Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita)

The hype for this handheld shooter built to dangerous levels in the weeks before its release. This was going to be the Vita’s killer app. This was going to be the Best Game Ever on Sony’s still-struggling handheld system.

And the hype was right for once. Killzone Mercenary is an exceptionally tight shooter with a remarkably good multiplayer and surprisingly good controls and graphics.

I still find the Vita’s (and really all handheld systems’) controls a little unwieldy compared to a gamepad or, better yet, a mouse and keyboard, but this is one handheld shooter that actually works. It’s fun, fast-paced, and challenging, even if the story leaves something to be desired.

Multiplayer is very basic, but what’s on offer is as solid and as fun as they come.