Velocity Ultra

 PlayStation Vita
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Gaming Age
    Jul 15, 2013
    100
    It looks great, it sounds great and it plays great. It is, quite simply, just a great game, and a must-have for Vita owners.
  2. ZTGD
    Jul 15, 2013
    90
    In the end, Velocity Ultra stands as one of my favorite 2D scrolling shooters and a pleasant surprise that harkened back to the day where I was eagerly looking forward to each new release in the genre.
  3. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Jul 12, 2013
    90
    Got a Vita and never played the original? Then get this. [August 2013, p77]
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  5. PlayStation Universe
    Jul 11, 2013
    90
    Imaginative gameplay meets tactical depth in this pure arcade shooter with enough content and competitive thrills to distract from infrequent quirks.
  6. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Jul 7, 2013
    90
    Aside from a few minor technical issues (they should be fixed in a future patch) and less than impressive visuals, Velocity Ultra is perfect for PlayStation Vita owners who want a fun, fast-paced, and just overall awesome game.
  7. Eurogamer Italy
    Jun 7, 2013
    90
    Velocity Ultra is must have for every Vita owner. This HD version of FuturLab's retro shooter has improved controls and graphics, but, most important thing, is ridiculously fun.
  8. Push Square
    May 30, 2013
    90
    Velocity Ultra has found a perfect home on Vita: it plays even better due to the extra inputs, and it's exactly the sort of game that you can whip out for a couple of minutes on a bus or an hour at home. It's a strong display of FuturLab's mastery of the PlayStation download domain – this absolutely belongs on your system.
  9. Pocket Gamer UK
    May 27, 2013
    90
    For those who never played the original Velocity, then Ultra is a must. But if you have already had your fun with the Minis version, you may want to carefully consider how much leaderboards and Trophies will add for you.
  10. PlaySense
    May 24, 2013
    90
    This game once started as a great MiNi and is now transformed into a great title for the PlayStation Vita. It's an addicting an challenging experience that will stay with you for a long time. An annoying bug may temper the excitement somewhat, but ultimately, that is of little importance.
  11. Edge Magazine
    May 21, 2013
    90
    It’s a game that leads by example, never keeping still while making sure you do likewise, and is every bit as essential now as it was 12 months ago.
  12. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 7, 2013
    88
    Few great additions aside from the new graphics, but Velocity Ultra is still one of the best shoot'em ups on PlayStation Vita.
  13. Vandal
    Jun 3, 2013
    85
    Quotation forthcoming.
  14. IGN
    Jul 23, 2013
    84
    Velocity Ultra doesn't have screen-clearing super weapons or massive, three-stage boss fights like a lot of its vertically scrolling cousins do. But with its clever teleporting trick, it does something completely different from most of them and it does it extremely well.
  15. Game Informer
    Jul 31, 2013
    80
    Velocity Ultra looks, plays, and sometimes feels like a traditional vertical scrolling shooter, but has a level of accessibility and innovation that separates it from comparable games. Its main hook is one I never felt fully comfortable with, but it didn’t hinder the overall experience. The genre convergence on display here is exciting, and worth playing even if you typically avoid shoot ‘em ups.
  16. Play UK
    Jul 23, 2013
    80
    You'll get annoyed - really annoyed - but it's worth it. And, as it turns out, it's actually pretty fast after all. [Issue#233, p.81]
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  17. Gamestyle
    Jul 22, 2013
    80
    Velocity Ultra definitely has a minimalist approach to the graphics, but then the game doesn’t need to be flashy, the gameplay is what will make it stand out from the crowd. Music is at times repetitive and, as previously stated, the game takes a few too many levels to get going, but these are minor quibbles in an otherwise brilliant title.
  18. Everyeye.it
    May 30, 2013
    80
    Addictive, fast-paced and embellished with an excellent level design. Velocity Ultra is a fun side-scrolling shooter, recommended for fans of the genre.
  19. NowGamer
    May 24, 2013
    80
    This is the definitive version of Velocity Ultra, but not because of its fancy new graphics and effects. Velocity Ultra is a perfect match for a console that can be carried around with you, and if you've yet to play the game then this is the way to play it.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PS Vita Game of 2013
18
#18 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2013
26
#26 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 75
  3. Negative: 8 out of 75
  1. xxAcesHighxx
    Jul 21, 2013
    9
    As a self-confessed huge shmup-aholic, I, along with an overwhelming number of PSP owners who took the plunge, utterly adored Velocity in it'sAs a self-confessed huge shmup-aholic, I, along with an overwhelming number of PSP owners who took the plunge, utterly adored Velocity in it's original, 'Minis' form. However despite it's critical success (culminating in 9 out of 10 reviews from the esteemed pages of EDGE and Pocket Gamer), as a package, I must admit to harbouring an unshakable tinge of disappointment that, as a game built from the ground up for last-gen hardware, Velocity was unfortunately lacking the polish that it's otherwise high-end tactility and gameplay so desperately deserved. This was particularly evident when playing on a Playstation Vita.

    Aside from the now ubiquitous inclusion of highscore leaderboards to climb and PSN trophies to hoard, all that was needed was that final layer of HD-spit and native OLED-polish that would truly elevate this high-grade shooter to the lofty heights of indie folklore. Well, at least as far as Playstation indies are concerned. And now with the utterly fabulous Velocity Ultra, British based outfit, FuturLab are finally able to bask in all the glory and plaudits that their wonderfully nuanced and deeply rewarding IP so richly deserved from the very beginning.

    Having had a love affair with 8 and 16-bit pixel art for as long as I can remember, I must admit to initial pangs of disappointment to find the absence of the original games beautifully 'old skool' visual flavour, but I have always trusted this developers judgement, and pretty much consider their shift in presentational style to be a necessary evil of sorts.

    Regardless of what type of game floats your particular boat, Velocity Ultra is a truly exceptional game, much less one confined to the genre-specific reaches of shoot'em-up fame. As such, it represents the very embodiment of Sony's hugely appreciated pursuit of bringing some of the very finest offerings from the indie community to handheld and console audiences, both this gen and next. And I for one, couldn't be happier.

    9 out of 10    … Full Review »
  2. RUST
    May 28, 2013
    9
    It is shockingly, almost unbelievably, just so very much better than the original. Combine this with Sine Mora and you have yourself theIt is shockingly, almost unbelievably, just so very much better than the original. Combine this with Sine Mora and you have yourself the perfect escape for that daily four hour train commute to and from work. And then some.… Full Review »
  3. Plasmaneedle
    May 25, 2014
    9
    Velocity Ultra is completely unlike any other shmup in a good way. The teleportation mechanic adds depth to the gameplay and makes the formulaVelocity Ultra is completely unlike any other shmup in a good way. The teleportation mechanic adds depth to the gameplay and makes the formula more addictive. It's accessible but very fun a good quality for portable games.… Full Review »
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