Tearaway

Game Overview

Tearaway is developed by Media Molecule, the acclaimed studio behind LittleBigPlanet. The narrative unfolds inside a magical paper dimension where everything—from towering mountains and lush forests to quirky wildlife—is meticulously crafted from folded sheets, cardboard, and crinkled paper. When mysterious monsters known as Scraps start tearing holes in the world and threatening to erase the messenger's existence, you must team up with your paper hero to embark on a quest across handmade landscapes.

The gameplay is a masterclass in utilizing every single unique feature of the PlayStation Vita hardware in tandem. The touchscreens are integrated seamlessly: using the front touchscreen lets you tap blocks or interact with environment elements, while your fingers pressing on the rear touchpad physically punch holes right through the game world to launch objects or defeat enemies. The built-in camera captures your real-world face and projects it into the sky as a mythical "sun," while the microphone and motion sensors let you howl gusts of wind or tilt the environment to solve puzzles. Accompanied by an enchanting folk-inspired soundtrack and boundless tactile charm, Tearaway stands as the ultimate showcase of the PS Vita's unique creative potential.

Quick Specifications

Key Features

• Handmade Papercraft World: Explore an imaginative universe where every tree, creature, and landscape is built entirely from tangible paper and cardboard.

• Innovative Rear Touchpad Mechanics: Push your fingers through the back of the console to interact with the environment, squash enemies, and lift platforms.

• Break the Fourth Wall: See your own real-world face projected into the game's sky as the all-powerful sun watching over the messenger.

• Interactive Motion & Audio: Tilt your PS Vita to guide objects, use the microphone to generate wind, and draw custom paper models using the touchscreen.

• Charming Storybook Narrative: Experience a heartwarming, whimsical adventure celebrating creativity, friendship, and the bond between player and character.

• Collectible Papercrafts: Uncover hidden confetti, snap photos of colored objects, and unlock real-world paper craft blueprints you can print and build at home.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: How are the PlayStation Vita's unique hardware features used in Tearaway?

A: Tearaway uses almost every component of the PS Vita. The rear touchpad lets your fingers physically burst through the game world; the front screen lets you paint and peel paper; the camera projects your face into the sky as the sun; and the microphone blows wind into the game to activate elements.

Q: Is Tearaway an open-world game or a level-based platformer?

A: It is structured as a level-based adventure divided into distinct, beautifully crafted geographic chapters (such as valleys, deserts, and dark caverns). Each chapter is packed with secrets, side quests, and collectibles to discover before moving forward.

Q: How long does it take to complete a playthrough of Tearaway?

A: A standard playthrough focusing on the main story campaign takes roughly 6 to 8 hours. If you want to hunt down every piece of confetti, snap all hidden photos, and complete every papercraft side challenge, expect closer to 10 to 12 hours.

Q: Is there a sequel or a version available for other consoles?

A: While there is no direct sequel, Media Molecule and Sony released a reimagined, expanded home console version titled Tearaway Unfolded for the PlayStation 4 in 2015, which adapted the gameplay mechanics for the DualShock 4 controller. However, the original PS Vita version remains the definitive, tailor-made experience.