LittleBigPlanet 2 – Reviewed (PS3)
In 2008, an evolution in gaming occurred, a game that knocked down some barriers and a game that brought back the feelings of being like a child again. That game was LittleBigPlanet, a platformer that allowed you to build and create as well as play.
LittleBigPlanet was critically acclaimed but although it didn’t sell as well as it should has become a slow burner but with over 3 million levels built, jobs created from gamers ingenious designs and a whole lot of fun to be had, the foundation i set for a new and improved version, LittleBigPlanet 2 to hit the market.
Instead of a rinse and repeat exercise to cash in on the first title, Media Molecule have decided, this time, to go balls out to provide something altogether spectacular, simplifying the creative process and also allowing you to create not just extra levels but complete games of various genres.
The story mode, narrated once again by Stephen Fry, once again sees Sackboy, um now called Sackperson for more PC take on our loveable character, craftily traversing six unique areas comprising of 7 or so levels in each to get a better grasp and understanding of the gameplay, collecting those all important stickers, clothing, objects, keys to unlock bonus levels that you can take with you when you decide to build your own level or game as well as partaking into playing some extravagant game designs by the very supportive and extensive community. The level design of the campaign is robust, challenging in places and of course, designed to offer co-operative play to achieve a 100% completion of all the items available. With a length of 7 – 8 hours to complete first time around there is plenty here to go back to as you try to collect everything you possibly can.
In some games 7 – 8 hours equals a complete game but with LittleBigPlanet 2 it merely serves as an appetiser for what is the most expansive game ever in terms of replayability. LittleBigPlanet 2 not only serves to quench the thirst of the platform enthusiast but has been developed to cater for gamers of every genre as the simplified, but ever more expansive, toolkit is enabled to offer players the chance to craft their own gem of a game and upload it into LBP legend with the community downloading, playing and faving it if your creation stands up to the toughest reviewers around, the other people playing them.
Online I have encountered endless examples of creative flair from the faithful recreations of games from the past to platform levels that would put some developers to shame. The ability to show off your design skills put this game back into the hands of the gamer to create some memorable gems that will played over and over again when you feel the need to deviate from the campaign. LittleBigPlanet 2 shows on many an occasion that the only thing that will stop you from creating the next big thing is YOUR lack of creative juices which can be honed to produce some expert craftsmanship of your own.
If you think that you can just dive in and create then you would be wrong. Games and levels take time to master and is a sub genre in itself. Where progressive creative design tools in the eighties worked in stopping pixels from clashing and programming characters to move in a one dimensional way, LittleBigPlanet 2 allows you to create unique A.I. Sackbots, each with their own personality as well as custom designed objects such as cars that have their own programmed switches to act upon how the gamer plays the game. A small thing to some but huge in the development cycle of the game and enables you to expand upon basic design and programming theories at a click of a few buttons and a pull of a few strings.
As well as all of these rich features LittleBigPlanet 2 also holds firm onto what made the original so great. The ability to collect and customise your sackperson and everything else that is in the game. Through collections of stickers, to costumes that will put a smile on everybody’s face there is something there for everyone. Co-operative play also has an addictive quality again as you and up to 3 other friends or random people can play through any game or level that you please, collecting extra items to add to your arsenal of creative materials or just play for fun, making friends along the way.
From racing games to RPG’s, action shooters to wacky puzzle games, LittleBigPlanet 2 gives power to the people and dares them to improve and also understand what it takes to create a great game. Originality on all levels is what puts this game firmly into the all time top list of games that have ever been created, utilising the PS3′s capabilities to great effect. Graphically beautiful and vibrant, something almost from the Tony Hart school of design, LittleBigPlanet 2′s mass appeal speaks to the young as well as bring out the inner child in you, reminiscing of years gone by.
In short, LittleBigPlanet 2 is a gaming masterpiece, it pulls on your heart strings, make you feel warm and fuzzy and at the core works the old grey matter to make you tinker away for hours, days and weeks to try and outdo what Media Molecule have brought to the table. If you have a PS3 or are thinking of buying one then one title will stand head and shoulders above them all and LittleBigPlanet 2 is it.
Sponsored by:- Music Matters – The premier audio and visual outlet
Review copy supplied the the publisher
