Episode 57
Yes, it's that time of the fortnight again folks! Floating towards you is another raft of awesome levels from the previous two weeks of the LBPC level showcase. This past week marked the release of LBP2, and we hope you're enjoying yourselves. Hopefully this load of levels will increase the amount of fun many times over! Or don't have LBP2 and got the blues? Just about all of these levels are playable in LBP1 and they are terrific!
However, please take note whether levels are only available in LBP2 or LBP1. If not otherwise stated, all levels are playable in both!
Enjoy! :D
PS3 Spotlight
Chibi Fairy Tale (Series) by Bloo_boy/Bloo_boyA Chibi Fairy Tale with a very, very hyperactive princess.
Ready for something just a little bit different? This is possibly the most colorful storybook you’ll ever play in. I mean it. Color is splattered everywhere due to an overly-hyperactive painter princess, and it actually makes for a really good-looking level. The villain, an evil wizard who very selfishly wants to paint the world his own way, makes a rather eccentric entrance and you’ll have to hunt him down. It’s got some good gameplay mechanics, and is very funny. Overall a fun, (very) brightly colored series that you shouldn’t miss!
Deadly Complex by radishlord/radishlordWe have finally achieved transportation through matter. This is a marvelous breakthrough in technology! But is it safe... What's this? A sackboy? He shall make a fine test subject. (view on lbp.me)
More than anything with LBP levels, I really admire a fun and original concept and that's exactly what Deadly Complex delivers. The clever gimmick behind this one is you have to use some fancy schmancy technology to travel through walls and in between rooms by turning "ghost mode" on and off. It's a fairly unique puzzler and definitely requires some thought, especially in the latter stages as they get progressively more difficult. There's some clear inspiration from Portal here but it serves the level well and remains unique in it's own right. If you crave a unique puzzler with some cool twists as you progress, this is well worth checking out.
Ruins of Albion by metalhead_as/metalhead_asAlbion, City of Gold, luscious waterfalls, magnificent jungles and poisonous swamps. Not everything is as it seems in a world thats beyond beautiful. (view on lbp.me)
Absolutely, stunningly gorgeous. Waterfalls and greenery thrive in this ancient forest. The visuals are pitch-perfect, with decorations used to their fullest extent. Vines, thorns, and trees are everywhere. A custom river rushes through one scene. Such beauty and the quality of the platforming more than make up for the short length of the level (I’ll bet anything the intense detail destroyed the thermo on this one...). The gameplay is great: everything from the switches and buttons to the bounce-glass-momentum pieces are done very well. But again, if nothing else, play this level just to stare at it.
Short but oh so sweet. A truly beautiful level with some incredible attention to detail that had me stopping in my tracks just to admire each section. When it was over I was left wanting more, but I would still highly recommend checking out this gorgeous level.
In the mood for some serious eye candy? then look no further than the Ruins of Albion, by Metalhead_as! This gorgeously done level sweeps you trhough a lush rainforest that's completely overgrown the ruins around it. Yes, this level is short but you might find yourself taking a while to get through it, because you'll want to stop and stare for minutes on end!
The Magicians Manor by UNCLE_MUSCLES_/UNCLE_MUSCLES_Navigate your way through the magician's home to reach his auditorium in which he will conduct the greatest magic show ever to be witnessed. (view on lbp.me)
Just what you’d expect from a magician’s house: odd, twisting staircases reaching up into nowhere, broken balconies, hallways swinging back and forth, levitating appliances, and an overall air of mystery and magic. It's constructed extremely well! The whole thing feels very early 1900s, especially the fantastic visual design; it’s a great, original atmosphere that I thoroughly enjoyed. And the end? You get to watch a spectacular magic show in the magician’s private auditorium!
This level is the work of a true artist. Simply oozing style around every corner, Uncle_mucles_ isn't lying when he says his manor is magical. Floating islands, shape shifting staircases and disappearing acts really give this level style. There's even a full on magic show near the end! There's lots of fun game play and bubbles to collect too! Make sure to check out this exceedingly eccentric and awesomely artistic level.
A Salty Space Adventure: Save the Girl! by Mnniska/MnniskaJabbah the evil space-pirate has kidnapped Goakka's daughte, and you're the Sack to save the day. Created by Mnniska & The_Creator_1. Special thanks to o--aRBee--o. Make sure never to press circle in cutscenes! 1 player only! (view on lbp.me)
Filled with humorous cutscenes and crazy characters, this adventure is one amazing ride! Saving princesses has long been part of the platforming business—and this is no exception—but here our tea-sipping temptress is hardly as gullible. Add in a comically deranged villain, a concerned father, and some pathetic enemies, and you’ve got yourself a heaping dose of fun! And the gameplay ranges from a to-do list to an escape from a whale spaceship. Yes, you heard me right. Go have a gad!
