Little Big Planet Review

Little Big Planet. A video game released exclusively on Playstation 3 (this game is the sole reason why I now own a PS3, that and Blu-ray). A platformer, to those who don't know what that means, is a game where you primarily go from point A to B all the while jumping and dodging various obstacles, and often solving simple puzzles. In simplest terms... Mario, Sonic, those are platformers.

Watch this video to get an idea of what this is...

The concept is that while dreaming, our minds are in creation mode. We think up some crazy stuff, where does all this creative energy go, it collects in a cortex thingy and forms the world of Little Big Planet. But that is just a little explanation and really has nothing to do with the game itself, just a setup.

What makes Little Big Planet so much fun is the endless amounts of creativity poured into it. Not only does it come with several dozen levels made by the developers, it also gives you the same exact tools they used, so you can create your own levels. Then once you've made your level, you upload it to their servers and people from around the globe can play it and rate it. It is such a brilliant idea, to put so much control into the hands of the player, that the game's possibilities have no end.

I just finished the developer levels yesterday, and ever since I got the game I've been trying other peoples levels here and there. When the game first launched in October, there wasn't too much in the way of user-created content available. Well at least any GOOD user generated content. In the three months since, and with the help of a newly implemented search feature, the amount of great user content has swelled. This past weekend I was playing a level that had me so giddy with pure joy, that I think Becky wondered what the hell I was doing.

To describe this ingenious level quickly: the concept was you are in a space station that is falling apart and you have to restore "gravity" and escape. What made it so much fun was the weightlessness it simulated. In order to do accomplish it they had to mount the entire level on what could be called a timed spring so that every few seconds it would jolt and send you flying into the air, so you had to hold on to the rail lest you be catapulted into space and have to start over. It was a brilliant idea executed with near perfection and it was created by a gamer!

That is what makes playing it so great. The endless possibilities. An added bonus is the amount of support the developers are giving the game. Every week there is new content to download, new costumes and decorations that you can use. This week they are releasing an entire level set designed around the Metal Gear solid series. And if rumors are to be believed Disney has a level pack in the pipe line to take you through their history of Animated films.

So bottom line: This game is designed around the idea of creativity. And it putting that creativity in the hands of the player. An amazing game that you must play! It's a shame it is only on the overpriced $400 Playstation 3.

A+

A couple more notes:

• You play as what is known as sackboy, a little burlap sack boy with a zipper. He is an iconic part of this game, much like mario and sonic where when they were released. Add the fact that there are hundreds of different variations of costumes that you can give him, you can easily personalize him however you wish.
• Holding down the triggers gives you control of Sackboy's arms so you can make him do a little victory arm wave or slap around other sackpeople when they play with you online.
• They utilized the motion sensor in the controller so when you turn the controller in your hand it controls where you little sackperson looks. A small detail but is kinda neat when you switch the control to his hips and you can make him dance and do funny things.

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