Note: I typed this review out in full via the Vita browser, so it's a lot simpler than usual formatting wise. Also, this is not a purely hardware review as advertised, as it contains quick hits of Uncharted Golden Abyss and Hot Shots Golf, which were my two launch games. Tapping this out blog post style.
I knew I couldnt resist the clarion call of a new Sony system for long - i was just waiting for the price to drop to an acceptable level before pulling the trigger. Lo and behold, Feb 22nd saw the systems Singapore launch, and with it the launch of the Uncharted value pack... I troop to Virra on the weekend, and the Precy gang were selling it for 17 kiao cash.
*glint*
*willpower breaks down*
So Itech takes 18,600 of my hard earned shekels (1,600 extra for Minna No Golf 6) and I run home to test that #@*^ out! In the nicely overstuffed box was...
* Screen Protector: I had the Precy guys lay this on at the store. Plastic film, does the job.
* Carry case: Keeps the Vita nice and safe, but a little thick for my taste. Has cool Playstation logos embossed into the exterior.
* Game card case: Space for ten games and a couple of mem cards. Looks like the sort of thing you could lose easy if you arent careful - would have been better if built into the carry case instead. Tinago ko na lang ulit.
* Uncharted Golden Abyss: The full game, with a case and everything. Sleeve looks cheap. Strongly considered trading this in for Lumines but didnt.
* 4G mem card: Kinda small, but hey its free.
* A wi-fi Vita: Well, no sh1t buddy.
Hey Sony, wheres the free headphones? Cheap bi7ches, kahit mumurahin lang sana.
So i clip the case on and it clicks nicely into place. Switch the Vita on, hey presto! Nice screen, as expected. Analogs are smooth, though i dislike the upward placement of the face buttons. Body is fingerprint magnet. Dislike rear touch pad almost immediately.
Vita OS is beautiful, though less functional than iOS. Dont like how PS button serves as back in most cases, wish there was a native software close app button or at least one in an easier to reach spot.
I try and play a bit of Hot Shots and theres a mandatory firmware update on the card itself.
*Taps fingers*
Game starts, and its gorgeous! Feeling giddy. Portable HSG, with trophies!
I back out and figure ill DL more demos in the background while playing para multitasking. Sign into PSN....
...
A system software update is required.
Fuuuuu - ghhhhh. Its Sony hardware, alright.
I leave it on the table and get a drink, come back in 15 and its done.
The Vita PS store is smooth, and the demos queue without a hitch. FIFA, Dynasty Warriors, Reality Fighters #whaaaat? Sue me, and Lumines. Exit.
Tried Near. Couldnt get it to work. So long, buddy.
Friends list and messaging are separate apps that you have to switch between. So stupid, terrible design decision.
Internet browser is absolutely awful. Worse than the PS3s, massive page tiling. Any semi decent smart phone's browser, say a mid range Galaxy at least, can beat the pants off this thing.
Played Welcome Park, a built in app. Nice intro minigames. Easy trophies, baby! I get hooked on the Sound DJ thing and spend 15 minutes making a crappy techno song and beatboxing.
Speaking of trophies, the Trophy app is ok but needs work. I wish there was a way to store all your trophy data for both Vita and PS3 locally so you could view it without a net connection. Instead you can only see your Vita trophies locally, with the full PS3/PSV list viewable with a PSN sign-in. Humph.
Played HSG again. Naadik. Game is fantastic! Is everything I wanted it to be, great fun and infinitely replayable.
Ran low on batt. Turned off the Vita, charged. Used the PS3.
1Hr and change later, Vita is back on its feet! Full charge, nice. Play HS some more, then attempt to play Golden Abyss. Nakakainis magpalit nang game on his thing, hassle buksan yung takip sa taas. Dapat parang NDS nalang na open.
Graphics are so f*cking awesome. It looks a lot better on the Vita screen than on the videos i see over the net where its all grainy and sh*t.
Speaking of sh*t, controls are quite bad upon first try. So hard to aim. Died twice in first shooting segment. Turn off Vita in disgust.
Day 2: Take Vita on the road to test batt. While waiting for GF to arrive, I play HSG. Still fun. I figure that its easy to save batt by lowering the brightness to 1/3. Versus the default of 2/3, you can get an extra 2hrs or so out of the charge, especially if you turn off wifi scanning and Bluetooth.
I show the Vita to the GF. Coos and pahirams abound. We test out the front and rear facing cameras, Quality is grainy but great for taking date photos.
Turns out the Sleep mode works great - power on in two seconds versus like 10-15 from dead start. Doesnt seem to use much battery life at all! Great!
Long day. I get home, Try to play Uncharted again. I force myself to get a hang off the controls, sayang naman diba kung hindi ko laruin...
...
...You know what, as it turns out the game's quite good.
...Real good.
The "mysteries" the game makes you solve as an added collection side quest has crack like addictive qualities, and the control becomes second nature before long... I got the Survivor trophy just now, and Im playing on hard.
That said, the minigames are cheap gimmicks, and the story seems like total dreck. Dialogue is still snappy though, except for Marisa Chase, who is annoying as all hell.
I stopped playing and didnt realize it was 130am. Damn! F*Ck Lumines, im glad i didnt swap this out.
Anyway, enough with the rambling. What did i think?
Solid build quality but some design flaws, great analog sticks, great OS and most importantly, great games. I buy a lot of consoles at launch and this has been one of my most positive launch experiences ever, despite al the griping above. A really solid buy boys, Im a happy camper.
This Vita thing just might work out after all!
