It's just a double tap to mirror it. Never had a problem getting it to work.I've been able to flip shapes around twice now, but I'm still not sure how I did it. It involves double tapping in some way. I end up having to tap like 40 times to make it work, but you definitely can flip an object around to get its mirror image lol
This makes for a good first Vita game what with it putting all of the consoles features to work, usually something that leans so heavily on this approach could be described as being gimmicky in the worst way but they pulled it off very well which is an impressive feat in itself.
The core platforming is basic but satisfying in its simplicity, I’d argue its main hook is how you work in tandem with Iota/Atoi to progress through the areas, a blend of traditional game control for them and more unconventional ones for you tinkering around with the environment to aid their journey. This almost works on two levels to reinforce your deity like status, holding the world itself in your hands via the Vita and interacting with the world itself through touch and tilt base controls really drives it home. There are a few moments where these controls can get kind of fiddly, maybe it’s just because I’m new to this whole Vita thing but sections involving fingers bursting through the earth via the rear touchpad as well as character control was like making my fingers go through some shaky gymnastics. Then there’s gyro who I’ve never been on strong speaking terms with, I’m never one for having to tilt the handheld I’m trying to play on but these are small qualms in the grand scheme of things, it’s not like the gameplay demands intense precession after all. I will add that on the more positive side of these Vita specific controls activating the bounce pads through the rear touchpad was satisfying especially as it factored in the pressure of your touch and the front camera displaying the player in the sun is quite possibly the best use I’ve seen of a camera on a handheld games console, pulling various faces when focused upon is obligatory for everyone I expect, I mean who could resist?
Visually this game takes its style to the next level, screenshots do not do the papery goodness justice. The unraveling of objects before your eyes, the flattening of a crease of paper as you step over it and the puddles that compel me to just jump up and down in them like I’m a kid all over again, to say Tearaway has expertly crafted its world may be a cliché but it’s hard to resist using it seeing at how it all comes together. Unfortunately I didn’t get as much use out of the photo function as I’d like, often beyond the view of the games sometimes locked camera lies a horizon of nothingness which is a bit of a bummer seeing how lovely the environments look otherwise.
By throwing in moments of customization all along the journey Tearaway emphasizes the idea that it’s your story, it’s a neat little touch that makes each players journey through the game ever so slightly unique even if it’s just something like the snowflakes they used for the mountain, just so you know I went with poorly constructed multicoloured snowflakes. Or you could’ve just flung male genitalia everywhere, just know that I’m very disappointed in you if so.
All these small elements come together as the game progresses and when I saw a photo I’d taken earlier in the game crop up elsewhere later on I couldn’t help but smile.
Back to the gameplay itself, 3D platformers are a disappointingly rare breed these days so it’s always nice to see another game take on the genre (though that’s pigeonholing the game a bit, it’s more of an adventure with elements of 3D platforming I guess) . Character control is satisfyingly responsive, despite not having much of an arsenal of moves to pull from the core platforming works well. That said a few sections late game did get a bit messy not because the game lacked the controls to meet the challenges but because I swear the characters jumping shadow just took a hike leading to a bit of guess work for the landings and the camera didn’t always help either . Otherwise the various jumping tasks asked of you are enjoyable and as I said earlier how you interact with the platforming yourself is part of what makes it stand out from its relative simplicity. Combat is initially fun enough but begins to grate when the game gets too heavy on the enemy encounters since it’s so simplistic, the bigger and more frequent waves of scraps kind of feel more like a way to pad out the game time ever so slightly.
Tearaway reminds of the old PS1/N64 style collectathon platformers in a way, it isn’t so much about strict jumping action but about adventure and of course collecting stuff you find on the floor, I’m fine with this since I’m always up for a bit of item gathering but it’s a quite a flaw in my eyes that the confetti doesn’t really have any major use. There’s some character and camera customization options sure but that alone doesn’t really warrant me lining my pockets to the bursting point with confetti, this stings further when you consider that the hidden presents or optional tasks reward you with yet more confetti, I can’t say I’m compelled to journey back through areas and pick up the few bits I missed for this reason. Perhaps presents could have held some secret customization options not accessible through the standard confetti means.
Tearway wraps up nicely before overstaying its welcome, some may say it’s too short but it makes the most of all its ideas within the hours I spent with it as opposed to running them into the ground for the sake of greater length. When a friend of mine asked me to describe how Tearaway was I thought for a brief moment and came out with an ever so eloquent “charming as fuck”, I could have phrased that one better but I think he got the message. Tearaway was jolly good fun and a great showcase for the Vita itself, I’m not sure if it’s a system seller but it is a game that uses the unique properties of its handheld to the point where the words “only on Vita” ring true.
Everyone playing smartphone games need the smartphones taken out of their hands and replaced with a Vita with this game inside. Especially kids, but this game is a joy for all ages. As I played it I hoped that this will be to many kids what Crash Bandicoot was to me at the age of 5.
It gave me Journey and Flower vibes in its minimalism, a kids version of minimalist gaming. Got some Earthbound vibes from it as well. Also I'm pretty sure this is what Nintendo fanboys would call: "Nintendo gameplay" or "Nintendo spirit". Nintendo's monopoly will be under threat if Sony get more of this coming out.
And all this is coming from a person that couldn't even get into LBP.
I am glad Parappa is in Media Molecule's hands. It will surpass the original if Tearaway is anything to go by.
Hey Mik, I think in this case it depends on the game's specific language options. AfaIk it doesn't have anything to do with the account/store you're using.Got a question for you guys without a version from the US, Canada or UK.
