There are a few super simple puzzles that require a second player (or just a controller), but none that need 3 or 4 players to tackle like in previous games. The story mode is short and fairly frustrating at times with too many one-hit deaths and easy to miss stickers and point bubbles. The game supports up to 4 local or online players in any combination, except the levels do not lend themselves well to co-op play at all. Even with a trio of new playable characters joining Sackboy (OddSock, Toggle and Swoop), and new abilities/gadgets to play around with, I never felt compelled to 100% the story levels or the optional challenges or quests - or spend much time in the trio of hubs that they are organized around for that matter. I?ve thoroughly completed (and aced) the single player story mode in all of the previous LBP titles including the PSP and PS Vita releases there?s no way I can see myself doing the same in LittleBigPlanet 3. The levels, the story, the music and interface provide for a ?LBP-like? experience, although xDev and Sumo Digital can?t quite duplicate the patented Media Molecule magic in LBP3. At first glance you would probably think that you were playing a proper LBP game by the original developers, but it doesn?t take long to realize that it?s not quite up to the same level of polish or whimsical creativity that MM is usually able to whip up. LittleBigPlanet 3 is still a charming platformer and creative sandbox at heart, yet without the full attention of Media Molecule, it feels like it sorta lost its soul.

If it were a unique, top tier AAA release like the original LittleBigPlanet (and the sequel to an extent), it would be a shame unfortunately, as much as I adore the franchise, LBP3 is a game that I suspect not many fans really asked for or expected.

Wedged between releases of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Assassin?s Creed Unity, Far Cry 4, Grand Theft Auto V, Super Smash Bros Wii U and a pair of Pokemon 3DS titles, it will surely be overlooked this holiday season. Like it or not, LittleBigPlanet 3 was kinda sent to die.

Download little big planet on ps5