LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation 3
was released during a time when Sony wonder system wasn't in the best
place in terms of consumer sales. With all the investment Sony put
into the PlayStation 3 there just wasn't really anything that showed
up what the system was capable of. Yes, Uncharted in 2007 started to
shift the PS3 into more positive light (simply by being fantastic),
but one single game can't “save” a platform from failure.
Enter in Media Molecule's darling
character Sackboy. A lovable, customizable character that can
literally be whatever the player wants him/her to be. Whether you
dress him or her up as a pre-made costume (which are readily
available on the PlayStation Store) or you design your own to take
advantage of the near limitless options for customization.
![]() |
So adorable |
*I for one have always been a
fan/supporter of Phil Harrison (former President of Sony Worldwide
Studios and now he has joined the Interactive Entertainment Division
at rival Microsoft...still kinda stings a little), because he wanted
to see developers innovate, wanted to see them not only have an
economic plan for how a game could/will be successful, but also be
passionate about doing something revolutionary, original, new, and
ultimately fun. He green-lit LittleBigPlanet and threw PlayStation's
first-party support behind it. I feel that fire is mostly gone from
Sony these days. So much so that I feel the current batch of
executives are grabbing the burnt out candles from the previous
regime of people that were forced out (Phil Harrison, Ken Kutaragi,
David Jaffe, Cory Barlog...but this topic is for another time).*
While my side rant should be saved for
another time, it is the “embodiment” of what I feel from
LittleBigPlanet PS Vita's Tarsier Studios developed story worlds. I'm
having fun with it, it is more LBP and that is a good thing. However,
it is more of the same. It's the same complaint I have with Mario
games. It is amazing they have a true LBP experience on a handheld,
it really is; sorry LittleBigPlanet PSP...you weren't. Still I get
the “I've done this before and in a slightly better package” vibe
while playing the Vita installment of LBP. As it stands LBP 2 is the
best in the franchise (it was the first game of this franchise to
give the player the tools to make any genre they wanted to play)
LittleBigPlanet PS Vita carries that
over...and it adds front and rear touch...So it isn't very
groundbreaking. From what I've seen of this platform for gamers is
that the user-generated content will be the saving grace. If it can
build up a dedicated following that is...which it should; and I'm in
no way, shape or form saying that LBP Vita is bad. It's just more of
the same and the user generated content will be what really makes
this stand apart as the potential ass-kicking version of LBP. I'm
waiting to see full featured (UGC) of RPG's both J (Japanese) and W
(Western) styles.
The story remains funny and clever in
the dialog. The game plays great. I enjoy the “cut-scenes” that
are scattered around the story worlds. Plus I feel the touch controls
(no pun intended) aren't gimmicky or tacked on. So it is a great
package, but from a franchise that revolutionized twice on PS3 I was
just hoping for more of that type of “same vibe”. The
Revolutionary type of same.
I will say that LittleBigPlanet PS Vita
gets a solid recommendation from me just on the fact that it pulls
off something that no other handheld has ever done before and that is
give the player everything they could possibly want from a game. If
you love LittleBigPlanet, buy this game. If you don't have a Vita,
save up and buy the system with this game. If you have a Vita and
LittleBigPlanet's platforming isn't want you're into, buy this game
for the free User-Generated Levels/Stages/Stories/Co-Op Missions and
more.
From a handheld point of view, it is
like nothing else. As the fourth game in the franchise, I was
expecting something revolutionary, but got an evolutionary
experience. Either way, this has been an enjoyable experience.
(Scroll over to the far right to access the special Just1MoreLevel toolbar and subscribe to the site)
(Scroll over to the far right to access the special Just1MoreLevel toolbar and subscribe to the site)
No comments:
Post a Comment