Story Levels: Hard Mode (Series) by tom230889/LBP_HARDWelcome to LittleBigPlanet... HARD mode! (Comments in this level are not to be taken seriously. I love Mm and this is just a bit of fun :)) (view on lbp.me)
With these levels you are really getting exactly what it says on the tin. Key sections of the LBP story levels carefully remastered for only the most intense players. Prepare to have your behind kicked good and proper as you dodge double the hazards and navigate even tighter platforms. Sadly, I wasn't nearly hardcore enough to finish this series but try it for yourself and see if you can become one of the elite.
GangSTAR Chicken Wants U Dead! (Series) by Pab3000/Pab3000GangSTAR Chicken is 'Hen' bent on destroying all the creators moons in his destructive quest of the 'creator' trophy. You must stop him! There's 'foul' play afoot, and he's being very 'egg'resive... ok I'll stop. (view on lbp.me)
An incredibly quirky, imaginative and humorous set of levels that has you fending off against the nefarious GangSTAR chicken and his league of evil robots as he tries to cheat his way to the 'creator' trophy (trust me, it's just as weird as it sounds). Despite the whacky premise, the design is actually quite simplistic and everything is very big and very bright making each section really pop out like a cartoon. One particularly bizarre section has you actually stepping into a dream complete with visible 'dream clouds' which I thought was a superb touch.
Sanctuarium by OcamposMoon/OcamposMoonA structure built to the ancients, Sackboy stumbles upon it, not knowing that the Sanctuarium has not seen visitors for years... (view on lbp.me)
Enter the puzzle-filled Sanctuarium! The whole structure is gorgeous, lending a peaceful, ancient-temple or abandoned-monastary feel in a new and original manner. It’s sparsely decorated, and for the most part only two or three materials (largely stone and metal) are used, that in no way detracts from the beauty. It feels very grand and serene. Your eyes can relax while you gad about and solve some simple platforming puzzles. It’s another level I’d suggest for the sheer purpose of looking at it, but it’s fun too, so go check it out!
The Sanctuarium's abandoned ruins await your exploration in this puzzler/platformer from OcamposMoon! Plenty of clever obstacles and stand between you and the end, and the journey there is one of beauty. This level captures the ruins style in great form, and the smart level design will have you exploring every inch there is to explore. Make sure to give this one a go!
OH NO!!! THE PRINCESS!!! World 8: Castle of Dinosaur King by CaptainCowboyHat/CaptainCowboyHatThe final level of this overly difficult series is finally here, published a mere two days before LBP2 comes out and makes all the gameplay tired and obsolete. Die a lot and enjoy! (view on lbp.me)
A healthy (or maybe extremely unhealthy?) dose of fire, the secret lava material, an overabundance of plasma, and spectacular humor make this level a must-play. It’s no walk in the park, though, so be careful! You. Will. Die. This level not intended for those with high blood pressure. Yet there’s always a major sense of accomplishment after passing each obstacle. Seriously. But difficulty aside, it’s an exceedingly well-made level with a retro Mario feel. Several obstacles are very well made. For example, one particular obstacle further into the level consists of many, many switching electrified blocks that are nearly unpredictable; it’s a puzzle platform in the truest sense. Give this level a shot... if you dare... for the feeling of victory after conquering it is undeniable.
It's finally here. After months of development and seven previous entries, CaptainCowboyHat's epic series has finally come to a close. This grand finale lives up to its pedigree with impossibly difficult platforming, clever dialogue and a blocky, inspired visual design. If you've never checked out this series, there's never been a better time to do so now that it's complete. And if you're a veteran, then what are you waiting for? Get to it!
The Ama Toor Project by Jagrevi/JagreviWhat follows is an experiment of mine to change a profile into an open-world game. (view on lbp.me) Note: This level is only available in LBP1!
I think it’s safe to say this is a highly unique project, converting an entire profile to an open-world game. Nor is the immense amount of work put into this project in vain; it grabs your attention from the start with an intriguing story and very well-designed characters. Humor is sprinkled through the almost Final Fantasy feel (old school... think FFVI). It's even complete with a sticker-enabled skill set (Persuade? Check. Perception? Check. And so forth), so be ready to enable those things. There’s a lot more, but suffice it to say you will be spending a great deal of time in Ama Toor. But don’t worry... it’s worth that time!
