LittleBigPlanet 2 Review
LittleBigPlanet 2 for the PS3 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2008 original that let users build their own levels and games using hundreds of in-game virtual tools. LittleBigPlanet 2 is bigger and better, with more tools to stir up gamers imaginations, and a better story mode added to the mix. Stephen Ebert got down to some virtual DIY platforming action in his LittleBigPlanet 2 review.
The good
LittleBigPlanet 2 isn’t all about letting players craft their own platform levels. It has its own story mode too. It’s much better than the one found in the prequel. If you thought the levels in the original were imaginative, you’ve seen nothing yet. The story takes in the appearance of an evil being named Negativitron, who has arrived to bring chaos and general nastiness to the town of Craftworld. As Sackboy, you must make your way through some seriously fun platform-based levels worthy of being compared to those you’ve seen in Super Mario Bros. and the often under-appreciated Crash Bandicoot games. No joke.
This time around Sackboy has new tools such as a Grappling Hook to attach to and swing from objects, lending a new dimension to the gameplay. Sackboy can now grab objects to throw at enemies, and buttons to open doors. A gun, called The Creatinator, even lets Sackboy shoot objects at enemies in new side-scrolling levels reminiscent of classic old-school shooters. The world of LittleBigPlanet is now much more diverse.
For those that prefer to make their own worlds, there are more ways to make levels, and make them more easily. The game’s 50 tutorials (each narrated by famous brainbox Stephen Fry) can now be accessed from the off, rather than having to wade through each.
Thanks to some much-needed changes, you can now create vehicles, robots and all manner of objects capable of being independent of your Sackboy characters. What this means is that instead of just levels, players can now create games. Ever wanted to create your own version of R-Type? Now you can.
The Music Sequencer lets you compose your own soundtracks using an array of real-life instruments and sound effects. The universe is the limit. If it’s stuck in your head, you can recreate it in LittleBigPlanet 2.
The bad
Levels might be easier to make, but constructing your own is still time consuming. If you’ve got the skills, you can make some amazing stuff, but only if you’ve got the patience.
Playing levels made by other players around the world is great fun, but made slightly bothersome by how long these can take to load. Expect loading times of close to a minute for some.
The bottom line
If you love games, and have any ounce of creativity inside you, you must get this. LittleBigPlanet 2 is a fun and revolutionary PS3 platformer guaranteed to provide hours of fun for LittleBigPlanet fans. For everyone else in need of a truly fun platform title, LittleBigPlanet 2 is it.
