If a system ever needed a big game, it is the PS Vita. Even with the recent surge of indie interest, the system has barely gotten by on a steady diet of ports and downgraded versions of console games. Tearaway is something different, and the first reason to own a Vita.

I absolutely love Tearaway’s style. It is a complete 180 from the "grim, gritty, mature" look represented by other games, instead presenting a fun, whimsical origami world, a look to which Tearaway fully commits. Everything in the game could be built in the real world with some construction paper, scissors and a few expert folds. It is charming as heck and pure joy.

The arts and crafts aesthetic goes beyond just showing you cool stuff. You are often prompted to create objects by cutting them out of construction paper. These objects are then added to the game world, either as embellishments for your character or as parts of the environment. It sounds gimmicky, but is truly magical the first time your custom-cut snowflakes fall from the sky.You can even use a feature to completely customize Iota's look.

Gameplay is punctuated by a jazzy score and a pair of dueling narrators. They don’t argue per se, though the few disagreements that arise help add some context to parts of the story that might otherwise seem jarring. You’re also invited to add your own vocals to the game, adding another fun touch to a game built for player involvement.

Tearaway is reminiscent of Journey. It is more about the experience rather than seeing what is at the end of the rainbow. Upfront, the lack of driving force pushing you towards the end may feel aimless to some players, though if exploration is your thing, you'll love the slowed pace.

Tearaway is the story of a messenger, Iota (or Atoi if you play as the girl), and a mission to deliver a message to "You." The "You" in this case is you, a face in the sun who has broken through from the real world into the game’s papercraft world. Tearaway finds a way to use nearly all of the Vita’s features. In this case, the front camera is used to show your face in the sun. It is a bit unsettling, particularly if you’re the shy sort, but eventually you learn to just let it go. It is a simple thing, really, but does a lot to bring you into the game’s world.

Your appearance has also opened the path for Scraps, who invade the world and complicate Iota’s simple mission. You are never directly blamed for it, but you are somewhat responsible, so you join Iota in a quest to rid the world of bothersome Scraps.

Though it does feature a few tricky platforming sections, Tearaway isn’t really a platformer. In fact, jumping is a found ability, not something you have from the start. Instead, gameplay is based more around exploring levels and completing tasks. Some open up paths to other areas, while others are side missions nabbing you extra confetti, the game’s currency. Quests come in a variety of types. Some require Iota to take a picture with his camera, while others require customizing either Iota or another object.

Early in the game Iota is given his own camera, which quickly becomes one of his most-used tools. As an added bonus, you can purchase new lenses and Instagram-like filters. With the exception of a few trophies, these purchases are completely optional, but fun additions considering how many pictures you'll end up taking. You’ll also use the camera to unlock real world papercraft plans. White objects are scattered in each section. Taking a picture colors the object and unlocks printable versions. You can then download (site below) and create the objects, allowing you to bring a little Tearaway to your office or bedroom.

Very little about Tearaway is actually difficult. There are a few challenging areas, such as a particularly tricky platforming section that ties platforms to the same buttons used to jump and roll, though the game is incredibly generous when it comes to checkpoints. Most times, dying immediately resets you to the nearest platform, even if it is on the other side of the gap you were trying to cross. This feature is easy to abuse, though these areas are few.

Tearaway’s tougher aspects involve exploration and finding things in the environment. A few of the hidden papercraft objects are tucked away in parts of the map you may not think to look. The best tip I can offer is to look up and around the ends of areas. Completionists may also have difficulty tracking down one or two presents or the odd Scrap.

I love Tearaway for making the player an active participant in the game. You’re not just guiding Iota around the screen with the analog stick and a few button presses. The game makes use of all of the Vita’s functions to constantly find some new way to involve you in the action.

The most common method involves the front and back touch screens. The front screen is used to manipulate areas of the level, either by peeling or pulling on tabs. It is really cool to see the number of ways the mechanic is used throughout the game. Sometimes it is as basic as opening a door, though other times you’ll need to quickly pull up tabs to create paths for a rolling Iota or move/ shift platforms in multiple ways.

The rear touch screen’s uses aren’t as plentiful, but still vital. You’ll primarily use the rear screen to "rip" into parts of the game world, either to push objects or quickly clear away large groups of enemies. Tapping on specific parts of the rear screen also activates flexible drumheads, allowing you to bounce Iota or other objects in the air.

As cool as the touch features are, it requires some creative ways to hold the system. In general, Tearaway is good about when you need to pull your thumbs off either the analog stick or buttons. At the same time, a few late game sections require you to balance the system on your fingertips while also guiding Iota, which can be a pain. This is especially problematic during a late game chase sequence, which has you constantly shifting which hand is on the controls and which is on the rear touch pad.

When cutting and crafting, you’ll quickly realize your finger isn’t a precision tool, though it is serviceable and allows you to create a couple of crude objects, like hearts and stars. It is a neat feature, though I found myself wishing for some sort of transparency option when stacking paper. You’re never required to create objects with more than one sheet of paper, but for players who want to make things with multiple pieces of paper, the ability to see layers would be welcome.

In addition to always showing your face on screen, Tearaway will prompt you to use both cameras to take pictures. One task involves making faces, which are then complied into a humorous flip-book. In another, an elk asks you to give him a new coat, turing a picture into an in-game texture.

Without question, Tearaway is a must-own title. It’s a lot of fun, incredibly inventive and offers a great reason to own a Vita.

Note: Download version reviewed. A physical, retail version is also available.