PSN Games (Vita) - ranked by preference

Release Date: June 25, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: Dennation
Genre: Action

I liked Hotline Miami a lot on PC, and the Playstation Network version is just as good. I seemed to get stuck on a level less often and die a lot less in the Playstation Network version of the game, but at the same time, I seem to not get as good of grades in the levels, either. So, take that for what it's worth, I suppose. But anyway, if you haven't had a chance to play the PC version and have a PS3 or a Vita (or both - if you buy this game for one, you get the version for the other for free) then give it a try. You'll probably be glad that you did.

Release Date: February 15, 2012 (US)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: XDEV
Genre: Shooter

This Playstation Network download is a fantastic purchase for new owners of the Playstation Vita, especially for those looking for a cheap, new game to play with their expensive, new handheld. Fans of Super Stardust on the Playstation 3 will be glad to see that Delta is just as fun as the original, plus with some new features tossed in for good measure. It's not quite as good as Geometry Wars, in my opinion, but it's definitely a great alternative for Playstation Vita owners.

Release Date: November 12, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Sony CEA
Developer: Bluepoint Games
Genre: Action

Flower is a very relaxing, very soothing game to play. It doesn't require a lot of skill or know-how to play, which makes it fun for people who have never touched a video game before, and yet it's still just as entertaining to play if you've played hundreds or thousands of games....It's so artistic and beautiful as well. If you haven't played Flower yet, do yourself a favor and play it. It's unique and absolutely fantastic.

Release Date: October 29, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Curve Studios
Developer: Ed Key and David Kanaga
Genre: Adventure

Proteus is an odd game to comment on. There are no enemies, there's no way to die, there's no goals or objectives....in Proteus all you do is wander around and take in the scenery and audio. It's definitely not for everyone, but since I'm someone who enjoys just aimlessly wandering around, enjoying the scenery in the Elder Scrolls games, I find this to be a very relaxing way to spend 10-20 minutes. The Playstation Network version has an added feature of creating "post cards" as you play, which basically allow you to warp to the location that you made a post card at whenever you want to return to that specific island that you had visted. Proteus is another argument that video games are, indeed, art.

Release Date: February 22, 2012 (EU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Honeyslug Ltd
Genre: Action

Frobisher Says! is a Wario Ware-like free game on the Playstation Network. In my opinion, adding a bunch of new mini games to this release and tossing it onto a game card, this would have been a MUCH better game to show off all of the Vita's fancy features than Little Deviants was. That said, for a free game, you're still likely to get plenty of enjoyment of this title...Especially if you're a fan of the odd.

Release Date: November 20, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Action

If you told me back when the Dreamcast was released that I'd be able to play Jet Set Radio/Jet Grind Radio on a handheld system while I sat on the toilet, I'd call you a liar, liar pants on fire. Yet sure enough, here we are and Jet Grind Radio has found itself on the Vita system. It's still a great game and still fun to play, but it has lost a little bit in the fact that it's not new, fresh, and different anymore. But, if you're a fan of the original, it'll be nice to have it available on your Vita so you can play it whenever and wherever you want.

Release Date: February 21, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: DrinkBox Studios
Developer: DrinkBox Studios
Genre: Platformer

Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is a unique platformer with various aspects of gameplay to it - the main one being platforming action mixed with Katamari Damacy-like absorbing of objects around you. If the whole game was this Katamari-meets-platformer gameplay, I may have scored it higher...But unfortunately, some lame, motion-controlled levels are mixed in that aren't fun and are just a pain to go through. That said, the ratio of fun platforming to lame motion-controlled levels seem to be about 3 to 1, so there's more good here than bad. If you want a mostly enjoyable, unique platformer, then this is a pretty good choice to pick up.

Release Date: February 21, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: PopCap
Developer: PopCap
Genre: Strategy

Plants vs. Zombies is really the only exception that I've experienced, so far, to the tower defense genre that I actually really enjoy. The game spews out personality and it's always a treat when a new plant or zombie makes an appearance just so you can see what they do. I prefer the Vita version of the game to the PS3 version due to the luxury of the touch-screen controls (I don't say that often) but both versions are rather nice and worth playing if you get the chance.

