Abandoned Vita Sequels: The Untold Story of Sony's Shift

Former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Shuhei Yoshida, has revealed that sequels to two beloved PlayStation Vita games were in the works before resources were redirected towards PlayStation 4 development. These titles, Soul Sacrifice 2 and Freedom Wars 2, were ultimately canceled due to budget constraints as Sony pivoted its focus from the handheld console to the more powerful PlayStation 4 platform. This shift also explains why other Sony first-party intellectual properties didn't receive PlayStation Vita versions akin to Uncharted: Golden Abyss.

In an interview on Sacred Symbols+, Yoshida mentioned the ambitious plans for expanding the universe of these Vita games. At the time, both Soul Sacrifice and Freedom Wars had garnered significant attention and fanbases, particularly in Japan. Soul Sacrifice, crafted by veteran game designer Keiji Inafune in collaboration with Marvelous and SIE Japan Studio, introduced players to a world where they must make sacrifices to wield magic against formidable creatures. An expanded version, Soul Sacrifice Delta, was released shortly after the original, further enriching the gameplay experience.

On the other hand, Freedom Wars, developed by Dimps and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, presented a dystopian future where humanity struggles for survival amidst pollution-ravaged landscapes. Players assumed roles within massive prison cities known as Panopticons, facing challenges tied to resource scarcity. Despite being a niche hit in Western markets, it achieved remarkable sales figures in Japan, making it one of the most successful PlayStation Vita titles upon release. A remastered edition of the game became available earlier this year.

The decision to halt development on these anticipated sequels underscores the broader strategy shift at Sony during that period. As the company prioritized the next generation of gaming consoles, the PlayStation Vita's potential for exclusive content diminished. Consequently, fans of these titles were left longing for continuations that never materialized, highlighting the complexities and trade-offs inherent in the evolution of gaming technology.