LBP has been to be things like "A casual gamer's game" and "A kiddie's game". However, I am curious how anyone can argue the game isn't a hardcore gamer's game. Sure, it is cute, and has a lot of charm to it. There isn't a bucketload of blood and gore. But, not hardcore and a kiddie's game? Anyone care to explain this? As I see it, this is the case for LBP NOT being a casual gamer or a kiddie game:
1. The life system harkens back to old school retro. You have 3 or 6 lives and if you die, you start the level over. Oh, there are checkpoints, but they reset lives. You run out of lives, you start over, however.
2. The game is a 2D platformer, which is a genre almost completely ignored. It harkens back to retro days.
3. There are some HARD levels in it. Yes, HARD. Places where you can die a lot. Not sure I could see a kiddie (unless they are a videogame wiz) get past all the levels. And casual gamers? I don't see that either.
4. Let's talk also about the level editor:
a. To be able to use it, you either have to import images (I believe this is possible) or play through the game, to find items you can use in your game.
b. The level editor isn't simple pick up and play. It requires work to create levels. In the hands of a skilled person, you can design some cool stuff. Tetrin.jp is proof of ths.
c. The game has a detailed physics engine you need to understand to effectively design levels, and also play.
I am curious who would argue that Little Big Planet isn't a hardcore gamer's game. Outside of the lack of gore, I am hard pressed to see any reason why anyone would consider it to NOT be a hardcore title.
