This year has flown by and now October is finally upon we can take a look at what games will be gracing the PlayStation Vita this month.
Super Meat Boy, one of the PlayStation Plus titles for the month, makes its PlayStation debut and promises some brilliant yet frustrating platforming action. Personally, I cannot wait to get my hands on this game after years of waiting – be sure to look out for my review in the coming weeks! Another notable release is beat-em-up Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax, which will be a must have for any fighting fans!
If you prefer your games a bit less stressful, then why not take a look at Farming Simulator 16? Will you harvest your time (see what I did there) in the latest entry in the agricultural series?
Now we all know that some games can appear out of the blue and release on our favourite handheld with only a few days notice, but here are the key titles that we can expect this month;
Samurai Warriors 4-II
Release Date – October 2nd EU
In what seems to be a monthly occurence, Tecmo Koei are back with the latest installment in their Warriors franchise.
Samurai Warriors 4-II is a hero-focused saga. Unlike the previous Samurai Warriors games that focused on delivering their narrative by exploring the various regions of feudal Japan, this title casts a spotlight on the characters themselves and tells their stories through 13 exciting new chapters. These chapters revolve around nine characters introduced in Samurai Warriors 4, three fan-favorites from previous titles and a brand new addition to the samurai roster (Naomasa Ii).
The game will feature many new and improved features as the battle, action and character development systems have been revamped. It also introduces a highly challenging and richly rewarding mode called: the Endless Castle. Players can choose to enter and struggle to survive for as long as possible, or to play against the clock and see how far they can get up the castle’s increasingly difficult levels!
Super Meat Boy
Release Date – October 6th NA/EU
After years of waiting, Super Meat Boy is finally heading to PlayStation consoles this month and, for those of us that are PlayStation Plus members, it is one of October’s free games!
I cannot wait to get my hands on this title, and have held off buying it on other formats in hope that it would get a PlayStation release and now my wish has come true! For those that have been living under a rock, here is what you can expect;
Super Meat Boy is a tough as nails platformer where you play as an animated cube of meat who’s trying to save his girlfriend (who happens to be made of bandages) from an evil fetus in a jar wearing a tux.
I would say to look out for my review in the coming weeks, but seeing as it is part of the Instant Game Collection you may as well download it anyway – I’m sure you won’t regret it!
Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax
Release Date – October 6th NA/EU
Developed by Ecole and French Bread in cooperation with ASCII Media Works, Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax features over sixty new vignettes to explore in its Dream Duel Mode, in addition to the original story campaign present in the Arcade Mode. It also features original cutscenes exclusive to the console versions, penned under the supervision of Dengeki Bunko’s writers to add further depth to the interactions of this “fantasy crossover”, and even stages designed after some of Sega’s most iconic series’.
Here’s some of the finer points, regarding the fighting system in the title;
Fighting Climax features a fighting system that is both easily understood and complex, thus catering to veterans and newcomers alike. Using weak, medium and strong attacks, each of the playable characters have move sets that are similar in execution, yet differ in attack range, power and speed.
Assist characters each have two moves that can either help you chain your combos or add a defensive strike, giving players a large range of flexibility in custom combo creation and play style.
Interested? Keep your eye on the site early next week for Lat’s review of this title!
Farming Simulator 16
Release Date – October 6th NA/EU
After skipping a year on the Vita, Farming Simulator 16 will bring back a large number of European farm vehicles such as Lamborghini and Deutz-Fahr (sorry John Deere lovers) as well as a few new activities for you to accomplish. Sheep will now be available for you to raise and cultivate for wool. There is also a new forestry component so that players can now add logging to their list of things to do.
Farming Simulator 16 looks to once again just be an over-priced version of the mobile game that is currently available for Android and iOS. Vita owners can expect to pay $34.99 when it’s released, which does come with the added benefit of trophy support. The game will also be made available at retail for those that prefer physical copies – but it may be worth waiting for a review before you splash your hard earned cash on this title!
Actual Sunlight
Release Date – October 7th EU
Actual Sunlight is a game about love, depression and the corporation. Stylised as “true game” for those over 18 because of the symmetry with real adult life, the game was released to positive reviews back in 2013, and Will O’Neil, the game’s developer is bringing it to the Vita.
