Ah, the PS Vita. Once a promising console-in-your-pocket experience, backed up with the likes of WipEout 2048 and Uncharted: Golden Abyss, but now more of a indie machine, much to people’s dismay. It’s lucky they’ve got those indies, or the system might have been doomed. Anyway, I digress…
Tearaway was arguably the last AAA exclusive on Vita, coming soon after the brilliant Killzone: Mercenary and delivering an experience which you couldn’t really emulate on any other system, with the 3D platforming gameplay backed up with many unique control elements, utilising the Vita’s touch screen, back touch panel and even camera.
This was all matched with an incredible paper aesthetic, where everything could be remade out of bits of paper in real life, and this created almost stop-motion animations at some points, which really added to the tone of the game, alongside a superb score and quirky characters.
We scored the game a 9/10 in our review, and noted:
Tearaway is the kind of game that the PS Vita has demanded since launch, something crafted and tailored to its form and its capabilities, but rather than feeling forced, creating an easy sense of wonder fun and inventiveness. Continuing Media Molecule’s push to unleashing our creativity, it also features a story, a world and creations which delight at every turn, no matter how old you are.
Media Molecule are really the kings of innovation and creation, and proved it again here, despite the game lacking the same draw of LittleBigPlanet’s user-generated content. As Stefan mentioned in his review, it was suitable for all ages, and just a really delightful game to play.
But we know that not everyone is a fan of happy 3D platformers and some people may have even – gasp – disliked Media Molecule’s new IP.
So, if that’s you, just leave and never come back. I’m kidding, you’re all invited to share your thoughts on the game no matter how nice or how negative they are. That’s the beauty of opinions – people can disagree with you but they’re wrong and you’re right, so what does it matter?
Leave a paragraph or so below, and don’t forget to put a Buy It, Bargain Bin It, Plus It or Avoid It rating on the end. That’s right, we’ve done away with the Rent It option and switched it out for a more modern Plus It rating, which basically means “don’t pay for it, but download it if it shows up on PlayStation Plus at some point”. Get your comments in by Sunday afternoon and it’s likely you’ll be included in next week’s Verdict round-up.
ashw92
Tearaway was amazing. It is, to date, the best game I have played on the Vita and I loved every moment of it. I made the same mistake I did with LittleBigPlanet and let its cutesy visuals lull me into thinking it would be simple and aimed at children. I can’t believe I made that mistake again. The game is absolutely fantastic and everyone should Buy It.
Stefan L
Just go and Buy It, already!
Taylor Made
I don’t know what I feel about this game, I like & I don’t like just like littlebigplanet. But it is very enjoyable, the neat tricks they did with the vita was brilliant.
Buy it
Lieutenant Fatman
Buy it, great little game. Probably best if played by a child as that’s clearly the audience they had in mind, but it’s so well made that most will enjoy this regardless. I haven’t finished it yet but I intend to.
rob_b
Bargain bin it.
Cute visuals and some interesting gameplay mechanics however for me what it boils down to is that Tearaway is a very simple game that relies on its looks and quirkyness.
For example the seemingly pointless character customisation sections where you have to change your characters looks to get past a checkpoint.
It never gets tricky but there are some frustrating sections (difficult to judge jumping from one platform to another due to perspective) and gets a bit repetitive.
Don’t get me wrong, it is well worth playing but IMO it doesn’t deserve to be called AAA.
salvodaze
Buy it! What a joy to play that was. Innovative and fun, without any real rush. I don’t any other game came close to using the touch screens as well as this one. They should call it Tearaway: Utilizing Vita Functionality 101.
Also, are we going to get a BL2 Vita review? I don’t really trust the mixed reviews and I’d rather get the view of TSA crew.
salvodaze
*”I don’t think…”
Blair Inglis
They didn’t send us review code.
ron_mcphatty
I found Tearaway quite easy and very forgiving, it’s totally suitable for children but at the same time it’s a beautiful and really well produced game with fantastic music and a lovely, if a bit abstract, story. There are so few AAA games on the Vita that you can’t afford to miss the best it has to offer, for me this stands out at one of the best. So Buy It, take your time playing it and enjoy it, it’s a really charming game.
MrYd
It’s all cute and charming, with some clever use of all the Vita functions (if you can get past the odd slightly flakey use of the rear touchpad). Not really going to challenge any adult gamers (at least, not for the main story – a couple of trophies could prove annoying or challenging)
What it does well is bring out that inner child (who, at my age, could probably do with some fresh air). Like Pixar films (when they’re not just churning out unnecessary sequels), or the films of Hayao Miyazaki. Things suitable for children that adults can enjoy just as much. (Not to be confused with a seemingly endless supply of weird cartoons that are obviously for adults, but are made “for children” just to get their hands on the money in the first place)
So, erm, buy it? Unless you see it cheap, then bargain bin it. Or plus it, should that ever be an option. This new rating scheme is confusing, and needs a “some of the above” option.
Yes, that’s my rating. “Some of the above”. Effectively “buy it, unless…”
simplebob
Buy it. A perfect title to show off the Vita’s capabilities and full of charm and character. The use of the camera and touchscreens are brilliant, while the level where you charge about on the pig was so much fun it should be a game on its own.
Avenger
BUY IT. An utter joy to play, with gorgeous colours, affectionate characters and You being the sun of the paper crafted land. Anyone who says this is a children’s game should be force fed their insides; Tearaway’s joy is for everyone.