Launch Station: Gravity Rush

The PlayStation Vita has fallen to the wayside since it launched in February.  Games have been trickling out bit by bit, but nothing substantial has come to Sony's newest handheld other than some pretty good ports of console games.  While the danger of the Vita becoming a port machine, much like the PSP did, is ever lingering, Sony looks to inject some much needed with the release of Gravity Rush, the newest game from their Japanese studio.

Gravity Rush started out as a PS3 game before being transferred over to the PlayStation Vita.  The transfer was due to how Gravity Rush complimented the Vita's many control options.  In Gravity Rush, you are able to control gravity by first pressing the R button then tilting the Vita or using the right analog stick to steer your character.  You play as Kat, who has somehow by coincidence has lost her memory.  Early in the game, Kat runs into a mysterious black cat that empowers her with the ability to control gravity.  Using her newly bestowed powers, Kat must protect the citizens of the floating city of Hekseville from the Gravity Storm and the mysterious Nevi monsters.  The gravity-controlling mechanic allows players to fly through the air, walk up walls or even perform devastating gravity attacks.  Hekseville is an open world for Kat to explore.  You are also able to complete side missions and fight additional enemies, which helps Kat gain experience that can be used to level up her many abilities.

Even this early in a handhelds' life-cycle, it is hard to tell if it can bounce back from such severely poor post-launch support.  It is always a possibility, but the Vita is still in dire straights at the moment.  Sony's handheld really needs a game to get people's attention.  While I do not think Gravity Rush will be the Vita's killer app, it will attract the attention of most gamers and Vita owners as it is the most original game on the system.