I think it’s safe to say that 2020 is going to go down in history as not the finest year and this extends to Vita too – despite an impressive 57 games released in English in total (and a few more in Japan), the platform is a long way from its glory days of 2012-2015. Sony’s best efforts to end the platform’s life between discontinuing the hardware, stopping production of physical carts, closing down the webstore and even causing errors on the Vita’s native store have all played a part in this but more than that, the handheld came out a whole 9 years ago so it’s inevitable that things are rapidly slowing down.
In spite of this, there are still games planned for the console in 2021 surpassing even my own optimistic expectations – I produced lists of my 11 most anticipated Vita games in both 2018 and 2019 (as well as a refresher list in 2018) thinking that there wouldn’t be a whole lot else beyond this which was proven wrong each time. It’s a testament to the dedicated fanbase (likely many of the same people who read these articles on my site) and a handful of loyal developers and publishers that things have gotten so far and I’m personally incredible grateful for this.
I didn’t make a 2020 list due to personal issues at the time but this was probably a good thing as looking back through things I’ve previously written, I included a lot of games that either disappeared into the ether (Drift Stage, Drifter), were cancelled on Vita (Bloodstained, YIIK) or still haven’t released (Pixel Noir, Sharin no Kuni). Obviously, there’s no real way of knowing whether a game will actually come out on the handheld or not but this time around, I wanted to try to take care and include a selection of titles that have a good shot of actually releasing. So here we go – possibly for the final time – with 11 Vita games to look forward to in 2021!
Astro Aqua Kitty
Tikipod Games made a name for themselves on PlayStation Mobile with Aqua Kitty and Rock Boshers, both of which received expanded Vita-native ports a few years later (alongside physical releases through Limited Run Games). Their brand of classic arcade-style action was well received (Aqua Kitty being inspired by Defender and Rock Boshers by ZX Spectrum titles) but since we didn’t get the co-op focused Iron Crypticle it looked like Tikipod were done with the platform – which was proven wrong, as they announced we’d be getting an Aqua Kitty follow-up presumably seeing the cats venturing into space… perhaps to mine milk again?
Habroxia 2
Among the list of Vita-faithful developers, one who often gets overlooked is Lillymo Games (now headed by ex-IGN editor and Vita superfan Colin Moriarty), creators of the twin-stick shooter Habroxia, 2D platformer Perils of Baking and block-breaker Twin Breaker. They’re back once again with their fourth release in as many years (an impressive feat in itself) with a sequel to Habroxia, which isn’t a game I’ve played but received praise from my buddy 2 Old 4 Gaming so is something I definitely want to check out, as I will with the sequel. Plus, it’s getting a physical release through eastasiasoft so you can add it to your collection!
Hearth Forth, Alicia
Will Heart Forth, Alicia ever release? The game has been in development for basically a whole console generation, being funded on Kickstarter in 2014 before being announced for a 2016 release on Vita. That year came and passed and despite the title featuring in a playable state at multiple conventions since then, there’s still no firm release date (and previously promised 3DS and Wii-U ports have been cancelled). Still, a recent video showing off the gorgeous 2D platformer-RPG continued to list Vita as a platform so just maybe it’ll be finished soon and will land on our favourite handheld.
LAZR – A Clothformer
Now this is where I may be getting a bit optimistic, but I think it’s worth including LAZR because it looks so good, despite its chances of actually hitting the platform being a bit slim. A 2D platformer where the gimmick is some very unique cloth physics, the game is still being developed following a Kickstarter campaign and honestly looks a little too ambitious for a 2021 Vita game. Still, the cyberpunk world it takes place in looks gorgeous, the soundtrack is stellar and the gameplay seems very unique – publisher Top Hat Studios have committed a lot to Vita during its final years (more on this shortly), so I hope they pull it off.
Pixel Noir
A game that I included in my 2019 list, Pixel Noir still isn’t out – but it is an ambitious indie funded through Kickstarter and the developers have repeatedly indicated that it’s still planned for Vita, therefore I’ve decided to include it here. Pixel Noir has you playing as a detective trying to clear his name in Pinnacle City while his sanity slowly unravels – with its isometric perspective, turn-based battles and supernatural elements it certainly seems heavily inspired by Persona 2 and hopefully it matches that game’s quality to make a great parting gift for Vita.
Quantum Suicide
If I had to pick a single game I was most looking forward to on Vita next year, it would almost definitely be Quantum Suicide – a mix of DanganRonpa and Zero Escape where you’re trapped on a spaceship with a homicidal AI and are forced to kill your friends to escape. It sounds like exactly my cup of tea and it finally released on PC this year, although developer Cotton Candy Cyanide wasn’t shy about the fact that the Vita port is being worked on in spare time and it may not happen depending on technical complexities. Whatever the outcome, it’s just nice to see a fan of the platform and I really hope they manage to pull it off as it’s been receiving a tonne of praise.
