LittleBigPlanet PSP

Released on 20/11/2009

• LittleBigPlanet PSP Review

  Make, Do and Mend

  After a shaky year or two PS3 is now well and truly established in the market and is looking forward to a pretty stunning Christmas, software-wise. Not all the action is happening on Sony's black behemoth, though. Making the platform leap from PS3 to PSP is Sony Cambridge Studio's hugely successful LittleBigPlanet, and if you can ignore all the big PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii ad campaigns appearing on TV and in the press, it's LittleBigPlanet PSP that you should really be looking to spend your chrimbo budget on.

  Something For Everyone

  The game follows the trials of Sackboy, a cute little creature who the player is able to customise at the start of the game before embarking on his adventure. The idea is that as you play so you learn more about what Sackboy is capable of and how best to use his abilities. By using various tools and craft materials players can construct objects in order to help them solve puzzles, overcome obstacles and collect new objects that will become useful later in the game.

  LittleBigPlanet features 30 developer designed levels that will test the skills of gamers of every age and ability.

  This PSP version is no slouch when it comes to content. Spanning seven themed worlds, LittleBigPlanet features 30 developer designed levels that will test the skills of gamers of every age and ability.

  Creating objects in the game is a simple affair. Using the Popit menu you can select Sackboy's materials, stickers and tools and then create, modify and move pretty much any in-game object you like. In addition, each material has realistic physical properties and will behave as you would expect it too.

  Share and Share Alike

  Once you've got the hang of the creation tools the real fun begins because not only can you make up your own challenges but you can publish and share them online via the PlayStation Network.

  Even if you don't use the game's level design capabilities, you'll almost certainly head online to take advantage of other players' creations.

  The great thing about LittleBigPlanet is that even if you're the sort of player who completes a game then stuffs it in a drawer, you might change your habits here. Even if you don't use the game's level design capabilities, you'll almost certainly head online to take advantage of other players' creations. What's more, if a friend has got creative on LittleBigPlanet's ass, he or she can effortlessly share their creations with you. In fact, the replay possibilities are practically endless.

  There's very little negative to say about LittleBigPlanet PSP, except perhaps that not everything works quite as well on the small screen as it does in high definition on your telly.

  That aside, Sony has created a beautiful and fascinating game, cementing the already good reputation of a modern classic. And if gamers have any sense at all, LittleBigPlanet PSP will surely be one of the big sellers this Christmas.

  GAME's Verdict

  

  • Beautiful looks.
  • Intriguing gameplay.
  • Lots of level.
  • Level creation.
  • Share stuff online.

  

  • Not quite as good on the small screen.

  Review by: Simon 'Cackboy' Kirrane
  Version Tested: PSP
  Review Published: 18.11.09

  Published: 18/11/2009

• LittleBigPlanet PSP Review

  Small but perfectly formed

  The original LittleBigPlanet was a must-buy for PS3 owners - a beautifully crafted, uniquely styled platform game which had the added bonus of giving players the chance to design their own levels. The PSP version looks set to be a similarly essential purchase for fans of Sony's handheld, being just as pretty, polished and fun to play.

  Once again the motto of LittleBigPlanet is 'Play, Create, Share'. But this isn't just a plain old port of the PS3 game - there are 30 brand new levels and seven different locations to explore. The environments are brilliantly designed, and complete with all manner of obstacles to overcome and fun objects to play with. Favourite items from the original game, like the awesome jetpack, are present and correct.

  Boys and their toys

  Also returning is Sackboy, the hero of the first game. He (or she, if you prefer to design yourself a Sackgirl) is just as charming as ever and can be dressed up with even more cute outfits and adorable accessories. Sackboy can run, jump, fly and swing his way around levels with ease. It feels as though the controls have been tightened up slightly for the PSP game - there's not quite the same degree of floatiness to characters' movements, which makes it easier to control them. It also helps that there are now only two planes of depth rather than three, which could lead to confusion in the PS3 game.

  But while the improved controls make getting around easier there's still plenty here to challenge the most hardened of platforming veterans. The difficulty curve can be quite steep once you're through the early batch of levels and some of the trickier sections can be seriously frustrating. Happily though, checkpoints pop up more frequently than in the previous version.

  Choose your own adventure

  There's incentive to keep going when things get tough in the form of all those costumes, stickers and objects to collect. You can use the stuff you've picked up to design your own environments with the fully-fledged level editor. The game gives you complete freedom to explore your creativity and try out different ideas, and it's amazing what you can produce if you put in the effort.

  In fact, the only thing which might limit your designs is your own skill level. Making levels which are fun to play can be quite tough, and good deal of patience and commitment are required to be successful.

   

  More, more, more

  The good news is you can ignore the level editor altogether if you want and treat LittleBigPlanet PSP as an excellent platform game, plain and simple. In any case there's a potentially endless supply of new content to enjoy as you're able to download and share user-created levels - either ad hoc or via an internet connection. The downloading process is simple and fast and the ratings system makes it easy to find levels which are worth playing.

