I’ve already stated that LitleBigPlanet is my favorite game on the PS3.  No other game on the Ps3 has stolen so many hours of my life.  But, it isn’t my favorite game of all time. That special place in my heart is reserved for Secret of Mana.

But Media Molecule is trying very hard to get to that special place, with Little Big Planet 2.

I already have full intentions of blowing 80 bucks on the collectors edition.  I plan to pick up Modnation racers in september (edit:  As Roadripper pointed out in the comments, it isn’t made by Media Molecule!  Silly me.  It just had that Play Create Share thing going for it.  I apologize for the mixup!) .  I’m quickly turning into a Media Molecule fanboy, really.  They’re my favorite game company, due to their fearlessness of developing something… New.

But why is LBP2 setting the bar?

When you hear the term, “sequel” you usually think, “New characters, new guns, prettier graphics, and more levels.”  The storyline will continue from where it left off, or it may begin a new storyline with a new character altogether.  Maybe it’ll introduce a new game mechanic, like everyone’s favorite:  a cover system.  Media molecule has done all that.  It’s added little sackbots.  New characters, whupee.  New levels?  Definately.  New game mechanics?  Righteous, a grappling hook and such.  And…  I don’t quite know the story.  I forgot there was a story on LittleBigPlanet.

But where Media Molecule shines is what they’ve done with the staple of their game:  the creation system.  We’ve already seen what creative things people have come up with for LittleBigPlanet 1.  They’ve utilized glitches, and little bugs in the game to create some really awesome levels.  And I’d like to say we all know about the fully functional calculator that was created way back in the beta of the first game!  In LittleBigPlanet 2, MM is really “setting us up the bomb.”  They’re introducing what could only be explained as full-blown programmable gameplay.  They threw out the notion of “the buyers won’t use this, so why work on it?”  This stuff is complex.  But they’re going to put it in the game because there are going to be users out there who can utilize this to create some truly amazing levels.  I’ll probably try my hand in it, but I have such a terrible bout of creativity!  I’d never produce anything amazing.

What do these additions allow users to do?  Well… Darn’d near anything they’d want, really.  MM is practically giving users a computer to program.  To program anything.  Well, anything within the 2D plane, but I can bet my top-dollar someone ingenius will find a way to break that restriction given the new tools of the trade.

But, aside from fantacizing over the new tools that MM’s giving us, there’s a certain degree of thanks with backwards compatibility.  All levels, DLC, and everything from the first game will work on the new game. That means, off the bat, you’ve got a bit over a 1 million level catalog(spellcheck is failing me right now.  Spare me.) you can plow through.  I’ve spent around $30 on DLC costumes and level kits over my time with the game.  All $30 of that will be usable on day one!  Thanks, MM.

But, you can throw away my statements and this whole article if you’d want.  It’s really just a ‘gasm article.  With weak arguments like “ILU 4EVR MM.”

Wrapping it up

Every news article I read concerning LittlebigPlanet 2 sends me into a joyous nerdgasm full of delight like no other.  Even news of Castle Crashers FINALLY having a release date on PS3 (something I’ve been harping about for over a year) pales in comparison to LBP2 news!  And that’s an accomplishment, MM.  Your hard work will no doubtedly make other companies think if they’d want to say whatever they come out with is a “sequel” or not.

http://gamersbynature.com/2010/08/20/branchedout/littlebigplanet-2-has-set-the-bar-of-what-a-sequel-should-be/

I agree. LBP2 has me really excited.

I am getting the $80 edition just for the Sackboy plushie alone, but the great looking bookends and multitude of DLC is a very welcome addition too.

Uncharted 2 raised the bar!

Now LBP 2 tops even that!!!!

Fantastic!

I missed out LBP but LBP 2 is right there on top of the list of games to buy this winter. Just hoping I won't get so addicted to it since I'll be in Uni : )

i'm getting the collectors edition too! not quite sure what i'm going to do with the book ends but i've always wanted a sack boy doll.  the gonzo dlc is pure win as well. 

LBP DLC was one of my biggest concerns since I spent a lot of money on Sackboy costumes. I am so glad all of it works with LBP2. It ended up being money well spent.

It lets me sell off LBP with no regrets what so ever since I got the platinum.

The only negative thing about LBP2 is that it is going to kill my LBP1's resale value.

yes best game ever before it releases.

Couldn't agree more! LBP2 is a true true sequel. Not just the same thing over and over again or trying to sell on the merit of it's previous games fame alone. People expected MM to bring and  they did in style.

It's funny because if you think back, people would say that they couldn't see how they could make a sequel to LittleBigPlanet, and that it wouldn't need a second game this gen because of the really good level editor.

All this new stuff in LBP2 even surprised me.

I'll surely get that as I liked LBP quite a lot.

I will not lie, even LBP2's creation system seems meek and barren compared to some games on the PC. I mean hell, Alien Swarm was originally a mod for a game done with the tools that came with the game (or CS, or TF, or DOTA etc. etc.). I highly, HIGHLY doubt anything that comes out of LBP2 will be anything even close to any of those mods. I really don't see how this is so praise worthy at all. It's a very "meh" editor in terms of capability when compared to other tools out there.