Little Big Planet (PS3)

[Shinyhubcaps]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Just had my first "Boss" Battle in story mode today. Wasn't like a big mind-cramping fight, but getting to him is a little tough. Won't spoil it for anyone.

Would you describe it as "Mega-Man-esque"?

Just wanted to coin a word. I guess I'll see for myself when Amazon decides to ship my game.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

LOL, now everyone loves IGN reviews

[bjf1377]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Well, my buddy just sold his Wii, bought a PS3, and decided to get Little Big Planet early. I know nothing about the game cause none of us have ever had a PS3, so it should be interesting to see how cool this game is.

[chia51]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Is this going to be a Disc-only game... or is it going to be DL like Warhawk?

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Is this going to be a Disc-only game... or is it going to be DL like Warhawk?

Disc only.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Tonight I'll type some detailed points of interest for you guys, hopefully giving you a mini-review of what I think about the game so far.

To be honest though really only half of the game has been available to me, that being the story mode. I really have no clue how the user-created levels and such will work, as I haven't been able to test them out.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

I now present ChubbyBanana's Big "Little Big Planet" review. Hopefully you guys can enjoy it.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I know it's long, but there's just so much to cover.

Introduction To Little Big Planet

Little Big Planet is quite possibly one of the most anticipated and biggest fall releases for the Playstation 3 game console. With the options to create user levels and share them via the Playstation Network, the amount of customization and replayability of the game seems endless. But does the game live up to the hype?

When you first fire up the game, the introduction sequence gives you the back story and premise of the game. Little Big Planet is the place where our dreams go, a subliminal conscious deep in space where our bed time imaginations come alive.

After a 600Mb Install you are quickly taken through a playable credit sequence and intro, which is the first display of the controls and physics engine. After you make it through the controllable credits, you are taken to your Pod, which is basically your control panel through which you navigate through the world of Little Big Planet.

Imagine your Pod as your apartment or college dorm room. It’s a place where you and your other little Sackboys can hang out and meet up before you chose what levels to conquer. It’s fully customizable also, which means you get to decorate your little place as you see fit. Paint the walls in any of the thousands of designs you can find throughout the game. It’s a nice touch, and keeps the pod from looking like a boring cardboard box.

Controls

The controls of Little Big Planet are in my opinion it’s greatest accomplishment, and yet at the same time can be it’s biggest weakness. The best thing about the controls is that they are very simple. You have the left analog stick which controls your movement, you have the “X” button which is your jump button, and you have the R1 button which is used to grab. It’s good to see a game that can offer so much fun while having such simple controls. A few levels in and you will have them down in no time.

The game while having the appearance of a two-dimensional side scroller, also has 3 planes to it that you would imagine as depth to the level. While the game usually is pretty good at determining which plane you need to be on by itself, there are times where the controls get confusing, and end up costing you a life. It doesn’t happen enough to really distract or take away from the gameplay experience, but there are times where it can be very frustrating, especially when on one’s last life.

Life System

Little Big Planet bases the life system through a series of checkpoints throughout the level. While I am generally not a fan of the checkpoint for life system in video games, this game does a fairly good job with it. The checkpoints are often spaced far enough apart to create a challenge at times, but never so far apart that the game would seem impossible to complete.

Story Mode

The Story mode of the game is where I have been spending most of my time. The story mode consists of 20 levels which can be completed via single player or multiplayer co-op. The story mode levels are where the games graphics and ingenuity really shine. There are several times where I was just flat out amazed at the colors and sights of the levels. They look especially good on an HDTV Setup, although I’m sure SDTV users will also find the colors and level design stunning.

Each of the levels will feature several puzzles which you must complete to finish each level, along with several others that you will need to complete to 100% each level. While the levels and puzzles are never really super complex, there are some times where trial and error will be needed to figure out the right path.

While going through the levels, there are also secret areas where different items can be collected. The items range from objects which can be used when creating your own levels, to bubbles and stickers. The stickers help you open other secret areas later on in the game, where as the bubbles add to your final score. You also collect different costumes/outfits for your little Sackboy, which is a really nice touch. With the amount of costumes and customizable options when it comes to your Sackboy the possibilities seem endless.

Online and Level Creator

While I haven’t had a lot of time to devote to the online portion of the game, I will touch a little bit on the level creator. The level creator the one portion of the game that I think will really add to and help the replayability of the game. Imagine if anything you saw in the story mode of the game was available to you in the level creator, with the options to customize those items to your own content. That’s what I would consider a good way to gauge the custom level design portion of the game. While there are some limitations, I can imagine we will be seeing some great levels to come in the future from Little Big Planet Community.

Sound

The sounds of the game don’t really need that much explaining. While the game interaction sounds are great, the background music that plays in the game is fantastic. The soundtrack is pleasantly calm is certain areas, and at other times will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s really well done.

Conclusion

Overall Little Big Planet is a very fun game to play. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of platform games. While it is a big childish and cartoonish at times, it will present most players with a challenge, without going to the length of being frustrating to play.

With the second part of the game being about level creation and sharing, I can’t imagine this game will be leaving my Playstation 3 anytime soon. While the controls are shaky in certain scenarios, it’s nothing that completely ruins the game.

For a game that was touted early on as being the one to “Save the System” earlier in the year, it sure has helped me dust off my Playstation 3 and given me plenty of laughs and enjoyment along the way.

[bjf1377]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Good review CB! I will agree that its good for some laughs. I haven't touched the controller yet, but I've laughed just watching my friend play

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Good review CB! I will agree that its good for some laughs. I haven't touched the controller yet, but I've laughed just watching my friend play

Thanks BJF.

I'm currently stuck on the second to last mission. Guess I should have waited to write that review until I actually beat the story mode.

I'm not stuck puzzle wise per say, it's just a complicated series of jumps, or maybe I just haven't found the alternate route yet. That happens a lot of the time.

I'm still having fun though, and that's what matters.

EDIT: I just beat it. End boss is probably the toughest one in the story mode, as it should be. Took me a couple tries to get him, which is just about right as far as difficulty IMO.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Thanks for the review CB! Makes the wait that much harder though!
So it will be in stores Wednesday the same as Fable 2? Have them both paid for

[Flawless]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Qu'ran references force worldwide LittleBigPlanet recall

Sony has confirmed that it is delaying the release of LittleBigPlanet and recalling the game from retailers worldwide because it has identified "two expressions that can be found in the Qu'ran" in one of the background songs.

The publisher has told Eurogamer that this means every copy of the game currently with retail in the world will be recalled and replaced, and retailers have started notifying customers of the hold-up.

"During the review process prior to the release of LittleBigPlanet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur'an," Sony said in a short statement.

"We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologise for any offence that this may have caused."

According to an archived snapshot of a PlayStation.com forum post (thanks vg247), the offending phrases are in the first 30 seconds of the background music to the Swinging Safari level.

Sony has said that a new launch date for the game - previously due out on 24th October - will be announced shortly, amid retail speculation that the game will go out on 14th November.

[Blzer]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Qu'ran references force worldwide LittleBigPlanet recall

Wow, gay.

[bucksfan07]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

What? Are you serious, freaking November now

[Skyboxer]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

Well at least that gives me time to get some Fable 2 and Fallout 3 gaming in...
Delay not a biggie I guess...

[rumfinator]

Re: Little Big Planet (PS3)

The one game I have been looking forward to playing with my gf.