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[herod]

Don't know what the expectations were, but Tearaway: Unfolded only got to No.33 in the UK charts on the week of release and promptly disappeared:

http://www.videogamer.com/ps4/tearaway_unfolded/news/tearaway_unfolded_flops_in_the_uk.html

The article claims it's a flop based on chart position (a meaningless relative metric) and then proceeds to place it exactly between titles that I don't think anyone would be surprised to see it placed.

For a port of a handheld game it doesn't seem to be doing anything other than what I would guess it would have done; are people expecting Super Mario figures or something? What was success meant to look like for a port like this if not exactly what happened to it?

 

[mejin]

Game was destined to bomb.

But that's why you gotta love Sony first party output, they are always on all kind of games and they know some will bomb, but they launch it for the sake of diversity on their lineup.

Dreams is another one that could bomb really hard too.

 

[akashhhhh]

I'd suggest that stuff like the glue-pathways, using back-touch to bounce on certain surfaces, using the DS4 touchpad to change the environment by simulating wind, riding the paper airplane, crossing platforms that move with tilt, interaction with the world directly via touchscreen and platforming sections that require Twister-esque face button combinations would all qualify as novel traversal methods. I'm sure there's a few more that I've forgotten too.

I guess one man's novelty is another man's gimmicky garbage. Mostly kidding.

But seriously, I've seen few such intensely divisive games...

 

[Fbh]

For me it's a mix of the aesthetic and the fact it's Media Molecule.

I'm all for games like these if they have the awesome level design and, even more importantly, controls of something like Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze or Mario Galaxy.
But while Little Big planet was charming and had cool creation tools, it doesn't give me the confidence that Media Molecule can make a top tier platformer

 

[CitizenCope]

I like these types of games but I tried the demo and just didn't feel it. I also wasn't a fan of the color palette.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I guess one man's novelty is another man's gimmicky garbage. Mostly kidding.

I mean, the game was kinda doomed to face that sort of criticism from the very start. On both Vita and PS4 it deliberately (and very openly) sets out to use every possible control method available to it, with the only thing separating the novel ideas from the annoying gimmicks being how much each individual player likes them.

Unfortunately being gimmicky on purpose won't save you from the wrath of people who dislike gimmicks.

But seriously, I've seen few such intensely divisive games...

Yup, it's a Media Molecule game alright!

 

[Stone Ocean]

It's just really, really boring. I played it a bit and though seeing my double chin in the skybox was amusing at first there's just nothing keeping me playing it.

 

[dracula_x]

Bought this game on Vita and PS4. I really like it.

Besides how utterly charming it all is, I've been having a fucking blast with this game's photo functionality.

Lol. I'll try the same thing next time

 

[herod]

I don't think they're particularly divisive, it's just a vocal minority telling us we're supposed to fucking love their games and a crowd of rather nonplussed others reacting to that with some incredulity; there is very little (if any) outright hate, no yin to the yang as it were.

 

[Fortinbras]

I don't really know why I don't like the game or any other Media Molecule game. The games always had fantastic art, visuals and great music but I didn't enjoy playing them. I've always hated the controls in the LBP games.

Tearaway is just boring.

 

[Sami+]

I loved it on Vita. I semi-agree with Nintendo thing? It felt like something Nintendo would have done when they were in their prime, making flagship, creative single player IPs. Not so much post-GameCube Nintendo imo. Anyway though, I liked it a lot and my nieces did too. I already beat it though, not much reason to get it on PS4.

 

[TONX]

I played the Vita version and the PS4 demo. I'm not sure if it was because it was a demo, but the PS4 version felt, off. Definitely enjoyed it more on the Vita.

 

[Lys Skygge]

Media Molecule is one of the most passionate developers in the industry, and they absolutely deserve success. Tearaway has been an incredible experience (I'm still playing it) and I feel it has improved upon LBP in almost every way (especially the platformimg). MMs next game, Dreams, looks like it'll be their most innovative and creative game yet, and it's received very little attention.

