Alrighty, a few weeks in, and my Vita has been played non stop(not counting my time with Pandora of course/to many new emu updates in the last few weeks). I was playing Resident Evil 3DS up to release, and I haven't went back yet. I guess I should finish that up, uh?
I got 3 Vita games at Amazon, so I could take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free offer(Uncharted, Rayman, and Hot Shots). 3 games for about 30 bucks a piece, not to bad right? I also got Mutant Blob, and Escape Plan off of PSN(along with the 3 AR games, but I haven't really played those much).
I would say Uncharted has been my favorite so far, and I would give it a 9/10 so far. It is really better than I was expecting after many of the reviews I read before hand. The DS has been a major part of my life for 4-5 years, so touch controls is nothing new for me. There have only been a few times when I thought they where out of place, but for the most part I think they add to the experiance. Now I have played part 1 & 2 on the PS3, and I'm currently playing part 3 along side GA, and I have always enjoyed the series.
GA doesn't have the HUGE set pieces of part 2 or 3, but it offers a greater "Treasure Hunter" experiance than any of the console games and just sticks to the basics. It really plays to the Vita's strengths IMO. This is really just a more refined and compacted version of the series, just what a handheld game should offer.
Now on to Rayman(I nevered cared much for any games in the series). I originally downloaded the origins demo for my 360, and never completed it. The game just didn't hit any nerves for me, but the reviews where so good, I decided to try it on my Wii(it's modded, so it was technically a free run at the full game). Still, didn't do anything for me, plus the drop in graphics didn't help. So now we get to the Vita. Many more glowing reviews, and I just had to give it one last try. I have now been playing it the last 2 days straight. It is a very solid platformer, and it seems to get better the more you play. I would currently give it a solid 8/10. This may go up, but I'm currently only about 20% in, so I havn't done much in the overall scheme of things.
My last retail purchase is Hot Shots, and for anyone whos has played this game before, this is nothing new. Just a very solid over the top golfing experiance. I would rate this 8/10. Very solid, but nothing new in the games history really.
Mutant Blob is very good fun, but like many of the current gen download titles, the difficulty seems to ramp up quick, and borders on fun/hair pulling moments. 20 years ago this kind of game would have always been welcome, but now I barely get time to play games, and fighting thru boards over and over again, just gets old. I do currently find it fun and worth the price. 8/10.
Escape Plan is very good, and more my cup of tea. Now many of the reviews that have slammed this game due to poor touch screen controls are part right. The touch controls are for the most part spot on, but can be very hard to use properly when there is so much going on at one time, and having to use the rear as well, just makes for hassles at times. A combination of point and click along with touch screen would have worked better overall. A solid 8/10.
Now I have not finished any of the above mentioned games, so these scores may go up or down upon completion of each title.
My original Vita unit was defective, but my replacement works perfectly, and makes the Vita a much better experiance when I don't have to deal with screen touches that I didn't make. XMB was cool, and I find it to be the best of any of my current gaming machines(DS,3DS,360, ipod touch), but the new menus and operating system of the VIta is rock solid, and I'm really enjoying it. The Vita just blows the 3DS away in regards to functionallity. It is lighting fast and just works.
Sony is fore sure trying to go the smart phone route, but it is also gear around gaming which I find very cool. This is another area where many have complained, but I find it unfounded. Now having to use touch screen for everything, is a little overkill in my opinion, but that can be changed or improved thru future FW updates.
Overall I would rate the Vita at 9/10. The screen is gorgous, and the anolog sticks work great. The speakers could be better, and even with headphones I found them to be a little on the low side. I can play the vita for hours with no cramps, where the 3DS starts to hurt within 5-10 minutes. Bigger is better here for sure. Well these where just some quick thoughts on my first week Vita experiance. 250 is a bargin for such a kick as piece of kit, and just like my Pandora, I would have gladly paid more, but I'm happy I got both for cheap, as my funds are currently pretty tight.
If anyone has any specific question, Please feel free to ask.
Chris
