Reasons why:
- I like the idea of introducing different characters with different skills but I can't switch freely and their ability needs are shoehorned into small sections (normally) of the level. I also felt like I was introduced to each character, played an exclusive level with them and then shelved using them until the last level where it was expected that I had their mechanics down pat.
- I felt like this was the first lbp that has cheap sticker / costume bubble placement. In previous entries if I went through a level deliberately enough I'd get the lion share of the bubbles. This entry, there would be a slide with two bubbles on it, with no way of me grabbing both. It's almost forcing a play through in a cheap manner that rubbed me the wrong way. I did not feel like previous entries had this specific of "cheap" bubble placement. Yeah in "chase" levels you always have bubbles that are higher and those that are low but I'm not talking as about that type of placement.
- Disliked the hub world concept. Liked the linear fashion of previous games.
- Did not care for the soundtrack. Not a fan of older music and rather enjoy previous entries' music choices better. Also felt like a lot of instances were just silent with no music or very soft background music.
- Each hub world was so "samey." Let's go collect marbles again?!
1) Agreed, I would've liked more levels showcasing the different characters, both together and separate. Swoop's world felt disappointingly short.
2) Also, agreed. I'm going to replay all of the levels again anyway, but having them split up into two different paths is annoying and a bit cheap.
3) I love the Hub Worlds. The old map style always seemed cluttered and unintuitive to me. The new layout makes it feel like it's an actual world with actual (a couple) inhabitants.
4) Disagree. I got a kick out of the 50's diner music, especially "Tan Shoes with the Pink Shoelaces". The music just seemed to fit the levels so well. None of the songs beat my old favorite (Battles - Atlas), but I did find myself shazaming a couple of them. Casiokis, Togens Hule was one I never would've heard of, but I really enjoyed it. All of the LBP games have had phenomenal music (Tearaway too), I don't know who is picking the songs out, but they are doing a great job.
5) I guess I can kind of see this. They all kind of have the slides and jump pads in the same spot. And the whole marble thing is kinda silly, there didn't really seem to be any justification except that they really like marbles. And what's with Swoop only getting two marbles? I did like the unique aesthetic they came up with for each hub though. The whole look and feel of the game was extremely charming, kudos for that.
I'm not sure where I would rank this game. The new features alone, usable items, new layers, new characters/skills should easily make it the best game. But it's got a couple issues holding it back still and honestly I was disappointed with the length.
If anybody at Sumo is reading this, please separate the "grab" and "use items" button. It's so annoying trying to use an item but you're too close to another character so you just grab them instead. I think the L1 button would be a suitable alternative.
So for those who beat do you think we'll have another one? I really liked the game by the way
There's definitely going to be another one. It's Sony's most successful family-friendly franchise, they're not going to let it end just because it's selling a little slow. I still think it'll sell pretty well though. LBP2 had some serious legs.
