Borderlands 2 on Vita will either be a miracle or a disaster

Joe Donato:

Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you I’m a pretty big advocate for the Vita. It's my favorite handheld game console of all time, and I take it everywhere I go. It’s powerful, the screen is beautiful, the interface is slick, and there are a ton of awesome and unique games. By all accounts I should be excited for the Spring release of Borderlands 2, but Vita history and what we know about the game so far has left me extremely pessimistic. If BL2 on Vita is a good port, it will be a miracle.

[Rockefellow]

Nice read. I think there's two important factors into the prevalence of this game: what this article discusses, and the actual title of the release. Review scores will be a large factor in getting people to buy this (and potentially Vitas as well), but the name of the game will also sway people's minds.

How many people will ignore the title "Borderlands 2" because they already own it or played it on another platform? Conversely, the name of the game might draw old fans of the series in, knowing how addictive the gameplay is. I'm not quite sure how much the name will influence things, but it's interesting to consider. Would a separate subtitle helped out more?

[DonDon]

The game came out FREE on PS plus not long ago. Plus the Vita version lacks features such as split-screen co-op, a large enough online community on the handheld, and will not do cross-play with ps3 players. So it would be better to get ps plus for ps3. I love Sony and Borderlands 2, but they didn't think this through considering that ps plus giveaway.

[admiralvic]

"but they didn't think this through considering that ps plus giveaway."

Well, the Vita version includes some DLC, which would cost as much to buy as the Vita version does. That and the portability factor will be more than enough for some people to get the Vita version.

[r21]

How in gods name would split screen co-op work on a HANDHELD. They can easily remedy that with ad-hoc if you want to play close to another person.

Honestly, seeing as I finished(not all side quests) it on PS3, Ill be gladly be buying and playing again on the vita :)

As long as performance is smooth.

[maniacmayhem]

I really don't understand how a port of a game released two years ago is going to be a saving grace for the Vita. If this game would have released sometime close to the launch of the sequel then I could see where the hype might be good.

[Beetey]

Nobody thinks this game will be the Vita's saving grace. It should be a fun game that, if done right, should manage to sell decently well.

[maniacmayhem]

I disagree, the game has been out for a couple of years now. There really isn't anymore buzz about the game.

I don't think it has the potential to sell decent on the Vita.

This goes to my other statement that Vita needs more exciting original IP's and not ports of older console games.

[3-4-5]

No Buzz about an FPS game with RPG elements for a handheld with a beautiful art style ?

You don't think that will sell ?

[Hicken]

And who's called it a saving grace for the Vita, besides you?

[maniacmayhem]

No one is calling it a saving grace for the Vita, besides me. And I told my reasons why.

Anything else you would like to add or do I have to waste another bubble repeating myself?

[hkgamer]

i wouldn't call it a saving grace, but if this game does reasonably well then maybe we get the sequel on vita aswell.

however, i think vita needs more smaller games. games that cost between £10-£20.

[Odoylerules000]

@Maniac: Why so negative, Nancy?

[Th4Freak]

Who's saying this game will save the Vita?

[Skate-AK]

Lol.

[vergilxx3]

Saving grace for the vita?
I beg to differ
1 vita does not need saving
2 borderlands 2 will be second biggest port on a handheld (after ff x)
wihich sold incredibly well
3 Anything else you would like to add or do i have to waste another bubble repiting myself?

[maniacmayhem]

1. Vita does need saving, Sony admits this, maybe it's time you did too.

2. You think? I beg to differ.

3. Where else did you repeat the same statement made towards me on the subject? Ooooh, you took what I said earlier and made it your own in some crazy comedy attempt...gotcha.

[maniacmayhem]

Hooray for double posts!

[vergilxx3]

WoW some people realy can't read sarcasm
oh and it seems your out of bubbles i feel sorry for you ..
No i don't

[Hicken]

You made a statement implying that SOMEONE- other than you- thought this game would be a savior for the Vita. That's why people, myself included, asked you who said it. Perhaps you didn't mean it as such- ad perhaps you did- but most people familiar with the English language would have come to the same conclusion we did.

Whether or not you want to "waste" your bubbles is your choice, but there's really no point in getting mad because YOU screwed up.

Nobody said this game would save the Vita; therefore, no need to approach it as such. And no need for you to make a comment implying that someone is doing so.

[Geekman]

Is it that hard to make a game for the Vita instead of giving us games we could get used on Ps3 for cheaper?

[CrossingEden]

Apparently it is. The lack of unique system seller games and a constant flow of ports is why the 3ds has been dominating the vita for years.

[Gooch_suplex_Hold]

For years? Saying it like they both been out for a long time.

[SuperWeeb]

Lack of unique games? Sure, they may not be system sellers, but there are unique games.
Want to know the most popular titles on the 3DS? Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Mario Racing... Those don't sound pretty unique to me.

