Vita Thread

[bork]

Maybe I missed it, but KZ3 seemed to get very little hype.

Once Killzone 2 came out and people realized it was just another shooter instead of the second coming as it had been hyped as by fanboys the hype bubble quickly deflated for the 3rd. All the sony shooters were over-hyped as people were trying to create the Halo or Gears for that system.

Let's not forget the awful control problems that the game had.  They had to patch it like twice.   

Real talk:  I still haven't popped in KZ3 or R3.  No interest.  Then again I haven't popped in Halo Reach for the same reason.  Just kind of bored of all those franchises.  No rush to play more.

Then why did you even buy them?   

[Bebpo]

Hype

And that I thought I'd play them, but I just never did.

[Tasty]

Saw Andrex in a UMVC3 lobby with a 3 game win streak, played him, he rage quit when I was kicking his ass with X23/Ryu/Sentinal

Only fighting games I have are Brawl and TatsuCap.

[Shaka Khan]

Saw Andrex in a UMVC3 lobby with a 3 game win streak, played him, he rage quit when I was kicking his ass with X23/Ryu/Sentinal

Only fighting games I have are Brawl and TatsuCap.

No, the only fighting game you have is TatsuCap.

[bork]

Got the second playable character in Shinobido 2.  She has a slightly different fighting style but I'm not sure what the difference is supposed to be.  There's also a bunch of skins you can unlock, including the two main characters from the original Shinobido.

I'm really enjoying the hell out the game right now despite its flaws...easily better than the last few Tenchus.  Just needs a level editor!

[Cormacaroni]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JKASCK/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

GO GO GO 39.99 32gb cards From Tigerdirect/CircuitCity

They've been back in stock for a while - i got mine for less than that a week back. No need to get the  biggest card right away anyway, unless you're going to be spending like $600 on PSN games.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

is it more tenchy or more way of the samurai

[Shaka Khan]

Got the second playable character in Shinobido 2.  She has a slightly different fighting style but I'm not sure what the difference is supposed to be.  There's also a bunch of skins you can unlock, including the two main characters from the original Shinobido.

I'm really enjoying the hell out the game right now...easily better than the last few Tenchus.

Whoa, that's really good to hear. I've only read bad things about the game since the Japanese launch, from series fans as well.

[Tasty]

Saw Andrex in a UMVC3 lobby with a 3 game win streak, played him, he rage quit when I was kicking his ass with X23/Ryu/Sentinal

Only fighting games I have are Brawl and TatsuCap.

No, the only fighting game you have is TatsuCap.

TatsuCap is pretty awesome but I suck at traditional fighters.

[Bebpo]

Interesting analysis Oscar.

I'm really enjoying the hell out the game right now despite its flaws...easily better than the last few Tenchus.

That was my impression of the first game back in the day.  Pretty fun tenchu-ish game that's faster and more fluid feeling thanks to Acquire being a good dev.  I'd like to see a Way of the Samurai x Shinobido open world sandbox stealth game by them one day.

[pilonv1]

Sony hangs it hat on Uncharted because it's more mainstream and media friendly than the third game in a tits n blood n hack n slash series.

Although I would wager Uncharted is more popular than God Of War in Yurop.

[cool breeze]

Interesting analysis Oscar.

I'm really enjoying the hell out the game right now despite its flaws...easily better than the last few Tenchus.

That was my impression of the first game back in the day.  Pretty fun tenchu-ish game that's faster and more fluid feeling thanks to Acquire being a good dev.  I'd like to see a Way of the Samurai x Shinobido open world sandbox stealth game by them one day.

That'd be cool.  WotS games have all the weapons and different fighting styles, but not the same stealth gameplay.  If it was all blended together I'm guessing Shinobido's stealth would need to be slowed down a lot (not Tenchu 4 slow).

I'd really like to see Acquire make a science fiction game with the WotS framework most of all.

There should be a crimson sea 3 too.  more sci-fi games from japanese devs.

[Shaka Khan]

Umm, so is this thing officially out yet or not? my level headedness is about to run out, and I'd like to take advantage of that Target offer, if it's still up.

[pilonv1]

More media friendly, sure, but how are you defining mainstream?  Perhaps on paper it seems like a more mainstream idea, but in practice, it is significantly less popular.

