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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Sly Collection Review For The PS Vita

(Editors Note- This review will not match the format of previous reviews due to the game being a remaster, it was unnecessary to cover the story or replay value)

It seems that almost every game ported to the Vita has its flaws. Whether it was The Jak and Daxter collection with its frame rate drops, or the Metal Gear Solid collection with its buggy gameplay, rarely do we get to see a perfect port. However The Sly Collection has achieved that, and so much more. Now understand that the Collection does have a few small flaws, but nothing of significance, and nothing that alters the gameplay experience in a negative way. The Sly Collection is the closest thing to perfect the Vita has seen, with regards to ports or remastered games.

The port was handled by Sanzaru Games, the same developer who handled the PS3 Sly Collection, and developed the most recent entry into the Sly Cooper franchise, Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time. Clearly they went into the project of porting the games to the Vita with a great understanding of the franchise, and more importantly with experience of developing for the Vita. This helped them achieve a nearly flawless port.

The Sly Collection's gameplay remains the amazing 3D platformer that we all enjoyed back on the PS2. In fact, it might even play better than the PS2 version, which is a huge compliment towards remastered games. This version of The Sly Collection felt perfect. It didn't feel as if anything had to be trimmed or taken away. The gameplay didn't have to be compromised in order for us to enjoy Sly Cooper on the go. Finally Vita owners could actually experience what a true remaster is, a classic game that we all loved but.... better.

I experienced absolutely no frame rate drops, no buggy gameplay, no flaw with the gameplay whatsoever. I was truly blown away with the amount of perfection achieved by Sanzaru Games. When it comes to a platformer one wrong move and you could be falling to your death. When playing the Jak and Daxter collection the buggy gameplay, and poorly placed buttons, caused me to die again and again. However, I never experienced this when playing the Sly Collection. Not only is the gameplay near perfect, but the button placement is superb.

Finally, I would like to point out that the games look so good on the PS Vita. The colors are so vibrant and just pop on the Vita's screen, whether you are playing on the OLED or LCD screen. The visuals are amazing, albeit not as great as the PS3 visuals. However that is nothing to fret over, and it is hardly a downgrade. Overall the visuals are amazing. It is the sound that is an occasional mess. I often noticed a litte sound compression, and a few times the sound would go out all together. Neither of these are problems to truly fret over though.

Overall the Sly Collection is the closest to perfection any attempt at porting PS2 classics has come. The remaster does not hold anything back in attempt to fit it on the Vita. Instead the remaster serves its purpose well, that is to take the games we loved and make them better and more enjoyable on the go. I would recommend buying this game to everyone, whether you have played any of the Sly series before or not.

Overall-
9/10


24 comments:

  1. Not a bad review. I enjoyed the read :)

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  2. I too never played these games on the PS Vita. It is so nice to be able to enjoy them on the Vita. An Assassins creed collection, and infamous collection would be amazing!

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  3. I agree. Admittedly, my level of anticipation for GOW Collection was much higher, but Sly Collection is a much better value and gaming experience. GOW translated well to Vita, but Sly is done so amazingly well it really sets a high bar for others to follow.


    The disappointment of Jak & Daxter Collection kind of waved me off from collections for a while, but I'm glad my wife got me Sly. It's great.


    As a player who never owned a PS2 or PS3, a lot of these games are new to me and I am really enjoying them. I hope Sony sees the value of really well executed collections like Sly and releases more of them. I'm sure there are a lot of great PS2/PS3 games that I would really enjoy on the Vita. I'm really hoping for an Assassin's Creed Collection. Done well, that one could be huge.

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  4. The games are very good! Definitley the best bundle yet

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  5. My wife bought me this game as a birthday present and I am really enjoying them. They don't feel like ports. The controls are well mapped and intuitive. The graphics look like a game that was just released for the first time this year. Everything fits together very well and I'm only on the first game. I can't wait to play the second and third. And yes, for those who may have been wondering, the third game is a digital download. The collection comes with a code to download Sly 3, so make sure you have space on your memory card. Altogether, this is a WHOLE LOT of great gaming for $30!!! Each one of these full Sly games would sell for that on their own, and the collection has 3 of them. I really enjoyed the God of War Collection too, but I think Sly is a much better deal. If GOW Collection had GOW 3, it would be a very close race.

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  6. I cannt wait to get this game to add to my vita collection lol

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  7. It doesn't hurt to ask nicely, does it?

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  8. ME Too. Literally I just downloaded it

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  9. What is yalls problem, of course they will review PS Vita Pets

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  10. I love Sly Cooper, glad I can buy it now!

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  11. SO MUCH MONEY LOST

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  12. PS VITA PETS!!!!!

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  13. BUYING THIS NOW!!!!

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  14. Yeah TheAuburnMan knows how to review........ just doesn't know how to pick a good PSN ID

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  15. I will jump on the bandwagon..... Review IT!!!!

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  16. I love your other review format. But this is understandable for a remaster. I'll let it slide...... This Time!!!

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  17. That's how I feel. LOL

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  18. I too want a PS Vita Pets review. It comes out today right?

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  19. Such a great review. Makes me want to run out and buy the game now. Keep it up

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  20. yeah a psvita pets review is wanted. I will not buy it till I see your review

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  21. psvitaiseverythingJuly 5, 2014 at 5:15 AM

    Great Review By The Way!

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  22. QUIT, you keep reviewing games and I keep losing money AHHHH!

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  23. psvitaiseverythingJuly 5, 2014 at 5:15 AM

    YES! You have to review PS Vita Pets. I need to know if I want it

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  24. Great Review! I am buying this game ASAP.
    Are you guys going to review PS Vita Pets?

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