Incoming! Playstation Vita Special - Part Two

A few weeks back we began our rundown of 2012’s most interesting upcoming Vita games, including Gravity Rush, Warrior’s Lair and LittleBigPlanet. Now the countdown continues – and it’s safe to say that Sony’s little uber-gizmo has some tricks up its sleeves…

DOCTOR WHO: THE ETERNITY CLOCK

Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment
Expected Release Date: Summer 2012

What’s the skinny? An actual game based on the actual adventures of the actual Doctor Who is a genuinely interesting prospect these days. Having already borked his way through eleven reincarnations, the Doctor is finally running out of lives – so it’s a perfect time to grab the franchise and spin some money out of it before it all ends. Or before the BBC retroactively alter the lore to keep it running and anger a million middle-aged fanboys.

What’s cool about it? Lots, actually. It’s a whole new adventure created specifically for the game, and featuring motion-capture technology and the voice talents of current Doctor Matt Smith and companion River Song (played by Alex Kingston). According to the official website: “Gamers must learn to master the complexities of time travel with exceptional time based game play, changes made in one time will impact another creating multiple possibilities and challenging players to solve puzzles across the centuries.” Sounds good to us.

So where’s the bad? Well, it’s a Doctor Who game, and the franchise itself isn’t strictly everyone’s cup of tea. Also, games based on TV shows and films are quite often a bit rubbish. The recent delay doesn’t bode well either.

Made2Game anticipation rating: 7/10

MALICIOUS

Developer: Alvion
Publisher: Alvion
Expected Release Date: Autumn 2012

What’s the skinny? A downloadable-only PS3 title, Malicious is a fairly unique action game – the massive success of which has prompted Japanese developers Alvion to create an enhanced port for the Vita. The player assumes the role of either Valeria or Erica, a “spirit vessel” sent by the Great Prophets to save the world by defeating an evil race of creatures known as the Malicious.

What’s cool about it? Several very interesting gameplay elements make Malicious stand out from the crowd. Firstly, the black cloak that the character wears is Mantle of Cinders, a device that can transform into huge fists for melee combat, a shield to guard against attacks and a demon-bullet-firing projectile weapon. Secondly, there are no real “levels”; each stage is set out as a huge battle against a boss and its subordinates, with the player free to choose their progression through the game. Killing a boss will bestow particular gifts, so approaching stages in a certain order will grant a tactical advantage.

So where’s the bad? Again, it’s very Japanese and as such may alienate some Western gamers – but you can’t argue with the success Malicious has enjoyed in the east, and nor can you ignore its unique approach to the action-brawler genre.

Made2Game anticipation rating: 8/10
 

STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: SCE
Expected Release Date: Autumn 2012

What’s the skinny? Capcom’s epic cross-platform brawler is headed to the Vita later this year, bringing with it all 55 characters! Details of how the Vita’s touchscreen controls will integrate with the game are yet to be released, but we can safely predict that, while they will add another layer of control, they won’t be necessary to enjoy the sublime pugilism on offer.

What’s cool about it? Well, our James B loved Street Fighter X Tekken when it hit consoles earlier this year, but this version is coming loaded with all the DLC characters straight out of the gate, avoiding all that nasty controversy. Fully cross-platform play is possible with the PS3 version, too. Also, it’s Street Fighter on the Vita. Also, it’s Tekken on the Vita. On the Vita, in your hands. Yeah.

So where’s the bad? Hard to see any, really, unless the touchscreen element is shoehorned in, which it might be. But even then, it’s still an excellent fighting game.

Made2Game anticipation rating: 9/10
 

DUNGEON DEFENDERS

Developer: Trendy Entertainment
Publisher: Reverb Communications
Expected Release Date: Summer 2012

What’s the skinny? Trendy Entertainment’s superb dungeon-crawler / tower defence game burst onto the mobile scene early last year and was followed in no time by a full release onto consoles. A fast, frantic, insanely fun strategy game that sees you taking control of the cutesy offspring of famous heroes to defend the land from the threat of invasion, Dungeon Defenders is a favourite here at Made2Game.

What’s cool about it? We think Dungeon Defenders is great. With 15 multi-stage arenas, four selectable characters and a beautiful, vibrant art style reminiscent of Runic Games’ Torchlight RPG, Dungeon Defenders is accessible and addictive.

So where’s the bad? Arguably, Dungeon Defenders was easier to control with a console gamepad, and the Vita version is likely to reintroduce the touchscreen control scheme of the original mobile release. However, whether this is a good thing or bad depends entirely on your preference.

Made2Game anticipation rating: 8/10
 

DRAGON’S CROWN

Developer: Vanillaware
Publisher: UTV Ignition Entertainment
Expected Release Date: Autumn 2012

What’s the skinny? A 2D side-scrolling Action-RPG, Dragon’s Crown takes place in a world built upon a network of deep caves, labyrinths and catacombs that hide ancient treasures and deadly secrets. The mages and adventurers of this world are hell-bent on discovering the legendary Dragon’s Crown, an artefact of immense power, natch. The game resembles an old-school scrolling beat-em-up, but with the added inclusion of character progression and loot. We love loot.