  So all in all, LittleBigPlanet PSP has just as much to offer as the PS3 game. There is, however, one exception - this version doesn't feature a multiplayer mode. Apparently this is down to the technical limitations of the hardware rather than a conscious decision on the developers' part, but it's still a bit of a shame.

  Great things come in little packages

  However, when considered in the context of everything else the game has going for it, the lack of multiplayer isn't a huge issue. There's plenty to be going on with thanks to the superb single-player game, the excellent level editor and the option to download more content.

  LittleBigPlanet PSP has all the charm and style of the PS3 game in a portable package, and that means it's well worth checking out.

  

  Boy Oh Boy!
  + Brilliant platforming fun.
  + Total freedom to get creative.
  + Superb presentation, audio and visuals.

  Sack It Off:
  - No multiplayer mode.
  - Frustrating in places.
  - Level editor requires patience.

• The Sackboy is back in town - LittleBigPlanet sequel detailed

  Sony has confirmed that the much-rumoured LittleBigPlanet 2 will release this year, officially unveiling the game to selected members of the specialist press and detailing a wealth of brand new features for what's likely to be one of the most anticipated games of 2010.

  The franchise's loveable avatar Sackboy returns, this time in possession of a grappling hook which offers a much quicker way to get around, as well as causing a great deal of knockabout chaos in multiplayer. The hook is also handy for those wanting to make levels, too - letting Sackboy grab items more easily.

  The creative aspect has been expanded significantly, with players now able to work in a number of different genres, while a hugely flexible camera system will let players craft their own story sequences: essentially, users will be able to create entire games rather than just single levels. Meanwhile, the new 'digital puppetry' system offers the chance to make creatures and machines with their own artificial intelligence.

  With early footage showing a top down racing game, an Arkanoid clone and a side-scrolling space shooter, it seems LittleBigPlanet 2 will offer more creative freedom than ever before. Expect to hear more about this PS3-exclusive sequel in the run-up to its release this winter.

• Sony dates LittleBigPlanet 2

  Sony has dropped a very cuddly, home-made bomb: LittleBigPlanet 2 will be released in the US on 16th November. That means that the chances are very good that we'll be getting the game in November as well.

  While there's no firm date announced for Europe, it would be unlikely that a release as big as this would be delayed for too long.

  If you aren't in the know, LittleBigPlanet 2 is the sequel to the best-selling Playstation 3 game, which lets you play through and build your own 2D platform games. The sequel ups the ante, providing tools which should help you to make any kind of game at all, from racers, RTS titles, to side-scrolling shooters. There's a handy creative interface to use, and you can share your work with people around the world. If you built a load of stuff for the first LittleBigPlanet, don't worry: it will still work in the sequel apparently. How thoughtful!

  As if that wasn't enough, the PlayStation 3 exclusive will also be getting a special collector's edition. The box will contain: a plushie Sackboy (the game's mascot), LBP-themed book ends, loads of exclusive costumes and five LBP2 PlayStation Network avatars. Nice!

• LittleBigPlanet 2 now due in 2011

  Sackboy's newest adventure has received a LittleBigDelay, with developer Media Molecule announcing via its website that the much-anticipated sequel will no longer hit shelves before Christmas, instead arriving sometime in January 2011.

  It offers an even more flexible creative toolset than the critically-acclaimed original, with players able to create their own game types, cutscenes, sound effects and music. And naturally, such an ambitious idea has come at a cost, as the Guildford-based team explains:

  "We've all been working like powered-up space ninjas and we're almost there, but because we love what we've made, and we love our little sack-friends, and most of all we love all our fans out there, we couldn't let you all get together until we knew we were giving you the best experience imaginable. Which is why we've taken the hard decision to delay the worldwide release of LittleBigPlanet 2, originally slated for later this year to January 2011."

  Levels created by users in the beta have already started showing up on the internet, showcasing the game's impressive diversity. One YouTube video demonstrates an accomplished take on Street Fighter II, with an instantly recognisable version of Guile's theme playing in the background.

  Suffice to say that despite the disappointment, LittleBigPlanet 2 looks like it will be well worth the wait when it launches early next year.
  

• LittleBigPlanet storms past the 4 million levels mark

  You like big games that offer lots of entertainment value, right? Well check out the LittleBigPlanet franchise two games in on the PlayStation 3, and the make-your-own-game game has seen more than four million user-created levels brought to life.

  That according to the PlayStation Blog, anyway thanks, Eurogamer where the game product manager Alex Pavey has announced that a grand total of 4,141,742 levels have been uploaded by players of LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2 around the world.

  Apparently, that means that if you played the games for 12 hours every day, and tried out each level for five minutes, it would take you 78 years to chew through all that content. Wow!