Tearaway: Unfolded has been one of my most memorable gaming experiences and is easily in my top 5 2015 GOTY.

 

[smashballTaz]

Because it's a lovely charming non-violent game made by a company that's not Nintendo.

 

[akashhhhh]

Media Molecule is one of the most passionate developers in the industry, and they absolutely deserve success. Tearaway has been an incredible experience (I'm still playing it) and I feel it has improved upon LBP in almost every way (especially the platformimg). MMs next game, Dreams, looks like it'll be their most innovative and creative game yet, and it's received very little attention.

Tearaway: Unfolded has been one of my most memorable gaming experiences and is easily in my top 5 2015 GOTY.

What in the hell?

I don't think they're particularly divisive, it's just a vocal minority telling us we're supposed to fucking love their games and a crowd of rather nonplussed others reacting to that with some incredulity; there is very little (if any) outright hate, no yin to the yang as it were.

Hey, you're right.

 

[Fury451]

Got it on vita. Stopped playing. Did not interest me

Same here. After hearing such rampant praise for it on GAF, I bought it because it sounded like it was pretty interesting. I don't get the appeal at all, and found the gameplay highly uninteresting.

I guess it has a pretty cute aesthetic to it if that's enough for you.

 

[Orniletter]

I get the impression that the people who keep saying this don't actually play Nintendo games. I thought the gameplay was boring and unfocused, and absolutely not something that Nintendo would make. A game needs more than colors and quirkiness to appeal to Nintendo fans. Maybe it would sell better, but not by much.

Seriously, I don't see where they are coming from.

Tearaway has very little substance to it, it's not a particularly great platformer by any standard and the 2005-DS-era gimmicks got old incredible fast.

Lol at those: "If it was made by Nintendo, people would treat it like a masterpiece" posts. Absolutely, 100% disagreed.

 

[Fasty]

People who don't like Tearaway are like aliens to me. I doubt we would be able to communicate in real life if we ever met, they probably don't have mouths and absorb their meals through their skin.

 

[SliceSabre]

There are two possibilities:

1. It isn't on the right platform for the audience that would enjoy it the most. I honestly believe it would have been something the would be hugely popular on a Nintendo platform.

2. The audience is there but simply not big enough to sustain it.


Personally I've played the Vita one and seen some of the PS4 version and neither was able to grab my attention and I'm willing to give just about any game a chance.

 

[Pancakes R Us]

It looking like a "Nintendo game" means people who are saying they are not interested would suddenly be interested because it is a premier title on Nintendo's platform?

No, I don't think that's implied at all. Just that there's a more welcoming audience for this type of game on a Nintendo platform. Which is probably correct, I reckon. Same thing applies with Nintendo platforms and games like CoD. Audience is elsewhere.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I don't think they're particularly divisive, it's just a vocal minority telling us we're supposed to fucking love their games and a crowd of rather nonplussed others reacting to that with some incredulity; there is very little (if any) outright hate, no yin to the yang as it were.

Not sure what you're trying to achieve here by painting fans as an obnoxious minority harassing everyone else.

I'd argue that Media Molecule games absolutely are divisive, as evidenced by threads like this one. Some people are fine with a relaxed attitude to mechanics and traditional gameplay loops, while others don't enjoy that sort of experience. It may not provoke a lot of frothing vitriol, but it still results in a lot of people on either side.

There are two possibilities:

1. It isn't on the right platform for the audience that would enjoy it the most. I honestly believe it would have been something the would be hugely popular on a Nintendo platform.

Funnily enough, Siobhan Reddy from Media Molecule revealed on the latest episode of Devs Play that they pitched LBP to Nintendo before Sony. Nintendo weren't interested in funding it, however.

 

[WrenchNinja]

I'll pick it up when it's cheaper. Like LBP3 $8 cheap.

 

[Diprosalic]

The article claims it's a flop based on chart position (a meaningless relative metric) and then proceeds to place it exactly between titles that I don't think anyone would be surprised to see it placed.

