REVIEW – I remember in 2008 when I stepped into one of my favorite console shop, and the clerk tried to get me to buy the first Little Big Planet. I ignored it saying that I don’t need such childish jumping platformer. Later I did get it, and I was totally sucked into the world’s creativity, and the community’s millions of custom maps / charm which made me feel like a real child again.

 

Although the developers have stated that the first game would be the last, a sequel was created due to the pressure from the publisher) bought the game on the first day). Now after four years the third game is released, but by an entirely different development team. Sumo Digital is a pretty unknown name to most of us, they mostly did PSP games, and this year’s biggest title was Forza Horizon 2. This led to a ton of questions, and what can an unknown team do with this IP. Well in the end they produced an entry that I was amazed. They brought us one of the best Littile Big Planet episode.

When you first start the game, a really neat feature appears: If we played the previous games, any bought content will be transferred. So in about a minute you’ll have millions of levels, and all of your costumes to make Sackboy more familiar.

Don’t believe Newton

Although the story is a rather cliché, it does grabs you from the beginning. The new villain, Newton persuades Sackboy to unleash an ancient power, and destroy the paradise of creativity. Our mission is to save the three characters that stopped the ancient evil, and catching Newton.

The gameplay is basically the same as the previous games, a platformer, jumping around all the time. The only difference is that it’s done with such creativity that it is entirely original. Such creativity should be shown to all who try to create a platformer. It’s new, varied, and done perfectly, so much so that I could not even believe my eyes. My favorite part was where the portals from Portal made an appereance. The difficulty scaling is also just about right, so you’ll need to use your brain also not just your dexterity to progress on a level. Besides there are levels that aren’t platformer based.

I don’t want to burst your bubble

There are also many collectable items (bubbles), which we can use to enter secret sections of levels, or upgrade our costumes. I would like to note that you’ll have to revisit the already completed levels if you wish to unlock everything, as some of the items needed for entry are actually in later levels.

LBP’s biggest strength is most definitely the co-op mode, which has also been improved. All three unlockable characters are controllable (Allowing a four player fun time) and have different abilities, which we will have to use fully to complete a level. The doglike Oddsock can climb special surfaces, Swood the bird can fly and pick up friends / items, Toggle ( is like a big sack 🙂  ) can change his size.
I cannot emphasise how much this is when playing with kids, friends, and family. Of course we can also change the apperance of the characters as much as we want ( hundreds of costumes).

It’s funnier with others

The other draw of this game is the community. There are thousands of home-made maps created, and we can also create our own (after a quick intro) which we  can share with the community. There are no limits or bounds to our creativity.

The graphics are great, and matches with the game’s atmosphere. This is the first entry for the PS4 and it ran in 1080p smoothly. Annnd the music, is really great. I can see it the way developers were searching for the music for the levels and shouted : THIS IS THE ONE. It’s perfect.

What else could I say ? It’s a total surprise for the third time. It holds up to a Mario and Rayman, and in some cases even surpasses those two series.

Go back to your inner child

Be it a child, men or women anyone can and should play this entertaining game.  If you are creative, like to create levels, you’ll have 100 of hours in the level editor.

Or just enjoy other people’s creations. I hope families will not ignore this game, as it is a perfect for the Christmas tree. They will not be disappointed.

-Sonny Cavalera-

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Editor: Sumo Digital

Developer: SCEE

Genres: platformer, 2D, action

Publication: 2014 November