Support NeoGAF

[Guevara]

Good news for people bummed by the lack of Vita presence at Sony's conference.

Some of the most fun I've had at E3 has been playing ports of beloved independent games on PlayStation Vita, a system I do not own but will end up getting sooner than later if this keeps up. Among the titles were Limbo, Hotline Miami, Lone Survivor, Aban Hawkins & the 1,001 Spikes, Luftrausers, all of which I would happily pay for again to get a portable version.

Hohokum was the real highlight of the show for Vita -- think of a zen-like, beautiful, lovely-to-listen-to Snake in which you fly around solving abstract puzzles at a leisure pace -- but more on that later. If you happen to be at E3, seek this out in the Sony booth. Otherwise, ready your wallet for 2014.

And then there was Spelunky. Oh, it was a dream come true. Only a few deathmatch levels and the mines were playable, but that was enough to convince me that this is a solid port. It also confirmed to me that Spelunky is probably best played on a handheld system. When does this come out again? I'm going to need a couple hundred dollars.

Destructoid: I may just buy a PlayStation Vita for the indie games

Some people say that the PlayStation Vita doesn't have a lot of games. These people need to go to Sony's E3 booth.

There are a lot of PS Vita games there. Take a look at my video tour above for proof.

The Vita area was probably the first time I've been to a part of a first-party's E3 booth and not known about more than half the games. They've signed up a ton of interesting indie games for the thing.

Viva the Vita!

Kotaku: Sony's E3 Booth Laughs At Those Who Say There Are No Games for PS Vita

 

[DigitalOp]

Vita for Gamescom!?!

 

[Samyy]

I guess ill have to start checking some of these things out eventually

 

[razgriz417]

Pretty sure the Giantbomb guys were gushing over some Vita titles as well, things maybe looking up if they can get enough good games on the system

 

[GulAtiCa]

Looking forward to 1,001 Spikes for sure. Not sure I'll get it for Vita specifically, but certainly a possibility, would look sexy on it.

Oh yeah, Tearaway. That game is one of my most wanted Vita games. When is that out?

 

[HamPster PamPster]

I'm pretty excited about Vita's upcoming lineup. I wish there were a few big titles but what are you going to do.

Is Terreria Vita at E3? I need a release date! Rainbow Moon Vita too

 

[Striek]

Patrick on GiantBomb said that Tearaway was the best game he played yesterday, and the rest seemed pretty positive IIRC.

But uhm the Vita is clearly transitioning into some sort of indie game lovefest and not the type of content people necessarily expected/wanted from the system.

 

[CrisKre]

In my opinion, hokokum is neat, killzobe looks great but visualy its too busy for the small screen and the controls are not ideal at all.
Tearaway though. ... Good Lord. Is glorious. It's the real deal though. Just incredibly creative, the music is just beautiful and it plays sublimely.
It's the best game in sonys booth.

 

[Officerrob]

The bad news is that none of those titles look like system sellers

 

[Zee-Row]

Indies are the best thing to ever happen to Sony.

 

[EMT0]

I'm pretty excited about Vita's upcoming lineup. I wish there were a few big titles but what are you going to do.

Is Terreria Vita at E3? I need a release date! Rainbow Moon Vita too

Well, there are a few big titles coming. They're just very sparse and we've heard nothing about any more big titles to follow

 

[Andrew Korenchkin]

Good news. The more support the Vita gets, the better.

 

[Guevara]

Patrick on GiantBomb said that Tearaway was the best game he played yesterday, and the rest seemed pretty positive IIRC.

But uhm the Vita is clearly transitioning into some sort of indie game lovefest and not the type of content people necessarily expected/wanted from the system.

I don't think the Vita is working as a "console on the go" experience. It's just too hard to make the AAA model work on 1. a handheld, 2. with limited sales.

However, I've wanted an indie on the go/portable Steam/portable XBLA device for a long time so for me it's perfect. I play console-style games on my consoles.

 

[Soulstar]

I didn't realize Ys was coming over here. This is incredibly good news.

 

[Auto_aim1]

I think Shahid deserves an apology, he's been doing a great job. Why didn't Sony show these titles on stage? But I guess most people were focused on PS4 so these games wouldn't have made a big impact.

 

[Bumhead]

The Vita has developed itself a second life as a very niche product but one that is becoming pretty successful at catering for that niche.

If Vita can continue to survive and thrive on indie games and first party output without the help of EA, Activision etc then fair play to it. It's never going to be a mass market success at this point or another 70 million selling console but if it's good at what it does and remains profitable for Sony then great.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

How many retail non-ports were there?

 

[Guevara]

How many retail non-ports were there?

Why do you make the artificial retail distinction? A good game is a good game.

 

[Evolution_1ne]

she still needs a price cut Sony

 

[Servbot24]

Vita will certainly have a great lineup, and it's a very desirable piece of hardware, but I feel no need to own one right this minute. Maybe next year.

 

[BadWolf]

Great to hear, thinking of getting one soon.

 

[FoneBone]

Why do you make the artificial retail distinction?

Because DD-only stuff isn't likely to drive hardware sales.

