Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wildly creative game lets kids stretch their imagination.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
LittleBigPlanet - PS Vita
What's It About?
The world of our imagination is once again in need of Sackboy's help in LITTLEBIGPLANET - PS VITA, the fourth game in Media Molecule's groundbreaking series of creative platformers. Kids begin the game by customizing their own burlap sack avatar, then head off to see how they can help a series of peculiar \"creator curators\" deal with problems spawned by an off-kilter puppeteer. Players work through dozens of levels filled with physics-based challenges, solving problems while collecting hundreds of spheres filled with items that can be used in the other part of the game: the creator mode. Creator mode allows kids to design their own levels LittleBigPlanet-style or even come up with completely different kinds of games, from pong-style two-player challenges to surprisingly lengthy role-playing games. They can then share these levels with the franchise's huge, thriving community, which is likely to inspire them to create even more games.
Is It Any Good?
LittleBigPlanet PS Vita is a must-have for early adopters of Sony's latest handheld game system. It puts the device's multifaceted interface to terrific effect, making smart and sparing use of the system's motion and touch controls. For example, you can touch the rear touch pad to push objects in the background forward, creating new platforms and grappling hook latching points, and use the touch screen to throw switches and play musical instruments found in the environment. Some mini-games even have players turn the Vita on its end and use the right thumb stick and action buttons in a fashion akin to an old arcade machine.
But, as with previous LittleBigPlanet games, the Vita edition shines brightest in its creator mode and online community. This game gives players an authentic taste of what game design is like. It's an outlet for ambitious and inventive kids, and a place where they can connect and share the things they make with like-minded people. Few games act as a platform for such satisfying creativity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about creating things in digital worlds. Do you get the same satisfaction from creating something in a game as you do creating something in the real world? What advantages come with working with virtual objects?
Families can also discuss online safety. How do you protect yourself from online predators? What would you do if you encountered someone online who was bullying you or seemed to be probing for personal information?
Game Details
- Platform : PlayStation Vita
- Subjects : Hobbies : building , collecting , gardening , Arts : music , playing , sculpture , Science : gravity , physics
- Skills : Tech Skills : digital creation , evaluating media messages , using and applying technology , Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , logic , strategy , Creativity : imagination , making new creations , producing new content
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date : September 18, 2012
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : December 5, 2025
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