The newest LittleBigPlanet game is actually a spin-off called Sackboy: A Big Adventure. The title character is still around, as are the colorful world and handcraft level design. What's missing is a Create Mode, where players can build their own levels - a signature feature in LittleBigPlanet games that perhaps explains the reason for a spin-off with a new name. The result is PlayStation's most Mario-style platformer yet.
The early reviews for Sackboy: A Big Adventure were positive, with people praising its papercraft and crochet-style levels. The typical whimsy of the original source material is still intact, but the focus of the new LittleBigPlanet spin-off isn't about crafting and creation - it's about running, jumping, and punching through levels, and collecting Dreamer Orbs to progress through the story.
Much like Mario has collected coins, Suns, Moons, and Stars over the years, Sackboy must now collect Dreamer Orbs to unlock more levels and make progress. For anyone who's played a 3D Mario game in the last twenty-five years, this mechanic will feel very familiar. In fact, Sackboy: A Big Adventure might be PlayStation's most Nintendo-like game ever, feeling like a cross between Yoshi's Crafted World and Super Mario Odyssey. While Dreamer Orbs form the backbone of collecting in Sackboy: A Big Adventure, the similarities with Mario don't stop there.
How Sackboy: A Big Adventure Is Like A 3D Mario Game
In more ways than one, Sackboy: A Big Adventure feels like PlayStation's attempt to create its own Mario-like mascot and platformer series. While online multiplayer will be patched in after launch, the game currently s local co-op for up to four players. This means all of Sackboy: A Big Adventure can be played alongside friends.
In this respect, Sackboy: A Big Adventure feels a lot like Super Mario 3D World, where players can help (or hinder) each other across the various levels in the game. With its emphasis now on platforming instead of creation, the newest LittleBigPlanet game may turn away some players who adore the series because of its building mechanics. However, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the closest thing PlayStation has probably ever done to a full-blown Mario game, so Nintendo fans (and fans of 3D platforming in general) should definitely check it out.
The past couple of LittleBigPlanet entries were a bit subpar, but Sackboy: A Big Adventure looks to be a way to reinvigorate the series on cross-gen platforms. Even if its only a spin-off, this is an exciting direction for the series - and it's one that would make Mario proud.