Not quite a game, more of an experience.
The next day, i again found myself in the same shop, looking at the same cover. I was entranced, i HAD to try it, even if i expected a disappointing experience. I suggested to my little sister to buy it, as it looked like her kind of game. When we got home and pushed the little disc into my PS3, i wasn't expectant.
late that night, as i push to finally beat that last annoying part of "The Bunker" my opinion was much different. The game was fun. It wasn't a game in any sense of the word. Games as a rule are made to challenge you, to make things hard and require skill and quick thinking to finish. LittleBigPlanet was none of that.
The controls are simple, blindingly simple. So simple in fact, only 4 (6) buttons are required. For such a limited control scope, this game is able to do so much. The Level Design is genius, often using the same piece of equipment (for instance, a house) for 3 or 4 different uses. One side acts as a wall, another a climbing frame and so on, so forth.
The Storyline, however, is relatively short and frustratingly easy. Only a few of the levels provide any challenge, and this is still no big problem. After beating the main story, i plugged in the dusty old Ethernet cable and found my way online.
At first sight, online is just what it should be, players playing together on custom levels and such. But then, after finishing a level with 3 others, i realised something. As we were all transported back to the party leaders pod, we were Interacting. Something unique to other games, this interaction. You can spend an hour straight just pulling another player around the room and adjusting facial expression, and enjoy it the whole time. This is where it hit me, LittleBigPlanet is all about the players, the community. The game aspect could be completely forgotten as you spend 20 minutes just shuffling through the 4 different smiles.
"But doesn't that get repetitive" i hear you say. Well no, for you see, no one Sackboy or girl is the same. LittleBigPlanet has MASSIVE character customisation, unlockable outfits and such. There are at least 1000 Unlockables in the Story mode alone, let alone all the downloadable packs and community items. Today am i going to feature a Lions mane, Wedding Dress and Fairy wings, or maybe a Top hat with a full Elizabethan outfit. It's all up to you!
The Level Creation system is good. Sure it has it's downfalls - those which i won't explain here, but again with the customisation - you collect thousands of different materials, objects and other little Bobbits to make your level the best experience you can. -> All the while assisted by a very funny commentator that explains things well!
Whilst the original storyline is easy, there are many things you can do to make it harder, and more complete. For instance, 100% Completion takes planning, care and interestingly - 4 players! You see, LittleBigPlanet is one of those Multiplayer games. You can just sit around and have fun, laughing and jumping around through the levels. There are many challenges to do that result in trophies - not the least of which is to beat every level in the game without dying - literally a perfect game. This, i fear, is very difficult, taking many hours of dedication to achieve, but still satisfying, cause you get ingame rewards too.
The Downloadable content is good too, oftentimes better than the actual game. The Metal Gear Solid pack is thoroughly entertaining, and also challenging, it also provides you with a gun. Win!
So altogether, my conclusion is that LittleBigPlanet is not quite the game it could be, but i wouldn't want the community to be ANY different. In life, it's the little things that count, however in LittleBigPlanet, there's a lot of little things.