  "For us the most exciting thing has always been seeing what the community does with a LittleBigPlanet game when they get their hands on the new features and tools," said the game developer Media Molecule in a celebratory statement. "We're constantly delighted and amazed by their ingenuity and creativity, and it's so inspiring to see the level of affection that exists for LittleBigPlanet amongst fans around the world."

  LittleBigPlanet and LittleBigPlanet 2 are delightful platform games in which you can put Sackboy through his running and jumping paces, or get stuck in to make your own levels to share online. Both games are PlayStation 3 exclusives.

• Media Molecule's next won't be LittleBigPlanet 3

  Beloved UK developer Media Molecule has admitted that it's taking a step away from Sackboy and the PlayStation 3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet franchise for its next project, but fans of the hand-stitched hero shouldn't be too disheartened.

  LBP will still be making an appearance on Sony's upcoming PlayStation Vita handheld, with development duties for that version falling to fledgling Britsoft studio, Double11. And Media Molecule hasn't abandoned its patchwork world entirely, as work is ongoing for major PlayStation Move additions to the hugely popular LittleBigPlanet 2, as well as special educational levels for schools, using Sackboy to teach kids about core subjects such as maths, physics and the importance of collecting stickers, hats and cakes. So it seems that even if his creators are stepping back, Sackboy will still be a gaming fixture for the foreseeable future.

  What Media Molecule has planned next is still top secret, but there's little chance of it being a space marine first-person shooter. The Surrey-based studio, founded by former Lionhead staffers, has made its name through innovative and imaginative fresh ideas. What is for sure is that their next game will be another Sony exclusive the hardware giant snapped up the studio in March 2010.

• LittleBigPlanet PSP Review

  
  

  

  Small but perfectly formed

  The original LittleBigPlanet was a must-buy for PS3 owners - a beautifully crafted, uniquely styled platform game which had the added bonus of giving players the chance to design their own levels. The PSP version looks set to be a similarly essential purchase for fans of Sony's handheld, being just as pretty, polished and fun to play.

  Once again the motto of LittleBigPlanet PSP is 'Play, Create, Share'. But this isn't just a plain old port of the PS3 game - there are 30 brand new levels and seven different locations to explore. The environments are brilliantly designed, and complete with all manner of obstacles to overcome and fun objects to play with. Favourite items from the original game, like the awesome jetpack, are present and correct.

  Boys and their toys

  Also returning is Sackboy, the hero of the first game. He (or she, if you prefer to design yourself a Sackgirl) is just as charming as ever and can be dressed up with even more cute outfits and adorable accessories. Sackboy can run, jump, fly and swing his way around levels with ease. It feels as though the controls have been tightened up slightly for the PSP game - there's not quite the same degree of floatiness to characters' movements, which makes it easier to control them. It also helps that there are now only two planes of depth rather than three, which could lead to confusion in the PS3 game.

  But while the improved controls make getting around easier there's still plenty here to challenge the most hardened of platforming veterans. The difficulty curve can be quite steep once you're through the early batch of levels and some of the trickier sections can be seriously frustrating. Happily though, checkpoints pop up more frequently than in the previous version.

  

  Choose your own adventure

  There's incentive to keep going when things get tough in the form of all those costumes, stickers and objects to collect. You can use the stuff you've picked up to design your own environments with the fully-fledged level editor. The game gives you complete freedom to explore your creativity and try out different ideas, and it's amazing what you can produce if you put in the effort.

  In fact, the only thing which might limit your designs is your own skill level. Making levels which are fun to play can be quite tough, and good deal of patience and commitment are required to be successful.

  More, more, more

  The good news is you can ignore the level editor altogether if you want and treat LittleBigPlanet PSP as an excellent platform game, plain and simple. In any case there's a potentially endless supply of new content to enjoy as you're able to download and share user-created levels - either ad hoc or via an internet connection. The downloading process is simple and fast and the ratings system makes it easy to find levels which are worth playing.

  So all in all, LittleBigPlanet PSP has just as much to offer as the PS3 game. There is, however, one exception - this version doesn't feature a multiplayer mode. Apparently this is down to the technical limitations of the hardware rather than a conscious decision on the developers' part, but it's still a bit of a shame.

  

  Great things come in little packages

  However, when considered in the context of everything else the game has going for it, the lack of multiplayer isn't a huge issue. There's plenty to be going on with thanks to the superb single-player game, the excellent level editor and the option to download more content.

  LittleBigPlanet PSP has all the charm and style of the PS3 game in a portable package, and that means it's well worth checking out.

  GAME's Verdict

  What's Good?

  • Brilliant platforming fun.
  • Total freedom to get creative.
  • Superb presentation, audio and visuals.

  What's Bad?

  • No multiplayer mode.
  • Frustrating in places.
  • Level editor requires patience.

  Published: 02/12/2009

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