Russian Subway Dogs
Another game that’s been included on these lists before (back in 2018), the developers originally showcased this title at PSX 2017 (remember when those were a thing and Gio Corsi used to announce Vita games on stage?) and after recently getting in touch with the team, they confirmed the title is still coming to Sony’s handheld. In Russian Subway Dogs, you follow the titular canines through an underground adventure where you will (among other things) juggle bottles of vodka, set fire to bears and chase high scores while frantically staying alive fighting for scraps of food in the Russian subway. It sounds bonkers, but that just makes it all the more compelling.
Sense – A Cyberpunk Ghost Story
I’m not one for horror games (you may have noticed from my reviews), but something about Sense with its gorgeous cyberpunk visuals is appealing to me (and no, it’s not the gratuitous fanservice!). Another one originally funded via Kickstarter, the developers have been vocal about promising a Vita version and wanting to deliver it before signing up with Top Hat Studios to get it across the line. Initial feedback to the PC release was negative citing bugs and issues, but it seems these have all been addressed in patches meaning the version we eventually get should be a solid experience!
Synergia
After being teased for a Vita release last year, it seems like Synergia coming to the handheld in 2021 might actually be a reality. A yuri visual novel set in a cyberpunk, dystopian future, the game immediately stands out thanks to its striking neon-soaked aesthetic, beautiful artwork and killer electronic soundtrack, but it’s the thought-provoking narrative exploring the relationship between humanity and A.I where the game truly hits its stride. It’s been receiving very positive reviews for its Steam release which makes me hopeful this will be one that’s worth checking out this year.
Thief’s Roulette
Announced at the start of 2020, Thief’s Roulette is another title clearly heavily inspired by DanganRonpa and Zero Escape meaning there’s plenty of reasons to get excited. Offering puzzles, first-person exploration, choice-based conversations and a dreary dystopian setting to explore, I’ve high hopes this one will prove to be an imitator that matches the quality of its inspirations. Again published by Top Hat Studios (who have managed to release the visual novel Big Dipper and Kawaii Deathu Desu on Vita this year), I have more faith in this one than Lazr and I’m secretly hopeful this will be a real hidden gem in 2021.
UnMetal
Would you believe that the creators of UnEpic (which hit Vita in 2016) have not one but two more titles lined up for the Sony’s handheld – the metroidvania Ghost 1.0 and the far more exciting (for me at least) UnMetal. Inspired by the first two Metal Gear titles, UnMetal is an indie stealth game where you play as a secret operative framed for a crime he didn’t commit who is forced to escape from the military compound he’s held captive in. Mixing a comedic story (alongside more than a few nods to its inspiration) with tight gameplay, it’s a unique proposition on Vita and is another one getting a physical release from eastasiasoft which means it should be out by March at the latest.
Conclusion
It seems absolutely crazy that the PlayStation Vita, a device which was undoubtedly not a sales success, is still seeing a number of game releases well into its 10th year on the market. It’s outlasted the Wii-U, a similarly unsuccessful console which launched nearly a full year later (and seems to have seen its final release with Shakedown Hawaii) and even appears like it may be outlasting the 3DS, which saw a mere 17 games in 2020 and has nothing lined up for the foreseeable future.
There are of course, more games coming beyond the 11 I’ve listed here – among them is the aforementioned Ghost 1.0, the musical puzzle game Indigo7 (alongside Pachi Pachi from Dolores Entertainment), kickstarted visual novel Sharin no Kuni from Tokyo Otaku Mode (will this game ever release?) plus Death Tales and Skullpirates from the ever-reliable Arcade Distillery (both look to be physical-only releases through Play-Asia).
Other notable announced games include the platformer/brawler Battle Princess Madelyn and RPG Monster Crown (both funded on Vita), although I don’t have a great deal of faith that either of these will see light of day on the platform. There’s plenty of question marks as well – things like the mysterious ALT BOSNIA (I can’t even tell if this is a real game or homebrew), whether someone like eastasiasoft will grab the already-translated English version of Buried Stars, the fantastic-looking but long-silent Seraphim and the Platine Dispositif (of Bunny Must Die and Gundemoniums fame) developed Super Zangyura, which was announced but never released. I’m sure there will be surprises beyond this too, as the lovely Evgeniy at Sometimes You told me he hopes to release more Vita games in 2021.
When you look at a list of the final games released for each past console, aside from the very successful (such as the DS and PS2), most systems last 5-7 years before they’re all done – but thanks to digital distribution, a dedicated fanbase and enthusiastic developers, Vita has shattered this expectation. It reminds me of the Dreamcast in a lot of ways and just like that console, I expect things will continue in the hobbyist scene even longer than this – but for now, the 11 titles on this list are absolutely worth looking forward to in 2021!
(And don’t forget to check out 2 Old 4 Gaming’s video of 5 Vita games he’s looking forward to in 2021 as well!)
kresnik258gaming 
