LittleBigPlanet: Metal Gear Solid (PS3) – First Impression
LittleBigPlanet has been a game that I have wanted, but other purchases during this torrential release period for videogames have prevented me from picking it up sooner. As everyone is aware, Kwanzaa recently passed, so naturally, LBP was on my X-nza wish list presented to my loving parents. Yesterday –uh, coincidentally Christmas Day– I received my gift. To compliment my recently acquired copy of LittleBigPlanet, I purchased the Metal Gear Solid Level Pack that was released via the PlayStation Network on Tuesday. As the name alludes to, there is five (pretty good) new LBP levels here. Perhaps more important though is the introduction of a paint gun weapon for Sack Boy, some new gun-enemies-things (turrets?) and game mechanisms, and a slew of stickers and level-building materials– all of which are free to be used as level-creators see fit.
Knowing I may very well be diminishing the experience I’ll have with the game-proper, I cracked into the Metal Gear levels after completing all of perhaps four levels of the single-player campaign that’s packed on the disc. The first level is a cake walk credit and “story” introduction. You can earn some points and schwag by “shooting” the various enemy target cut-outs with one of the stamps provided. The second level introduces you to the stealth and shooting mechanics, while the third and fourth level are spent putting both to good use. The final level is a short but sweet boss fight against a highly stylized Metal Gear.
I’ve had an opportunity to sample some exemplary user content as well, so I feel pretty confident in saying that while these MGS levels and added features are worth every penny of the $5.99 price (disclaimer: MGS fan here, hi), free user-created-content that I’ve seen in my short time with the game still comes out on top. I hope to have a proper belated review of LittleBigPlanet soon, for practice’s sake. For more details on the Metal Gear Solid Level Pack, Google says that Destructoid has a feature covering the details, apparently channeled via a grown man in the voice of a 16 year old valley girl. I still love them.
