Playstation Vita Launch Party!
Developer: Sony
Publisher: Sony
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: 22nd Feb 2012
The release of Sony’s swanky new handheld is finally upon us!
We are now mere hours away from the revolutionary piece of hardware’s release. To celebrate its launch, Bone-idle were lucky enough to be invited to the launch party, where we were talked through the systems hardware capabilities and, more importantly, were free to sample some of the systems launch titles and apps.
By now, most people will be aware of the many new functions of the PS Vita. It has a new touch screen, both front and rear. It also has dual analogue sticks, for a more fluid gameplay experience. And the graphics engine….well! Sony boasts that, in terms of quality, it has far more in common with the PS3 than the PS2. After seeing footage of Uncharted: Golden Abyss, it’s clear to see that they aren’t kidding. The graphics are simply stunning, and screenshots alone simply cannot do them justice.
The Vita also has a front and rear camera, which will surely be utilized for any number of future games and apps. A demonstration of launch title Reality Fighters gave us an idea of how this new add-on might integrate into gameplay (see below). In relation to this, we were presented with an app that utilized official ‘PlayStation cards’, all of which had different designs on them. These cards, when placed before the camera, can be used to represent certain items.
For example, two cards were placed before the camera. Card 1 became a small swimming pool on the Vita screen. Card 2 became a diving board. Both cards could be moved about, thus moving the objects onscreen simultaneously. When finished customizing, a virtual diver can be controlled to jump from the diving board and into the pool of water (although it was far more entertaining to miss the pool and allow the diver to fall to his death, hehehe)
This use of cameras, the demonstrator explains, will pave the way for gameplay experiences that are unique to individual players, similar to Little Big Planet and ModNation Racers. Rather than the somewhat clunky customization screens in these games however, players will be free to construct arenas, racetracks and levels in reality and then transfer them to the virtual space.
Following this demonstration, we were given the opportunity to play some of the games from the launch line-up. Here is a quick overview of the games that were sampled:
Reality Fighters
As mentioned, Reality Fighters invests a great deal in the camera function of the Vita. There was certainly a degree of amusement to be had from seeing my own unkempt and scruffy head atop a hulking behemoth wrestler type character. The customization options, however, seemed somewhat bland. While admittedly only a demo version of this game was on display, it still didn’t present anything that hasn’t been seen before in the likes of WWE or even the gimmicky Eyetoy for PS2.
The ability to take pictures of your environment and use them as arenas however, has great potential. The display room itself was dark, and largely bare, so the use of this particular function was left wanting. In the privacy of your own home, or in public, however, it should lead to some epic gaming.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
This is clearly Sony’s flagship for the Vita launch, the must have game for the system. The very first thing that everyone noticed was the extremely sharp and smooth visuals. It may not be quite up to the standard of Uncharted 3, but it’s damn close!
It feels less like a handheld port than a natural expansion of the Uncharted games. The PSP was always a little clunky because of it’s single analogue stick and poorer graphics engine, but none of those worries have been passed on to the Vita. It handles beautifully, and if you have any experience with the previous Uncharted games, you’ll adapt to the controls almost immediately.
The action that takes place is familiar also, typical cinematic action, with platforming integrated nicely into gun fights. The most notable addition to this installment is the inclusion of QTEs. A quick swipe across the screen will cut through thick grass and so on. How well this integrates into the overall game remains to be seen.
WipEout 2048
To make a personal confession, the appeal of the WipEout games has always been lost on me. The original concept may have been interesting on its initial release, but there have been so many sequels, ports and copycats that the entire futuristic racer concept seems generic and pointless at this stage.
Having gotten that deep, dark secret off my chest, it has to be said that WipEout 2048 is a solid game. Again, it might not be at the top of everyone’s list, but it is almost impossible not to enjoy. WipEout games are noted for their speed and flashy visuals, and it is simply breath-taking on the Vita system. The difficulty was perfectly balanced on the course sampled. Challenging, but not impossible. Fans of the series should be very excited.
Little Deviants
One thing that became apparent just a few seconds into this game was that it was the ‘experiment’ game. The one that gets released to show off the systems’ many functions. It features a collection of mini-games, all of them utilizing different aspects of the Vita. The mini game on display featured one of the Little Deviants searching a small island for keys, so as to unlock the door to the next level. The catch?
The Deviant is a little ball, and can only be moved about by creating hills. These hills are created by pressing your finger against the rear touchscreen. There is a certain childish joy to be found in seeing a bulge on the front screen where your finger is, but this wears off quickly. It may or may not turn out to be a success, depending on the variety of games.
Super Stardust Delta
Playing Super Stardust Delta lasted all of two minutes, far too short a time to give an accurate review of it’s gameplay. The only aspects of the game that can be confirmed are that it’s graphics are notably impressive and it handles very smoothly. Provided the gameplay doesn’t become repetitive (a potential danger), it should play quite well.
Escape Plan
A surprisingly addictive title, most demos at the launch were sampled briefly and then switched over, in order to experience as many games as possible. Sticking to this agenda turned out to be futile however, after picking up Escape Plan. Anyone who has ever played Lemmings will be immediately familiar with the games’ concept.
Your goal in the game is to guide a little animated character safely from one side of the screen to the other. No explanation is given to why this is, but it really doesn’t matter because it is such an enjoyable experience. Control is restricted entirely to the touchscreens. Platforms must be shifted, obstacles brushed aside, and hideous deaths simply must be averted.
The art design is especially impressive, boasting a charming grayscale that is reminiscent of Limbo. Its tone is far less grim however, making this an interesting title to look out for.
Frobisher Says!
Not a launch title per se, but a system app that deserves a mention. Frobisher Says! is Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s WarioWare games. It has an almost identical wacky sense of humour and employs the same kind of gameplay.
A series of mini-games appear one after another, urging the player to complete them as quickly as possible. Highlights include:
“Squash the toffs” – A game that involved squashing the faces of some upper class gentlemen using the front and rear touch screen, and
“Find the flan” – A game that involves a crocodile jumping through a Super Mario style level, looking for his flan…
The games are ridiculous and have a wonderfully random sense of humour. How this will be executed on the Vita (Will it be a once off? Will there be extra levels to download?) remains to be seen. Hopefully it will gain more content than the sparse few levels that were on display here.
And finally…
Gravity Rush
Left until last for good reason, Gravity Rush was undoubtedly the most impressive demo at the launch. At first glance, it may seem a simple adventure game. Typical combat mechanics, platforming, etc. What sets it apart, what really, REALLY sets it apart, is the intriguing ability to control gravity.
Just to stress a single point. This is not a game with anti-gravity elements. You, the player, control gravity. It genuinely feels as though there is a little person floating on screen before you, the concept is executed that well.
The demo begins with your character running about in typical adventure game fashion. Having explored the area, the game will then prompt you to alter gravity so that you can reach a wall in the far distance.
Once this is executed, you will be asked to revert gravity to normal, only to switch to anti-gravity in the last second, causing your character to float and fly about in mid-air.
The physics engine handles like a dream. There is serious potential here for physics and momentum based antics, not far removed from Portal 2. In a skilled players hands, the main character will almost certainly be flying about on-screen at breakneck speeds, rebounding off walls and dancing on high ceilings.
As the demo comes to a close, you encounter a series of enemies. These can be dispatched normally, of course. But the temptation to alter gravity and then launch them into the sky with a flying kick is simply too great!
Uncharted: Golden Abyss might be the launch line-ups’ flagship, but Gravity Rush is the game that will really shift consoles when it is released.
The PlayStation Vita will be on sale on the 23rd of Feb at all major game outlets!
