Play Create Share, the sub-genre created by UK studio Media Molecule back in 2008 when they released LittleBigPlanet as a PS3 exclusive. 3 years on, and following a PSP version; more DLC than a standard PS3 can hold; a kart racer that took more than a few ideas from Media Molecule; and most importantly over 3.5 Million levels shared between players a full sequel has arrived. With the once considered limitless supply of original LBP levels, is a full sequel really necessary?

If you judge your improvement between sequels as how much cuter the main characters become, then LittleBigPlanet 2 is as essential as they come. PlayStation mascot Sackboy hasn’t changed too much since we last saw him, in fact your character from LBP1 will appear once you boot up the game still dressed in whatever outfit he was in last. This neat touch adds a little nostalgia to those that may not have played the original game since nearer its release, the vocal tones of Steven Fry that accompany this scene once again being the only choice for a narrator a game like LBP could have.

The Grapplehook is one of the best new features added for LBP2

 
Though Sackboy is still just as adorable as he always was, his new batch of buddies couldn’t be any cuter. Larry Da Vinci is an older Sackperson, his beard made from newspaper ruffling as he tells Sackboy of his mission ahead. The Negativatron (a colossal Vacuum Cleaner) has been stealing ideas from across CraftWorld, and Sackboy is tasked with destroying it. Unlike the simple camera angle changes used to represent cutscenes in the original game, the scenes here are fully voiced and directed. This adds to the experience greatly, as not only do the characters become instantly more lovable, but it allows creators to expand their simple levels into full gaming experiences. With this in mind, now may be a good time to bring up the second element of LBP2's triad of experiences, Create.

The aforementioned cutscenes are one of the biggest additions to the creation tools for this sequel, the camera angle changes being particularly important when moving away from basic platformer experiences and into more adventurous genres. By allowing Top Down views through a level, creators have already been able to construct Real Time Strategy, Driving and RPGs, three contrasting genres that fit the Sackboy formula better than I had ever expected. Creation is helped by a more intuitive method of incorporating switches and 'logic' into your levels, thinking back to just how complicated some levels from the original game were (the calculator comes to mind) this improvement was essential. I say that things have been made simpler, but this is only relative. With any new contraption or feature, such as the grapplehook, createnator or Sackbots, the creation mode increases in complexity. Media Molecule have kept the basics nice and basic, but with nearly 80 tutorials that are near essential for any one new to the game, it can take a long time to master.

That didn't stop people last time round, and it sure won't stop them creating incredible levels for LittleBigPlanet 2 either. The community aspect of LBP, the Share in the game's self named genre, is where I feel that this sequel truly shines. Both because of the 2 and a half year gap between games, and the various improvements made to the original in that time, the community have become extremely active. Those who choose to create levels may be the minority, I personally fall into the 'player' category, but the sheer quality of levels being created by this minority is astonishing. Whereas in the first game, you felt obliged to contribute levels to the community, here it's the players, who rate, heart and recommend the levels to others that are the focus. The balance between each Play, Create and Share has been tweaked to perfection and in turn LittleBigPlanet 2 becomes a much more polished experience.

The game constantly attempts to get you playing online with others, a good thing considering it’s the best way to play

This polish extends to the presentation of the game too, with the same top notch graphical design adding that extra level of cuteness to proceedings. As a mascot for PlayStation, there is something so appealing about Sackboy and the world of LBP, he's a welcoming icon. Though there hasn't been much of a technical improvement in the graphics and sound, the whole game feels much more vibrant. The colourful environments of the single player levels extend into the levels from the community too. LittleBigPlanet is just a joyous world to be a part of, even the menu screens have that extra sparkle of creativity poured into them.

This sparkle is exactly why LittleBigPlanet 2 is even more essential than the first game. The story mode has been expanded enough, and features more than enough impressive moments to warrant a playthrough. The fact that every single level created in LBP1 has been imported along with your profile makes the amount of content you could experience here truly legendary. No other game could get away with hiding the most complicated gaming experience of the generation behind characters this adorable, but this works in LittleBigPlanet 2, even more than it did in 2008. This is even more essential than the original; a title every PS3 owner should have in their collection. Sackboy may not end up being the face of future gaming, but right now, he's the closest thing we've got. 

Top Game Moment: Booting up the game to see your customised Sackboy from the original game smiling back at you.