It happens every time a new gaming system comes out. In the months proceeding and the months following a launch, gamers search through the mess of new games, looking for the titles that showcase the system's unique features and provide experiences that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Sadly, they will find more often than not that most games fail to deliver.

Such might be the case with the PlayStation Vita. That's not to say that most of the Vita's games stink (don't get mad just yet), but it has been observed by many already that a good number of the Vita's games fail to use the system's features to the fullest, usually opting to have them serve simply as an alternative means of control, likely to be brushed aside by player' preference to the more traditional controls. 

Luckily, that will not be the case with the next installment of the LittleBigPlanet series. Simply titled LittleBigPlanet, this game is poised to show the hesitant what Sony's new portable can do, and in style.

At first glance, LBP Vita (I am only referring to it like that to differentiate it from the other two games in the series with the name LittleBigPlanet) may not look so different from what has been done in the series already. You still have Sackboy, you're still playing from a side-scrolling perspective, and, more importantly, you can still create your own levels, share them with others around the world, and play theirs as well. 

However, the way that LittleBigPlanet incorporates the Vita's special features into the mix is what makes the difference. Using the system's touch screen, you can interact with the environment in various ways simply by tapping or swiping. The rear touch pad will also come into play, allowing you to do things like push objects in the background into the foreground. Gyro-controls will allow you to interact with the levels with tilt controls, while the Vita's camera can also be used to take pictures, which you can then edit to your heart's content to incorporate them into a level's design. All these new features, in addition to the creative tools from LBP Vita's PS3 brethren, come together to give gamers the opportunity to unleash their creative potential all the more.

Also, besides creating levels, players will be able to create mini-games. What kind of mini-games depends on the creativity of the players, but one example shows an air-hockey game played between two people using one Vita. Again, the sky's the limit, and with all the tools gamers have at their disposal, the potential is there for LittleBigPlanet Vita to become an App Store of sorts, a place where gamers can (possibly) access and share thousands of time-slaying mini-games.

Excited? Looking forward to the Vita's launch now? Well, hate to say this, but, judging from the sound of things, it looks like LBP Vita will be missing out on the Vita's launch, with simply "2012" marked as its release date.  For those devastated at the thought of not being able to take the game home with a Vita on launch day, fret not. After all, it gives the developers more time to fine-tune the game. Also, it's already 2012, so if you're complaining about the wait, don't. It's not that long.

User Comments (0)

[ Sign In to Post a Comment »]