Reality Fighters

UPC: 711719220060

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.

Developer: Novarama Technology S.L.

Category: Fighting

Style(s): 3D Fighting

Synopsis: Reality Fighters is a one-on-one fighting game that makes use of the PlayStation Vita's two cameras to bring you and your environment into the game. Using the handheld's Augmented Reality (AR) technology, the game lets you take multiple pictures of yourself, your friends, or even objects to create a custom fighter. You'll then be able to select a fighting style from such choices as wrestling, Muay Thai, or "ballet" as well as more than 200 weapon types and 300 costume pieces. Battles will take place wherever you are -- the kitchen, a parking lot, or a bedroom -- as the game scans the nearby environment to create its stages. Online battles against a friend are also supported. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: Online Pass Activation Code

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

Reality Fighters is less about the fighting and more about the "reality," or the gimmick known as augmented reality. Reminiscent of the downloadable Photo Dojo for Nintendo DS, Reality Fighters uses the Vita's cameras to not only capture your face, but your environment as well. Once you've created a persona, you then select a fighting style, from boxing and "zombie" to ballet and "superhero." The character creator is amusing, though limited when compared to your average wrestling or even golf game. After capturing your face with the front camera (or a picture, a friend, pet, etc. with the rear camera), you can adjust body mass and musculature, for instance, but not height, probably because of the limitations associated with making the characters "fit" within a virtual environment. You also can't edit the face once you've captured it, change your hair's color, add tattoos, and so forth. The game's story mode has you progressing through a series of one-on-one bouts, strangely overseen by the disembodied head of Pat Morita, who reprises his Mr. Miyagi persona. You can battle an opponent in your backyard, on a desk, or anywhere else you decide to travel and fight, by placing one of the six AR cards included with the system on a flat surface. (You can also choose from several pre-set backgrounds.) After the initial silliness wears off, however, you're left with a rather simplistic, shallow fighting game. While you have around a dozen moves in your chosen fighting style, each executed using your choice of button or touch controls, the AI can be regularly defeated by using a few basic attacks (whatever is fastest) repeatedly. Even fighting game novices can pummel their way through a match relying on the same moves. Since the fighting offers little challenge or depth, the game's story, survival, and time attack modes quickly overstay their welcome. The only reason to keep playing is to unlock new clothing options, weapons, and fighting styles. Reality Fighters also supports online multiplayer bouts, allowing you to show off your unlocked costumes and goofy fighting styles with others. Yet if you're looking for a tightly balanced, competitive fighting game with long-term appeal, Reality Fighters is sure to disappoint. Those who long for a more casual fighting game in the mold of Clay Fighter might be amused with the game's offbeat action, but its shortcomings are enough to make fans of the genre pull their punches. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.