For a port of a handheld game it doesn't seem to be doing anything other than what I would guess it would have done; are people expecting Super Mario figures or something? What was success meant to look like for a port like this if not exactly what happened to it?

no. 33 on the uk charts is like 20 copies tho.

 

[mechphree]

It's currently on sale for 19.99 on PSN Week 4 Holiday Sale.

The previous version, on Vita - people have an excuse. It's a device most people here on GAF probably don't have.

Here comes the PS4 version, with improved visuals, controls and added content. It's obviously a great game from a critical perspective, we know this.

But it really just looks like nobody "wants" to play this game, regardless of how many times people/gaffers/reviewers hit you over the head with the "it's great go play it" hammer.

Is it the aesthetic? Are platformers not really anyone's thing anymore? Take into consideration the anticipation for the upcoming Ratchet and Clank game seems lower than it should be. Despite it looking fantastic and seems to be a return to form for the franchise.

Just never knew why a new original IP game that's so well liked by the [few] people who've played it. Now I'm not saying this game is a commercial disaster, I'm sure all said and done with the Vita and PS4 versions the game finally did O.K., but never reached the success that it probably deserved.

Do you think a PS+ Free game of the month is pretty much what this game needs?

Doesn't look interesting at all to me.

Performers just don't do it for me unless it's Mario. It's sad but when it comes to platformers I kind of hold them to even higher expectations then other genres and if they aren't dam near flawless gameplay wise I'm not interested. It's aesthetic also puts me off .

 

[lt519]

The combat is terrible and the platforming is basic. At least for Vita the game wasnt fun until the last couple levels. Just didn't enjoy all the novelty mechanics/4th wall breaking.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

Meh. It's their loss I guess. It's one of the best games I've played this past decade. Incredibly charming and memorable!

 

[mickagau33]

It seems this kind of game (colorful, cartoonish, non-violent) is not popular anymore, outside of Nintendo games. My friends (35 something, just like me) still play some "cute" Nintendo games from time to time (I think it is mostly because of nostalgia and awaraness that Nintendo games are often great) but are totaly uninterested and/or unaware in Tearaway, Pupeteer, Gravity Rush...

 

[inner-G]

It looks too complicated for what it is

 

[jacob armitage]

I care a lot about Tearaway. The Vita version was amazing. I've yet to pick up the PS4 version though, but since my business went under i've done a spending freeze on video games until i find work again.

It'll be my first purchase though, whenever that may be.

I actually had my Vita stolen while staying with a friend too so i can't even go back and play that version. Had my P4G in it.

 

[Greddleok]

I loved it on the Vita, but it's a pretty average to weak platformer. It's got style, it's got heart, but mechanically it's not satisfying. I loved everything around the platforming though.
Media molecule just aren't great at making platformers.

 

[Jito]

The demo was pretty interesting and different from other games but I don't know if I actually found it fun. It played like a platformer with no platforming, there's not even a jump button from what I played.

 

[Lys Skygge]

The demo was pretty interesting and different from other games but I don't know if I actually found it fun. It played like a platformer with no platforming, there's not even a jump button from what I played.

The ability to jump doesn't come until after the demo ends. It's a little silly.

 

[Apathy]

For a person that hates platformers,tearaway got it's hooks into me. It was very charming and made me laugh and smile as I played it on my way to and from work on the subway. Wish more Perle have it a chance, because it's by far the best 3d platformer in years, and at least on the vita, it uses the machines control scheme really well.

 

[lowhighkang_LHK]

Same, and I'm a huge platformer fan. I just want a platformer on PS4 without all those gimmicks and with tight controls.

....you want Knack then?

PS: I actually liked Knack for what it was.

 

[Cave Johnson]

I loved it on the Vita, but it's a pretty average to weak platformer. It's got style, it's got heart, but mechanically it's not satisfying. I loved everything around the platforming though.
Media molecule just aren't great at making platformers.

Or they simply do not attribute resources to doing so. They tend to use style over substance. Or their substance isn't defined into gameplay "mechanics".

 

[JoshHood]

no. 33 on the uk charts is like 20 copies tho.

