stungaf's Profile

Welcome to the hype train. choo choo.

Most hyped games fail to deliver on their celestially high promises, and to be honest LBP possibly won't reach the destination for many traditional gamers, but in the recently very lucrative soft-core market the LBP hype train will go all the way.
It serves as an HD introduction to gaming for those who have never picked up a nintendo or sega controller before.
In the tradition of mario, alex kidd and even frogger, LBP uses the well trodden platforming format but breathes new life into it by giving it a little more dimension (rad pun totally intended).

It's non-threating, simple to comprehend and challenging enough to want to master. One could even cynically assume sony are tempting non-gamers to embrace the sunless pasttime previously reserved for the socially inept. From singstar to buzz to guitar hero and now this, you can see the continuum getting close to traditional game territory and creating a much larger customer base. and why not?

This is not to say that LBP holds no merit for "core" gamers, with the addition of trophies (a concept i've come around to) the challenge level increases quite a lot. trying to ace levels (finishing with out dying) can be an exercise in controller throwing restraint, but none-the-less, adds extended playability to otherwise 'once through' stages.

And for those with a bit of spare time and a penchant for creative expression, the ability to build your own little big levels can be endless fun. All downloadable and playable by any sackpeople connected to the net: giant cock and balls, intricate re-imaginings of famous games and movies, to the pointless but brilliant giant working calculator.

I've only just finished the campaign but am in the beginning stages of creating my own level and what i thought would be a chore, has become somewhat of an obsession. I find myself thinking of ideas for my levels while at work, or in the shower, or in bed, or while driving, or .. you get the idea. The limitations of the level tools only spur me to find creative ways around them and the sense of satisfaction in making something work is hard to quantify, but lets just say it's somewhere between first learning to ride a bike and successfully scoring that Foxy hottie (wink wink at NZG reference) you've been eyeing up for half an hour at the bar. A sort of giddy gleefulness mixed with a sense of conquering something greater than you gave yourself credit for.

As for longevity, i'm sure there'll be people churning out levels daily, but i think i'll end up really enjoying the first, getting into the swing of things in the second then getting bored and giving up half way through the third time.
kinda like the hottie - when you realise she's taking more than she's giving. a pretty face only gets you so far and a i can't be bothered making all the effort, but it was awesome while it lasted.