Best Open-World Games On PS Vita

Summary

PS Vita offered impressive open-world experiences despite limitations, showcasing freedom and scale beyond expectations.
Games like The Amazing Spider-Man and Borderlands 2 proved that Vita could offer core console experiences on-the-go.
Titles like Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition and Terraria perfectly suited the handheld, providing seamless open-world experiences with cross-save support.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the PS Vita, a device that may not have graced us with its presence for an extended period, but it certainly left an indelible mark. Despite its limitations in terms of raw power, it managed to offer some truly captivating open-world adventures. It might not have been capable of running sprawling AAA sandboxes like Grand Theft Auto 5, but it didn’t shy away from delivering impressive open-world titles that allowed players to explore, experiment, and forge their unique paths.

The Vita demonstrated it could handle larger-than-life action, whether through acrobatic web-slinging in superhero games or fast-paced police pursuits, showing it was capable of delivering expansive gameplay experiences beyond its expected capabilities.

7. The Amazing Spider-Man

Spidey’s Web Reaches The PS Vita, But It Wasn’t Very Strong

As a diehard Spider-Man fan, I can’t help but feel like my wildest dreams have come true – the chance to explore a life-sized Manhattan with the iconic web-slinging of our friendly neighborhood hero, all on a handheld device! Frankly, it seems too good to be true, but The Amazing Spider-Man has somehow pulled it off – almost perfectly.

This open-world superhero game is based on the 2012 movie and allows players to swing through a respectable replica of New York City, battling crime and unraveling a conspiracy surrounding Oscorp.

In comparison to Insomniac’s Spider-Man, the web-swinging in this game isn’t quite as smooth, but considering it’s a handheld title, it’s remarkably good. There’s an impression of movement as Spidey swings from one building to another, although it’s more automated than console versions. The city isn’t incredibly detailed, and the frame rate can sometimes dip, but being able to explore New York City freely as Spider-Man on a handheld device was long-awaited by fans.

The narrative of this game unfolds following the movie’s events, having Peter Parker engage in battles against both familiar adversaries and genetically altered creatures from various species. The fighting style is reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham series, incorporating counter-based combat, albeit not as refined. Despite some visual sacrifices in the Vita version, its open-world aspect made it one of the most daring superhero games on a handheld device.

6. Borderlands 2

All The Loot, None Of The Comfort

Translating that into simpler, more natural language: Moving Borderlands 2 to the Vita was quite a daring endeavor since it’s a large-scale semi-open world looter shooter with chaotic cooperative action. Although the handheld version didn’t perfectly execute everything, it still provided the main essence of Borderlands: plenty of guns, outrageous humor, and a semi-open world filled with bandits and bizarre creatures.

In this game, you assume the character of a Vault Hunter exploring the chaotic, loot-filled world of Pandora, a ruthless planet. This planet is home to lawless environments, dangerous adversaries, and eccentric characters such as Handsome Jack. Despite its cel-shaded art style maintaining its visual appeal on the Vita, performance problems hindered its overall success. The game suffered from occasional frame rate drops and unrefined controls, which made combat feel less fluid, a significant issue given the game’s emphasis on high-speed gunplay.

Even though there were some hiccups, the ability to play the whole Borderlands 2 adventure on a handheld device was mind-blowing! It wasn’t flawless, but for gamers like me who love to loot and shoot anywhere, anytime, it definitely delivered.

5. Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition

Infinite Worlds, But In Your Pocket

Among various games, none seem more suited to the PS Vita than Minecraft. Its blend of constructing, discovering, and enduring within a world that is randomly generated offers an ideal fit for portable gaming. Essentially, the PS Vita version of Minecraft was comparable to its console counterpart, boasting many beloved features such as Creative Mode and Survival Mode.

The Vita’s hardware managed Minecraft efficiently, preserving its pixelated appeal and ensuring seamless gameplay. Unlike certain Vita adaptations, performance challenges were minimal in this instance. Multiplayer functionality was incorporated, enabling gamers to collaborate with friends through local ad-hoc or online interactions.