Just stating how I think Sony view them and why they keep pushing Uncharted over GOW. To them Uncharted could be more mainstream because it could appeal to a wider audience. But that audience probably isn't ever going to be interested in Uncharted.

[Joe Molotov]

Umm, so is this thing officially out yet or not? my level headedness is about to run out, and I'd like to take advantage of that Target offer, if it's still up.

The Early Adopter bundle thing is out now, the official release is the 22nd.

[Bebpo]

Sony hangs it hat on Uncharted because it's more mainstream and media friendly than the third game in a tits n blood n hack n slash series.

Although I would wager Uncharted is more popular than God Of War in Yurop.

More media friendly, sure, but how are you defining mainstream?  Perhaps on paper it seems like a more mainstream idea, but in practice, it is significantly less popular.  I mean, unless you want to contend that God of War sells better because the games are of significantly higher quality, but I think that's a bit of a dead end.

Europe, who knows.  I could see it doing better there, I guess, but I only have UK numbers, which puts the two franchises on about equal footing, with UC2 nosing slightly ahead of GoW3 for the recent installments.

another fun fact, to keep the post slightly on topic: if Golden Abyss outsells Chains of Olympus, it will be the 2nd-best selling game in the franchise.

Chains of Olympus sold more than U3?  That's...crazy.  I was under the impression no PSP software did more than 100-200k ltd in the west.

[Cormacaroni]

PSP + PS3, presumably

[Shaka Khan]

A few questions:

So are we 100% sure that the US 3G SKU is locked to AT&T?

Is AT&T one of those benevolent operators that offer to unlock their devices down the road for a fee?

Is Amazon's "Launch Bundle" the best deal for a 3G Vita right now?

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

A few questions:

So are we 100% sure that the US 3G SKU is locked to AT&T?

Is AT&T one of those benevolent operators that offer to unlock their devices down the road for a fee?

Is Amazon's "Launch Bundle" the best deal for a 3G Vita right now?

Yes, yes (my experience is that they'll give you an unlock code for phones a month after you purchase them), and if you're willing to go through a few hoops, you can grab this for $252 - http://shop.lockerz.com/electronics/playstation-vita/psv-game-system-3g.html

[Shaka Khan]

Hmmm. Never tried Lockerz before. What kind of hoops are we talking about? something doable, in a timely manner, or the undignified "geez if I had known I would've paid the price difference and kept dignity" type of hoops?

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

pretty much watch a few videos (i.e., keep them running on another tab) for points. Took me less than 20 minutes to get all the points I needed. just look for the 300-point videos and you should be good to go.

[Bebpo]

Got to chapter 8 in Uncharted and it's definitely picked up.  One of the few things the game does better than Uncharted 3 is that the stealth actually works, like Uncharted 2; which I like.  Also no bullshit enemies or combat layouts like U3 so far.  The random STOP THE GAME AND SPIN AND PIECE TOGETHER puzzles in the middle of a stage are pretty stupid though. 

At this point the game feels a lot like Bend's Resistance game.  Very solid, "smaller size" entry.  Not bad.

[Don Flamenco]

Saw Andrex in a UMVC3 lobby with a 3 game win streak, played him, he rage quit when I was kicking his ass with X23/Ryu/Sentinal

Only fighting games I have are Brawl and TatsuCap.

Some stole your name on PSN!  and he's sullying it up all around town

[Joe Molotov]

Saw Andrex in a UMVC3 lobby with a 3 game win streak, played him, he rage quit when I was kicking his ass with X23/Ryu/Sentinal

Only fighting games I have are Brawl and TatsuCap.

Some stole your name on PSN!  and he's sullying it up all around town

Playing Sony products and probably having lots of filthy, dirty sex too!

[cool breeze]

Got to chapter 8 in Uncharted and it's definitely picked up.  One of the few things the game does better than Uncharted 3 is that the stealth actually works, like Uncharted 2; which I like.  Also no bullshit enemies or combat layouts like U3 so far.  The random STOP THE GAME AND SPIN AND PIECE TOGETHER puzzles in the middle of a stage are pretty stupid though. 

