Tearaway

Editor's Notes

Vita game card version reviewed. 'Tearaway' is also available digitally.

Introduction

Media Molecule, Sony's first party game developer, started creating games in 2008. With a strong focus on unique gameplay experiences, they began their notoriety with 'Little Big Planet', a title that was lauded for its creativity, family-friendly theme, and user-generated content. It won numerous awards, including the Game Developers Choice Award for Best Debut Game. Their success prompted a sequel in 2011 with 'Little Big Planet 2' and their most recent effort, 'Tearaway' for the PlayStation Vita. Released at the peak of excitement for the PlayStation 4, 'Tearaway' may have been buried in next-gen hype, but Media Molecule's latest effort may just be a Vita that should not be missed.

The Game Itself: Our Reviewer's Take

'Tearaway' tells a story . . . your story, the story of the 'You', a mysterious figure that has appeared in the face of the sun. But this story cannot be fully told without the help of iota the messenger, a curious little character determined to reach the height of the sun in order deliver this story. Taking control of iota you will travel across the lands of 'Tearaway' - from the deepest caverns to the top of the highest mountain - never faltering, never shying away from danger. During this puzzle platformer you'll experience every feature the PlayStation Vita has to offer.

When SCE Bend Studios released 'Uncharted Golden Abyss' as a premiere launch title for the PlayStation Vita in December 2011 it was well received but often thought of as a highly motivated tech demo, displaying every capability of Sony's newest hand held. While it was still an enjoyable game, many of the game's mechanics and Vita-based controls felt forced and tacked-on. The same cannot be said about 'Tearaway.'

Although 'Tearaway' forces you to utilize the motion and touch-based controls of the Vita in order to complete the game, you will quickly realize that the controls are so closely integrated with the overall story that they never feel forced or out of place. By elevating the player to god-like status to guide iota along his journey, 'Tearaway' empowers the gamer to completely break through the fourth wall in the most ingenious of ways.

The rear touch pad of the PlayStation Vita is probably most often utilized. Whether through simple taps that catapult iota from a variety of drum-like trampoline pads, or by literally tearing through the gaming barrier to push your fingers through the floor of the screen to move objects or help iota fend off creatures appropriately referred to as scraps. (You choose a skin color to apply to your in-game dopple-fingers.)The front and rear cameras are used to take images of yourself and your environment that are lovingly inserted into the world of 'Tearaway' in one manner or another. Later levels eventually make use of the Vita's Sixaxis controls to further the difficulty of some of the more routine puzzles.

Because 'Tearaway' is a game made entirely of paper craft, one of the more original game mechanics is the need to create your own artwork. When prompted to do so, you are taken to a separate crafting menu that allows you to pick and choose from a variety of colored paper. From there you select the available pencil to draw your artwork with. The act of drawing on paper is as simple as using your finger on the Vita's touchscreen. When your masterpiece is complete, tap the scissors icon and watch as the picture is quickly cut out and integrated into the game. It could be as simple as creating a crown for the local squirrel or a unique snowflake that, when finished, is replicated to create a mountain top snowstorm. The level of precision and ease of use was quite simply, astonishing.

And therein lies the beauty of 'Tearaway'. Everything about this ambitious title works, and works incredibly well. There is no question that the developers at Media Molecule took great care in thinking through every detail of this game to ensure that the mechanics appropriately fit with the progression of the story. Nothing felt forced or out of place. If I had to take issue with anything 'Tearaway' has to offer it would be with the occasional less-than- ideal fixed camera perspective. While controlling iota from a birds-eye-view would generally allow for appropriate camera rotation, the fixed camera/tough platforming sections meant an occasionally missed jump via camera. This issue was slight enough as to not really disrupt an otherwise unique and entirely immersive experience.