Journal for Week of Sept 10: Sunday

On 09/16/2013 at 03:37 AM by KnightDriver

Sunday (my Saturday): I set up my Vita since my gaming buddy was busy AGAIN. Otherwise I would have been playing Oblivion all afternoon. I'll be doing that on Monday though, so I guess it's ok. First thing with my VIta was I had to figure out just where to put the tiny memory card. I had to watch a youtube video to find the right slot. The image on the setup guide that came in the box wasn't too clear. I tried to put it in what I now know is the game card slot and it just clattered around in there, obviously not the right place for a memory card. No problem though. I figured it out.

I played through the Welcome games that teach you the basic functions. Didn't really need them. Not fun. Linked the Vita to my PS account. Easy peazy. Checked out this Near application on the home screen which marks your location and then shows you other marked locations by other players and what games they've played. You can also rate games there and maybe more. There's this "discoveries" thing that I don't understand yet. Maybe it's when there's stuff to be shared between games, I don't know.

Then I went outside and played Naturalist by photographing a bunch of bugs clinging to Milkweed plants. I felt just like Welkin from Valkyria Chronicles only I was photographing instead of sketching. I was at Valley Forge National Historic Park and I couldn't help thinking about Assassin's Creed 3 and how I had wanted to play it to see how they rendered the park in the game. I'll get to it one day I hope.

Played some of Muramasa Rebirth after a coffee. Graphics are amazing and look so great on the Vita screen! Much better than the Wii version. The controls work excellently well too. Also, the sound on the Vita and in Muramasa through the external speakers is very good. Maybe not as shockingly good as the 3DS when I first started that system, but very close.

I began reflecting on the amazing functions of these new handhelds as compared to what's been in the past. These things are powerhouses compared to GBA and even more effortlessly connected than PSP. I'm just overwelmed by all this high tech wizardry. My eyes and ears are in heaven.

Redeemed my PSPlus code for a year of Plus. I'm happy about that. I want to be just as into PS3 as Xbox 360 and be a member of both. Now I am.

avidacridjam

09/16/2013 at 01:46 PM

I used the manual to find the card slot. I'm old-fashioned that way, especially when dealing wtih hardware for the first time. The OLED screen is amazing. When I'm not gaming, I watch Netflix or Youtube videos in bed till I fall asleep and the video quality is beautiful.

KnightDriver

09/16/2013 at 02:31 PM

In Muramasa, the effect seems almost 3D like on the 3DS. There are layers to the 2D world and the details and rich colors of the screen makes you think you're seeing depth. It's awesome!

Matt Snee Staff Writer

09/16/2013 at 07:19 PM

accursed memory cards!!!

09/17/2013 at 01:32 AM

They are so tiny now, I almost lost mine the moment I took it out of it's wrapping.

NSonic79

09/22/2013 at 02:21 AM

that's great and all but are the load times any good with your games? I only ask because I hear they are inconsistant with games. Every time my wife tries a kiosk model she quits at the start because the games take forever to load off them. she's to use to ipod instant action.

09/22/2013 at 04:06 AM

So far, I haven't noticed any long load times with the Vita, but I'll keep an eye on that now you mentioned it.

PixlBit