Tearaway , an action game set in a paper world, follows the journey of a messenger (either Iota or Atoi) tasked with delivering a message to the sun. The player's character is also the messenger, known as "the You", who is represented by the sun's video capture using the Vita camera.
The gameplay is similar to a traditional third-person action platformer, where the character must explore, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies (Scraps) that shadow the sky. The game utilizes various interactions, such as touching pads to manipulate objects or environments, blowing into the microphone to create wind effects, and picking up and throwing objects.
Throughout the game, confetti can be collected to unlock customizations for the messenger, while meeting characters provide quests for rewards and new items to design. The player can also draw designs using a digital pencil and scissors, cut out items, and customize characters with various colors and accessories. Papercraft plans can be collected, which can be printed out to create real-life items from the game world.
Throughout the game, the Vita camera is used to capture video of the player's face in the center, creating a unique gameplay experience. The rear camera also captures real-world environments and items, allowing them to be used as skins for objects in the game.