Release Date: November 20, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Digital Reality
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Sine Mora is not what I had expected. I had the game on my Vita for a while and I just knew it as the game with the icon with a rose on it. I dunno what I expected, really, but it wasn't a game that's kind of like a side-scrolling Star Fox. That's what Sine Mora is, too...a side-scrolling, third-person shooter with animals piloting ships. Okay, so the only real similarity is animals piloting ships, but Sine Mora is still a solid game in its own right. If you're into scrolling shooters from the days of old, you should definitely check Sine Mora out.

Release Date: March 5, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Creat Studios
Developer: Creat Studios
Genre: Puzzle

Are you one of those people that love the Bust-A-Move (aka Puzzle Bobble) games, but have been waiting for them to really change up the formula a bit? Well, then give Germinator a try. The gameplay is similar to Bust-A-Move with you firing germs instead of bubbles in an attempt to match stuff up, but Germinator is more than just a Bust-A-Move clone. By shooting the same colored germ at a germ on the screen, the germs combine as one and grow. If other same-colored germs on the screen happen to touch the germ as it grows, they'll be absorbed into it as well, causing the germ to get bigger and bigger...Potentially, you could will the entire screen with a single germ if the situation allows it. It's not perfect, but it's still a solid puzzle game that Bust-A-Move fans longing for something new will likely appreciate.

Release Date: October 9, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Vblank Entertainment Inc.
Developer: Vblank Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Action

Retro City Rampage is kind of a tough game to rate for me. It's a playable title, but some of the gameplay, like shooting with a gun, isn't exactly polished. That said, all of the nostalgia and references to stuff from the 80's, will likely be enough of a reason for a lot of "80's kids" to keep playing in order to see what pops up next. It's also mildly fun, like the first two Grand Theft Auto titles, to just wander around in a vehicle with no rel objective in mind. Adding it all together, I think it's a worthwhile game to play, even with it's just-passable game design, but if you don't have a nostalgia for the 80's, you may not enjoy the game quite as much as I do.

Release Date: April 10, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Alawar Entertainment, Inc.
Developer: Alawar Entertainment, Inc.
Genre: Puzzle

Treasures of Montezuma Blitz is a free-to-play puzzle game, kind of like Bejeweled in style, but on a strict time limit. Each time you play consumes a life, and when you're all out of lives you can either purchase more lives via the Playstation Network (if you're impatient) or you can simply wait a few minutes and your lives will slowly re-stock themselves. This form of gameplay can be kind of annoying, but since you never have to spend a single penny to get enjoyment out of this game, it's an annoyance that's not too terrible. If you're a fan of match-3 puzzle games, this free game is well worth downloading.

Release Date: February 22, 2012 (EU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Evolution Studios
Genre: Racing

MotorStorm RC was a game that I had expected to not be all that great, or very long. Sony was giving it away for free, after all. But, once you start playing MotorStorm RC, you find out that it's actually a very fun, top-down, RC car racer that everyone should get...Especially when the price tag says free. The game's races and challenges all go quickly enough for you to get a race or two in while waiting at a bus stop or something, but there's also enough content here to keep you occupied for a while.

Release Date: December 18, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Ripstone
Developer: nifflas
Genre: Platformer

The previous Knytt games are apparently popular, but I haven't played them. As a result, I can't really compare this to the previous games. But, I can say that I did enjoy the time I spent with this game. It fells a bit like a Metroid game, but with more emphasis on platforming and exploring than action. It's not perfect - the controls are iffy, and while I enjoy the lack of action for the most part, it can lead to some boring moments at times. But, overall, I enjoyed my time here. If you're into platformers and/or games with exploration, you'll likely enjoy your time here, too.

Release Date: February 9, 2012 (JP)
Publisher: Xseed Games
Developer: Acquire
Genre: Action

Sumioni: Demon Arts is a decent action game with a neat art design. The player must use the touch screen to create platforms to jump onto and the like to create a decent experience. Everything could be a little smoother in my opinion, and some of the levels aren't the most exciting to play through, but when the game does something good, it's usually really well done. It's not a must-buy title by any means, but it's a decent choice if you're looking for a quality game to download to your Vita.

