Review #251: Tearaway

 You could say that I'm a bit torn about it.

 Tearaway is a 3-D platforming game made by the same people that created Little Big Planet, with which it shares some themes and ideas, however, it's a completely different affair. It also happens to be one of those games that tries to make the most of the system it's on.

 The game makes you play as yourself, yes, you. and Iota, a messenger-dash-message, as he tries to make his way towards you. Yes, I meant every word, the game uses the Vita's front Camera to display you face, and it is you who helps Iota, by using your fingers or tilting the system in order to make the trip. You'll also play as Iota by using the traditional buttons and analog stick. Occasionally you'll also get to draw things, like eyes, flames, mustaches or whatever the game asks of you, which basically gives you a small degree of customization over how certain things look! As a whole, it's a very creative concept and they pulled it off very well. It made me smile a couple of times.

 If the game has something, it's variety. Every level introduces something new. For starters, Iota can jump, roll, use a camera to take picture, pick up and throw objects, and later in the game, obtains a vacuum-like weapon that allows him to suck up enemies and use them as weapons. Then there are 'your' abilities, which can only be used on certain terrains. Certain terrains will allow you to use your fingers, by touching the rear touchpad, to move around stuff or kill enemies, you can also pull or push certain paper strings to interact with the environment. Later in the game, you'll also have to tilt the Vita in order to move some platforms!

 Each level has a lot to find, blue-presents, which translate into 'mini quests', hidden red presents and colorless objects that you need to photograph, however, it still manages to be very, very short. The game can easily be finished in 6 hours, and completion might take up to 8. It's also fairly easy, and while some trophies require you to finish some levels without dying, dying comes without any kind of real penalties.

 I also had a couple of gripes, most importantly, the camera. It has a tendency to get stuck on awkward angles whenever you jump off places the game didn't consider you would jump off. It can be very annoying. Secondly, while I loved the whole drawing mechanic, since it makes each playthrough your own. heck, you can customize Iota with premade stickers or make your own( I drew a Sword-sticker for my Iota, which looked adorkable), it lacks precision. The game can be very finicky when it comes to recognizing your swipes, and the area the eraser erases is too large... basically, don't expect to make grandiose or intricately detailed art.

 Speaking of art, the game is gorgeous. The game attempts to make everything look as if it was made out of paper, it's beautiful and very, very cutesy. From water waves, to wind lines.... everything is made out of paper, it looks phenomenal even while in motion. And the hand-drawn stickers that you are to draw makes it even more appealing, even if it looks as if it was made by a three year old(Part of the charm, really). Music is used rather sparsely, but it works to the game's benefits, what music there is is very 'rural' sounding, while not my cup of tea, it's very fitting.

 While I've mostly good things to say about the game, I must also admit that this isn't a game for me. I appreciate the creativity, and I know that there's an audience for this game, but sadly, I'm not part of it. Still, it's a nice showpiece for the Vita's novelties and I am glad I played it... even if I'm sure I won't be coming back to it any time soon.
 6.5 out of 10