Derek Sweet reviews Little Big Planet for Playstation Vita

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• Game Title: Little Big Planet Vita
  
• Published By: Sony Computer Entertainment
  
• Developed by: Double Eleven / Tarsier Studios
  
• Release Date: Sep 25, 2012
• System Reviewed: PS Vita
  

Little Big Planet Vita came out late last month, which probably means you’re asking yourself why this review is coming out now? Well I bought a house, and I’ve been busy with all the BS that comes along with that, but you can rest assured that my reviews are back and will be more frequent now that I’ve got those weeds in the backyard under control. They are still there, but they are now behaving at least.

If you’ve been looking for that perfect game to play on your Playstation Vita, and you like old school side-scrolling platformers with a touch of creation, then look no further than Little Big Planet Vita. I would honestly say that this is the absolute perfect portable game. It can be played for hours if you’re stuck in a stinky hotel room (as us comedians often are), and it can just fill a few minutes on the bus if that’s what you require. Even if you want something to do quickly with your buddy sitting next to you, well there are mini-games to fill that void as well.

Little Big Planet Vita has 5 primary worlds and more than 40 levels! That’s a lot of Sackboy on that little cartridge (or download if that’s your style). The single player experience is really just a way to collect stickers and see what the game has to offer, though, as the real value in the game comes from the myriad of downloadable levels sure to arrive from amateur creators around the world! It’s a good thing, too, because the story in the single player experience makes about as much sense as any of the other LBP games.

Unfortunately you are not able to play any of the user created content from the PS3 or PSP versions of the game, but you are able to download your costumes from previous games so that’s something at least! I know my fiance will definitely be happy to hear that all her costumes can now be taken on the go! I swear she spent more time doing that then playing the actual game!

One of the exclusive things that Vita gaming can bring you that no one (real) gaming platform else can is touch-screen controls. Yes I know that your iPad and iPhone have games with touch screen controls, but they are also missing that vital component that I believe makes a real gaming platform: A controller. Little Big Planet Vita does them well too. Really well. You’ll open doors, guide rockets, launch slingshots, or even play air hockey with a friend! Tilting the Vita also comes into play on some levels which really makes for interesting situations.

As with all of the LBP games lately there is a complex creation mode that allows you to make your own levels, which of course means you can download other people’s levels as well, creating infinite gaming. Well, almost infinite. I assume it’s limited by the collapse of the universe but would you care? Little Big Planet Vita has added another new element to the create tool, as well, which is called the Memorizer. This allows you to remember stats for each person that plays your level, remember where they left off, and unlock future levels for them to play. You can literally create your own little role playing games now that have stories that extend from one level to the next. Creation hasn’t been this awesome in a game since… well, ever!

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My only complaint about the creator is that it’s still just too damn hard. Even after watching all the tutorial levels and practicing for a few hours I can still only do the basics of level creation. I know that if I had more time I could make some really incredible stuff, but I would love to have some form of simplified creation that doesn’t necessarily let me do the most complex things, but at least I could join in on the fun. Then if someone wants to get into some more advanced features that should be open to them as well.

I can’t recommend this game to you enough if you are a fan of the genre. If you are a fan of the series, well, then, you’ve probably already gone ahead and bought it. I know that I will still be playing this one for some time to come whenever I am in the need for platforming action on the go!