pseudopseudo
09-30-2008, 09:44 AM
Through a little inside info (and a little bit of luck, too), I ended up with a Little Big Planet US beta key last night. For the first time in a while, I giggled like a gleeful child. I'd been trying to not buy into the hype, but the closer the game got, the more interested I became. Then the betas started going out, and all of a sudden I was rabid. I'm sure there are a few out there who're right there with me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/dewcifer/LBP2.jpg
[In the pod spaceship, choosing a level.]
Anyhow, I spent about three and a half hours with the game last night. I think I can justifiably say that this game is going to live up to the hype. In a big way. The thing that blew me away, though, is that I'm this hooked and I haven't even fired up the level editor yet. I spent all that time merely playing through the story mode, trying to get 100% on each level in the one world available.
First and foremost, LBP has more personality than any game I've played in the last year, and your main protagonist (your instantly endearing little sack boy or girl) never says a word. It OOZES cuteness, and at the same time doesn't take it overboard. Whoever they hired to voice the narration did an amazing job. And then, of course, there's the art style - the pictures can do more to explain it than I can really describe in words. I think the most impressive feat of this whole package is that it achieves this very specific experience without ever making you feel like you're playing a game made for children.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/dewcifer/LBP1.jpg
[Using the "popit" to pick the right sticker for the switch.]
The thing I expected to suffer, for some reason, was gameplay. Seeing trailers and watching demos - it all seemed really simplistic. Playing through the first world you quickly realize that it's not - it's kind of complex, yet easy to learn. This game takes the platformer and just does everything right. All the puzzles seem very well thought out. The multitude of ways you interact with the game environment will often make you chuckle at the cleverness (or at least smile and nod in approval). It actually feels fulfilling to go back to a stage you've already completed to find the extra little things hidden in corners and behind switches. And beyond all... the game's just fun to play.
And I'm not even going to go into the customization aspect of the game, or we could be here all day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/dewcifer/LBP3.jpg
[One of many fun downhill rides.]
Not that the game is flawless - there are a couple of nitpick things I'd change; one being the jumping back and forth in the field of depth - it's kind of tricky sometimes. Also, sometimes it's just a little too easy to slide off the edges of things. That aside, I guess what I'm saying is that the beta has turned me from a skeptical fence-sitter to a day-one purchaser.
If you haven't gotten a copy of the beta yet, I know that 1Up is giving away 500 keys a day today through Thursday - here's the info (http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3170103). If you get in, make sure to add me!
(Sorry for the poor quality pics... all I had was my phone!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/dewcifer/LBP2.jpg
[In the pod spaceship, choosing a level.]
Anyhow, I spent about three and a half hours with the game last night. I think I can justifiably say that this game is going to live up to the hype. In a big way. The thing that blew me away, though, is that I'm this hooked and I haven't even fired up the level editor yet. I spent all that time merely playing through the story mode, trying to get 100% on each level in the one world available.
First and foremost, LBP has more personality than any game I've played in the last year, and your main protagonist (your instantly endearing little sack boy or girl) never says a word. It OOZES cuteness, and at the same time doesn't take it overboard. Whoever they hired to voice the narration did an amazing job. And then, of course, there's the art style - the pictures can do more to explain it than I can really describe in words. I think the most impressive feat of this whole package is that it achieves this very specific experience without ever making you feel like you're playing a game made for children.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/dewcifer/LBP1.jpg
[Using the "popit" to pick the right sticker for the switch.]
The thing I expected to suffer, for some reason, was gameplay. Seeing trailers and watching demos - it all seemed really simplistic. Playing through the first world you quickly realize that it's not - it's kind of complex, yet easy to learn. This game takes the platformer and just does everything right. All the puzzles seem very well thought out. The multitude of ways you interact with the game environment will often make you chuckle at the cleverness (or at least smile and nod in approval). It actually feels fulfilling to go back to a stage you've already completed to find the extra little things hidden in corners and behind switches. And beyond all... the game's just fun to play.
And I'm not even going to go into the customization aspect of the game, or we could be here all day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/dewcifer/LBP3.jpg
[One of many fun downhill rides.]
Not that the game is flawless - there are a couple of nitpick things I'd change; one being the jumping back and forth in the field of depth - it's kind of tricky sometimes. Also, sometimes it's just a little too easy to slide off the edges of things. That aside, I guess what I'm saying is that the beta has turned me from a skeptical fence-sitter to a day-one purchaser.
If you haven't gotten a copy of the beta yet, I know that 1Up is giving away 500 keys a day today through Thursday - here's the info (http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3170103). If you get in, make sure to add me!
(Sorry for the poor quality pics... all I had was my phone!)