It may have been over looked, due to Sony's PS4 being released, but there is a game out there you all must play. That game is Tearaway which has bee developed by Media Molecule (otherwise known as the team behind the LittleBigPlanet series) for the PlayStation Vita.
The story is simple, yet beautiful. At the start of the game you get to choose your messenger (either iota or atoi which is dependent of what gender you choice) and his/her mission is to deliver a message to you (the player). It sounds simple, and it is really, but this game's execution is do extraordinarily well. What really brings you into the game is the use of the front and rear camera. By that small feature you actually become a character the story. You are well you. Throughout you are given opportunities to take photos of yourself, or of your surroundings, which are then plastered all over the level. It may not be a new idea and some may see this as a cheap trick but it really works because you (the player) are constantly been referred to in the narrative. That small detail is what changes this cheap trick into an important gameplay mechanic that I may not be fully appreciated until you complete the game.
The is one of many ways the game uses the Vita's unique features. But at no point did I feel using said features became a chore (which is unlike many Vita games). What this game does right is that it slowly introduces gameplay mechanics and features (to the point where you don't get bored nor does the game get repetitive). I have played a few Vita games and I feel this is a major area some developers get horrifically wrong. They should take note of how Media Molecule constructed their game as they have used nearly all, if not all, of the functionality offered by the Vita (which is something I will not ruin for you).
The functionality isn't even the best bit of the game. The style is phenomenal. The entire world is crafted out of paper; with folds, creases and crunchy sounds being heard with every step. It is an interesting idea that isn't as superficial as other game's stylistic choices. The style really affects the gameplay/story on a deeper level. You won't really appreciate the style choice until you get to those last few levels where you start to realise why the paper like design, combined with the Vita's functionality, was chosen. It is a stunningly beautiful little game that does more than look pleasing on the eye.
The level design clearly has its origins from Media Molecule's first ip (LittleBigPlanet). Each chapter has its own feel and look which you can add to. A big part of this game is creating your own tale which is done by either buying prepare shapes (via collecting confetti) or make your own (which some, anal, people may struggle/dislike). I often found myself channelling my inner child; creating all sorts of child like shapes and objects. It really gave me some sort of ownership and individuality to my story. Saying that the create mode does pull you out of the game. The transition from gameplay/story to work station wasn't very good and often felt a bit disjointed.
This game is a bit short and it doesn't have that amazing online infrastructure their other ip (LittleBigPlanet) had. I am not disappointed that this game doesn't have competitive multiplayer (as that certainly wouldn't have fitted with the ethos of the game) but I am a little disappointed to see a lack of sharing your experiences/creations as the game clearly suits it and often begs for it. It may be an oversight but it is a shame to see this in an almost perfect game.
Overal this game is phenomenal. I encourage any Vita owner to get this game and any future Vita owners to not forget it. Sadly, I feel this game will be overlooked by many since we have new hardware. I have always thought nothing could come close to The Last of Us for my game of the year. This game came bloody close. Well done Media Molecule for showing you really are a heavy weight in this industry.
Alex Evans Media Molecule co-founder is taking a break from game development. According to the developer, Dreams is in great hands with a mind-blowing future ahead.
Media Molecule are currently among Sony's top developers, even if they aren't taking in top cash. Those who don't own Dreams are really missing out, especially owners of PlayStation VR.
Shameless Plug: Play my VR game in dreams, "We Bowling in VR!" or my other non-VR game, "Missile Commander"!
Why? It took them more then an entire generation just to get one game out.
It took them almost a generation to get the best, most innovative, and most ambitious play/create/share game ever made.
VGChartz's Adam Cartwright: "Thanks to the timing of the Vita’s release and its relative power compared to the home consoles at the time (PS3 & Xbox 360), it saw the benefit of a number of these late ports which have remained the ‘definitive’ versions to this day. It’s these games that I’m aiming to look at in this article – titles that are best on Vita by virtue of extra bells and whistles, tweaked controls, and content, or in some cases just a general feeling that Sony’s portable hardware is the most enjoyable way to play."
With Sony finally putting an end to the PlayStation Vita, we at CGMagazine wanted to look back to see what made the Vita so special, and explore what could have been.
Persona 4 is what made me buy a Vita as I didn't own a PS3 + I've always been big on my handhelds. The game is so fantastic and was worth the Vita purchase by itself imo
This just reminds me I need to purchase a 2nd Vita while they are still under $300. Great system and there are so many great games to play.
It was such a great handheld. As great as the 3DS is, the Vita is greater in my eyes. The hardware is fantastic, and everything about how it functions is miles ahead of my 3DS XL. The 3DS had some good games and certainly had better long term support, no question there, but I wish so very much that the Vita got that instead.
Fingers crossed for Sony to give handhelds one more go...maybe...Hey! I see you starting to structure a reply! Don't rain on my parade man!
I agree the Persona fanbase would not have had the fervent fanbase that is now which is similar to what P3P did with the PSP. I know because I´ve been promoting these two games for almost 10 years now and I´ve seen the fanbase grow which each game getting more attention, once people have been recommended getting the games and having played the games.
My list of games I loved on the vita is probably going to differ greatly to the normal user as most players stuck to the Indies or jrpg but I love big budget titles I absolutely loved playing
Killzone
Borderlands 2
Call of duty black ops declassified (despite being universally dismissed as a bad game)
Ratchet and Clank remasters
Uncharted
God of war remasters
GTA vice /LCS (which also defined the PSP for me)
The walking dead was also fantastic on the vita
The battlefront PSP games were actually so much better with a right analog stick
Assassins Creed
There was probably more I was a huge supporter of the system when I had the opportunity to buy a vita game over the PS3 version I absolutely took that chance I think I was one of the only people I know that still have their vita hanging about and had a 64gb card for it.
It's a shame it never took off full quality console gaming on the go is fantastic I think the switch is proving this I think the vita was just a victim of it's time it was slightly to early to take advantage of better hardware and it was born in the middle of a mobile phone arm race and people thought that mobiles were actually close to surpassing the vita graphically with Devs like EA focusing purely on iOS and Android for mobile games and shifting away from portable titles on the vita.
Nice review :D
Pretty much agree with it, this game is pure magic
I am having an amazing time with this game... It just makes you smile so much... plus the story is great, the use of the vita is so innovative and the whole world just feels fun...
Media Molecule are amazing developers with real originality and passion. The music is also fantastic and playful,and suits the levels perfectly.
9/10. A must play.
The ending is probably the warmest fuzziest feeling a gamer will ever get. It'll make you smile, it'll make you cry, it'll make you feel good to have supported & played a game like Tearaway.
It's a beautiful game full of charm & it is a DAMN shame that so many people are missing out cause the Vita isn't as successful as the 3DS. Tearaway is a game that can only be played on the Vita cause it uses every function of the Vita in a non gimmicky way.
Every Vita owner needs this in their library.
Really great review. Although I already own a Vita, this is the sort of game that would push some non-Vita owners over the edge. It is very good. I think what I love the most is that there is zero fluff. The game takes ~10 hours to beat but I can't think of a single moment where I was like "uhhgh, THIS again?"
Plus I want to go back and find the hidden presents and take more pictures. Definitely a must-own title. The soundtrack was sublime.