LittleBigPlanet. Sackboy Fun (LittleBigPlanet (PS3))

Member Name: butters

Product:	LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
Date:	18/02/09 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Physics system, level creation.

Disadvantages: Filtering system for published levels.

If you observe someone playing LittleBigPlanet, you'll notice it's pretty simple. Considering the power of the current generation of consoles, it's hard to believe a 2D platformer could grab so much attention, but the reality, it is genius.
As said before, LittleBigPlanet is a side scrolling platformer. It appears to be 2D but it's more 2.5D, because there are 3 layers which you can switch between at will, and these multiple layers come in use when designing your own levels.

The main story will hopefully only take up a small portion of your play time, though it's good none-the-less. It's a general platform game where you play through 25 levels, all linked together by a rather weak story of a Collector stealing toys. What sets it apart from the games though you could play 10 years ago is the realistic physics system, which can be used for a lot of general puzzles and contraptions. For example, running from left to right on a balance beam or a seesaw to tilt it, allowing you to reach a higher platform. The game is full of ideas like this, some simple, though some a lot more complicated.
The levels themselves are extremely well designed. Though they are generally single path levels there are quite a few optional hidden areas to find, all varying in size, and they will hopefully keep you entertained enough to play through each level more than once. As with most platform games, the levels are grouped and themed, some being darker than others though they're all good. Obviously you will have your own favourites though, since some are definitely better than others. The game does a good job of easing you into the levels, though because of this the first few levels do seem a little easy. It's fine though, as it has enough bright colours and contraptions to keep you entertained. The difficult curve is actually quite nice, and although the game never gets too tough, there are definitely some hard sections in the later levels.

Because of the physics system, the controls will take getting used to. Although the controls themselves are fine and easy enough to grasp, the realistic physics system means it will take a while for you to get used to the timing of the jumps, which are quite floaty and can sometimes feel awkward. The 3 layers can get a little confusing sometimes though thankfully the jumps are quite helpful, and your little character will jump to the most appropriate layer, if you are not already on it.
There's a lot more than just running and jumping however. Pressing R1 allows you to grab objects, allowing you to swing from object to object, or complete simple puzzles such as dragging objects around to reach higher places or unlock doors. This can be made more fun with special items such as a jet pack, allowing minor changes to the gameplay. There are also vehicles. The vehicles range from just a skateboard you have to push and then jump on, to a car which you can drive through a level. There is certainly a lot of variety in the game.

The next section of the game is the online. The online mode allows you to do quite a bit. Firstly, you can make and publish your own levels for others to play, secondly you can play other people's levels and then you can also play through the levels in co-op mode.
The co-op works well mostly. With 2 players at least the levels still have a nice flow and there are a lot of sections you can only get to with 2 players (or more). Whilst you would think some sections would be awkward, such as swinging, the characters can grab on to each other, which means your jumps don't have to be frustratingly times together. Co-op however allows 4 players, and a few levels do have sections that can only be reached with 4 players. It can get quite confusing though with so many players on screen, especially in the later levels with more complicated contraptions. For example, in one section you must grab an object, which lowers you down, where you must swing left and right to avoid any dangers. With 4 players though it can get incredibly confusing, with many players getting lost off the edge of the screen and, therefore, dying. It just doesn't quite work with 4 players.
However, with 2 players the game can be incredibly fun. The co-op can be both online and offline, though both can offer a lot of enjoyment, and it is better playing with another person than playing on your own. A small problem however is that the story mode has only 25 levels, whereas there are over 300 000 user created levels. A large majority of these are not made for 2 players in mind, and although you can still have a laugh with another player, the 2 co-op loses a little charm when there are no 2 player only sections for example.

Then there is the level creation. After far too many tutorials to ease you in to the level creation, you can do so much. The tools are so easy to make, and with a variety of switches and materials there really are few things you can't do. Some things may seem impossible when first thought up, but with a little thought you can manipulate objects to do what you want and can learn a few shortcuts. It's guaranteed that if you get into the level creation, random ideas will just pop into your head at weird times, such as when you are going to sleep, and when you manage to make an incredible object, there is a true sense of achievement.
When creating a level you have many tools. Aside from a large amount of materials (various amounts of woods, metals and sponge materials, alongside many stickers) you also have a lot of switches, some you must push and pull, whereas others are activated by player or object proximity (magnets). There are also emitters, meaning you can make objects appear and disappear at will, and it is with these tools you can think up so much. Although level creation is time consuming, it's also very rewarding, and the tools are very easy to use. If you need help you can also bring up grids, which come in use if you need to make something with precision, such as the wheels on a vehicle. Everything you see in the main game you can create, which is mind-boggling when you see some of the complex machines you see in the story.
To achieve all of these objects, you must go through the story mode and collect prize bubbles. A lot of these you can only reach with more than one player, forcing you into co-op. If you get into creating, the replay value of the main levels will be increased drastically, because it is painful seeing that you only have 80% of the prize bubbles in one level, or you play another level and see a person has a fantastic material you don't. Unfortunately, if you are not into level creation, the replay value may be lost on you, because unless you like collecting Playstation Trophies, there will be no need to collect most of the materials, aside from the clothes you can use to make your character and individual. If you are into trophies there will be a lot of replay value in the game, not only with the prize bubbles. You also get trophies for acing levels which is quite difficult and time consuming, yet will keep you entertained.

The final part of online comes from other people's levels. There are definitely some classics there, where some people have spent a lot of time creating a level that would not look out of place in the main game. Most of the levels will be merely "good", made more fun if you are playing with someone else. The main problem comes with the filter system. It appears whether your level gets played a lot is merely down to chance, and it is a shame to see so many good levels get so few plays, whereas so many average levels can get over 10 000. It does spoil the online a little.

There's a lot of DLC for this game, though the majority are just costumes you must pay for. The best DLC though is the Metal Gear Solid Expansion Pack, which adds guns and basic stealth. Though the expansion pack is short, it is definitely worth the £5 charge. The change of pace makes the levels so much fun and the inclusion of a paint gun not only adds to the story mode, but allows people to do so much more in terms of level creation.

Overall it's a brilliant game, and one that can be picked up for less than £20 online. Definitely worth the money for PS3 owners, and though there are definitely problems with the online mode, that doesn't stop it from being tremendous fun, both as a single player game and a co-op game. At the small price of £20, the game is worth it just for the fantastic story mode. Here's hoping the developers, Media Molecule can add more expansions to allow even greater possibilities in level creation.

Summary: Brilliant game, must have for PS3 owners.