Conclusion

So, given all of the massive hype that's surrounded LittleBigPlanet, is it justified?

For once, we can actually say "yes," most of what you've read about the game is true. Granted, there are a few niggles. The controls sometimes feel a little sluggish, especially when trying to time jumps on bouncy platforms. There are a couple of gotchas in the level design mode which, while not exactly show-stopping, are at least annoying.

But despite those minor gripes, what we have here is possibly one of the PS3's first absolute must-have titles. Media Molecule has taken the platform genre and reinvented it in a cool and beautiful way that can excite both hardcore and casual gamers alike.

Media Molecule has reinvigorated a genre that has become jaded with endless Mario and Sonic games – it has rescued it from mediocrity, if you will.


The game looks and sounds gorgeous too – the textures on the sack people and some of the backgrounds are just stunning. For example, some bits of the scenery are made out of wood, complete with realistic wood grain. Explode something nearby though, and they become charred, blackened lumps of wood – and there are loads of other examples that just make you look on in awe at the level of detail. The music is varied, but still maintains the sense of quirkiness – although it can get a little repetitious on some of the longer levels.

User-created levels are something that's been fairly absent from consoles until now, and not only has Media Molecule remedied that situation, it has also set a fairly high goal for other developers to try and beat. How many times have you played through a game and thought that you could do better? Well, now you can have a go – and probably find out that good level design actually takes more skill than you thought. While you're honing your skills, though, you can always take a look at what everyone else is doing and maybe get a few ideas from them too.


Even when you've completed all of the pre-made levels, there's the potential for hundreds and thousands of extra levels out there, thanks to the community of amateur level designers. That level design has been made as easy as the ability to find new levels to play means that LittleBigPlanet is a game that will last for months and possibly years down the line. If you think there are some clever levels out there now, come back in six months' time and see what you can find then. You won't be disappointed.

And in our books, such longevity is a good thing for the developer, it's a good thing for the PS3 – but most of all, it's a good thing for us gamers.