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What went wrong with Little Big Planet?
- Thread starter RP912
- Start date
I never really had a problem with the physics. Hell, Little Big Planet Vita was the best in the series for me.
In my opinion LBP went downhill with Little Big Planet 3. I always interpreted LBP as expressing your creativity and then they go and introduce special characters with special abilities useful in certain situations. To me that is the exact opposite of what LBP should be.
In my opinion LBP went downhill with Little Big Planet 3. I always interpreted LBP as expressing your creativity and then they go and introduce special characters with special abilities useful in certain situations. To me that is the exact opposite of what LBP should be.
This'll be what people hate about Mario Maker as well.
SocksAndShoes
Banned
Woah, I had no idea people had this many issues with LBP3...I know people hate when other gamers say this, but my GF and I had no issues whatsoever (or maybe she did and forgot to tell me.)
I doubt anybody will have a problem with how mario marker plays. My guess is that the simplicity of tools is going to be what people gripe about.
PooBone
Member
The first one had shit platforming and the rest all had the same shit platforming to keep backwards compatibility with all the user-designed levels.
Stupid.
lukeskymac
Member
All of the art design in the world wouldn't save those screens from looking like a hot mess. Terrible IQ.
I really wanted to get LBP3, but the reviews turned me off of it. I think they put too much stock in backwards compatibility. New console should have equaled an entire re-design. If it was not tied to the (static) physics engine in the original titles, then they could have implemented sliders to change gravity, skid, and velocity.
Starting fresh would have helped them even more I think. It's too daunting to enter a game with millions of custom levels - and let's be honest here, a lot of it was crap, and the easiest way to filter all that, was to start anew.
Starting fresh would have helped them even more I think. It's too daunting to enter a game with millions of custom levels - and let's be honest here, a lot of it was crap, and the easiest way to filter all that, was to start anew.
Kssio_Aug
Member
I think that the problem with LBP is that it somehow feels hollow. The sack boys are funny and charismatics, but I don't actually see much identity in the environment and pieces to build. I think I rather that LBP had more well done and interesting campaing and a less "complex" and customizable building tool.
I mean, many will disagree but I believe the level of customization in the game is also what prevents it to contrast its own identity.
I mean, many will disagree but I believe the level of customization in the game is also what prevents it to contrast its own identity.
I could roll my eyes at all the complaints about the physics. I don't think they were ever bad, just different. It merely took some adjustment to what we were accustomed to with platformers. I haven't played 3 yet, but it looks like MM handed the reigns off to the wrong people this time. So I guess if anything "went wrong" with LBP, that would be it.
Jesus, how the hell did it fly under the radar? Or was I just living under a rock?
I guess though, is it an acceptable first step into the series assuming all is patched now, or am I better off waiting for the inevitable LBP4?
Zoloft Sonic
Member
I love platformers and thought it wouldve been an easy hit for me, but it just never clicked, for reasons everyones gone into.
-No snap, weight, or precision to the platforming.
-The lack of a real antagonist or character-driven objectives. Looking at the game feels like poking through a random strangers sewing room junk drawer, rather than seeing an environment made with personality and intent. (like Bowser manages so well.)
-No snap, weight, or precision to the platforming.
-The lack of a real antagonist or character-driven objectives. Looking at the game feels like poking through a random strangers sewing room junk drawer, rather than seeing an environment made with personality and intent. (like Bowser manages so well.)
Yeah I'm not understanding the physics argument as well. It worked well on my end and wasn't much of a nuisance as folks are saying.
Sniffynose
Member
The last one was a broken mess for me for months, I had to delete and restart like 10 times. My wife and kids kept having save issues as well and we couldn't even play locally because of it. I got the platinum and moved on asap. I won't be buying another one after how badly this one was handled. Maybe media molecule shouldn't have off loaded their money maker to another company to make.
Kssio_Aug
Member
Thats pretty much it. Theyre something between an 2D platform attempt and a gaming engine, but it doesnt feel deep in any way.
visiblemode
Member
I just love how 90% of people say "floaty" 16 times in the first 30 seconds of describing LBP. It just takes getting used to...if every game played like Mario, we'd have no variety.
It's a good series, but not popular enough to have a launch as bad as they did with Lbp3...especially because the backlash against unfinished games was so (justifiably) high when it came out.
It's a good series, but not popular enough to have a launch as bad as they did with Lbp3...especially because the backlash against unfinished games was so (justifiably) high when it came out.
OrbitalBeard
Member
All the creative freedom in the world means nothing if the games you allow users to create aren't fun to play. I gave LBP two legitimate chances and the fun simply is not there.
TheSpoiler
Member
The floaty aspect works quite well within the game. You aren't suppose to have Mario-styled jumping. Not only would that make it a direct copycat of a game, it'd also not make sense in the gameplay perspective. For you to grab, interact, and platform properly, you must have that floatiness.
LBP3 was a mess. Saves being deleted, glitches, and new features played a bit too safe for my taste. The created levels at the moment are great. A lot of people complain about the shitty ones, but they are very, very easily avoidable.
The series just played it too safely with LBP3. LBP was my PS3 game of the generation, but the difference between that and LBP3 is marginal, which is a shame considering there's three games between the pair (PSP/PSV/LBP2).
I was really, really, REALLY hoping for LittleBigPlanet3D. Maybe next time.
I was really, really, REALLY hoping for LittleBigPlanet3D. Maybe next time.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
This--LBP3 eventually killed it for me. I won't touch another one no matter how good it looks.
The physics are awful, the game isn't fun, the storyline is weak and the humor is forced.
Seems like a good time to do it. The formula is tired and I don't think people would be too upset about not having backwards compatibility with old stages at this point.
Very few platformers being made play just like Mario, 2D or 3D, and even amongst Nintendo's own series, none of them play alike. Quite a few of them are still very good-to-great when it comes to their physics. The overwhelming sentiment is that LBP has never been one of them.
JinjoUnchained
Member
Visually it never evolved, but instead devolved.
3 looked dreadful, barely any logical colour design to it. Meanwhile, Nintendo adopted the "real life hobbycraft" textured approach to Kirbys and Yoshi's, and showed what could be done with the concepts and not 0.5% effort art design:
Other than that, it also went SUPER COMPLEX with its creation tools (actual coding, circuit boards, etc) which is great for the hardcore minority of LBP superfans, but completely off-putting to everyone else.
God, I wish Mario Maker would do this too, but I know they'll go the simpler route for the reason you stated. I'm not asking for much here: let me create my own sprites/sprite strips and give me a list of collision events/AI that I can assign to them. Let me create my own non-interactive backgrounds. Hell, even some Animal Crossing-style user created skins would be great.
At least as an option for the hardcore fan, everyone else can use the game's tools as shown in the demo. They talk about Mario Maker becoming a series, so a part of me wonders if they're holding off something like this for MM2.
ForsakenLotus
Member
The first game sold exceptionally, and the second game sold very well. Both games are great, in my opinion. However...
The biggest issue is the physics. If you are used to the practically perfect mechanics in Nintendo platformers, LBP just feels off. But LBP isn't about precise platforming, it's a fun campaign to introduce ideas and goof off with friends and the real meat is in the creative tools.
Unfortunately, while I think LBP3 is a good game, it didn't utilize the unique four player co-op as it should have.
So going forward, I think the developer needs to find a way to have precise platforming mechanics while still having a big emphasis on physics. There needs to be a co-op mode where each character has unique abilities and the potential in gameplay and level design needs to be capitalized on. If these two things can be achieved without sacrificing the series' charm and creation tools, I think it can maximize its sales potential.
But it will never be Mario.
The biggest issue is the physics. If you are used to the practically perfect mechanics in Nintendo platformers, LBP just feels off. But LBP isn't about precise platforming, it's a fun campaign to introduce ideas and goof off with friends and the real meat is in the creative tools.
Unfortunately, while I think LBP3 is a good game, it didn't utilize the unique four player co-op as it should have.
So going forward, I think the developer needs to find a way to have precise platforming mechanics while still having a big emphasis on physics. There needs to be a co-op mode where each character has unique abilities and the potential in gameplay and level design needs to be capitalized on. If these two things can be achieved without sacrificing the series' charm and creation tools, I think it can maximize its sales potential.
But it will never be Mario.
Problems with LBP (having played every single game, PS3, PSP, Vita and PS4 versions):
- Physics - I don't have a big issue with it but it just feels so... off when comparing it to other platformers.
- Create - As much as they touted that you could create a level in an easy fashion... it isn't easy. Unless you want to pump out junk, which 95% of published levels tend to be.
