Sackboys everywhere, donning dresses, swinging on grappling hooks, narrowly avoiding electrocution: mass, adorable chaos.
The first LittleBigPlanet was a ground breaking title in the sense that it gave gamers unparalleled control to create levels and games all their own. While the process was a bit too daunting for someone like myself, plenty of others found the time to make jaw-dropping masterpieces.
And there’s something like 3 and a half million user-created levels out there now.
Enter LittleBigPlanet 2, a game that developer Media Molecule swore they weren’t going to make.
Is it worth it?
Undoubtedly, yes.
The story: The ‘story’ in LBP2 — like the original — serves primarily as an introduction to new mechanics like the grappling hook, and a way for people to unlock items for use in creative mode. It’s a fun, short adventure where you battle an evil force to right the wrongs happening in the world. By which I mean you’ll run along the top of a train to save baked goods. It’s silly and adorable.
Creative Mode: This is the reason you buy LittleBigPlanet 2. While I found the first game’s creative mode difficult to wrap my head around, LBP2 makes it a comparative snap. And there’s one important addition here that helps LBP2 target a wider range of user-created content than before: The Controllinator. This handy device allows you to control objects in the game other than Sackboy (ie; cars, spaceships, etc) and opens the door to even more outrageous inventions than before. Hooray! Media Molecule also made it a cake walk to find the kinds of levels you want to play, using filters and tags and sorting options. Be sure to hit up http://lbp.me/ which is the official site for user-content and will allow you to add content to your PS3 download queue after you login. Again, it’s all been made easier on us, the gamers.
The graphics: LBP2 is a fantastic looking game. In one sense, it seems like it would have to be, since there’s nothing quite as intense as flying through a Mass Relay or anything. But don’t let the cuteness fool you: the lighting effects, animations, textures and character models are al top-notch.
The gameplay: I have one major qualm with how LBP2 plays. The physics is annoying for a platformer. I had this complaint with the first game and its iteration on the PSP. The physics isn’t broken or anything like that, but it tends to lead to misses and jumps that go awry when they really shouldn’t. Otherwise, the game controls like a well-oiled machine.
The audio: I love the music in LittleBigPlanet 2. It fits perfectly, and (as I’ve said several other times in this review) it fits the adorable nature of the game. The voicework — which I’m distinguishing from the cute non-language of the Sack People — is wonderful and pleasantly cheeky.
Final thoughts: Yes, LittleBigPlanet 2 is very similar to its predecessor in terms of design, control and tone. But that’s not a bad thing. And the new toys it brings to the table are likely to blow your Sackboy mind.
Final grade: A
LittleBigPlanet 2 is rated E for Everyone and is available for the PS3.