21 Sep, 2010
Tom’s Thoughts:
The first Little Big Planet is probably my favourite game I have played on the Playstation 3. Of course since I do not actually own a PS3 I have been very limited in what I do play on the console, but still Little Big Planet was amazing. So of course I was very eager to jump on the second one as soon as I saw it at Gamescom. We waited around one of the consoles for a good fifteen minutes or so expecting the controllers to be handed to us. Unfortunately two incredibly pushy German men decided to push right in front of us at the last minute, extending our waiting time for another fifteen minutes. It was agonising. Finally we jumped on to the demo and chose a space type level.
Initially the game is incredibly similar to the first in terms of gameplay, the usual side-scrolling platforming but with new and pretty awesome features. The level design is as excellent as ever, with intuitive set pieces and wonderful story lines and the new AI offers the creative amongst you to add more interactive and ‘smart’ computer-controlled characters to your levels. Both were on show in the Space level we played, which revolved around the spaceship you are flying on being attacked by some sort of large space monster thing. One section during the level offered a number of small mini-games based on such games as Pong and Rebound. These mini-games were laid out in an arcade format, with each arcade machine being controlled by one of the clever little AI bots. These mini-games were a perfect example of what the new Little Big Planet 2 offers in terms of new gameplay ideas and level design.
Needless to say the game was tons of fun. The second game relies on a degree of familiarity but adds in new, fresh ideas. If you liked the first game then there is no doubt in my mind to wether or not you will like this game. Of course you will! If I had a PS3 I sure as hell would pick this game up on release. Not only will the pre-made levels offer an amazing selection of brilliant platforming action but thanks to the new features the player-created maps are bound to be some of the most ingenious levels seen.
Steve’s thoughts:
Got to admit, wasn’t hugely into the first Little Big Planet. I have it, but I played it once for about an hour and that kinda exhausted it… ehem sorry about that.
However! After said pushy German guys were gone and we actually got to play the sequel, I really enjoyed it. The thing with this new game, as Tom said, is the level design has drastically improved. In the last game the levels felt tame and finicky like they were below average fan made ones. Now we have gravity shifters that allow you to jump from the floor to the ceiling, grappling hooks that swing you to safety and little mini games that you just play right there in the main level without even interrupting your partner’s gameplay. Little cutscenes break your levels in two and explain why you are floating about the spaceship now, instead of being grounded like before.
I am seriously impressed with the level design, it is just 100% better than the last game. Everything else is pretty much the same when it comes to Little Big Planet 2, but the effort has all gone toward the pursuit of fun, challenging level design. Oh did I say challenging? YES challenging, I must have died about 20 times just on the electric gravity floor thingy bit. The challenge brought into the levels this time round helps me enjoy the game more because the first LBP felt like such a child’s game due to it being just “Hold Right and jump every now and then”, but now it actually feels like I’ve accomplished something when I manage to pass one of those death bringing parts.
Anyway, that’s the gist of Little Big Planet 2. If you liked the first one, you will love this one. If you didn’t like the first one, give it a try because you don’t know what you’re missing.
Recent Comments