Hands-on with Frobisher Says on PS Vita

Imagine the entire Vita launch line-up on a stage.

Stood under the spotlight is the handsome and charming Nathan Drake. The cartoony sprites of Everybody’s Golf and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 jostle for attention just behind him, while Katamari intermittently rolls into view as it goes about its business.

Somewhere, deep in the shadows, there's a chap called Frobisher. If you've never heard of him, you're not alone.

Best described as the lovechild of WarioWare and Bishi Bashi Special, Frobisher Says is a quirky assortment of bite-sized treats, conducted by the game’s grinning child antagonist, which will have you rubbing, tilting, and waving your pricey new handheld all over the shop.

Not being the centre of attention at the Vita’s launch hasn’t dampened Frobisher’s spirits. He’s a demanding little scamp whose every wish is your next objective.

Those familiar with similar micro-game assaults will be at home with this onslaught of bizarre and unlikely activities.

One moment you’ll be pressing buttons in a precise order that will charge up a powerful gun, blasting the approaching foes in your way, and the next you’ll be providing cool air to an overheated lady sandwiched between two businessmen onboard a train.

Frobisher has a nasty streak to him as well. At one point you’ll have to tilt your PS Vita to guide a black cloud over a marching parade and prise open clams that Frobisher will later admit he doesn’t like.

Whatever the job, the Vita handles every single one like a champ.

Triggers, buttons, cameras, gyroscopes, the touchscreen, the rear touch panel - if you can name it Frobisher Says uses it and uses it well. Uncharted might be a visual treat for the masses, but here’s a game that will have you excitedly exploring the hardware.

It doesn’t have the same snap of WarioWare. Nintendo’s quickfire pacing would feel at home here but Frobisher’s a bit more lenient when it comes to timing.

Given how vague some of his demands can be, this is a good thing. We lost 30 seconds traipsing back and forth in a 2D platformer in search of a giant flan dessert hidden in a pitfall.

There's a further side-benefit to this leisurely pace. Nearly 20 artists and designers poured their craft into this downloadable treat, and those extra seconds allow you to appreciate the gallery of styles and unique designs every five-minute round has to offer.

You’ll admire the 8-bit throwbacks and marvel at the bold colours, which really shine on the Vita’s OLED screen.

If you’re sat staring at your Vita pre-order receipt counting down the days, then you shouldn’t hesitate to make use of the early access you’ll get to this game as one of the system’s early adopters.

You may find that it's this, rather than Uncharted, that you show off to your friends.

For an in-depth discussion on this bonkers game with the guys behind Frobisher Says, check out our interview with Honeyslug here.