Brace yourself for the, even more detailed, part two of the PS Vita review. Now that you know what it looks like let’s learn what it can do. We’ve discussed the PS Vita inside and out, now let’s dive into what those shiny little app icons bring to the table, what games are like and what we can expect from Playstation’s Cross Play capabilities.
Apps
Welcome Park
The first app you’ll want to play (then never again) is the Welcome Park. This is the instruction book to the Vita, through very minimally rendered mini games you will be taught things like swiping the rear touch pad or focusing the camera. There are trophies to be earned here but thats about it.
Playstation Store
What good would this system be if you couldn’t buy new content whenever you wanted. One of the first things you do after turning on the PS Vita the first time is log into your PSN account (or set one up). Within moments you can make game and video purchases in the PS Store.
Near
Using the Near app you can see other Vita users around you. You’ll be able to collect little game trinkets from them like a bonus soundtrack, or treasure type in-game collectibles. Most Vita games have a sort of share features you can unlock. Near also keeps an eye on how far you have traveled but it doesn’t feel very accurate to me.
Party
Is your communication hub. Use it to connect to other Vita users for video and audio chats. Text chat is also an option. You can also send and receive join-a-game requests.
Facebook & Twitter
Of course it has FB and Twitter - how else are you going to tell everyone how much fun you’re having.
Web Browser
Decent but not great. Some of this depends on the site you are trying to view. The browser doesn’t support Flash and Youtube doesn’t work.
AR Cards
Back into the packaging for a minute. You will find 12 5x6 cards. (Nice quality coated paper with rounded corners) On the cards themselves are QR codes that respond to the PS Vita’s rear facing camera activating augmented reality games.
The games themselves you have to download from the PS Store. Try searching under free in the PS Store or visit us.playstation.com/arplay for a list of titles that use the cards. So far there are three: Cliff Diving, Fireworks and Table Soccer which are neat but feel more like tech demos than actual games.
Wifi
Just as you might expect from a modern devise the PS Vita will detect wireless access points automatically. Including your neighbor’s "Linksys" and the restaurant downstairs. The Vita will connect automatically to authorized access points.
Also included in this is the built in GPS feature. Not so you know where you’re going but so “they” know where you are. It’s where Near gets its information from.
3G
Having the option to go online without a WiFi hotspot seems like a great idea on paper. To be honest I haven’t had to use it yet. I feel obligated to warn you that signing up itself is a bit of a chore. I’m sure AT&T will freshen up their website but as is it barely works on the device you are trying to sign up. After that difficult the free game promotion is difficult to claim. That is unless you know where to look; I scoured the PS forums for you for a detailed guide:
"I should get a trophy for signing up for a Data Connect plan. I want to point to you all to those who have successfully signed up and activated their 3G plan. After your first activation and signing up for a DataConnect Pass, that's just the tip of the iceberg. What you need to do is go the website (buyasession.att.com) and log in. Then go to MY DEVICES AND PLAN, expand the device you registered for more details, click ADD A PLAN, scroll down and look for the one that says redeem a coupon, add it, submit, and next month should be free. It should say something like VITAPROMO1."
Launch Titles
PS Vita games have trophies! This was a huge missing feature from the PSP. I picked up two new release Vita games to get me started. Turns out I got a few more surprises as well.
Uncharted Golden Abyss
Notable uses of the PS Vita exclusive controls. touch screen to climb and clean objects. Rear touch pad to climb ropes. Camera has multiple uses as well including as a sniper rifle.
Ray-man Origins
It’s like playing a cartoon. A great platformer and a solid launch title. Tons of replayability and 2 player action (with 2 PS Vitas).
Hustle Kings
HK was a nice surprise. I received the Vita version free as an owner of the console version. This pool sim makes excellent use of the front touch screen and rear camera. Look around the table to line up your shot by rotating the Vita. Control your spin and thrust with the touch screen.
Super Stardust Delta
A staple from the PS Store Super Stardust is an Asteroid-esque game taking place along the spheres of planet orbits. Highly addictive and challenging this is a great game to have stored on your memory card. Stardust is sure to be the title you put on to show off your new system. Cycle through different weapons each of which correspond to a type of giant sized asteroid.
Cross Play
Start playing a game on your PS3 console and pick up on the PS Vita System where you left off and play against players on their PS3 consoles. That’s the promise, and the goal really, we’ve seen it with MLB 2012 and Marvel vs Capcom 3 but that’s about it so far. Really there are lots of games I would like to see on the PS Vita that I already own. Fingers crossed they get the Hustle Kings treatment and previous owners get them as a bonus. While I’m not going to hold my breath for free games, I do expect to see some more games using the Cross Play feature. There is a lot of potential here. However, let’s face it, historically gamers have endured a trail of broken promises littered with Gameboys, DSs, GBA, I think even a Sega Game Gear. I hope the Vita lives up to the promise of true cross platform play.
You can also use the built in Content Manager to transfer games and files back and forth with your PS3 console. You can do this through a USB wire connection or over a wireless network. The problem is, aside from PS Minis and downloaded PSP titles, nothing plays. Not sure what the point of connecting is if you can’t play the game content on your PS3. Not even the PSOne classics which played just fine on the PSP.
Connecting to your PC is also possible though will require adding some software. You will need Content manager running on both the PS Vita and the PC. Download the application for PC here and here for Mac.
• Using a wired connection will cause deja vu to plugging in your GBA to use as a second screen.
• Strangely Pixeljunk games seem to be the only exception.
• Supported file formats for you hackers: Music - MP3 MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer 3, MP4 (MPEG-4 AAC), WAVE (Linear PCM). Videos - MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC). Photos - JPEG (Exif 2.2.1), TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG.
• Looking for content? Why not download some 2Old2Type podcasts.
Pricing
The current pricing for the PS Vita is pretty steep. Retailers are selling the The Launch Bundle which is Wifi/3G compatible and comes with an 8 gig Memory card for $299 and the Wifi (only) model for $249. That’s before you buy any games.
Sony offers two Protection Plans in addition to the out of box 1 year warranty. There are two packages available in either 1 or 2 year terms:
• The standard is an extension of the limited factory warranty
• Accidental Damage will cover you from mishaps like accidental drops
Rating
All in, with a couple of games and added flair you're going to be down around $500 bucks keeping the PS Vita in the luxury category for me. Sure you’re going to want one but I am confident in telling you it’s safe to wait for a price drop. While the system is aimed at everyday gamers it’s going to attract hardcore PSP users first. A lot of content is currently missing (PSOne classics!) and more games need to use the PS Vita’s unique features. It’s still very early in the lifespan of this product, whose future will hopefully be bright.
Crossplay comercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfBFx051pWM&feature=player_profilepage
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SOURCES:
http://us.playstation.com/psvita/tech-specs/
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2011/09/14/ps-vita-specifications-re...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Vita
http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1141172/ps_vita_vs_nintendo_3ds_vs_ipho...
US Playstation Forums
About the Author
Jay “Anotherdae” Bowen lives in New York City and is a full time Art Director. Gaming is a passion mostly enjoyed at night for hours on end after spending time with his new wife, Megan, and three-year-old chocolate brown cocker spaniel, Sylar. He started writing game reviews in 2010 to keep a record his gaming experience. Jay’s preferred console is the PS3 but his love for gaming started with his first Atari. He’s looking forward to the company of fellow adult gamers and bringing reviews to a like-minded community. Check out more from Jay at Gamedae.blogspot.com.