Among the standout features of “Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition” was its cross-save compatibility with the PS3 version. This allowed players to commence a game on their console and subsequently pick up where they left off on the move, creating one of the smoothest open-world gaming experiences available on that platform.

4. Terraria

A Whole World In The Palm Of Your Hands

Initially, I thought Terraria was just a 2D sibling of Minecraft, but upon closer inspection, it’s a unique creature altogether. This open-ended sandbox journey combines crafting, exploration, and intense battles with complex RPG elements, offering an experience that’s far from ordinary. The Vita version faithfully preserved the essence of what makes Terraria exceptional, maintaining its expansive worlds teeming with dungeons, underground biomes, and challenging boss fights. As a fan, I can attest to its captivating allure.

Players have the option to delve into the depths of the earth, discovering hidden riches and encountering fierce monsters in caves with a variety of layouts, or construct expansive edifices above ground. Contrasting Minecraft, Terraria puts more emphasis on combat, offering a diverse selection of weapons from swords, bows, and magic spells to laser guns. The game also introduces challenging boss fights such as the Eye of Cthulhu and the Wall of Flesh, adding an additional level of difficulty to keep players engaged.

Regardless of its pixelated design, Terraria offers an endless array of activities, making it seem as if there’s always something new to discover. The Vita edition effectively managed the gameplay, creating a terrific mobile option for enjoying this captivating, repeatable journey anytime, anywhere.

3. Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

Open-World Racing Without The Pit Stops

A racing game for the PS Vita that truly worked was Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Created by Criterion,

This version stood out because it wasn’t a diluted adaptation. Instead, you could freely traverse the entire city, filled with shortcuts, jump points, and breakable billboards. The game’s speed was thrilling, and the police chases were as exhilarating as those in the console counterparts.

In terms of appearance, the Vita adaptation suffered some setbacks, featuring less detailed textures and reduced environmental complexity. However, the fundamental gameplay remained unscathed. It’s truly astonishing that Criterion was able to fit such a vast, open-world racing adventure onto a handheld device, showcasing their remarkable skill and creativity.

2. Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation

A New Assassin, A New Playground

Ubisoft provided the Vita with its unique Assassin’s Creed journey titled Liberation, offering one of the most grandiose open-world games available on the system. Set in an 18th-century New Orleans, this game introduced Aveline de Grandpre, the series’ first female protagonist, who battled against the Templars in a stunningly realistic colonial-era city replica.

Intricately detailed, New Orleans teemed with activity, from vibrant streets to swamps brimming with perils. Aveline’s versatile Persona System enabled her to seamlessly adapt her appearance as a lady, a slave, or an Assassin, introducing an additional element of tactical thinking for stealth.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you that despite the occasional technical glitches, this game was a thrilling ride for any Assassin’s Creed fan seeking a mobile adventure. The open-world freedom it offers, coupled with its exhilarating parkour mechanics and compelling narrative, made it an absolute must-play.

1. Gravity Rush

Gravity? Never Heard Of It

In the realm of games for the Vita, none seemed as distinctively original as Gravity Rush. This action-adventure title offered command over Kat, a girl who could alter gravity’s pull, enabling her to glide through the air in any direction and traverse walls like they were floors. The cityscape of Hekseville served as her playground, offering unexplored freedom that no other open-world game had previously provided.

In this game, battles primarily involved launching attacks based on gravity to defeat opponents, while the narrative unfolded in a fashion reminiscent of comic books. The game’s environment seemed vibrant, boasting an artistic style inspired by Europe and a unique sense of vertical exploration that set it apart.

As a devoted fan, I’d say that Gravity Rush wasn’t merely the top open-world game on the Vita; it stood out as one of the best games the system had to offer, full stop. Its groundbreaking gameplay, endearing protagonist, and breathtaking world made it an unforgettable journey that truly highlighted the capabilities of the PlayStation Vita.

2025-04-05 02:39