LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition
One of the best games on the PlayStation 3 somehow gets even better
Tags: LittleBigPlanet Categories: PS3 Reviews, Reviews
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Oct 14th, 2009
I don’t know why I am having such a hard time writing this review for LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition. I played a bit of LittleBigPlanet before and after its initial release, and found it to be quite enjoyable, but hadn’t really spent a whole heck of a lot of time with the game until now. With this new Game of the Year Edition we get not only the full game, but a host of additional user created levels as well as the premium download content that was available to purchase online.
So what’s my problem? It’s the game itself - I feel that every PS3 owner should have a copy of the game. I could spend a number of paragraphs describing LittleBigPlanet, but it is something that needs to be experienced. Sure, you can watch videos and get an idea of the game, but that wont be the same at all. LittleBigPlanet is a game that needs to be played to be appreciated.
What is the game?
Well, it’s a platformer of sorts, where the player takes a character, in this case Sack Boy, goes from the start position to the finish and gather up a bunch of items while overcoming obstacles. While normally I detest platformers, there is such a charm to LittleBigPlanet and an inventiveness to the levels that helps to overcome the traditional drudgery usually associated with the genre.
Oh, and the fact that you can make your own levels.
Not merely content to slap a few levels together an have the player go through the, what developers Media Molecule have done was create a game where the point seems to be for the player to create their own levels and share them with the world. The game itself that the player goes through seems to be almost more like the developers showing the player how it is done and providing some ideas.
That’s where some of the extra content in the Game of the Year Edition comes in – there are a number of new exclusive levels in addition to the ones that came with the game as it first shipped. Some of these new levels are real showcases for the game and how simplicity can be completely underrated.
The fact that the narrator helping the player along and introducing the world and facilities of LittleBigPlanet (Stephen Fry) seems to be emulating Peter Jones only helps matters.
While there is so much “right” about the game, LittleBigPlanet does have some issues. The biggest is with the controls. For the most part, players will b e able to move their Sack Boy (or Sack Person if you wish) and perform each of the necessary tasks without problem. There will be times, however, when jumping or grabbing on to something or whatever it is that needs to happen – won’t. It’s an issue that comes up often enough to cause some problems, but not enough to detract from the game.
Similarly, there are times when the player and game seem to be at odds as to which plane of existence the Sack Boy is in. Since the game is in a relative 2.5D playing field, and not true 3D, precise placement going back and forth is required, in addition to going from left to right. At times, the game simply won’t recognize where the player wants the Sack Boy to be. This can affect collecting items of even progression in a level.
One of the things I like about LittleBigPlanet is its access ability. There’s enough challenge for hardcore gamers to deal with, but it’s easy enough for more casual players to have success and fun. This is all on top of the creative aspects of the game. I havne’t delved much into the level creation, but there is so much there that it is mind boggling. Players can spend hours and hours creating new levels and share them online. And yes, there are plenty of other user-created levels out there the download and try out as well.
There is so much in LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition that it simply can’t be summed up. I implore you to purchase this game if you own a PS3. There isn’t another game like it, which is good, but the game is so fun, so unique, and so creative that it needs to be seen. Even if you don’t like platformers, like me, you’ll most likely find yourself taken with LittleBigPlanet.
| What Works | Score |
|---|---|
|
+ Wow, there's so much you can do + Original game plus loads of downloadable content and exclusive levels included + Even the game as it was originally released was fun, now there's more of it |
9.6 |
| What Doesn't | |
|
- Control issues still not completely resolved - It's so big and open that it can be daunting |
|
| Under the Shrink-wrap | |
| Every PS3 should have a copy of this game. | |
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Tags: LittleBigPlanet
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Oct 14th, 2009 and is filed under PS3 Reviews, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