At this point the game feels a lot like Bend's Resistance game.  Very solid, "smaller size" entry.  Not bad.

how is the feel of shooting? videos make it seem like the laziest hitscan shooting with no impact


oh, and a bunch of places are doing that 'buy two get one free' deal.  I think I saw Gamestop, Target, and Best Buy, but I'm not entirely sure and there may be others.

[Shaka Khan]

Afaik, GameStop's deal is for first party games only. It could be the same for the other two for all I know, but I'm gonna check them first just in case.

For now, I'm eyeing Wipeout, Lumines, and a third game I haven't decided on yet (Hotshots or VT4).

The only downloadable games I'm looking at so far Super Stardust and Escape Plan.

I placed my amazon order last night, but I'll try lockerz today, and see how it goes.

[Bebpo]

Got to chapter 8 in Uncharted and it's definitely picked up.  One of the few things the game does better than Uncharted 3 is that the stealth actually works, like Uncharted 2; which I like.  Also no bullshit enemies or combat layouts like U3 so far.  The random STOP THE GAME AND SPIN AND PIECE TOGETHER puzzles in the middle of a stage are pretty stupid though. 

At this point the game feels a lot like Bend's Resistance game.  Very solid, "smaller size" entry.  Not bad.

how is the feel of shooting? videos make it seem like the laziest hitscan shooting with no impact


oh, and a bunch of places are doing that 'buy two get one free' deal.  I think I saw Gamestop, Target, and Best Buy, but I'm not entirely sure and there may be others.

Hit impact sucks like Uncharted 1.  But at least enemies go down in 1 hit if you head shot.  I remember in U1 it would take several direct shots to the head.

[Shaka Khan]

How legit is Lockerz and their delivery?

[TEEEPO]

PSP + PS3, presumably

Nay.  Thus far the PS3 sales are a drop in the bucket.  Chains of Olympus is part of a very, very, very rare club - PSP million sellers in NA.

out of curiosity, with npd having restricted nearly all of its data which falls outside of the top 10, where are you getting your numbers from?

[Akala]

^ from NPD lol.

Amazon doing a b2g1, bought bb, FIFA, and Lumines. DONE. Good lord, should be good for quite a while.

[Shaka Khan]

Yeah, I caved and bit Amazon's deal. Ordered Lumines, Wipeout, and HSG. Too bad VT4 isn't available, otherwise it would've been my third choice.

(@DCharlie: Performance and visuals aside, which is the better game - HSG or VT4?)

Also, thanks to Arby I have the 32GB card ordered from Lockerz for $74.99. Crossing my fingers they don't screw me over.

I've also accumulated enough points to order their 3G Launch bundle for $252, so I'm contemplating cancelling my Amazon order and switching over. But I'm still waiting for some good feedback about the service. I don't want all my games and accessories to arrive only to have the system itself in limbo.

[Bebpo]

waaaat

fuuck, pissed I missed all these deals   My Lumines and Katamari at FULL PRICE shipped this morning lol

[Bebpo]

Too bad they aren't including the titles releasing tomorrow.  I'd bite on Shinobido 2 + Ninja Gaiden + FIFA or UMVC3.  Could do FIFA + UMVC3 + Lumines and return the Lumines that arrives tomorrow, but that's too much effort for me and kind of shady.

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

I want Rayman + Lumines + Ninja Gaiden. Hope they update the sale to include stuff that's dropping tomorrow.

[Tasty]

Saw Andrex in a UMVC3 lobby with a 3 game win streak, played him, he rage quit when I was kicking his ass with X23/Ryu/Sentinal

Only fighting games I have are Brawl and TatsuCap.

Some stole your name on PSN!  and he's sullying it up all around town

Playing Sony products and probably having lots of filthy, dirty sex too!

[MyNameIsMethodis]

Yeah wish I knew there would be deals, I wouldn't have bought all my games two weeks ago  :'( :'(

[Bebpo]

Tried out a PSP game (tales of musou) on Vita and I was skeptical it'd look any better since the 3000 screen is already bright and awesome but woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, PSP games look SO MUCH BETTER on Vita.  The colors are just out of this world and the brightness is amazing.  Plus having camera control on the right stick is rad and the Vita built-in speakers are much better than those of the PSP if you don't have your headphones on.