Is your game in English if you put your Vita in English?
My Vita is in English but with the JP store. The game releases tomorrow (about friggin' time) and I downloaded the demo today, but it's only in Japanese. I can read it but I still would rather prefer to play in English. Is the full game available in other languages?
For example, most Capcom games (mainly fighters) will boot in the system language (with no in-game option), regardless of the game version or console region.
With Sony first-party games it's possible they'll have in-game language options. JP version of TLoU lets you switch voiceover language, subs and menu text. I've heard it's the same for Uncharted, but not sure about any Vita titles.
There's a very slim chance I'll win a JP copy of Tearaway at work later today, so I may be able to let you know at that point!
Haha, those are the exact words I used to describe it to a friend as well.Originally Posted by Nocturnowl
“charming as fuck"
Of course, the rest of your words do it great justice. Very nice review :)
Pulling inappropriate faces in the sun never gets old, and I loved the way the bounce pads responded to a light or hard tap, each producing a different sound. I often found myself drumming along to the music while playing, keeping the rhythm while platforming. Really fun.
Hey, thanks for the reply!Hey Mik, I think in this case it depends on the game's specific language options. AfaIk it doesn't have anything to do with the account/store you're using.
For example, most Capcom games (mainly fighters) will boot in the system language (with no in-game option), regardless of the game version or console region.
With Sony first-party games it's possible they'll have in-game language options. JP version of TLoU lets you switch voiceover language, subs and menu text. I've heard it's the same for Uncharted, but not sure about any Vita titles.
There's a very slim chance I'll win a JP copy of Tearaway at work later today, so I may be able to let you know at that point!
I'm asking because for example, LittleBigPlanet for Vita is all in English if you play with the Vita in English (there's no language option). However LBP and LBP2 are in Japanese if you buy the Japanese copy (I have the EU version though) and you can't change the language either.
This time the demo is in Japanese only, which kinda worried me... but hopefully it's also in English. Either way, I'm waiting now for the PS Store to update so I can grab it. I seriously hate the Japanese PlayStation store though.. full of shit and they update at 13pm (after my lunch break.. genius...). I don't think I'll be able to handle this shitty store for 6 more years with the PS4 :/
Edit: Welp, just as I finished typing that, I checked the store and the game is now available, lol.
That doesn't make the JP store any less shitty though :P (I'm still waiting for Guacamelee..)
Sometimes the Scraps get stuck behind/on top of objects outside the playable area when you knock them over. Sometimes they get caught in collision meshes and then get killed for whatever reason too.
Had to restart the level about 5 times and replay up to that point to attempt it.
Just Googled him (I don't visit Giant Bomb). I guess when you're stuck for words, it's the most poetic expression!Originally Posted by RaikuHebi
Exactly what Patrick Klepek said as well.
Well, seeing as LBP Vita is the most recent before Tearaway, perhaps it's become a regular practice now. There's at least one MM guy floating around here who you might be able to ask, or you could always try Tweeting.Hey, thanks for the reply!
I'm asking because for example, LittleBigPlanet for Vita is all in English if you play with the Vita in English (there's no language option). However LBP and LBP2 are in Japanese if you buy the Japanese copy (I have the EU version though) and you can't change the language either.
Edit: Welp, just as I finished typing that, I checked the store and the game is now available, lol.
That doesn't make the JP store any less shitty though :P (I'm still waiting for Guacamelee..)
That sucks about Guacamelee and the store in general, though =/ I would love to stroll up to Drinkbox and offer freelance localisation, but I don't think it's as simple as that...
Have you considered using a secondary card for certain western purchases, or are you exclusively JP sto' fo' lyfe?
Finally bought the game, and... it's all in Japanese. Oh well... I will still enjoy the hell out of it.Just Googled him (I don't visit Giant Bomb). I guess when you're stuck for words, it's the most poetic expression!
Well, seeing as LBP Vita is the most recent before Tearaway, perhaps it's become a regular practice now. There's at least one MM guy floating around here who you might be able to ask, or you could always try Tweeting.
That sucks about Guacamelee and the store in general, though =/ I would love to stroll up to Drinkbox and offer freelance localisation, but I don't think it's as simple as that...
Have you considered using a secondary card for certain western purchases, or are you exclusively JP sto' fo' lyfe?
As for a secondary account... I have my US account that I use for all the DLC for the US titles I buy (most of my collection is US imported - I live in Japan -). My main account is on the Japanese store... but I hate it so much. Too bad my ID is only correct on that account, all my other accounts have -US or -EU after my nickname, so it'd feel kinda weird to play with those, lol.
If you can get Guacamelee translated, I would love it, lol. And I don't think there's so much to translate, either..
WIP, need to fix a few things lol.
Did you try doing it on the crash site level, near the beginning?Getting that Tower of Doom trophy was pretty frustrating.
Sometimes the Scraps get stuck behind/on top of objects outside the playable area when you knock them over. Sometimes they get caught in collision meshes and then get killed for whatever reason too.
Had to restart the level about 5 times and replay up to that point to attempt it.
Good job, looking much better. Now for that cape.
WIP, need to fix a few things lol.
Yeah, that's where I got it. Still, the area you need to be in is the arena with the squirrel, which takes roughly 5-10 minutes to get to from the start of the level. And again, if one of the six ninja Scraps gets stuck outside of the playable space or somehow gets killed accidentally, you're screwed and need to start the entire level over again. AFAIK, there's no restart from checkpoint option in Tearaway.Originally Posted by hohoXD123
Did you try doing it on the crash site level, near the beginning?
Nuff said...go get it...vita first must have experience IMO....
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