“Little Big Planet 2” is another success in its entirety. Retaining the same level of uniqueness and fun factor from its predecessor, with a number of new elements added to the mix, “Little Big Planet 2” stands out as a huge success to come to the PS3.
The storyline for “Little Big Planet 2” is quite simple: continuing from the first game, you (Sack Boy/Girl) must now travel through Craftworld and pass all worlds in order to defeat the menacing Negativitron whose main goal is to take over all of Craftworld. Along the way, you meet up with allies who will assist you in the journey to reach Negativitron’s lair and defeat him to save Craftworld.
The characters you meet along the way are as memorable as they are unique in their own ways. In the beginning you are greeted by Larry Da Vinci, who guides you through a brief training session to familiarize yourself with the controls and the environment. This takes the same establishment as the first game. He then informs you that you will need to pass a test in order to join the Alliance, a secretive group formed to help defeat Negativitron. Headed by Avalon, he guides you through a number of levels to complete to prove yourself worthy of joining the Alliance. After successfully joining the team, you then progress throughout the game and meet up with more characters such as Clive from the Sack Bot Factory; each with their own purpose to see Negativitron vanish from Craftworld. Another addition to the cast of characters includes Sack Bots, adorable yet hardworking Sack Things who had run Clive’s factory before being trampled by Negativitron. They also assist you in completing a number of levels while at the factory.
The gameplay of “Little Big Planet 2” expands from what was established from the first. This includes the basic jump, the familiar ability to move Sack Boy’s arms and create emotions, and customization of your character. However, the sequel offers a number of new features such as the ability to grapple objects and swing over large gaps using the Grabinator and use head-mounted weapons to extinguish fire and enemies. The level of difficulty throughout the game retains its challenges, at the same time providing the player a good amount of time to familiarize themselves with the controls and become natural to them. The controls are not hard to master, which makes the game more enjoyable and addictive. This is especially good for players who have never played the first game and will be able to get used to the controls in no time. The game also brings back the co-operative mode where two players can join as a team and help one another to complete each level, as well as the ability to reach hidden items that cannot be retrieved alone.
“Little Big Planet 2” is just as stunning and visually creative in its entirety, and as unique as its predecessor with its audio tracks. With the usage of boards cut out in simple yet creative means, the design elements laid out creates challenging yet playable levels, creating its own terrain. You can also collect collectibles throughout every level, such as new stickers and costumes. The visuals are also as detailed, creating a sense of depth and color; making the game more enjoyable to play and see. The audio tracks used for the game are just as good as the prequel. The game mainly makes use of well-composed tracks, as well as tracks from existing artists such as Nightwish, keeping you hooked to every second of the game.
The implementation of the PlayStation Move for “Little Big Planet 2” does create a bit of added fun to the overall experience. The players make use of the Move device to move Sack Boy/Girl throughout the levels in an interactive form. The overall experience of the game proves itself to be one of the top games for the PS3 for 2011. With its addicting gameplay, a memorable cast of characters, and its stunning visuals and audio in addition to its originality. Players can find themselves playing the game as many times. “Little Big Planet 2” is worth the buy, and the experience.