Release Date: April 10, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Farsight Studios
Developer: Farsight Studios
Genre: Pinball

The Pinball Arcade is different fron Zen Pinball 2 in that rather than having players play on original-for-the-game tables, the Pinball Arcade actually simulates real pinball tables that you may have played at your local pizza parlor, gas station, arcade, etc. This brings some nostalgia to it for pinball enthusiasts. Like, I got to play the Ripley's Believe it or Not pinball machine that I enjoyed at the local bowling alley a few years back. The downside is that while it may be a pretty accurate simulation, it's still nowhere near as fun as playing the real tables. That said, this is a good choice for a traditional pinball experience.

Release Date: September 4, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Zen Studios
Developer: Zen Studios
Genre: Pinball

Zen Pinball 2 is an interesting approach to pinball. It plays just like your average pinball game, but in Zen Pinball 2, it's like the tables are alive. Say you're on one of the Marvel tables, you'll see Thanos threatening you and Silver Surfer and Adam Warlock helping you out on either side of the table by pushing the ball back at certain times. Aside from the animated aspects, the pinball tables aren't particularly interesting...But the pinball physics are done well enough and the animated aspects of the game provide enough of an original experience that pinball fans will likely enjoy their time here.

Release Date: April 30, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Frima Studio
Developer: Frima Studio
Genre: Strategy - Real-Time

I've never really been a fan of real-time strategy games, so fans of the genre may enjoy this game more than I did. But, I still felt like this was a passable game. I liked the personality shown in the game by all of the characters, from the fleeing humans to the zombies themselves. The gameplay itself is pretty straightforward and easy to understand...But kind of bland. If the RTS genre is your thing, you might like this one a bit more than I did. If you're not much of an RTS fan, then there's nothing here that'll convert you into one.

Release Date: June 4, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Other

The first Paint Park was neat, but ultimately lacking in features. Paint Park Plus is basically the first Paint Park, with with new features like water color, stickers, and various new hues to choose from. The downside? The colors, and several other features need to be purchased before they're used. But still, the new features and such bump the game up to being passable, and allow the user to create better-looking art with the tools at hand. If you liked the original Paint Plus, but was looking for more features, this is for you...Just don't expect to be blown away by it.

Release Date: September 12, 2012 (EU/AU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCEE
Genre: Simulation - Virtual Life

Ecolibrium is a strategic simulation game where you are trying to create a thriving ecosystem by placing assorted plants and animals in a given area. You need to make sure that the right plants are planted to make sure that the plants themselves thrive, but also provide for the animals roaming around as well. On the animal side, you need to make sure that you put the right amount of herbivores in versus carnivorous predators so that there isn't an unbalance. It's all pretty precise, and complicated. If you've got the patience to spend time with it in order to understand it all, it's an okay game...But it might be far too many tutorials for many to be willing to sit through. But, it's passable for what it is. If it sounds neat to you, give it a try...Just be prepared to dedicate a bit of time to it if you do.

Release Date: April 18, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Other

Paint Park is the Vita's answer to the PC game Kid Pix or the SNES Mario Paint...Except with a very minimal amount of options that you have to create stuff with. The lack of tools and such is replaced with the ability to share pictures with friends, have contests where people vote on your creations, etc. With the lack of tools and options for your creations, the fun probably won't last too awful long...But if you like to doodle when you're bored, this can still be an amusing little game to play every now and then when you're looking for something to pass the time.

Release Date: January 9, 2013 (EU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Catalyst
Genre: Music

Bleh. Imaginstruments is a music creation game. It's not a very good one, either. It looks deep enough, and maybe if you spend hours upon hours with it you'll find some good that I couldn't find, but from what I've seen, this is a music creation game with some neat options to toy with, but ultimately, one that fails to deliver as a quality, portable music creator.

Release Date: July 24, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Grip Games
Developer: Grip Games
Genre: Sports - Foosball

I think the idea of a video game version of foosball is pretty neat. Unfortunately, even with some decent ideas like special shots, this feels like it's less of a game of skill and more of a game of flicking the right analog stick repeatedly to just shoot the ball whenever you get an opportunity to do so. Sure, you can kind of go slower and plan a little...but you'll likely get the same result as frantically firing. I like the concept of Foosball 2012, unfortunately the execution of that concept falls a bit flat.