Video Game Review: LittleBigPlanet wins players over
After a long tortuous wait, LittleBigPlanet (LBP) is finally arriving on store shelves – and the wait was worth it.
The first time I played LBP, I was blown away. And the more I played, the more I fell in love, because unlike most other games, this one is never ending.
But before I explain why LBP is never ending, I should first explain the basics. The game is played as a sack person, which is a loveable hand-me-down-looking plush toy that can be dressed up. And, yes, they’re incredibly adorable.
Sack people like to run and jump in a very Mario-esque sort of way. Though not exactly, the game play is very reminiscent of traditional 2D platformers, which is a concept both refreshing and unexpected in this day and age filled with 3D games.
However, the most innovative and rewarding feature is the ability to make and share your own levels – it’s basically YouTube meets gaming – and it works incredibly well.
Pros
Fun factor – I’ve enjoyed every aspect of LBP. The single player is great. The multiplayer is great. Even the online works especially well – I’d say the best on the PlayStation 3.
The game is broken down into geographic regions, such as South America and Africa. Each region is relatively short and offers a diverse mix of standard levels and mini games.
The main story shouldn’t take very long to complete, but collecting 100 percent will add another 15 hours onto the length. And even then, the game still doesn’t end, because user created levels are uploaded constantly.
Simple is better – I often hear about gamers struggling to get their significant other interested in gaming. If that situation sounds familiar, then buy LBP.
Seriously, the controls are so simple that anyone can play, and there’s enough depth to keep the most hardcore gamer interested. It’s like chess – easy to learn, difficult to master. Plus, chicks love adorable stuff, and there is nothing more adorable than a sack person.
Soundtrack – The music in LBP is the best in-game music I’ve heard in years. As players progress through different regions in the game, the music adapts to the environment and creates a pleasant euphoric experience. If I could buy the soundtrack, I would. It’s that good.
Cons
Complicated – My only real gripe with LBP is the level creation tools. If it’s possible to have too much of a good thing, this would be it.
I’m a fan of having plenty of features, but with each feature there’s a resulting tutorial. And trust me, this game is chock-full of them. Though the game does a good job explaining how to build levels, I’m afraid many people will be overwhelmed by the creation process.
Whether you’re a creative, casual or hardcore gamer, LittleBigPlanet will win you over. This game is the reason to buy a PlayStation 3 and a perfect example of what next-gen gaming is all about.
LittleBigPlanet was developed by Media Molecule, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment America. Game was released on Oct. 27 for the PS3, and retails for $60. Played on single, multiplayer and online modes. Add me as a friend, PSN ID: zoopp. Thank you to the PR staff at SCEA.
–tim.russell@aggiemail.usu.edu