Long time no write, but that’s besides the point. At GDC this year Sony unveiled their new Online sandbox platformer, LittleBigPlanet. The title blew me away, and made me giggle like a little school girl. It combines sandbox creativity, ala Garry’s Mod, online co-op, ala Crackdown or Gears of War, and 2.5D platforming, ala Viewtiful Joe.
In the title uses small canvas fabric dolls as a small pallet. With the doll you can create your own character in almost anyway you can imagine. You can add small items you collect through the game, like hats and shirts, to your character. If that’s not enough you can add stickers and items that you usually use to decorate the level on your character.
Level design is also a big part of the game. On top of the levels that the game comes with you can create unique levels from scratch using everything you come across by playing through the premade levels. After you’ve made the levels using anything from large rocks, stickers, and soccer balls you can set them up on the PSN where millions of people can try the game, rate it, and endorse it.
Now this all sounds kind of boring if it’s not fun, right? Well the development team that’s making LBP is the same team that made a small indie game that popped up on Steam years ago called Rag Doll Kung Fu. Just like RGKF you use physics and rag doll to control your character, but not as freely as rag doll did. The characters walk just like they would in any 2D platformer, and then use rag doll physics to hold and control items around the environment, like large oranges, small pullies, large skateboards, or even your own friends.
The features are many and exciting. The design is cute and creative. The music is adorable and addictive(think Katamari Damacy or LocoRoco). If you don’t have a PS3, or just lack a reason to get one, look into LittleBigPlanet. You’ll want to pick one up just for it, I know I do.
Do you have a PS3?
Unfortunately no, but LBP is one of my main reasons to get one. It’s just so damn cute and looks really fun.