The downside is the IQ is just not as good.  You either get really pixely shitty upscale or bilinear filtering which makes it a little better but still blurry/messy IQ.  If the PSP emu on this had true 2x or 4x AA options with internal rendering of the PSP games at the Vita's native resolution, it would have been INSANE.  Maybe if they hack it they'll be able to do that.

Still, I'd probably take the worse IQ for better everything else and play PSP games on the Vita if I had the choice.  Going to see if Zettai Zetsumei 3 is Vita compatible since it's like the only J-PSP game I own digitally.

[Bebpo]

And playing PSP games on this remind me what the BIGGEST graphical improvement of the Vita is over the PSP:  NO MORE DITHERING.  PSP games looked pretty good for the most part, but the dithering really hurt the IQ in almost EVERY GAME.  It's so nice to be past dithering in portable 3d gaming.

[Shaka Khan]

Bebpo, I think you're cute and I love you, but seriously, how much are you getting paid for this localized marketing blitz?!

[Bebpo]

 

I'm just having fun tinkering around with a new piece of tech   I like hardware that is mysterious and you have to spend weeks to discover all the things it can do.

[Bebpo]

Boo, ZZT3 doesn't work on Vita.  Makes sense since the game was discontinued and IREM has basically gone out of business before the Vita even released but still


Also yeah, Uncharted GA plays better than Uncharted 3.  The story/levels/graphics obviously don't compare, but having WORKING STEALTH where you can take out 10 guys in a row MGS style and even if you mess up it doesn't MAGICALLY CALL TWO DOZEN GUYS OUT OF NOWHERE makes a world of a difference.  I loved in U2 taking out as many dudes stealthy as possible and narrowing down the amount of enemies I'd need to fight with guns.  Works the same way here.  And now that I've gotten the hang of the controls, it's getting really easy to headshot dudes and it's nice having them actually die when headshotted once.  No BS crazy armor guys so far either.  If it didn't have the touch stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if GA is the better game between U3 and it.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

do u have parappa or gitaroo man bebpo can u see if they work

[Van Cruncheon]

And playing PSP games on this remind me what the BIGGEST graphical improvement of the Vita is over the PSP:  NO MORE DITHERING.  PSP games looked pretty good for the most part, but the dithering really hurt the IQ in almost EVERY GAME.  It's so nice to be past dithering in portable 3d gaming.

the dithering is there, bro. you don't magically change a 12- or 16-bit frame buffer to 24-bit! (seriously, look closer, although it's more evident if you upscale without bilinear filtering, which introduces a little color interpolation)

[cool breeze]

So, is there a simple guide on how to manage multiple accounts and what's lost each time? I've seen some people say you need two cards and others say you only need one.  I really hope all that dumbness is fixed in a patch.

also, is there background downloading? PSP and 3DS both keep you at the main screen to download (although a recent 3DS update changed it so you can queue up downloads for when the system is asleep).

[cool breeze]

apparently there's an unlisted Amazon deal to get a free 4 gig memory stick with the wi-fi version ($249).  You need to order both at the same time and the promotion ($20 off, the cost of the card) applies.

[Shaka Khan]

I got a free 8GB card with the Launch Bundle deal and ordered a separate 32GB, so I'm all set for account switching.

I just need to decide whether the smaller card should be tied to my Euro or Japanese account.

[Cormacaroni]

So, is there a simple guide on how to manage multiple accounts and what's lost each time? I've seen some people say you need two cards and others say you only need one.  I really hope all that dumbness is fixed in a patch.

also, is there background downloading? PSP and 3DS both keep you at the main screen to download (although a recent 3DS update changed it so you can queue up downloads for when the system is asleep).

yeah, there is background downloading. Your game might stutter a bit but you can do it fine.

[Cormacaroni]

So, is there a simple guide on how to manage multiple accounts and what's lost each time? I've seen some people say you need two cards and others say you only need one.  I really hope all that dumbness is fixed in a patch.

also, is there background downloading? PSP and 3DS both keep you at the main screen to download (although a recent 3DS update changed it so you can queue up downloads for when the system is asleep).

What is lost - seriously, the main hassle is just inputting your PSN and wi-fi info again. Unless you are super-anal about all your OS settings, it takes a couple of minutes tops to switch over. It's honestly not that bad after you bite the bullet. I've got J games on cart, and E games on the mem card and can run both now without switching.

