Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Media Molecule
Genre: Adventure
Release date: Available now

There are very few games that reinvigorate the passion we all share for gaming. It could happen a few times in a generation; it might even only happen once. It’s a game that’s so fantastic, so refreshing and so unexpected it reminds us why we play, why we choose to leave the ordinary and immerse ourselves in the extraordinary. LittleBigPlanet is one of those games. It’s simple, addictive, fluid, and has a spark of ingenuity that’s often attempted but rarely achieved. It’s games like LittleBigPlanet that pull us from the doldrums of sequels and rehashes and excite us enough to share our passion and love for our hobby. Critics recognized this last year, and thus we’ve been treated to LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition.

When LBP released last year, it stumbled from the starting gate amid the blockbuster releases of the holiday season. But, like the charming little sackboy shuffling through an endless maze of fiery pits and crushing boulders, it survived and the game found a following. And thank heavens it did. While LBP often conjures up shades of Sonic, or traces of Mario, the experience can mostly be summed up with one simple word: you. Yes, you the player. As the opening title sequence suggests, the game comes courtesy of your dreams and imaginations, and those of your fellow players. Your mind is your only limit.

This is immediately evident as you explore the bonus content within LBP. The game comes with several map/costume packs, including Metal Gear Solid, Monsters, History and Animal packs. But it also comes with 18 levels designed by folks who just let their imaginations run wild. As an LBP noob (I hadn’t touched the original), I jumped into the story mode and breezed through it; an absolutely refreshing experience. But my mind wasn’t (completely) blown until I saw what my peers had done with the level editor. The sheer creativity and diversity was captivating. My brother, who typically won’t touch a game unless it involves either shooting things or football, would even sit and watch as I trudged through these creations. He laughed as I missed a jump and yelled obscenities, and he helped me solve the complex puzzles. It seemed like he was having as much fun watching as I was playing.

It’s this creation aspect that is the most endearing part of LBP. Developer Media Molecule gives us the tools and says, “Here, build the world you want and would like others to enjoy. Good luck.” People have taken these tools and created something fantastic. Just hop online and see for yourself. You’ll play mini stages in which flaming ducks fall from the sky and you must paintinator them before you’re fried. You’ll play epic levels in which you leap along ledges in a forest, onto a Viking boat and storm a goblin castle. And you’ll play everything in between. Do it yourself, do it with buddies next to you, or do it online with strangers. And make sure you press the up button a few times to give your sackboy a wet-tongued, sloppy smile. Maybe even shake the controller a bit to nod your approval of how awesome this experience truly is.

Despite all of my hyperbole, LBP isn’t completely stellar. I never quite got used to leaping back and forth on the various “planes” of the game. It’s intuitive enough, but every so often I grew frustrated when my sackboy leapt back and forth aimlessly, or I leapt off screen and died, but this is a minor little stumbling block you’ll have no trouble avoiding. Trust me, there will be bigger blocks that will be so maddeningly difficult you’ll need to summon your innermost Gandhi to avoid punching the nearest kitten. This game can be hard at times, really hard. But that’s no fault of the game. It’s actually its nature. There will be user levels you can breeze through easily, and there will be levels that leave your hair a little grayer. It’s all a part of the experience.

This has been one of the easiest reviews I’ve ever written. I wanted to exude that joy I had playing this game. I truly wanted to convince you to play it. Another perfect score for Media Molecule and Little Big Planet isn’t a big deal, but getting you to pony up the cash so you can share your imagination and creativity is a big deal. So hopefully I’ll see you and your creativity online.

Our Score:

Our Recommendation: