Comparing in Context
Vita is not a home console. It is easy to forget this little detail because of the HD screen, dual analog sticks, and processor power on par with the PS3, but it has a profound impact on what types of experiences one might expect on such a device. Big budget ("triple A") developers are still figuring out what to do with Vita, and so far the results have been fair to middling. It's quite hit or miss right now; the Uncharted Vita game is pretty good, but Call of Duty Vita has been resoundingly panned across the board. There are some reasons to be very excited about where this is heading though, which I'll get to in a bit.Vita is also not an iOS/Android mobile device. The horsepower underneath the Vita and its physical controls (in addition to touch screen/rear) totally change the quality of the game experience. With a few notable exceptions (ShadowGun and Dead Space come to mind), I have been very disappointed by hardcore games table/phone gaming. The lack of physical buttons really cramps my style. I've tried a few products to add physical buttons/sticks to these devices (like Fring and bluetooth game pads), but it's more of a hassle than anything else. In my opinion, any above-average Vita game is better than any hardcore iOS/Android game (casual gaming is a different story, obviously).
The most fair comparison for Vita is Nintendo's very popular 3DS system. As is typical for Nintendo consoles, if you are a fan of their first party content, you probably already have a system. DK and Toad have a place in my heart too, but I can't imagine playing any more Mario Kart or Mario Tennis or even old-school Zelda. I want fresh experiences, and Nintendo has done a poor job providing that content.
My point here is that it's unfair to expect Vita games to live up to our now ridiculous console game standards in terms of production value and storytelling, but you can and should expect creative and fun games with serious depth playable on the go. Let's go through some of the strongest offerings on the Vita so far. Games available for free to Playstation Plus subscribers (a no-brainer at $50/year) are underlined.
Do like the big boys do
There are some examples of Vita games which capture modern console genres well:- Uncharted: The Golden Abyss is a first-party launch title that brings some of the Nathan Drake magic to the small screen. It follows the explore/shoot/solve Indiana Jones motif perfected by the PS3 trilogy. Though none of those elements are completely satisfying in the Vita version, it's a fairly impressive game with nice visuals and great music.
- Little Big Planet Vita transports the blockbuster PS3 hit over in style. Touch controls really work well here, particularly in creating levels. The community isn't as active as the console version, but there is plenty of interesting user-created content to mess around with. The campaign is varied and enjoyable too.
- MLB: The Show is the only top-shelf sports game for Vita, which is both good and bad. Probably because of its inherent slow pace, baseball lends itself best to the more limited resources of a portable, and this year's game is a strong sim.
- Metal Gear Solid HD Collection packages the original PS2 games (Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater) into one delicious package. Both are all-time classics.
- Gravity Rush, a Vita exclusive, is a clever open-world platform game where the main character can manipulate gravity. I've never played anything quite like it. The game's got plenty of style too, as the (admittedly wacky) story is told through a beautiful graphic novel.
Handheld classics
Some genres just do really well on handhelds: platformers, racers, puzzle games, fighting games, JRPGs etc. The Vita really shines here, with a deep roster of truly excellent games.
- Guacamelee is my favorite Vita game to date. It's a superlative metroid-vania RPG/action/platformer overflowing with character and wit. It's art style is among the most creative and pleasing I've ever seen in a video game. It's only flaw is that it is short, taking only 4-6 hours to complete. But I'll probably start over and enjoy it again next year!
- Dragon's Crown is a recent release for Vita and PS3. It's a very fun mix of Double Dragon side-scrolling beat-em-up and RPG. For all those redditors wishing for a Gauntlet sequel, this game hits all the same beats as the N64 classic, especially the co-op. The action is simple, but it's designed to be replayed to complete additional objectives and with different character classes.
- PixelJunk Monsters is a crazily enjoyable tower defense game originally exclusive to PS3. It has exceptional balance between difficulty and challenge, often being just hard enough to require multiple play-throughs to earn that satisfying rainbow (perfect round).
- Rayman Origins was a very highly rated game on consoles, and translates perfectly to the handheld. It's gorgeous, fluid, and fun.
- Persona 4 Golden is the highest rated game on Vita. Unfortunately I haven't played it yet, but it's reputation among JRPG fans speaks for itself.
- Honorable mention: Wipeout 2048 (racing), BlazBlue (2D fighter), Sly Cooper: Theives in Time (3D platformer), Jak and Daxter Collection (3D platformer), Hotline: Miami (2D slaughter), Final Fantasy 7/8/9 (JRPG), PSP games like: GTA: Liberty/Vice City Stories, Soul Caliber, etc.
Coming soon...
There are a few potential game-changers on the horizon which make Vita even more attractive:
- PS4 connectivity: Apparently, if you own a PS4 you will be able to stream the video output to Vita (a la WiiU's tablet) over a local WiFi router. Sitting in bed playing NBA2K14 or Watchdogs? This was the original reason I got interested in Vita, and if it really happens I think my head will explode.
- Killzone: Mercenaries might be the multiplayer FPS that delivers real quality. Previous FPS franchises have failed miserably on Vita (Call of Duty and Resistance most notably), but early signs suggest this time will be different.
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate will be a metroid-vania style Arkham game for Vita and 3DS. It's a brilliant idea, and if the execution is solid this should be an amazing game.
