Plot: What’s it about?
One of the Playstation 3’s best games just got even better, as we now have a Special Edition of LittleBigPlanet 2. This new version adds in over $35 worth of bonus content, as well as compatibility with Sony’s Move. This means that if you haven’t added this excellent game to your collection, this is the perfect time to do so. The game itself remains as awesome as ever, easily one of the best titles ever for user created content. The single player campaign is well crafted and very fun, as you control Sackboy through an adventure and a half. The game offers more variety in the campaign than the original, which is great news, but retains the sense of humor and great mechanics. As fun as the campaign is, LBP2 shines the brightest when it comes to the tools it includes to let you design your own experience.
With over 5 million user designed levels available, LBP2 has perhaps the most replay value ever, with the amount of content growing by leaps and bounds. As you’d expect, not all of the user designed content is worthwhile, but there is a wealth of great levels to explore. And thanks to an interface that lets you browse the highest rated, most popular levels, you can choose to stick with the tried & true content. Or you can branch out and see what experimental levels other players have constructed, which can be almost anything, given the tools inside LBP2. Most of the content is platform based puzzle levels, as you might think, but just about every genre is represented within the user designed content. Just spend a little time looking around and you’ll be stunned at how creative the community can be at times.
If you’d rather create some content yourself, LBP2 has you covered. The tools are complex and deep, but if you devote some time and learn the basics, you’ll be up and running in no time. The more time you invest learning, the better and more varied your content will be, however. That is what makes LBP2 so incredible, is that players can have just as much fun creating content as they can playing the levels themselves. This kind of freedom and creative drive is rare in console games, but LBP2 has it and then some, truly a remarkable game. If you already own LBP2, this Special Edition might be a hard sell. The new and added content is good, as is the Move enabled play, but the core game is the same. But if this is your first LBP2 exposure, this Special Edition is a great value and earns a high recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
This game looks awesome, as always. The visuals are detailed and refined, with a fun, cartoon style design approach. We all know and love Sackboy, who looks great here, but the entire game is loaded with remarkable visual touches. The quirky character designs, the colorful level elements, and the overall style that never fails to elicit a smile, it all adds up to one of the most unique signature visual designs around.
Audio: How does it sound?
The sound design has the same attention to detail as the visuals, so the games sounds excellent. Even the sense of humor creeps into the audio, from the brisk music to the often silly sound effects. The tone is pure fun in and out with this soundtrack, which fits the game and really enhances the experience.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
