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LittleBigPlanet
A fun entry in the LittleBigPlanet world but it lacks a part of its soul without multiplayer.
November 17, 2009 | 9:27 AM PSTKombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.
What the Game's About
LittleBigPlanet PSP is the continuation to one of the best games of 2008 that forever changed the landscape of gaming. The game centers around the concept of "Play, Create and Share." More than just marketing lingo, those three words best describe LittleBigPlanet. The PSP version is no different. LittleBigPlanet on the PSP can boast that only a few features had to be left on the cutting room floor. The platforming is good, the creation tools are just as beefy and the winning charm oozes out with the creativity on display. LittleBigPlanet is going to fill a large hole in the PSP library thanks to the crafty work of Sony Cambridge and MediaMolecule.
What's Hot
LittleBigPlanet might share the same name with the PS3 game but this a game all its own. The locations are new and there are additional costumes and stickers to further customize the look and style of the Sackboys and Sackgirls you play as. The stages are diverse and varied. They will take you from an ancient middle eastern markets where you infiltrate a band of thieves to Tinsel Town where you are "hired" on the spot to perform in an action movie. The foundation of imagination that the PS3 game laid isn't lost in translation and actually carries the torch quite well by offering inventive levels that are inspired by unlikely material. The gameplay revolves around physics-based platforming so there are plenty of levers, toggles and rotating landing spots to keep you on your toes.
If you were to judge LittleBigPlanet purely from a technical perspective, it is absolutely stunning. The graphics look just about identical to the PS3, with all the moving parts to accompany the construction paper and cardboard box look. Stephen Fry reprises his role as the whimsical narrator and the music for each of the levels fits with the theme to a T. The level creator is the real stand-out feature of the game because it feels like everything that was included in the PS3 version successfully made it over to the PSP as well. There are some marked improvements like being able to classify an object as dynamic or static. Those created levels can be uploaded to the PSN for the rest of the LittleBigPlanet users to sort through, play and rate. Expect the same type of vibrant community on the PSP as the PS3. The towering technical achievement shows that the PSP still has some tricks up its sleeve after all these years.
What's Not
The controls for LittleBigPlanet still haven't really caught up with the concept of having three different planes you can shift between. The PS3 version wasn't perfect, and the PSP version attempts to fix those problems but runs into the wall of having an less than optimal control setting thanks in part to the over compensation for the PS3 controls and the thumbstick nub. There are spots where it is extra tricky because the controls don't work as you'd hope.
The controls might have some issues but that isn't the biggest one in LittleBigPlanet. Part of the charm and addictiveness is the fact you could play along with three other friends and play through your level creations as a team. That is completely lacking in LittleBigPlanet on the PSP. It even effects the game design because multiplayer platforming puzzles had to be taken out in order to make the levels and secrets accessible for only one player. The map community will also likely be affected since the focus is only on one player rather than deciding if a map would be for more than one player or not. Multiplayer is entwined with the "Play, Create, Share" tenants that LittleBigPlanet is centered around so it feels like part of its soul is missing.
Final Word
LittleBigPlanet is a victim of its own success, to a degree. The PSP version is so well done, it is almost impossible to not compare it fully to the PS3 version. I wouldn't call this game a sequel to LittleBigPlanet (which is probably why Sony left of the "2" off the box), this is a continuation of what the PS3 version started. The game translates well on the PSP and is almost an exact carbon copy of the technical achievements brought forth by its bigger brother. Most importantly, the game is still as fun as ever. The sticking point is the lack of multiplayer. Not having any sort of multiplayer is like getting a giant ice cream sundae without hot fudge. It still might be delicious, but the missing components will keep it from being the best thing ever. LittleBigPlanet for the PSP parallels that sentiment perfectly.
What the Game's About
LittleBigPlanet PSP is the continuation to one of the best games of 2008 that forever changed the landscape of gaming. The game centers around the concept of "Play, Create and Share." More than just marketing lingo, those three words best describe LittleBigPlanet. The PSP version is no different. LittleBigPlanet on the PSP can boast that only a few features had to be left on the cutting room floor. The platforming is good, the creation tools are just as beefy and the winning charm oozes out with the creativity on display. LittleBigPlanet is going to fill a large hole in the PSP library thanks to the crafty work of Sony Cambridge and MediaMolecule.
What's Hot
LittleBigPlanet might share the same name with the PS3 game but this a game all its own. The locations are new and there are additional costumes and stickers to further customize the look and style of the Sackboys and Sackgirls you play as. The stages are diverse and varied. They will take you from an ancient middle eastern markets where you infiltrate a band of thieves to Tinsel Town where you are "hired" on the spot to perform in an action movie. The foundation of imagination that the PS3 game laid isn't lost in translation and actually carries the torch quite well by offering inventive levels that are inspired by unlikely material. The gameplay revolves around physics-based platforming so there are plenty of levers, toggles and rotating landing spots to keep you on your toes.
If you were to judge LittleBigPlanet purely from a technical perspective, it is absolutely stunning. The graphics look just about identical to the PS3, with all the moving parts to accompany the construction paper and cardboard box look. Stephen Fry reprises his role as the whimsical narrator and the music for each of the levels fits with the theme to a T. The level creator is the real stand-out feature of the game because it feels like everything that was included in the PS3 version successfully made it over to the PSP as well. There are some marked improvements like being able to classify an object as dynamic or static. Those created levels can be uploaded to the PSN for the rest of the LittleBigPlanet users to sort through, play and rate. Expect the same type of vibrant community on the PSP as the PS3. The towering technical achievement shows that the PSP still has some tricks up its sleeve after all these years.
What's Not
The controls for LittleBigPlanet still haven't really caught up with the concept of having three different planes you can shift between. The PS3 version wasn't perfect, and the PSP version attempts to fix those problems but runs into the wall of having an less than optimal control setting thanks in part to the over compensation for the PS3 controls and the thumbstick nub. There are spots where it is extra tricky because the controls don't work as you'd hope.
The controls might have some issues but that isn't the biggest one in LittleBigPlanet. Part of the charm and addictiveness is the fact you could play along with three other friends and play through your level creations as a team. That is completely lacking in LittleBigPlanet on the PSP. It even effects the game design because multiplayer platforming puzzles had to be taken out in order to make the levels and secrets accessible for only one player. The map community will also likely be affected since the focus is only on one player rather than deciding if a map would be for more than one player or not. Multiplayer is entwined with the "Play, Create, Share" tenants that LittleBigPlanet is centered around so it feels like part of its soul is missing.
Final Word
LittleBigPlanet is a victim of its own success, to a degree. The PSP version is so well done, it is almost impossible to not compare it fully to the PS3 version. I wouldn't call this game a sequel to LittleBigPlanet (which is probably why Sony left of the "2" off the box), this is a continuation of what the PS3 version started. The game translates well on the PSP and is almost an exact carbon copy of the technical achievements brought forth by its bigger brother. Most importantly, the game is still as fun as ever. The sticking point is the lack of multiplayer. Not having any sort of multiplayer is like getting a giant ice cream sundae without hot fudge. It still might be delicious, but the missing components will keep it from being the best thing ever. LittleBigPlanet for the PSP parallels that sentiment perfectly.
February 8, 2010
