LittleBigPlanet is the perfect oxymoron. There is nothing little about LBP and it has to be the biggest game to arrive on Sony's flagship console in many years if not ever. LittleBigPlanet is the brain child of Media Molecule headed by Mark Healey, Alex Evans, David Smith and Kareem Ettouney all former Lionhead Studios employees.
Media Molecule is currently based in Guildford, United Kingdom and was founded in January 2006. LittleBigPlanet is Media Molecule first major game, the founders worked on the indie-game Rag Doll Kung Fu while still at Lionhead.I have played the Little Big Planet US beta and Japanese version for about 15 days(360 hours) or so and I have to say I had the biggest let down this past Sunday when I was notified by a error message(8002951B) that stated my product was no longer available the LittleBigPlanet beta is officially over but I sadly digress.
Play
Little Big Planet beta has to be one of the most complete betas I have ever played. The beta allows you to play one mini-game by yourself or with your friends online or with someone right there with you. You were also given a few level made by Media Molecule that can be played by yourself or with your friends online. The retail version of LBP will have a total of about 20 levels with rich diverse variety. The levels that came with LBP beta gives you a great sense of what can be done and also serves as a playground for you to gather collectible stickers and other prizes that can be later used to create or decorate/vandalize your level or someones 100 hour creation.
Playing LBP by yourself can be tremendous fun playing while playing with other is almost as much fun as having an orgy with four Swedish models on a slip and slide drenched with baby oil.
The controls for LBP are pretty good for the most part. You are able to navigate through a 2.5 dimension plane. There is a fore-ground, a back ground and the middle. The computer for the most part will automatically switch your sackboy/sackgirl through this imaginary plane sometime it becomes a pain in the ass but for the most part it works. I think this may be the biggest complaint by many gamers.
Create
Creating your very own level in LittleBigPlanet is where LBP becomes arguable the most captivating engaging creative experiences ever on any current and past console. The suite of tools that are provided by Media Molecule are very easy and accessible. Heck, even a 5 year old can do it, seriously its kinda scary.
Physics plays an enormous role in making LittleBigPlanet shine. Gravity behaves like it should, Glass behaves like it should. The possibilities are endless with future patches such as, flowing water, flowing lava, weather implementation that effects your level properties and almost anything else you can think of.
One thing that gets a little annoying about LBP when you unlock a new tool you have to proceed and complete a tutorial. Now the tutorial last only a few minutes and the voice over which illustrates how to complete each tutorial embraces each lesson with a splash of humor.
Share
Once you are done creating your personal masterpieace you can share your frinkencreation with the Sony PS3 owners around the world. Once your creation is done people who plays it can hearted(bookmark/favorites) it. This is a great way to see what others thing about the level you just made or the level you are about to playonline.
There is a great filter where you can filters all the authors levels, or you can search for specific level or your can stick with the levels that you have "hearted". Being able to share your endless creations makes LittleBigPlanet and endless stomping ground of old school fun.
Should you pre-oreder Now!
Hell yes, if you are the hardest of the hardcore gamers LBP will appeal to you and if you are just a casual gamer LBP will appeal to you. Some may find it boring jumping around trying to avoid their death or the level creator a little overwhleming. But if you are looking for something that play homeage to all things old school thats has almost endless appeal with a next generation flare and style LBP is the game for you. The other gripe with LBP, if you have any kids over the age of 4years old boy/girl, will say good bye to any me time with LittleBigPlanet. LittleBigPlanet is a five year dream come true. My young one probably dreams about LBP in her sleep. I just bought her a Nintendo DS and I think she has totally forgotten she owns a Nintendo DS. She does not know yet there is no more LBP beta its going to break her little heart.
PSN: ProPaperPusher