Will said, of the game, “I’m not sure if a game as sad, sharp, and real-life-serious as the critically-acclaimed Actual Sunlight has ever been released on a major console, but I have no doubt that the PS Vita is exactly where it belongs. With strong and memorable writing, a classic Japanese RPG style, and full-screen CG artwork, I’m hopeful that Actual Sunlight will feel right at home.”
Zach reviewed Actual Sunlight when it released in North America back in August, giving it a 4.1/5. Check out his review here to learn more about this interesting looking game.
Corpse Party: Blood Drive
Release Date – October 13th NA / TBC EU
The final installment of the supernatural story that began with Corpse Party and continued in Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, Corpse Party: Blood Drive ups the ante by allowing players to explore Heavenly Host Elementary in full 3D for the first time, with all of its formerly 2D environments meticulously recreated and greatly expanded. New gameplay systems provide more exciting interactions for players experiencing the gruesome finale to this tale of an inescapable, otherworldly school populated by vengeful spirits, including a dynamic lighting system aided by an in-game flashlight, talismans to protect the player characters from danger, deadly traps to disarm, cabinets to hide in, a stamina system that allows for limited dashing, and much more.
Blood Drive will feature the original Japanese voice-overs for “authenticity”, and sees the return of thematic features like binaural 3D audio for simulated surround sound and the screen-altering “Darkening” system.
WRC 5
Release Date – October 16th EU
WRC 5 is landing on the Vita this October and this installment is the first that uses developer Kylotonn Games’ new engine – the Kt Engine HD.
This new engine brings the following to the game (although how this translates to the Vita version is yet to be seen);
A high end visual game engine supporting dynamic weather and dynamic day/night cycle, vehicle deformations, dirt, lens flare…
A level editor to create living, varied and realistic environments, alternating driving surfaces such as asphalt, gravel, snow…
A particles editor capable of simulating physics of dust volumes, smoke, dirt, water and snow projections…
A powerful physics engine providing detailed vehicle simulation allowing realistic handling, in any environment and on any driving surface.
Advanced damage model offering damage levels ranging from mild damage to complete destruction.
Replays mode with dynamic visualizations inspired by TV broadcasts.
One thing that you can be sure of is that the game will feature all of the latest updates, cars and drivers for this year’s Word Rally Championship – and who doesn’t enjoy the thrill of driving fast around sharp bends?
Code: Realize Guardian of Rebirth
Release Date – October 20th NA
Code: Realize Guardian of Rebirth is an otome/visual novel coming from Aksys Games. Featuring literary and historical figures, alongside steampunk themes – the game looks certain to be a hit with fans of the genre. If you’re still interested after I mentioned the word otome, then here is a synopsis of the game’s story;
Restricted to an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of London in fulfillment of a promise to her father, lonely Cardia lives day to day isolated from the world. Her body carries a deadly poison that rots or melts anything her skin touches, prompting the locals to call her a “monster.”
Her last conversation with her father two years ago, telling her to stay out of sight and never fall in love, is the furthest back she can remember. One day, her quiet solitude is interrupted as the Royal Guards break in to capture her. It is then that Cardia meets Arsène Lupin, a chivalrous thief, who helps her escape the soldiers’ clutches. She soon finds herself on a journey with Lupin to locate her father, who holds the answers to her mysterious condition. The two are soon joined by four more interesting and handsome gentlemen…
Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space
Release Date – October 20th NA
A direct predecessor to Earth Defense Force 2017, Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space is widely regarded as the best entry in the series and is making its way to the west for the first time in the form of this greatly expanded remake. In the game, players will take on the role of one of three distinct military classes and take on hordes of invading giant insects. The game is a third-person shooter and you will be tooled to the teeth with conventional weapons, armoured vehicles, jetpacks, airstrikes, trip mines, energy weapons and more!
Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Space originally released on the PlayStation 2 in both Japan and Europe before making its way to the PSP. The PlayStation Vita version of the game is the definitive version and will feature a number of additions and improvements – including four-player online co-op, a new Air Raider class and a new English dub!
So there we have the key titles that are set to release for the PlayStation Vita this October!
You can also see most of the above titles in action in the video version of October’s New Releases that we have put together for you below;
Let us know which of the above titles (if any) you will be picking up in the comments below!