Another year, another major press conference in the books and Sony’s PS Vita continues to tread water. This was supposed to be a big year for Vita at Gamescom as many fans anticipated a dedicated segment to the struggling handheld and while we did get a minor shout out, the likes of Gravity Rush 2 and other new IPs were nowhere to be found. It’s a heart-breaking realization that the Vita may never be what Sony originally planned; a bona fide AAA console experience on a handheld.
Instead it’s become an indie delivery powerhouse where titles such as Sound Shapes and Rogue Legacy thrive with increasing popularity and positive reception. It’s important to note that the Vita isn’t dead and it’s certainly not on life-support like some may say but it’s lack of presence at this year’s Gamescom, combined with last E3’s pedestrian showing, it’s a definite cause for concern for the little handheld that could. It also doesn’t help that one of its most innovative and distinct exclusives, Tearaway, is now coming to PS4.
Despite the Vita not getting it’s own spotlight at the conference, there is still a wealth of new content coming for the system with many of these titles playable at the show floor this week.
Murasaki Baby. Developed by Ovosonico, 9/2014
This unsettling yet charming side-scroller is coming exclusively to PS Vita later this fall and many may already be familiar with the title as it was first unveiled at last year’s Gamescom. It’s a game that utilizes the intuitive touch controls of the Vita as you guide Baby, an unsightly little girl who has a mouth of sharp teeth on her forehead, through a disturbing world of fantasies and fears. All she has is you and her trusty heart-shaped balloon as you traverse through four playable worlds in this roughly 4-hour long campaign.
Minecraft PS Vita Edition, Developed by Mojang, 4JStudios 8/2014
It’s coming guys! The game has run into some issues but rest assured that this long-awaited port will make it to our download queues sometime this September at the very latest. Although we still hold out hope that it launches this month.
Freedom Wars, Developed by SCE Japan Studio, 2014
This is probably the most hotly anticipated Vita title in recent memory. First impressions have been solid and the game’s grappling hook mechanic seems to really resonate with those who have played the game. It looks addicting and fun but hopefully it won’t wear off as fast as Soul Sacrifice did. We’re really excited for this brand new IP to come over stateside and it’s looking like we won’t have to wait too long.
There are many great Vita titles on the horizon like Tales of Hearts R and the, dare I say, Bioshock Vita game that may in fact never come out. The Vita is an interesting little handheld, it has so many games but nobody knows about them. It will be a great second half of 2014 for Vita and Sony desperately needs it to be. After all, it can’t just do remote play forever can it?