Yeah, you've gotta be talking three digits max surely - the drop-off from the top 5 or so in the UK charts is very steep.

And for what it's worth, Tearaway (in either form) is very tenuously a platformer. It's much more an adventure game. So basically a cross of the two worst-selling genres!

 

[Skellig Gra]

I picked it up back in August with my Vita. Its a neat little game but it has some glaring issues. Mainly it controls like shit. I'll continue to support games like this but it has plenty of warts to go with the high concept stuff.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

There's just not a ton of interest in platformers outside of the Nintendo fanbase. And indies have really killed their value perception since there are so many good ones for $5-15.

It also released on a failed portable and it's hard to market a console port of a portable game effectively.

 

[BassForever]

Wasn't a fan of the lbp games and tearaway doesn't look like a game I'd enjoy much and I like platformers. I do think the art style is cool but I'm not going to play a game for its artstyle.

Agree with others, MM can make some pretty great player creator content tools, but the base games just aren't fun to play imo.

 

[danmaku]

It's a platformer so I won't play it unless it has something that grabs me and Tearaway doesn't. Also, it looks quite ulgy. Maybe if the characters were origami it would look more elegant, but those papercraft things just look bad, especially the main character.

 

[DoctorFling]

Seriously, I don't see where they are coming from.

Tearaway has very little substance to it, it's not a particularly great platformer by any standard and the 2005-DS-era gimmicks got old incredible fast.

Lol at those: "If it was made by Nintendo, people would treat it like a masterpiece" posts. Absolutely, 100% disagreed.

If Nintendo released this people would tear it apart (pun intended). It's not a good platformer at all, especially compared to Nintendo's genre entries.

 

[Drakendodertje]

There's a lot more value to me, and many others, at enjoying stories that come out of situations, not a platformer that leaves zero room for interpretation, nuance, and more. It's just the most basic of games, the shallowest from any kind of mental stimulus apart from puzzles, which rarely tell a story.

I think people want stories, or make their own. Platformers tend to completely fail at that, and not even try, and I don't think they can.

It's funny that i am on the side of the platformers, for the exact same reasons. To this day i think videogames completely fail at telling even half-decent stories. They tend to be so incredibly mediocre and cheesy (but not in a funny way). I love stories, but i still feel only immersed in them with books and movies. There are some exceptions (for someone with my taste) in games but they are few and far between.

That's why i almost solely play games that are built on some true skill-based gameplay-mechanics. I love (hardcore) platformers, puzzlegames, fighters, hack 'n slashers, the occasional fps etc. They don't try to be anything they are not.

You want to engage me in a story? Then you better tell me a damn good one. Otherwise, don't bother.

 

[Darth Smurf X]

I bought it last night for $16. It better be worth it, Mr. Topic Creator. If not, I'm holding you personally responsible. I could eat at Taco Bell 3 times for what I spent on this game.

 

[SlipperyMoose]

I love 3D platformers but this game for some reason doesn't grab my interest. Maybe one day I'll pick it up.

 

[Kinsei]

I personally found the Vita demo painfully boring and skipped the game as a result. The gameplay is just so dull and the gimmicks like your face being in the sun just didn't do anything for me.

 

[Randy]

....you want Knack then?

PS: I actually liked Knack for what it was.

I haven't played it yet (I do have a copy though), but from what I've seen, Knak focusses more on going from one arena to another, defeat some baddies so a gate opens to a next area. It's not a platformer like Mario, Banjo & Kazooie,...

 

[WadiumArcadium]

I said I was going to buy it for PS4 after skipping the Vita version and I still haven't. Too many games.

 

[entremet]

Media Molecule is a very creative studio, but their mechanics are really poor. Their games just feel awful to play.

The world building, art direction and music is top notch, but I never find the game part enjoyable.

 

[Crzy1]

I skipped it on the Vita, have messed with the demo, but have yet to purchase it. I may go ahead and grab it before the sale ends, if it hasn't already.

 

[The perfect Dark]

The demo was terrible to be honest. Not interested.
The platforming feels bad, too. (just like in Little big planet)