LittleBigPlanet was innovative when it first launched on PS3, and now that same innovation has hit the PS Vita, and then some.
With the PS Vita crying out for games that are worth their asking price, LittleBigPlanet fits the bill perfectly with great gameplay, more content than you can shake a ragdoll at, and a cool feature set that makes use of the PS Vita’s inputs.
The same core gameplay carries over from the PlayStation 3 editions of Sackboy’s adventures and with hardly any sacrifices being made. There are lots of nifty additions, actually, that just aren’t possible with a traditional TV gaming set-up. The ability to touch objects on the screen using the front and back panels of the Vita is a stroke (haw-haw) of genius that really makes you feel that the LittleBigPlanet you’re running around in is yours to control.
Some games have shoehorned touchscreen controls where they’re not needed. LittleBigPlanet uses them to improve upon a tried and tested formula. Trust me: go back to LittleBigPlanet 2 and you will soon miss being able to manipulate objects with the swipe of a scene, especially in Create Mode.
The same floating jumping and platforming is present as you guide your Sackboy or Sackgirl through the brilliantly designed levels, which really are works of digital art in their own right. The level designs are challenging enough to keep you entertained, and sometimes a little frustrated, but no so difficult that a child couldn’t pick up and play, or an inexperienced player for that matter.
The single-player story, narrated by Stephen Fry, takes place in the world of Carnavalia, where the puppeteer has taken to creating faceless puppets. Not as B-movie as it sounds, but the story isn’t the strongest point of the game; it’s just there to tie the 40+ levels together.
Characters have been well thought out and provide some light comic relief with their quirky commentary; this outing actually has voice acting for its characters! Though Sackboy/Sackgirl remains silent, aside from the usual grunts.
As with previous entries, the gameplay consists of you sending your Sackperson from left to right, maybe a bit of up and down, back to the left, up to the right, and jiggle it all around. Collecting stickers and various goodies on your journey is just as compelling here on the handheld as it is on your living room console.
As you hop, skip, and occasionally pop your way through the story, you’ll unlock a variety of mini-games, which are a fantastic addition and really showcase what can be done within LittleBigPlanet Vita’s ecosystem of creation. From a whack-a-mole type game to a racer to an online tank battle game, there’s plenty to keep you going long after you’ve finished the story. Have a friend with you? Even better, because some games can be played on the same screen with another player (air hockey) while others offer pass-and-play competition. It’s a great way to show off your fancy toy to friends and family.
The fun never seems to end with LittleBigPlanet Vita, either, as once you’ve finished the story, you can jump online and play as many user-created levels as you wish, which last time I looked stood at over 10,000 – more than you’ll ever play in a lifetime. Granted, not all will be amazing and there will be a fair few duds, but you have to give the community credit for taking the time to have a go and share their creations.
If you’re a newcomer to Create Mode, don’t worry, because there are over 60 tutorials where Stephen Fry will guide you from a novice creator into a master mini-game developer. It takes some time to learn the basics, but if you invest the time then you can create something unique to share with the world, or just something personal to share with whoever you choose.