LittleBigPlanet preview

When LittleBigPlanet was first revealed earlier this year, Gamestyle was very impressed and so it seems was everyone else, including most of all, Nintendo. Finally here was a game that took the power of the PlayStation 3 and delivered something other than realistic graphics and state of the art effects. LittleBigPlanet promises to break from the norm and inject fun and teamwork back into multi-player marathon sessions, for us 2008 cannot come quickly enough.

Words by Jason Julier , playing on a Sony PlayStation 3.

Developed by the newly formed UK developer Media Molecule, its no surprise to see their experience includes Rag Doll Kung Fu. Building on animation and dynamic physics, LittleBigPlanet sets you at the beginning of a virtual obstacle course that you can only overcome with the help of your friends, through running, jumping and grabbing. By getting together you can achieve almost anything including overcoming mini-dangers and Himalayas. Those lagging behind will have every opportunity to catch and the spirit of teamwork is encouraged- why leave someone stranded when you may need them further on?Competitive souls need not worry, as options will exist for competition or solitary events if you find yourself alone. Think of it on paper as Powerstone minus the fighting, with a dash of micro machines scenery, but with that magical ingredient. The inclusion of enemies is not confirmed, leaving you to focus on the environmental challenges and the race to the finish line. Whether the game will ship that way remains to be seen, however the lack of combat focus is refreshing.A huge chunk of Planet promises to be the community, as you will be able to create your own levels and distribute these to others- although details on how this will be achieved (or any cost implications) remain sketchy. Media Molecule aim to ship the game with a thorough selection of tools to build items of your choice, and the tutorial footage seems to suggest creating items is fairly straightforward. These tools are available at all times rather than via a specific mode, meaning that when inspiration does arise you can take advantage of your eureka moment straight away. Customisation also plays a big role as you decorate levels and your own character, adding items, materials, outfits and much more. Being creative is a central theme of the experience and the more you experiment and see you efforts being used by others.Backing up the strong game play credentials are the distinctive visuals that adopt a side-on perspective, which allows for an amazing amount of depth and detail. Everything on display is made from real world materials and is also highly interactive, offering limitless possibilities to reach the finish line. There is plenty happening at all times as you play, whether it be colleagues flying rocketing across the screen, balls rolling, doors opening and on. LittleBigPlanet never sits still.With a demo promised for later this year, we'll soon be able to taste just how close LittleBigPlanet is to fulfilling its enormous potential. For PlayStation 3 owners holding out for something a little different, this could be what youre waiting for.