The "Magic" PS Vita Games I Want

I've made it no secret on Twitter and other corners of the interwebs that I just don't match the (formerly) rampant enthusiasm surrounding Sony's newest portable system.  Prior to the system's launch, Sony swore that the little handheld's launch line-up would set the world on fire, but now that Spring came and went, I'm still not seeing the amazing software library that was promised; and neither are even some of the most vocal Sony fanatics.

So, for me, the PS Vita's early library isn't all it was first cracked up to be--and even though it's typical for such a new system to have sparse software offerings, it remains a disappointment for those who bought into Sony's promises.  But hopefully, that's starting to change.  As someone who really enjoys the quirkier side of video games, I thought it was great news when a Sony representative told Destructoid that they do, in fact, care about the "magic" of niche and indie titles.  Below is a list of the unique and charming Vita exclusives that have my attention, and could finally persuade me to buy the system... once memory card prices drop.

My 2012 Localization Checklist

Another post, another few months gone by.  Sorry for the delay!

The woes of being a lover of Japanese games in this day and age are often staggering.  With less and less of interest to me coming out of Western companies, these are the games I'm counting on to fill the void.  Sadly, rather than responding accordingly to the emergence of a global economy and Information Age, Japanese developers seem to be losing touch with their Western fans via an unwillingness to even localize some of their most fascinating and unique games.  Recently, we've seen the effects with social networking movements such as Operation Rainfall, the Gallian Liberation Front, and a handful of fan pages devoted to various Tales games.

The situation isn't entirely bleak.  Japanese developers have many interesting things to offer Western fans this year so far*.  These include Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, Tales of Graces f, Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir, Pokémon Conquest, and Ni No Kuni:  Wrath of the White Witch.  With all that on its way, it may be hard to see what J-game lovers still have to complain about.  So without further ado, here are the rest of the games I'd love to see localized in 2012.

10 Reasons I'm Happy To Own a 3DS in 2012

The future of Nintendo's new handheld is looking even brighter with 2012 under way.  The majority of my most anticipated games for this year are on the 3DS, and I'm here to share my enthusiasm for the oft-berated little machine and its diverse upcoming line-up.  Some of these don't have release dates set for North America just yet, but that isn't going to keep me from getting hyped about them!

These Are the Flashback Maps I Want in Gears 3

If we've spoken recently, or perhaps even if we haven't, you know I really freaking love Gears of War 3.  The game offers a phenomenal amount of addictive game modes, including Beast Mode, Horde 2.0, Versus, Private matches, and my personal favorite:  Arcade campaign.  The story is gripping and epic and takes you to a number of breathtaking locations--from desolate to regal--and is a fantastic conclusion to Marcus Fenix's story.  It's loaded with unlockable content, from character skins to mutators to weapon skins to medals and multiplayer lobby titles, and with dedicated servers and a set of newly balanced weapons (except for the Sawed Off shotgun), Gears multiplayer has never been more of a blast.  I will be coming back to this game for years to come.  It gets 10 carrots on the Filly Scale.  There, I just gave you a mini-review!

With that out of the way, one of the aspects of the game I'm really enjoying is, indeed, the multiplayer.  Though the first DLC is focused on Horde, there has been plenty of other upcoming content, both confirmed and rumored.  Among a slew of new characters, nineteen new maps and four Flashback maps (Ruins, Blood Drive, Subway and Jacinto) have been mentioned.  Epic's eventual addition of twenty-four maps to the current ten is much appreciated, but I have to say there are more maps from the previous games that I would like to see in Gears 3.  So, here are my picks: