The original LittleBigPlanet was a marvel and a breakthrough. Hitting just as the world was ready for it, it provided the PS3 with three elements it desperately needed: a family-friendly flagship series, an excited, engaged creative community and a fun multiplayer game both online and locally. The second game was a logical next step, rounding off a few rough edges and really opening up the level creation possibilities. Along the way, it got a PSP version, which was generally scaled back to the point that no one could get too excited about.
Don’t worry, though. The Vita’s new LittleBigPlanet follows LBP2‘s formula most closely, letting the new creative possibilities drive the experience and hoping the rest falls into place. READ MORE
This column has done a lot of looking back at classic games and looking forward at our future, but sometimes we can love the games we have now. Here’s a look at a small slice of the local multiplayer experience on the Xbox 360, and the best and most interesting things to play on the system with two or more friends. READ MORE
MMOs are too large in scope to be covered by our traditional review process. So here’s what we’re doing instead: giving you a “first draft” with thoughts from the initial days of a world, then circling back in a few weeks with a fleshed-out look at the final game and high-level experience. Read our earlier impressions here.
Guild Wars 2 continues to deliver the same experience as you move into higher level zones. There aren’t really many new types of events happening, but the new zones remain interesting. One of the most interesting additions to the game, which I failed to mention last time, are jumping puzzles. These are platforming sections that involve finding your way through an area using tricky jumps or navigating a maze. At the end, there is usually an achievement and a loot chest. This is one of the more rewarding experiences I’ve had while exploring zones in an MMO, while also becoming one of the most aggravating. READ MORE
The fall deluge is upon us. We’re talking about Borderlands 2, Torchlight II, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, LittleBigPlanet Vita, War of the Human Tanks, Tokyo Jungle and Hell Yeah!: Wrath of the Dead Rabbit. Plus, as always, discussion of the latest news and more referential humor than should reasonably be allowed.
Check out the show here, check us out on iTunes or use the RSS feed in your favorite podcast aggregator. Let us know what you think! Email podcast[at]snackbar-games.com.
Hosts: Jeff DeSolla, Andrew Passafiume, Graham Russell, Henry Skey, Shawn Vermette. Music: Podcast theme by Tom Casper.
The Kirby series is a bit of an odd companion to the rest of Nintendo’s library of first-party titles, though it remains a welcome one. Kirby is known more for its colorful style and emphasizing atmosphere and charm over difficulty, with few exceptions. It has always been a series Nintendo has not been afraid to try new things with, and it always seems to work out in his favor. READ MORE