 

[Kazerei]

Excellent. Probably won't help the sales situation but I'll be happy. PSP was totally worth it as my niche title machine.

 

[Maedhros]

The bad news is that none of those titles look like system sellers

I should I care about system sellers?

 

[naib]

I'm really looking forward to Spelunky.
Hell. Yes.

 

[Andrew Korenchkin]

Looking forward to 1,001 Spikes for sure. Not sure I'll get it for Vita specifically, but certainly a possibility, would look sexy on it.

Oh yeah, Tearaway. That game is one of my most wanted Vita games. When is that out?

Tearaway is out October 22

 

[Glorified G]

she still needs a price cut Sony

This. It can carve out a nice niche but it needs a price cut badly.

 

[Dragon]

Gushing over...Limbo and Hotline Miami? PC ports?

That's not all they're gushing over, but by all means don't read what the OP nicely summarized!

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Sony needs to give these games some ad dollars. Damn it.

Vita deserves so much better.

 

[GulAtiCa]

Tearaway is out October 22

Awesome.

 

[Omegasquash]

It's still in my wish list. I think it'll be a "surprise" for my birthday or Christmas, though I'm hoping that people will listen to me this year when I ask for gift certificates...I'd rather the family just not get me any odd little thing and give me the dosh to spend on a PS4. They'd help me break even.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Because DD-only stuff isn't likely to drive hardware sales.

Exactly.

 

[Officerrob]

I should I care about system sellers?

Because if the Vita doesn't start to move hardware, it's future is pretty bleak

 

[BadWolf]

This. It can carve out a nice niche but it needs a price cut badly.

They used gamescon instead of E3 to push the system last year iirc so i wonder if we will see the price cut and new software announcement there.

 

[TwoDurans]

I'm amazed Sterling let someone post nice things about the Vita.

 

[Shinta]

I can't wait for Dead Nation on Vita. I'm worried about gaming addiction ...

 

[Sacul64]

Why do you make the artificial retail distinction? A good game is a good game.

Because the Memory cards are way too expensive. I am also not going to play a game on this that I can play on my console.

 

[Archaix]

Patrick on GiantBomb said that Tearaway was the best game he played yesterday, and the rest seemed pretty positive IIRC.

But uhm the Vita is clearly transitioning into some sort of indie game lovefest and not the type of content people necessarily expected/wanted from the system.

I'm in line with the Destructoid article quoted. Personally the entire reason I have avoided a Vita up until recently is because there was too much of a focus on bringing "AAA" console style games to the system. They have never been a good fit for handhelds. A lot of the indie games they're announcing are the perfect kind of handheld game that you can play in a short burst or get hooked on and play repeatedly.

 

[Furious Styles]

I agree with Destructoid on Hohokum. The game visually reminded me of Sound Shapes and PixelJunk Eden with the gameplay being like flOw with puzzles. I'll definitely be picking it up day 1!

 

[Liberty4all]

Vita is 50 dollars off right now at EBGames (Canada). I almost bit last night on the Assassins Creed Bundle.

 

[chaosblade]

I didn't realize Y's was coming over here. This is incredibly good news.

Y's

Oh god. You didn't. (There's no apostrophe)

Ys is definitely my most anticipated Vita game, but there's not much competition. Not really much else I wouldn't rather get another platform though unfortunately.

 

[MadmanUK]

I read the OP title as impressed by titties at the booth. Now disappointed :/

 

[AwRy108]

Did they have bigger, more reasonably priced Memory Cards on display? I love my Vita, but my 32GB card is out of space and I refuse to pay $80 for a second one.

Also, core unit is long overdue for a price drop UNLESS retailers start throwing in free 16GB Memory Cards.

In any event, my Vita is one of my favorite things I own--I sure hope SONY can draw more people in with all the upcoming games.

 

[Mileena]

Ys looks very impressive. Never heard of most of those titles in the OP.

 

[Brinbe]

Vita always had games, people just weren't paying attention.

 

[PlanetSmasher]

So many indie games...so many PC ports...

Definitely getting Ys, even if 99% of the indie games they showed hold no sway for me. Bring on the RPGs, Sony. The good ones. Look at how well P4G sold and you'll see there's a market for them.

 

[lemonade]

hopefully the handheld can shift itself into what it was designed for, console like games adapted for vita. I like what sony is doing right now. staying afloat with the indie support while also developing titles like, dragon crown, killzone mercenary, tearaway, etc. had a vita from launch so I need them to win on this front.

 

[Lagspike_exe]

Indies are nice, but AAA exclusives are better. It's a pity that Sony isn't investing more resources into content creation for Vita.

 

[entremet]

That's not all they're gushing over, but by all means don't read what the OP nicely summarized!

The rest of the mentions were PC ports. I don't mind, though. Just clarifying.

 

[RadarScope1]

Good vid by Stephen last night.

Vita is on my wish list - and it's because of the indies and the remote play PS4 feature. Indies are selling me on this thing. That's the kind of stuff I want to pick up and play. I'm accessing Vita games on PS+ in anticipation of getting one before or around the time I get a PS4.

I just want a bit of a price cut. I want $199...