[Shaka Khan]

What the best case and protector(s) ya'll are using?

Amazon links would be appreciated.

[Bebpo]

And playing PSP games on this remind me what the BIGGEST graphical improvement of the Vita is over the PSP:  NO MORE DITHERING.  PSP games looked pretty good for the most part, but the dithering really hurt the IQ in almost EVERY GAME.  It's so nice to be past dithering in portable 3d gaming.

the dithering is there, bro. you don't magically change a 12- or 16-bit frame buffer to 24-bit! (seriously, look closer, although it's more evident if you upscale without bilinear filtering, which introduces a little color interpolation)

Haha, I meant I was glad "Vita" games don't suffer from dithering like the last six years of psp games did

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

What the best case and protector(s) ya'll are using?

Amazon links would be appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0060QHMVS/ref=redir_mdp_mobile thats all im getting. ive had good luck with their protectors on my 3DS and iphone so I figured what the hell.

[cool breeze]

What the best case and protector(s) ya'll are using?

Amazon links would be appreciated.

I just got the Sony travel pouch from Amazon.  I don't have my vita to see how it is in it, but the case itself is nicely padded and spacious (or bulky, depending on what you're looking for).  Has enough space to carry cables, games and other stuff.  Got it mostly for trips, so the size doesn't bother me.

So, is there a simple guide on how to manage multiple accounts and what's lost each time? I've seen some people say you need two cards and others say you only need one.  I really hope all that dumbness is fixed in a patch.

also, is there background downloading? PSP and 3DS both keep you at the main screen to download (although a recent 3DS update changed it so you can queue up downloads for when the system is asleep).

What is lost - seriously, the main hassle is just inputting your PSN and wi-fi info again. Unless you are super-anal about all your OS settings, it takes a couple of minutes tops to switch over. It's honestly not that bad after you bite the bullet. I've got J games on cart, and E games on the mem card and can run both now without switching.

if it's just PSN and wi-fi I don't mind.  it's not like the vita will be an important device I carry with me, relying on for web and gps and whatever.

I just wish it was as simple as the PS3 or 360.  Choose a different account from a menu and that's it.  PS3 is even easier since some games/demos can be played by other accounts.

[Bebpo]

Switching regions is pretty quick and easy.  After you do it a few times it's a no brainer.  It'll even save the date and time and stuff so you can just keep hitting next. 

I wasn't aware you could do it on 1 card though.  I thought it would delete your data, but I guess it doesn't and what'll happen is if you try to play an icon from another account it'll tell you that you can't play it.  Will test this buy trying out my HK PSN account on my JP PSN card since I got this pre-order drama cd app with HK Tales of Innocence and I can't use it on my JP Vita account because the pre-order code was for the HK PSN.

[Bebpo]

Here I was trying to figure out the reason my Vita suddenly can't find my wi-fi network and can't connect to the network, when OH IT'S A SYSTEM UPDATE AND UNTIL YOU DO IT THE SYSTEM SHUTS OFF ALL WIFI ABILITIES.

smh, same old awful update system that the PS3 has and you know there will be tooons of updates in the first few months of Vita as they find problems and patch things in.

[Bebpo]

Ok, tested.

You only need one memory card

Just when you try to run an app from another account it won't work.  But because you can "group" the apps into windows you can just put JP games/demos or HK games/demos or UK games/demos in their own windows to keep track of what goes to what.

Now I wish I just bought one 32gig card instead of a 16gig and a 4gig. 

[Bebpo]

Taken with my iphone camera.

Tales Skit App  (purty colors):


Cladun 2 running in BC PSP (screen so nice):

[Shaka Khan]

I need a new headset, so I'm open to suggestions. Mics are optional.

[Bebpo]

Important Note

When you switch accounts/regions it DELETES YOUR UNSYNC'D TROPHIES.  So make 100% sure you go to trophies and sync them before doing a restore vita system.  I didn't lose any trophies but I totally would have if I hadn't caught this early on.  This is because it wipes all your local profile data including your trophy lists.  Then when you re-activate your account later it pulls your trophy list from the PSN server online so they better be sync'd.

[Trent Dole]

[Shaka Khan]

Arby  :rapetime