Now, let's hear what popular titles are on the Vita? Gravity Rush, Tearaway, Soul Sacrifice. Sure, you've got remakes like P4G (the highest rated Vita game), but they add enough new content to justify its existence, unlike Ocarina of Time 3D which adds no new content (and is the highest rated 3DS game).

Sure, like I said, they're not system sellers, but you want to know why the Vita is losing out? BECAUSE its library is unique.
While recently EU in particular were looking forward to Danganronpa, Ys Celceta and Toukiden, the 3DS got Bravely Default... But you know, BD is a Square Enix game that looks and acts like Final Fantasy, so you've got a huge market there. But you ask the average gamer what Ys, Danganronpa or devs who made Dynasty Warriors are and they'll have no clue.

3DS's library isn't considered better by many because it's unique, it's considered better because it's more mainstream... It has more high profile games.
But when you look at it objectively, see the first party new IPs for each system... You know what? I'll let you research into that one though I'll give you a hint: Vita has over double the amount that 3DS has.

Niche library has less sales. That's all.

[Blastoise]

I agree Nabbic. Well said bubble for you!

[Geekman]

@Nabbic, I'm pretty sure the highest rated 3DS game was A Link Between Worlds, which has plenty of unique quality. All the games you mentioned have quality, else they wouldn't still be selling after all these years. And besides, when did I say the 3DS was better anyway? All I asked was that we get MORE of the unique games you mentioned instead if console games remade for a handheld. I love the Vita.

[Pancit_Canton]

They should have cross play it with the PS3. It's already available on the PS+ sometime ago.

[stavrami-mk2]

or..........it could just be a port nothing new to see but a great game none the least

[baldulf]

The game is very fun even alone mind you.

[Shredmeijster]

This is possibly the first screenshot of the Vita version, which was included in the official Playstation post about the Vita bundle.

I put it above a screenshot of the 360 version of the same scene.
Hope this gives you guys an idea about the game.

http://a.disquscdn.com/uplo...

[GdaTyler]

Actually seems legit. The graphics don't really look downgraded, but as long as the frame rate is smooth, I am happy.

[kingdom18]

Eww... I'm slightly disappointed. With the PS Vita it looks kinda like I'm looking through fogged up glasses. If it were just the back ground that would be fine, but the NPC doesn't look so good. I guess its good for a port of a console game to a hand held. Hmm... the comparison for FFX didn't look that different between the Vita and the PS3.

[vergilxx3]

Final Fantasy X is a different case because it's a ps2 port not ps3
And its only one screenshot and its seems like in ps vita version the screenshot was taken at different hour in the game
( at evning ) rather than day like in xbox version
but I can't be sure

[kingdom18]

@vergil Ah that does make more sense. Both points, but more so the one about night.

[vazurahan]

Wow if those non-important graphical details are the only compromises, I'd like to get more PS3 ports on the Vita like GTAV and MGSV.

[nope111]

I don't think we've seen any Vita footage which is odd.

[DealWithIt]

Regardless, IGN score will be 10/10 (overall OK)

[Qwagy UK]

I'd like to see this on the PS4 also, with all the bells and whistles and DLC.

[psDrake]

After playing Killzone Mercenary on my Vita, it'd take a lot for me to spend a $40 Vita shooter.

Borderlands 2 porter has got to be perfect

[Pixel_Enemy]

What didn't you like about Mercenary? That game was epic on the Vita

[psDrake]

I implied that KZM was great and set a great standard of what a Vita shooter should be.

That's why I said Borderlands 2 has to match the quality of KZM for me to invest in it.

[GdaTyler]

I think it'll play a big role in whether Take Two chooses to greenlight Bioshock Vita. In that case, I'll support it since I've never played BL2.

[GUYwhoPLAYSvideoGAME]

seeing as they're bundling it with every new vita slim, it's probably gonna be a miracle

[rawshack]

Mark my words guys it will be a top down shooter .It will be a disaster

[sherimae2413]

are u dumb? its a port with 6 dlcs and cross save for god sake how can it be a top down game?! it means the game will be rework!

please for the love of gaming, atleast for once use ur brain and think before u comment

and mark my words, if the game is fps like the what borderlands 2 really is, (which is really) ill spam you with this own dumb comments of yours

[rawshack]

Hey did you see that video on ign about the upcoming vita games .it showed small clips of borderlands 2 but looked like it was top down like that other borderlands game .I tell you I was just as pissed of as you when I sore it .this why they ant showing jack couse they know it will be bad news for real hard core fans like me and you .

[MatrixxGT]

You sure you didn't look at helldivers? Thats a top down shooter coming to vita.
BL2 is a port from ps360. Turning it into a top down shooter would require a ton of work and ultimately not what gearbox wanted done.

[sherimae2413]

what u saw is helldivers not borderlands 2!
geez, ull gonna eat crow soon when the game got release

[cluckey07]

I think Sony knows that if this game is no good on the Vita that it will be like putting a nail into the coffin. For that reason I believe they have done everything possible to make it great. We can only hope at this point. But Sony needs it to be great and they have done what they can.