What’s cool about it? Featuring four-player co-op and cross-platform play with owners of the PS3 version, Dragon’s Crown is an action-heavy and, dare we say, original take on the standard dungeon-crawler. The art style is unique, too, and features a diverse cast of colourful, detailed characters and enemies.

So where’s the bad? A spiritual successor to the SEGA Saturn title, Princess Crown, Dragon’s Crown is a largely unknown property to today’s gamers. Some will be put off by the 2D approach, too, and the premise is hardly original. But Vanillaware deserve top marks for daring to sidestep the bog-standard isometric viewpoint.

Made2Game anticipation rating: 7/10
 

ZERO ESCAPE: VIRTUE’S LAST REWARD

Developer: Aksys Games
Publisher: SCE
Expected Release Date: October 24th

What’s the skinny? Virtue’s Last Reward is a “visual novel” originally thought to be a 3DS exclusive. A curious and unique game based around nine characters kidnapped and forced to partake in a contest known as the Nonary Game, Virtue’s Last Reward focuses on player choice and interaction with NPCs to alter the story in a variety of ways, as well as facing environmental puzzles.

What’s cool about it? The unique premise hinges on helping or betraying the other characters to earn “BP”, points that determine whether you live or die within the Nonary Game. Offering an inventive alternative to the hacking, slashing, running, gunning and stealth killing seen in 90% of releases, Virtue’s Last Reward could potentially be very impressive.

So where’s the bad? It’s weird, isn’t it? It doesn’t involve guns or swords or bombs or ninjas or aliens – or even any of the usual bat-shit mental demon themes that the Japanese love so much. Oh, actually, none of this seems like a bad thing at all…

Made2Game anticipation rating: 7/10
 

ODDWORLD: MUNCH’S ODYSSEY & STRANGER’S WRATH

Developer: Just Add Water
Publisher: Just Add Water
Expected Release Date: Autumn 2012

What’s the skinny? Technically, this is two releases as these are separate games and aren’t being released in conjunction with each other – but we want to avoid repetition, especially when it’s us gushing over how much we love Oddworld. The now-legendary franchise began on the Playstation way, way, way back in 1997 and is one of the best-remembered series on consoles, and with good reason. It’s charmingly-irreverent mix of platforming and puzzle-solving has been aped so many times in 15 years, but rarely bettered. Stranger’s Wrath took the franchise in a completely different direction by taking the form of a bounty-hunting FPS in 2005 and, while it changed the gameplay completely, it still managed to maintain the unique likeability of the series.

What’s cool about it? Just Add Water are once again on porting and updating duties having done a brilliant job moving Stranger’s Wrath over to the PS3 late last year. If they treat Munch’s Odyssey with the same level of respect as they add that HD sheen and adapt the controls to suit modern technology, they’ll be on to a winner.

So where’s the bad? Munch’s Odyssey is an old-school game now, having originally emerged in 2001 – how the mechanics will measure up nowadays remains to be seen, with or without a smattering of HD sequins. Stranger’s Wrath was still solid last year though, so there should be few problems there.

Made2Game anticipation rating: 8/10
 

TIME TRAVELLERS

Developer: Level 5
Publisher: Level 5
Expected Release Date: 2012

What’s the skinny? Originally devised as a 3DS-exclusive, this “game without a genre” is part mystery adventure, part sci-fi novel. Set in the near future of 2031, it takes place in a newly-rebuilt Tokyo 18 years after a bizarre phenomenon called the “Lost Hole” occurred up and decimated the city centre. The game begins as a second similar event is predicted.

What’s cool about it? God alone knows what the story is all about, as very little has been announced by creators Level 5. We only know that it’s being released onto the Vita as well as the 3DS because of a leak in Japanese magazine Famitsu. The idea of a game “without a genre” is intriguing, but is more likely to mean it’s derivative of ALL genres as opposed to not adopting one of its own.

So where’s the bad? Equally, we don’t know enough to predict good things or bad, but Level 5 have some impressive pedigree in The White Knight Chronicles, Dragon Quest VIII and the Professor Layton series. We would predict with a modicum of confidence that it will either be a cutesy mystery with dark undertones, or a characteristically-impenetrable narrative masking a commentary on the perils of time travel. But what the hell do we know?

Made2Game anticipation rating: 5/10
 

Although rumours abound concerning Assassin’s Creed, Bioshock, God of War and Call of Duty titles for the Vita, nothing concrete has yet emerged. As soon as it does, rest assured, you’ll be the first to know!

So there you are, Made2Gamers, the most interesting titles due this year for the Playstation Vita. Anything getting marked down on your calendar as we speak? Anything you’re really looking forward to or, even better, anything you WISH was on this list but hasn’t been announced yet? Let us know in the comments box below!

Words by Mick Fraser (Twitter: @Jedi_Beats_Tank)

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