LittleBigPlanet 2- Not So Little After All?

Fun, Fun, Everywhere…

What is the first thought that comes into your mind after seeing that video? “Wow, that looks incredibly fun,” right? Well, most of us think of just one thing whenever we are talking about LittleBigPlanet- pure, unadulterated fun. Yes, and that’s what one would want from a platformer, right? Name any platformer these days- be it Ratchet and Clank, or Mario, or Jak- all have one common USP- to be as fun as possible. What makes LittleBigPlanet, and in turn, LittleBigPlanet 2 so different then? Why isn’t it just another platformer?

Well, because it doesn’t just offer fun- it offers it in huge, gargantuan amounts, such that no other platformer these days, barring a few, can even hope to match the level of  enjoyment one gets from playing LittleBigPlanet.

But, we all had one common problem with the original LBP title- that it had clunky platforming, and if it hadn’t been for that, it would have been a nigh perfect game. Media Molecule, as they promised, are building upon every flaw that had ever existed (or not) in LittleBigPlanet, and refining it to the point of perfection, such that the players find no choice to complain this time around.

The platforming has been improved noticeably. Just look at that video given above. Jumping from one ledge to other, using a grappling hook, jumping in the opposite direction immediately while spinning in the air to collect to collectibles, bouncing against bouncy, casino-like walls- it all seems so seamless and smooth, as if there are no hitches in not just platforming, but any other aspect of the gameplay this time around. Oh, and at the cost of repeating myself, I will say this- it looks incredibly fun.

SUCK IT!

LittleBigPlanet 2 continues the journey of our very own Sackboy, or whatever it is the players have made out of him… Snake, Kratos or whatever. Anyway, the story takes place after the events of the first LittleBigPlanet and the PSP version of LBP. The story basically focusses on an inter-dimensional vacuum cleaner that has appeared in the skies of LittleBigPlanet, and is sucking all its inhabitants into his belly, which he shakes like a bowl full of jelly! Ok, no, not really.

You evil fu…-sucking monster! LEAVE ME ALOOONE!!!!!

Yeah, so, he/it is sucking all the inhabitants of LittleBigPlanet, and along with them, poor Sackboy gets sucked down into his gutss as well. It is then that Larry Da Vinci, the leader of a super powerful (not, not exactly) organisation, (drum-roll) The Alliance steps into the play, and decides he and his followers will together rescue Sackboy from the electronic, multi-dimensional anomaly, what they call The Negativitron. They pledge to destroy The Negativitron before it destroys Craftworld…

…

… What. The. Hell. Is. That? Oh well, it’s just Media Molecule at it again, piling on a story into the game just because it’s a formality- it makes no ****ing sense at all, and that is what makes it so good. Because you don’t always want (SPOILER) Gods of War screaming their throats at their almighty father who they will soon kill (SPOILER ENDS) in games. Sometimes, you jut want lighthearted, nonsensical, whimsical pleasure, and Media Molecule is here to give us exactly that, with the story just being as excuse so that they can show off their creative capabilities, and wow the gamers once again.

Just A Face In The Growing Crowd?

Truly, it seems LittleBigPlanet 2 is a “platform for games” not just a “platformer game.” But it only seems so till now. We are not sure yet. This much is clear- LittleBigPlanet 2 sure offers a ton of new features to the already brilliant LittleBigPlanet formula, and it sure does make sure that players will definitely buy a copy of this game, and come back to it more than once. It does everything that its father does, does it better, and then does some more. But that is what the problem basically is. The original LittleBigPlanet was so acclaimed because it was so different, so unique, so refreshing. It offered for an all new take at platforming games- or games in general, and it is probably one of the only memorable titles in this generation.

Hello! Can you see me? Can you? I’m right by that bald guy with his hand in his underwear! Can you see me now? ….No.

The question is, will its offspring, the upcoming LittleBigPlanet 2, be just as memorable, as new as it was? Will it do justice to all the creativity and innovation LittleBigPlanet flowed to the brim of? Or will it be lost as just another face in the crowd? We don’t know yet. The information released till now, which is quite scarce, seems very promising, and Media Molecule looks all set to outdo their first foray into the platforming genre in every possible way. It remains to be soon, however, if they will manage to do it or not.

Well, we won’t have to wait much longer than that. LittleBigPlanet 2 releases this November exclusively on the PS3, so keep watching out for more info on it!