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The PS Vita was a pretty cool handheld system! Despite disappointing sales and lack of Sony support, it’s likely to be a fondly remembered device in years to come. That said, many of its games include gimmicky mechanics in order to showcase the Vita’s exclusive features, often at the expense of player enjoyment.
This is not the case with Tearaway, a 3D platformer released by Sony in 2012. In this game, the starring character is, well…you! The player appears on-screen periodically via the Vita’s camera as a powerful sun-like being. You are tasked with helping characters who are living in a storybook who are looking to create a brand new story. By controlling the on-screen “messenger”, either Iota or Atio depending on gender, the epic quest begins to reach the “you”!
Developer, Media Molecule is best known for the LittleBigPlanet series, and the group’s distinct style is on full display in Tearaway with its paper-crafted visuals, charming characters, and whimsical environments. It’s got the usual fun one would expect in a platformer coupled with intuitive mechanics that utilize the touch screen, touch pad, camera, microphone, and Sixaxis motion. Certain parts of the story also allow the player to customize or create objects, adding a level of imagination rarely seen in video games.
More than a tech demo, Tearaway was a valiant effort at introducing consumers (and potentially developers) to the possibilities the Vita opened up for new and unique gameplay styles. An expanded remake, Tearaway Unfolded was released for the PS4 in 2013, a worthy version that opened it up to a slightly wider audience.
