—and the bones of Esteban de Dorantes. Key turning points include the discovery of a hidden temple complex where Drake must use the Vita's rear touchpad to trace ancient symbols, a gut-punch betrayal by Drake's ally Jason Dante (who trades a handshake for a knife in the back), and a desperate chase through a collapsing underground city where the ground literally crumbles beneath your feet.

The story sets up Drake's rivalry with the Sully-like figure of Dante—a charming rogue with a darker streak—and introduces Marisa Chase, whose grandfather's research provides the key to the mystery. While standalone, the game establishes Drake's resourcefulness (he can now climb using touch gestures) and his tendency to stumble into larger conspiracies, foreshadowing his later adventures. The final confrontation atop a burning temple is a Vita technical showcase, with flames flickering across both screens.

Did You Know?

• Golden Abyss was the first Uncharted game developed by Bend Studio, not Naughty Dog.
• The game was designed to showcase the PlayStation Vita's unique features, including gyroscopic aiming and touch-based climbing.
• The game's story was written by John Garvin.