Review: Little Big Planet 3

Sony’s SackBoy returns, now with companions, in his inaugural PS4 adventure.

Media Molecule captivated the gaming world with the introduction of the Little Big Planet concept several years ago. Infused with playfulness, creativity, and a certain naivety, the game endeared players to SackBoy, a knitted doll inhabiting a world constructed from yarn, fabric, and various everyday materials, all woven together into vibrant fantasy landscapes. Little Big Planet spawned two successful iterations on the PS3, fostering a substantial online community that generated content ranging from whimsical skateboard races to recreations of classic game moments. Now, the franchise debuts its third installment, developed by Sumo Digital for Sony’s Playstation 4. While introducing some novel elements, it largely builds upon established foundations.

Notably, the game has been updated to replace the hero SackBoy with the gender-neutral “SackPerson,” a concept previously explored by Media Molecule in their aesthetically intriguing, yet gameplay-wise underwhelming, Tearaway on PS Vita. The core premise, however, remains fundamentally unchanged. An antagonist threatens to shatter the happy and colorful world of the fantasy land, and it is up to you – ideally with a friend or two – to thwart their nefarious plans. Little Big Planet 3 also introduces three new playable characters that your SackPerson can transform into. For example, OddSock, a dog-like creature, exhibits enhanced speed and agility, including the ability to wall-jump, opening previously inaccessible areas and introducing new gameplay possibilities.

The visuals in LBP 3 have received a polish, although the enhancements are relatively subtle compared to the PS3 versions. This includes higher resolution textures, more diverse environments, weather effects, underwater levels, and creative challenges. However, LBP 3 largely retains the established aesthetic of its predecessors. Given the high quality of the series, this is not necessarily a drawback. The audio is well-executed, featuring clear voice acting and a soundtrack blending classic and genre-appropriate compositions. The game’s central focus remains on creating, sharing, and playing user-generated levels online. Exploring this aspect was somewhat restricted due to the early access review build provided to the press. However, the online community offers a wealth of creative and well-designed levels that extend the game’s longevity beyond the campaign and, in some instances, surpass the quality of the core game’s stages.

While the original game presented a reasonable challenge, culminating in a particularly demanding final level, the second installment was perceived as overly simplistic. The third game strikes a more balanced level of difficulty, avoiding frustratingly high barriers. The levels generally exhibit strong variety, and the new character forms (Oddsock, etc.) provide engaging gameplay enhancements. However, the experience is occasionally interrupted by extended cutscenes, presented in a British comedic style (featuring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie). These, combined with loading times that can reach up to a minute, disrupt the overall flow. The option to skip all cutscenes should be implemented; while their inclusion is welcome for those who wish to view them, players should not be compelled to watch intermissions that often seem targeted toward a younger demographic. A day-one patch has been announced to address various minor issues, and it is hoped that loading times will be prioritized. While recognizing the pressures of modern development cycles, the trend of releasing games in a near-finished state requiring day-one patches is becoming increasingly prevalent. We encountered relatively few major bugs, but reports of game crashes and glitches have surfaced. Prioritizing a brief delay over a premature release would be preferable.

Little Big Planet 3 excels as a cooperative experience, delivering moments of genuine fun and camaraderie. The charm of the level design and the endearing SackPersons are undeniable. While occasionally challenging and sometimes hampered by mandatory cutscenes and loading times, the game offers an engaging adventure, particularly when played with friends. However, it does not represent a significant advancement over the PS3 versions. We had anticipated a more substantial leap forward, leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the PS4. The initial speculation suggested that LBP 3 would be a PS4 exclusive. While this ultimately proved untrue, with the game also appearing on PS3, console manufacturers must eventually prioritize future-generation development, even if it means leaving behind older platforms. As long as games target outgoing formats, the lowest common denominator will constrain innovation. What could have been achieved if the game had been designed exclusively for the PS4, fully utilizing its potential? Perhaps LBP 4 will provide an answer in the future. Until then, we note, with some disappointment, that the new generation’s flagship console, nearly a year after its launch, still lacks a definitive, must-have exclusive title (while Last of Us is exceptional on PS4, it remains a remake from the PS3). We anticipate that 2015 and Uncharted 4 will address this.