LittleBigPlanet Vita

LittleBigPlanet Vita is the fifth installment in the LittleBigPlanet franchise, a series of puzzle platformers for the PlayStation 3 and PSP centred around user-generated content.

As in previous titles in the LBP series, players control a character named Sackboy through a variety of worlds. It also features various non-platforming mini-games.

Players are able to create their own levels and share them online. The touch-screen display can be used to directly draw objects and platforms in the game world. In addition to the unique creation tools, the game also features all of the tools available in LittleBigPlanet 2. Costumes are transferrable between the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita games.

Numerous multiplayer options are available. The Vita's multi-touch displayed can be used by two players for competitive games, as well as up to four-player online competitive or co-op gameplay. A turn-based play style named "Pass'n'Play" is also available. The rear touchpanels present on the Vita are used for pushing objects toward the player, creating platforms out of parts of the world.

pro

The story is as quirky and fun as ever. Charming cut scenes are perfected with amazing voice acting, while the levels are only made more immersive by the incredible soundtrack. Almost every level introduces something fresh like new game mechanics and challenging game play. The story mini-games have improved in both creativity and mechanics.

pro

Arcade mode is an addictive addition where unlocking levels and achievements becomes an obsession. The games in this mode further strengthen LBP's position as the greatest and most creative environment on consoles today.

pro

LBP Vita is up there with the best looking games on the handheld thus far. It rivals its big brother prequels and presents itself as a love letter to the Vita in every visual way possible.

pro

Create mode just became better. Using touch to control every little detail on your level makes the experience so much more fun and the threshold to get into level creating is severely lowered. As the servers went up so did the first levels, and they already show promise of things to come.

con

Not a lot. I could have wished for a longer campaign and tighter touch controls at times, but in the scope of the game this isn't enough to drag it down from that perfect 10.

TOTAL SCORE

10/10

A love letter to the Vita

By Bård A. Johnsen