I’ve been playing the final version of Gravity Rush on and off for weeks and – guess what – I’m still not entirely sold. Here’s the thing: when a publisher releases a game a little outside the launch window it’s easier to give it more attention and, naturally, there’s a larger potential market because the gaming public is eager and hungry for something new. Anything new. In that respect I’m sure that this first party title will sell plenty, but is this a game that’s really as good as we hope it is?
Gravity Rush, it emerged, was originally a PlayStation 3 title, and was in concept stages about a decade ago. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the concepts on display aren’t particularly fresh or interesting, but it does mean that there’s been a few games recently that have covered similar ground. However, on Vita it’s pretty much a unique experience (and perhaps that’s the point) and whilst it’s been out for a good while in Japan Rush still has that new feeling to it, and it’s mostly great.
[drop]It’s another game running at sub-native resolution, though, so it’s definitely not as sharp and crisp as it could be – something that I’d hoped would be ironed out of the Vita after the first batch of games. This won’t bother some people, but curious it really gets under my skin. It doesn’t look as vivid and as rich as I’d have hoped either, and the art style’s a tiny bit flat in places like the levels are all out – it’s not a bad looking game, but it’s not exactly heralding the second generation of Vita titles.What the game does offer though (and I’ve not finished the story yet, hence this isn’t technically a full review) is stacks of gameplay that’ll absolutely hook you in, and that, after some lightweight post-launch fluff and a distinct lack of anything punchy on PSN for the last few weeks, is exactly what the Vita and its gamers are looking for – something to hold them over nicely and keep the Vita in column inches until after the summer months.
There’s nothing here to suggest that this is filler, something in-between day one and the big hitters that’ll hopefully kick off with E3; Gravity Rush is a complete, thorough game that takes the free-roaming mission structure from the likes of inFamous and wraps it all up in a really clever central mechanic (more on that later) and an emergent, rich plot that brings in some great characters and a series of little sub-plots. If you’re after something meaty, this is for you.
[drop2]But back to the game’s title – and Gravity Rush’ core idea that kicks off right from the game’s start and quickly becomes so integral that you can’t really imagine a third person action game that doesn’t let you flip up into the air and fling yourself towards a distant object hundreds of feet up, kicking an enemy square in the face and then running sideways along the wall. It’s handled brilliantly, with just two buttons (the triggers) and uses the Vita’s gyro to aim; it takes all of a minute to get used to and once you’re hooked, you’re in.Why you can do this manipulation of physics (and why others can do it too) is just one aspect of the game’s plot, the other involves a large group of enemies (I don’t particularly like their art direction either, for what it’s worth) and an incoming big thing that looms over everything else. It all starts slowly enough before escalating into a rather compelling, exciting adventure as Kat, the player character, boosts her abilities, Crackdown style.
There’s loads to like about Gravity Rush and I’m keen to get back and see the game through to the end, hopefully the pacing and rewarding gameplay will still stand up in a few hours time. In some aspects I’m a little curious as to why this was moved from PS3 to Vita, but that’s for another article, perhaps. Regardless, the game’s out in a few weeks on PlayStation Vita (on both PSN and retail cartridge) and we’ll have the full review well before then.
Jakster123x
Really interested in this
LTG Davey
Ended up returning my Vita in the end (and my ps3 actually – suddenly finding out I’m going to be a Dad in October kinda forced my to trim my games collection a bit, lol) but this is definitely the sort of game I would pick up if I still had one. Will be curious to see what the final verdict is :)
DannyFantango
Interesting, my partner is 33 weeks pregnant and the reason I bought a Vita is to be able to play small snippets of games when I get the chance.
This game looks great for that, especially with the Vitas sleep mode feature.
LTG Davey
Makes sense :) To be honest thats the reason I kept my 3DS, for small snippets of gaming when traveling to and from work. My local Blockbuster were offering a cracking price for my Vita so it was hard to turn it down when we have baby things to buy, lol.
bigbaldwolf
My partner only has 4 weeks to go. A lot of babies due soon (must be something in the water). The Vita will be perfect though. I can play it without disturbing a sleeping baby
Youles
Congrats LTG – btw, babies nap. A lot. And you’ll find you’re tired too so may not want to do much but sit in front of the TV. My lad is 20 months old and still naps during the day :D
I’m trying to teach him to say “me old china” before he starts nursery. Being a Dad is the best thing in the world.
stueeeee
Congrats to all of u! My partner is 22 weeks at the moment. I’m squeezing as much time on ps3 as I can atm but I’ll think I’ll hang onto it and my Vita for now. My music and pictures are all on console and vita was a birthday present, but I think I will eventually get some use out of it. Won’t b getting too many new games though….
LTG Davey
Congrats fellow TSA’ers :)
LOL cheers Youles. I’d imagine I will do something similar >:D
KeRaSh
This is the first game I’m actually interested in on the Vita.
teflon
Absolutely want this.
Shame about the lack of native resolution, and I’ll continue to complain about it bitterly to everyone that will listen, but this game has me hook line and sinker, without having played it.
bigbaldwolf
I played the japanese demo months ago (and no I couldn’t understand a word of it) and it played really well . I loved the whole gravity manipulation and I’m definitely picking this one up
Kennykazey
I was sold on this a long time ago.
But IMO it’s wrong to call this a second generation game, it’s been out for a long time in japan, and it’s the first vita title by the developer.
JoshHood
I’d agree with that, it seems to be Sony delayed it as more of a strategic thing than a development thing, and it’s been out since just after Vita in Japan.
TSBonyman
I’m disappointed about the native res, hopefully the other big hitters, ie cod and bioshock, don’t suffer similar fate.
I still need a hands-on with this game before i decide.
colmshan1990
Can’t wait for this, the reviews (apart from 2 so far) are fantastic.
To be honest though, I was sold on this a long time ago.
PA_Kid
The sub-native resolution bashing is a little unwarranted here isn’t it?
Wasnt this a launch game for Japan that was delayed due to localization?
Glad to hear the gameplay seems solid tho – really looking forward to this one.