Tearaway

Tearaway is a platform adventure video game developed by developer Media Molecule and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4.

Synopsis

The game takes place in a vibrant storybook-type world made entirely out of paper. The player gains control of either Iota or Atoi, a messenger tasked with delivering a letter to a portal in the sky called 'the You', which has mysteriously been opened. Along the way, the messenger must save the world from Scraps, small villainous creatures which are invading the paper world via the opening to cause disruption.^[2]

Gameplay

The gameplay revolves around environmental platform interaction, creativity and customization, confrontations with Scraps and other antagonistic creatures, mini-quests issued by non-playable characters, and finding collectibles. The player, who controls several aspects of the world in a god-like fashion, navigates the messenger through the environments by changing the landscape.

For example, in order to help Iota/Atoi advance through a specific section, the player may have to trigger bounce pads, rotate platforms, illuminate objects, cast gusts of wind, or hurl objects, to trigger the solution and allow progression.

The player is tasked with designing objects for use in the game's world, which are mostly used to solve people's problems or requests, but may also be used for decorative purposes.

The messenger is given several helpful tools over the course of the game, which introduce new gameplay mechanics, and, among other things, allow for alternate methods of traversal.^[2]

Games

Tearaway

Tearaway was released for the PlayStation Vita on November 22th, 2013.

The game utilizes almost all of the PlayStation Vita's features in some way. In one example, the player encounters an elk who needs a new skin. The player is able to take a picture using the PS Vita's camera and have it applied to the papercraft animal.

The player is also able to use the PS Vita's rear touch panel to effectively push their fingers up through the ground to interact with enemies and the environment. The player is also capable of customizing Iota/Atoi or certain characters by drawing designs on virtual paper, cutting them out, and applying them to their character. ^[1]

Tearaway Unfolded

Tearaway Unfolded is an expanded remake of the original Tearway, it was co-developed by Tarsier Studios and Media Molecule for both the PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4 consoles and released in September 2015

Although the plot and central characters mostly remain unchanged, many gameplay elements from the original have been tweaked for the DualShock 4 controller. For instance, touch-based elements in the original game have been re-mapped and modified for use on PlayStation 4.

The creation aspects, where players used the touchscreen to draw objects that would appear in game, are now used on the DualShock 4's touchpad. Alternatively, the player may use the PlayStation Camera or PS4 Second Screen app on iOS^[3], Android^[4] and PS Vita to input their drawings. The latter options can also be used to input a real world texture or colour into the game, a feature previously dedicated to the Vita's rear camera.

Along with new creation methods, the touchpad is used for interacting with the world. Certain platforms require the player to grab, hold, or drag them off the environment for use. The player can also use the touchpad to create a blast of wind, which can swipe enemies away and blow down extra platforms for use. The lightbar on the front of the DualShock 4 controller can be used to help illuminate dark areas in the game world, as well as create additional platforms for traversing areas. The gyroscope of the DualShock 4 allows suspending, tilting, and turning platforms in the game, to make them possible for the messenger to traverse.^[2]

Reception

Tearaway and Tearaway Unfolded was met with a positive critical reception by critics, who praised its art style, creativity, characters, world design and inventive use of the PlayStation Vita & Dualshock 4's numerous inputs and sensors. Both games has a average score of 87^[5] & 81^[6] on Metacritic, 87.52%^[7] & 81.75%^[8] on GameRankings and 86^[9] & 83^[10] on OpenCritic, respectively. Tearaway also received plenty of nominations & awards.

Despite positive reception from critics, both games did not sell well. at launch, Tearaway Unfolded sold worst than Tearaway, and was consider a commercial failure. Analysts attribute the failure of the game due to both poor marketing and release of several higher profile games in the same week, Including MGSV: The Phantom Pain, Super Mario Maker, Mad Max and Until Dawn.^[11]

Tearaway: Unfolded was apart of PlayStation Plus's Instant Gaming Collection of March 2017.^[12]

Search Interest

External References