Escape Vektor for Vita

Escape Vektor for the Vita is releasing next week for $9.99 with a 20% discount for PS+ subscribers.  It certainly has a futuristic vector vibe and the reviews for the 3DS e-shop have been stellar.  This is certainly on my radar!

Screenshots courtesy of Dev:

Looks into Vita for 2013 ..

In addition to the titles that I've listed out in a previous post (see below)

Vita 2013 - Unofficial List

The following titles have been strongly rumored/confirmed for the Vita in 2013:

Velocity Ultra - this is the rumored remake of the PSP mini release with enhancements.  New art and now running at Vita's native resolution.  Add in trophies and leader-boards.

Just Add Water - conversations back and forth with a NeoGAF user (works at JAW) about the success of Stranger's Wrath Vita has led to the revelation of 3 additional Vita titles being developed.  Some are known.  One being Munch's Odyssey.  The second title is New 'n' Tasty!  The third title is a mystery but two hints were given.  It's not Gravity Crash and it's about 60 MB in file size.

Wake Up Club - finally announced for release in the US!

Laughing Jackal - maker of Hungry Giraffe announced 3 additional titles for the Vita.  This includes a "Mystery Game X".  The current PSM titles made by them are Hungry Giraffe, OMG-Z, and Cubixx.

MotoGP 2013 - game from the makers of Motocross (MUD) and WRC releasing this year.

Final Fantasy X - Square Enix has promised news "soon" on the PS3/Vita release of this remake.  This would lead me to believe that 2013 might be the target year of release.

Bringing the essence of 2D back

I think there comes a point in every gamers life where he/she gets hit with the feeling of nostalgia.  You reminisce about your first time playing Super Mario Brothers or shooting a duck in Duck Hunt or getting drawn into the story while playing an RPG.  For gamers born in the late 70s and 80s, there is nothing more nostalgic today than playing a 2D game.  Playing a 2D game today feels like going back to mom and dad's house for Thanksgiving and devouring pounds of comfort food.  With every trial and error jump you make in a 2D platform game, you remember the days of playing Out of this World on the Sega Genesis.  Those pixels were not just dots to you.  They were art.

"You've lost that loving feeling" - The Righteous Brothers .. 

So how do we get that back?  I propose the indie route.  The reality is that major publishers that fund today's top development studios are not making these 2D games short of a few.  I'll point these out as well.  A good junk of these games have gone the iOS/Android route due to smaller budgets.  Some are on PSM (PlayStation Mobile).  Some are cheap PC titles through GOG or Steam.  The selections are fragmented but the essence is there.  So what are they?

Rayman Origins
New Super Mario Bros 2
Sound Shapes
Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack
Mark of the Ninja
Braid
Limbo
Bastion
Hotline Miami
Fez
They Bleed Pixels
Spelunky
Dustforce
Pid
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Cave Story
Mighty Switchforce
Snapshot
Alien Hominid
Castle Crashers
Aqua kitty

Vita Top 5 Titles of 2012

Not since the Gameboy Advance has a portable system asked for something I have so very little of, time.  As indicated in previous posts, console gaming time has been reduced to less than an hour a week.  Since the only thing that has stayed consistent for almost ten years with me is commuting time, it's logically the best way to continue playing games.

The PlayStation Vita had a very good first year.  Sure, there were some missteps and decisions made by Sony that made some of their most ardent followers cringe.  The portable device lived up to it's billing as "console-like" gaming on the go.  There have been so many good games but here is my top 5 that I've played.

1. Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Everything that you would expect from a portable Uncharted title is there.  Nathan Drake.  Cover system.  Platforming.  Puzzle elements.  Story-drive action.  Treasure hunting. 

2. MGS: HD Collection

Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 on the go.  Well implemented touch screen controls.  The frame rates are reduced in comparison to the console versions but it's adequate for the Vita.  Features Cross-save functions via "Transfarring".

3. Tales from Space: Mutant Blob

 Innovate 2D title.  Makes great use of the touch screen and gyro controls and it's not too obtrusive.  There aren't enough 2D platformers these days.

4. Wipeout 2048

One of the best futuristic arcade racing titles on any platform.  It's even a better deal if you are a PS+ member as you can download the HD and HD Fury DLC content found in the PS3 version.  Also features Cross-play with PS3 version.

5. Street Fighter x Tekken

Almost arcade perfect port of the console/arcade versions.  Yes, there were a few background animations cut but gameplay is a solid 60 fps.  Packed with tons of content and impending Version 2013 patch with welcomed game-play mechanic tweaks.  Cross-play with PS3 as well.