Dazzlingly cute creativity

Awwwww, cuuuuttte.

That was the overwhelming response to the first LittleBigPlanet, a game quite unlike any other, when it was first released on the PS3 three years ago.

LittleBigPlanet 2
From: Sony
For: PlayStation 3

The dinky little puzzle platformer stuck out like a sore thumb in a gaming market dominated by shoot-'em-ups, futuristic action titles and hyper-realistic sporting/driving simulations.

From the moment the first screens launched, and the dulcet tones of the great Stephen Fry started telling the story of Sackboy, you knew this was going to be something interesting.

Developers Media Molecule found a way to strip a game back to its simplest elements, at the same time as offering creative elements to unleash the inner creativity of millions of people around the world.

Its tag was "Play-Create-Share".

So you played the game (zipping through levels with a little character who could run and jump and hold on - that's it), you were given simple tools, shapes and material to create your own levels, and you went online to upload your own creations or download others.

A sequel was inevitable, and in the years between the games the bright minds at their computer screens have done a remarkable job.

There is still a straightforward story mode, where your character passes through dozens of puzzles and challenges, unlocking a swag of useful items.

But the game also introduces new gameplay elements.

So where the first was all about basic platforming, you now get to experience simple racing levels, side-scrolling shooting levels and even a riff on a basketball game.

There are also new features to interact with the environment, including a grappling hook, a special pair of gloves that allow you to pick up objects and hurl them up, over or away, and "The Controllinator", which allows you to use the dual-shock capabilities of the controller to play parts of the game.

Like the first LBP, the sequel has an intensive tutorial to ease you into the creative process.

Once you get your head around it, a world of possibility awaits.

The amount of user-generated content online is already off the charts, so if you aren't convinced of your own creative abilities, go and grab somebody else's.

For charm alone, LittleBigPlanet 2 would rank as one of the most impressive games in recent years.

Add in the new gameplay features, the expansive options and the limitless possibilities of user-generated content, and you are left with a dazzling and unique gaming experience.

 

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