- Create Anything Aspect - Yeah, there was an RPG-like creation. And a top-down racer. And an air hockey game. But the problem is: while you CAN create these types of expereinces, they ALWAYS just feel half-baked. Almost unenjoyable. That's why the rollercoaster levels and "stand on this moving vehicle and it'll make a popular music song" were popular: they didn't rely on these previous gaming experiences that we compare to.
- Wonky - the games are wonky. Things don't always happen the way they should when you're rolling through levels... even story levels. It doesn't feel like a tight-knit (no pun intended) platforming experience.
These are all the things working against the LBP series. I get my fun and enjoyment out of them all... but go in with the right expectations.
- Physics - I don't have a big issue with it but it just feels so... off when comparing it to other platformers.
- Create - As much as they touted that you could create a level in an easy fashion... it isn't easy. Unless you want to pump out junk, which 95% of published levels tend to be.
- Create Anything Aspect - Yeah, there was an RPG-like creation. And a top-down racer. And an air hockey game. But the problem is: while you CAN create these types of expereinces, they ALWAYS just feel half-baked. Almost unenjoyable. That's why the rollercoaster levels and "stand on this moving vehicle and it'll make a popular music song" were popular: they didn't rely on these previous gaming experiences that we compare to.
- Wonky - the games are wonky. Things don't always happen the way they should when you're rolling through levels... even story levels. It doesn't feel like a tight-knit (no pun intended) platforming experience.
These are all the things working against the LBP series. I get my fun and enjoyment out of them all... but go in with the right expectations.
pr0cs
Member
I haven't tried it in a while but I bought the game for my kids at Christmas.
Last time we played it (February) we encountered
1) falling through the game world, which was very common, at least once per game session
2) bubbles like boost recharge being on a different plane than the character making some levels impossible to pass (which is unbelievably frustrating from a kids point of view)
3) issues with multiple players on the same machine with different accounts. My son's account was not promoted as an adult account and so this caused all sorts of goofy behavior playing along , all sorts of error messages when starting a new game.
The game is a mess and really soured our opinion of the franchise.
Sumo should be ashamed.
SiegRein of Takamagahara
Banned
Warioware?
Voysa Reezun
Banned
Sackboy is so damn cute. Like, if I were five, I would totally want to go as Sackboy for Halloween. That character design is actually one of my favorites because he looks like a doll I might have had in real life that was made of sackcloth.
I actually came to LBP with the Vita version, and what people say is true about the physics. The jumping is floaty and imprecise. The level design for the game proper isn't too great, either. However, I love the music, the narration, and the real-world art-design. Don't get me wrong, I like the super-colorful design of Wooly World and Rainbow Curse too, but to me, there is room for both the more "realistic," I suppose I'd say (it's not the word that I really want, though) art design of LBP and the color-filled design of those Nintendo games.
However, I personally disagree with Sackboy not being a character that is particularly striking. Maybe what really got me liking the character is the fact that you can play with his facial expressions, and the animations for those are so wonderful that it feels like Sackboy has a real personality in a way that Yoshi or Kirby doesn't quite have, at least to me.
I actually came to LBP with the Vita version, and what people say is true about the physics. The jumping is floaty and imprecise. The level design for the game proper isn't too great, either. However, I love the music, the narration, and the real-world art-design. Don't get me wrong, I like the super-colorful design of Wooly World and Rainbow Curse too, but to me, there is room for both the more "realistic," I suppose I'd say (it's not the word that I really want, though) art design of LBP and the color-filled design of those Nintendo games.
However, I personally disagree with Sackboy not being a character that is particularly striking. Maybe what really got me liking the character is the fact that you can play with his facial expressions, and the animations for those are so wonderful that it feels like Sackboy has a real personality in a way that Yoshi or Kirby doesn't quite have, at least to me.
SiegRein of Takamagahara
Banned
Play yoshi 64 and thats immediately apparent
Kirby and yoshi have ridiculous amounts of personality
kirby more so.
Sack boy looks weird tbh
like extremely weird. LBP3 was drab
Yup, was never fun to play for me.
Zxrophantom
Member
If you ask me nothing went wrong aside from LBP3 not living up to the standards of the past games. Which is crazy since it still has long load times and everything on ps4 which should handle that game no problem. Others may have the opinion that the jumping never felt great and it was overly floaty.
For being forced to release the game when they weren't ready?