UNCHARTED @lj.com

Wrapped up in the Sony handheld's version 2.0 update, the PlayStation Vita is finally getting PS Plus. Detailing the offering for European users, the subscription-based service will add four free games per month, with the launch line-up including Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush and Chronovolt. Like its big console brother, you can expect to see discounted titles, free demos and other content arrive alongside full titles.

Your Vita will also be able to tap into cloud storage for game saves, with an additional 1GB of space added for the portable console. If you're already paying for PlayStation Plus on your PS3 ( three months at $18 or a one-year plan for $50), you'll pick up the service for free on your Vita starting November 19th (and the 20th in Europe), provided they're linked to the same PSN account. There's a quick video outline (and the European press release) right after the break.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss is an impressive looking game, showing off the graphical prowess of Sony’s PS Vita in all the lovely colors of the South American jungle.

Developed by SCEA’s Sony Bend with oversight from Naughty Dog, the game acts as a prequel to the Uncharted games. And while it’s a handheld game, its 34 chapters promise plenty of game time.

Uncharted 3 was a decent game, but too linear and too interested in quick time events (QTEs) for my taste. Golden Abyss falls into both those traps, but makes use of the Vita’s touchscreen in the process.

It'll take more than a new portable to bring sales back up. The NPD Group has revealed the industry numbers for February, and sales were down across the board. Overall US retail sales for the month came in at $1.06 billion, which is down 20% year-over-year. Software fell even further, down 24% to $485.7 million, and even hardware - despite the availability of two new systems in the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita - were down 18% to $381.4 million. The only silver lining is that hardware was up in comparison to the previous month. As for the Vita, Uncharted: Golden Abyss did manage to crack the top 20 on the software charts, and $10 million worth of Vita accessories were sold, too.

The developers of Uncharted: Golden Abyss, have started talking about some other features that the game will have, which are unique to the PS Vita because of its portability.

With over 300 collectibles in the game they’ve attempted to make some replayability for those who are crazy about picking up virtual stuff in between shooting down wave after wave of enemies.The items also tell more back story as you collect items you’ll get locations you photograph, and other puzzles you solve.These items are called Bounties.