E3 2012: PS Vita Roundup
Sony’s press conference earlier this week had a lack of Vita content all around. There were the showcase announcements of Assasin’s Creed 3: Liberation, Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified and Playstation All Stars receiving a Vita port featuring Cross-Platform gaming. Also Little Big Planet 2 will receive a DLC pack that will allow you to use the Vita as a controller and PS One classics will be supported on the handheld. Other than that, Sony was pretty silent about other games and content. They seemingly have this confident, everything will be alright attitude concerning the Vita. Hopefully there are some tricks up their sleeve, but it meantime, here is a sampling of the 60 plus titles that are heading to the handheld.
Retro City Rampage
8-Bit enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting Brian Provinciano’s opus. A game that lampoons the open world action genre with tons of in jokes on the industry and 80′s influences. Adding substance to the style is gameplay that effectively mixes the open world template, platforming, shooting, driving, and even cover based mechanics. The Vita version will feature some non-obtrusive touch based controls, custom cabinet themes, and Cross-Platform play with the PS3.
Soul Sacrifice
Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune’s Soul Sacrifice looks to have interesting hook that will make for some tense gameplay. In this dark fantasy setting, with great power comes great sacrifice. Get ready to give up an arm or a leg or even a spine to receive a powerful weapon or spell to help your journey in this action game experience.
Guacamelee
Developed by Drinkbox Studios (Mutant Blob Attacks) Guacamelee will have you control a Luchador hero on a quest to save a beloved. Other than having one of the best titles in the industry, Drinkbox describes the game as, “Metroid-vania style action-platformer set in a magical Mexican inspired world”. The game will also feature co-op multiplayer.
Sound Shapes
Queasy Games is still hard at work on Sound Shapes, an unique experience that marries old-school platforming with new music. Players move through levels collecting coins that have music samples, building the song as you progress. Artist such as DJ Deadmau5 will contribute to the soundtrack.
Persona 4: Golden
Persona 4 was released in 2008 on the PS2. 2008, where I was already years into a Xbox360 and one year with a PS3. I missed this game as many others did due to it’s release date. It was well received and consider by some as the best JRPG for the console. The Vita version will be treated with some visual and audio upgrades. There will be added content as well, like new events, dialogue, Persona’s and a character called Mary.
Little Big Planet
Little Big Planet for the Vita is set to feature all the creativity and charm of the console versions. Vita specific control well help you create and share your own levels and mini-games. It will also feature Cross Platform DLC with the PS3. Double 11, a new and small studio founded by a few ex-Rockstar designers are hard at work to get this released in the coming months.
New Little King’s Story
New Little King’s Story is a sequel to Little King’s Story that was released on the Wii. It was well received critically but met with lackluster sales. The game features a vibrant cartoon artstyle where you control a young king against the forces of the Demon King. Gameplay is a mix of strategy, RPG and action as you gather your followers and release them onto your opposition.
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
The new Sly Cooper game will be the same experience that you will find on the PS3. Some additions include touch screen inputs and accelerometer gestures that will punctuate the Vita experience. The game will also feature Cross Platform Play. Developed by Sanzaru, whose previous work include the PS2’s Secret Agent Clank and the Sly Cooper Collection on the PS3. The game will continue Sly’s tale as he travels through time meeting his ancestors along the way.
This year also look out for titles like Silent Hill: Book of Memories, Street Fighter X Tekken, Ragnarok Odyssey, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, Warrior’s Lair and Gravity Rush, which will be releasing in the US next week.
Stay tuned for the 3DS roundup in the coming days.
