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Uncharted: Golden Abyss Case
Score: 70%
Developer: Thrustmaster
Device Type: Accessory


Function:

Thrustmaster's Uncharted: Golden Abyss Case serves a few purposes. First and most importantly, it protects the otherwise not-so-durable PlayStation Vita. Taking the appearance of a briefcase (or a miniscule weapons cache), the case is packed with very carefully-cut density foam. The indentations cut into the foam are just the right size for your Vita and six Vita Game Cards.

Performance:

With the goals of safety and style in mind, the Uncharted: Golden Abyss Case is more than up to the task. The Vita fits super snugly into its aperture and will most assuredly not move around during any kind of transit. The same goes for the Game Card slots; once they are in place, they aren't going anywhere. That being said, everything is 100% retrieval ready. Special finger holes give you ready access to whatever you need to get out of the foam.

The case itself doesn't seem to be as indestructible as the foam packed inside of it. It's hard plastic with a military paint job, a couple of logos, and a tag marked with Uncharted hero Nathan Drake's name. However, I do like the sliding locks at the front, which are used to open or secure the case. Even if the case springs open after being dropped, it's hard to imagine anything flying out of it.

It's advertised on the box that the case has been optimized to have absolutely no interference with any of the Vita's wireless capabilities. I'm not sure if this is a big deal: it's almost impossible to play with the Vita while it's in the case. You have no shoulder button or rear touchscreen access whatsoever. However, if a game only requires analog stick/face button inputs, you can play it while it's encased.


Features:
  • Shock-Resistant XL Hard Case
  • Two Layers of High-Density Foam Protection
  • Sliding Lock System
  • Carries Vita and Six Game Cards
  • Uncharted Theme
  • Interference-Free

Drawbacks & Problems::

The most obvious potential drawback to the Uncharted: Golden Abyss Case is its bulkiness. The Vita is a very sleek piece of hardware. This product is not so much a case as it is a safety box. It's big, it's blocky, and it's almost guaranteed not to fit in any of your pockets. Granted, the Vita isn't the most portable handheld to begin with, but some cases are small enough to allow a greater degree of portability.

The Uncharted: Golden Abyss Case seems more concerned with safety and style than it is with portability. It's a handsomely-designed and sturdy piece of handiwork. If you're concerned with keeping your Vita safe during travel and are a diehard Uncharted fan, you might want to take a look at it. Just know, though: at $34.99, it's not that much cheaper than the game it's themed after. And in the end, there are cheaper alternatives that protect your Vita while allowing you to play with it at the same time.


-FenixDown, GameVortex Communications
AKA Jon Carlos

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