Little Big Planet Vita Review

Since owning a Playstation 3 from the day it was born in retail shelves I have made sure to play every Little Big Planet game that was ever conceived. The first game was a true product of brilliance and innovation as for the first time we could create and play our very own platform games thanks to Mediamolecule and their little mascot, Sackboy.

As time went on the Playstation brand and its fans began to recognise Sackboy as potentially one of the main candidates to lead Sony’s gaming division as icon character. Like all smash hit franchises though Sackboy began suffer from the uncomfortable phase of “milking” that all popular games from Call of Duty to Metal Gear Solid have all had to experience. After playing Little Big Planet on the PSP I have to say I was a little bit disappointed. The hardware couldn’t execute the true concept that the original Playstation 3 title had presented and things only got a little worse when Little Big Planet 2 came out and I just couldn’t find the passion to put my love into its incredibly in-depth creation system. Maybe I was a little burnt out from creating and I remember thinking to myself that I was probably done with the LBP franchise. Sackboy’s original release was so well done, so how could something like that be topped?

From popping in Little Big Planet into my Vita, all I can say is that I was incredibly surprised. I was all set for playing something along the lines of the PSP title that teased at the possibilities of even having Sackboy on the go. From entering the first level all I could do was sit there in complete awe as the little stitched fellow came blazing onto the screen in what looked like full HD visuals. The visual quality of the game is outstanding, and this is no lie. To see a game that originally needed a big black box to power it was right there in my hands in full HD glory. Everything about it boomed with beauty, such as the new costumes, characters and worlds that you visited. It has been quite a while since a game has visually taken my breath away and to see such a work of art on my Vita made me all the more confident in my purchase and the future possibilities of the system.

The real question is “Does Little Big Planet Vita bring the true definitive LBP experience?” And my answer to that my friend is a whole hearted “YES!” Not only does Little Big Planet Vita allow you to play with all the features of Little Big Planet 1 & 2 but it also brings an even bigger bag of goodies for you to burn away the hours with.

From the get go you are able to enter the various worlds of Little Big Planet, each full of their own take on the story that is being told. As with all Little Big Planet games, each one has always given an arched plot that gives justification to progressing through each of the world’s many levels. This time we see Sackboy entering the landscapes of Carnivalia, home to a corrupted ventriloquist that needs his love for entertainment restored. This little tale like all the others boasts a very charming journey that both adults and children can enjoy.

Tarsier Studios have pumped in even more mind boggling levels that you just wouldn’t think could be possible. It was great to play experience an all new taste of variety when venturing through each level, which all presented a new way of playing the game we have come to know and love.

The Vita shows its true potential once again with this title by allowing the gameplay of LBP to be enhanced by it’s on board features such as the touch screens and six axis controls. This time you will be tapping bouncy platforms in and out of view, pulling back spring launchers with our index finger as you launch Sackboy into the beyond and even trampling bosses in creative ways as well thanks to the front and back touch screens. The great thing too is that the touch capabilities all feel accurate and responsive, so you will be platforming your little sack person on the fly without a hindrance to be found.

Among the plethora of levels you will also find additional content in the form of arcade games that each take inspiration from past classics like Jenga, Whack-a-mole and Pipe Mania. I must have spent hours trying to beat my high score my high score on a number of these little games, and the great thing about them is that they serve as a brilliant side attraction to the main adventure if you just feel like playing a little bit of human Tetris or Galaga LBP style.

It should be added that all these things can also be enjoyed with friends too. Just like the console releases, Little Big Planet Vita includes the ability to play four player co-op right there on your couch, or train journey with four global friends. Not only that but all the side mini-games can be played locally on the same Vita meaning that you and a friend can each take turns trying to beat each other’s scores with an individual Sackboy.

Little Big Planet wouldn’t be what it is without a creation mode too and the Vita’s take on the sandbox doesn’t disappoint. Again just like the PS3 you will have all the tools and tweaks to create your own games and levels, which can be done using the two analog thumb sticks, or the touch screens. This time you can enlarge or shrink objects by pinch and pulling with your digits and even cut out the perfect shape with the tip of your index finger. It all feels incredibly accessible to use to and learning all the ins and outs are a breeze.

Just like the coop features all your creations can be shared with the LBP community and can also be accessed via an online community hub. The hub also allows for a bunch of cross play incentives such as allowing you to transfer all the costumes and creation packs you purchased on LBP1 & 2 for FREE.