LittleBigPlanet finally gives PlayStation 3 its killer app

by Stevie Smith - Oct 17 2008, 12:25

Since the PlayStation 3’s arrival, several big name, big hope videogame releases have attempted to assume the mantle of ‘killer app’ and become the singular and exclusive software title deemed strong enough to help Sony sell vast sways of its powerhouse console.

Heavenly Sword, Lair, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Resistance: Fall of Man, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and even Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots -- all have tried, all have failed.

Yet, while Sony still has potent first-person shooter (FPS) sequels such as Resistance 2 and Killzone 2 yet to make their respective bids for the title, early indications would suggest the in-depth innovation and creativity behind the classic platform action of Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet (LBP) has killer app scrawled lovingly all over its rampant charm and user-created appeal.

Set up by a trio of ex-employees of Peter Molyneux’s renowned Lionhead Studios (Fable, The Movies), Media Molecule and its ambitious software debut LittleBigPlanet have been quietly gathering momentum while the likes of Naughty Dog’s Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, and Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 4 have made sizeable dents in, but ultimately failed to break through, the killer app barrier.

Of course, despite LBP’s obvious originality and appeal, some gamers are notoriously fickle when it comes to embracing anything other than generic shooters, yearly sports updates and RPG epics, and critically-applauded innovation is not always rewarded with commercial success -- see Okami, Patapon and LocoRoco.

Yet, while long-term consumer sales figures will ultimately decide whether LittleBigPlanet secures the vacant killer app crown, widespread reception from reviewers certainly suggests Sony’s wait for a thoroughbred system seller may well be over.

Specifically, LittleBigPlanet’s simple platform puzzle and action premise is built on shamelessly cute and customisable ‘sackboy’ and ‘sackgirl’ characters, breathtaking visuals, superb physics and seemingly limitless scope for creativity. The latter of which is perfectly encapsulated through an onboard toolset enabling the LBP community to construct and share their own levels in what Media Molecule refers to as “YouTube for videogames.”

In terms of that aforementioned critical reception, the BBC’s Darren Waters is particularly notable in his praise for the game, calling LittleBigPlanet “the single most important title for the PS3 this year.”

“LBP is unquestionably one of the best titles of this year, or any year,” enthused Waters in a recent column. “It is a terrific platform game, with an abundance of creativity, fun and character. It’s up there with some of the best platform titles ever made, include Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario 64.”

And Waters is far from alone in his gushing appreciation for LittleBigPlanet.

The Official PlayStation Magazine (UK edition) bestowed the game with full marks (100/100), saying that “there simply isn’t anything else like LBP on any system, anywhere. It’s a beautifully elegant and powerful creative tool that puts unlimited potential in the palm of your hand.”

And according to media review aggregator Metacritic, leading videogame review services IGN (UK) and GameSpot have awarded LittleBigPlanet with respective scores of 97/100 and 90/100, with IGN describing the game as “a celebration of inspiration and human interaction and a hugely welcome, utterly invigorating experience among [the] usual roster of nihilistic shooters jostling for shelf space this Christmas.”

Similarly, respected review outlets such as Play.tm and Eurogamer have lavished heaps of praise on Media Molecule’s creation, with Play awarding the game 93/100 and saying “the concept is a masterstroke,” while Eurogamer gave a score of 90/100 for the flagship title, saying: “New ideas are great, great old ideas are better, and LittleBigPlanet has both: it’s the future and the past of videogames, rolled into one.”

Whether it is destined to be flatly received by gamers as a gimmicky flash in the pan, or (rightly) elevated to the commercial stratosphere, all will be revealed when LittleBigPlanet is officially released this coming October 21.

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