Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Gameplay -- Nemesis System Power Struggles

The PS VITA Isn't Dead...

  At least it isn't dead to those that love its style, and those still patiently awaiting Sony's actions or inaction. 

            The bells seemingly toll the demise of the latest Sony handheld device, but I have to say that those who clamor for its end may just be disappointed. The Sony PS Vita has quite the diverse selection of present and upcoming titles. Let's see--Gravity Rush, MLB The Show 12-14, Little Big Planet, Killzone Mercenary, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Ys Memories of Celceta, and who could forget Persona 4 Golden; then, on the new and upcoming release side of things, we have: Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (from Sony's Japan Studio), Freedom Wars (another Sony developed looker), Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth (A remake of the first title in the series, which was on the PS3, featuring improved gameplay), There's a potential Gravity Rush 2 in the works--let's hope at least, Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us ports as well. 


 
            Ok. I get it. Ports hold no water and the "niche" JRPG titles don't appeal universally. Yeah, well, not too many games actually do appeal to everyone, and of course, some games have a larger mainstream lure than others, but this shouldn't exclude their (potential for) greatness. Look at Capcom's Okami, it didn't live up to their sales expectations, but this didn't make it any less of a gem than it was and still is. The business side isn't irrelevant, the PS2 was a sales monster much like the original Wii and this, as much as its wide and varied games library, contributed to its legacy. But it often times is a lack of stars aligning that may lead to unfulfilled potential. If we go into E3 on Monday and Sony neglects its powerful handheld once more, then one can hardly be blamed for a lack of faith in its future, or present for that matter. However, I feel the odd selection of indie titles, still in the works and constantly being released, will find their marks; the so called "niche'' games will find their target audiences as well, but with a more guided hand from the architects at Sony, the Vita could better acclimate to the Western market and thrive on the dedicated fans, much like the PSP did.  

E3 2014 Sony VS. Microsoft, Take Two

           Competition is good for the consumer. Competition is good for the industry. Competition breeds innovation and options galore. Competition...well, you get the idea. Last year, at E3 2013, Microsoft compounded its problems of TV and more TV with DRM and always online restrictiveness, and Sony answered the calls of many gamers to not follow suit; Planting a flag and declaring unrestricted freedom and traditional gaming for all. Sony threw haymakers, taking advantage of Microsoft's foolhardy, pompous maneuvers. Sony declared no 24 hour online check-ins and the ability to, as always, trade and play used games. The crowd at E3 2013, attending Sony's conference, erupted as they were galvanized to a pronounced and thunderous applause. This all lead to a sustained momentum, which has thus far carried over to impressive sales numbers for the PlayStation 4. Microsoft has yielded, terminating their unrelenting vision for the future of gaming that only they could foresee.