At long last, Jagrevi's long-running and incredibly ambitious RPG project is finally unleashed upon us. The day before the US release of LBP2 no less! Probably the most impressive RPG effort to date with an intruiging story, well-designed characters and a cool upgradable speech system using custom stickers. I really enjoyed just exploring each area, interacting with the NPC's and finding all the cool secrets tucked away in various nooks and crannies. If this is what Jagrevi is capable of in the original LBP, I would really love to see what he can cook up with the improved tools in LBP2.
From cheddar with love.. by Alec/CANDY_KING_ALECTravel to through the world of mice! - Just a short level made by Chuck_18mp, Oneeyedbanshee and myself! I hope you'll enjoy it! (view on lbp.me)
It's hard to believe that this quirky little level was put together in three days! It just goes to show how powerful good use of online create can be. This cartoonish and often hilarious platformer has a unique visual style and lots of wacky characters that make it stand out. Its fantastic cut scenes and fun game play make it an entertaining level that plays LBP1 out with a bang!
Ethereal Musings by zynax555/zynax555Explore a temple in the sky filled with gruelling puzzles. I highly urge you to play this 1p for an optimal playing experience. (view on lbp.me)
It's a perfectly calm night; atop this tranquil, floating city there's not a soul to be seen. The perfect set for some serious thinking! Observation is the name of the game in this exceedingly beautiful level courtesy of Zynax. Some of the most challenging and rewarding puzzles around lay in this level, and you won't solve them without some serious consideration. Combine these with a great atmosphere and you've got a superbly satisfying level that will realy put you to the test!
Rogue Panda Rescue by jackofcourse/jackofcourseThis level has been made for the UK tv adverts. The cheeky pandas have escaped the zoo! Sackboy's been drafted in to help out. How many can you find? (view on lbp.me) Note: This level is only available in LBP2!
Finding mischievous baby pandas and teleporting them back to the zoo? Count me in! Jackofcourse has created a fun, cheeky jaunt through a souped-up Islands themed level (and you might catch it on TV if you live in the UK)! This level consists largely of turning fire on and off, finding strategically positioned grappling hooks, and getting those pesky pandas! It’s a bit of a puzzle level, so put on your search-and-destroy (er... I mean teleport, not destroy...) hat (do they make those?) and do better than I did... I only rescued 14 of the little dudes. :p
The first community level I played on LBP2 and what a superb introduction to the game. I was really reminded of Ape Escape here, a game series I'm really fond of. Lots of great, well-polished grappling hook and bounce pad action. Every one one of the cuddly pandas has some superb animation and give the level a lot of character as they playfully bounce all around the screen. Some of the pandas are a real challenge to reach and whilst I got a pretty glorious 31 out of 40 pandas, I know I'll be getting some serious replay value retrying the level and attempting to nab them all. :)
With the recent release of LBP2 it was only a matter of time before we started seeing excitingly fresh innovations with the plethora of new tools. But so fast! Jackofcourse's LBP2 debut is a fantastic platforming level that makes incredible use of sackbots. Scattered throughout the level, it's your job to hunt them down and return them to the zoo. A furiously fun level with -tons- of replay value. Not to be missed.
Venice Is Sinking by GruntosUK/GruntosUKRace up a crumbling and sinking tower in Venice. Can you get the highest score? Versus version availible. Featured in LBP2 TV ads. (view on lbp.me)
Most picture Venice as a serene and calming city, where gondolas roam between buildings and the playful sound of water can be heard form just about anywhere. But not GruntosUK! This absurdly frantic multiplayer level throws you into a doomed city, and you're only hope is to escape as quickly as possible! Great architecture and some very dynamic gameplay make it one heck of an exhilarating level. And although advertised as a multiplayer level, don't be afraid to check it out by yourself! It's just as fun, and definitely a tad easier. Just be sure to give it a few goes, because it's a tricky one at first!
Also from the Showcase...
Played everything in the Spotlight and still looking for more?
These levels stand out from the crowd for a variety of reasons, so be sure to check them out!
- Haven't had enough fly-in-the-sky levels? Well, look at the wonderful Nimbus City Port Raddison by UNCLE_MUSCLES_.
- Become the chosen/prophesied one in Project M.o.n.k.e.y. by Draden6436.
- Ever wanted to know how to make beautiful birds? Learn how in the Creature Creator Tutorial (BIRDS) by Sascha_Winter.
- Also check out this marine life tutorial: Creature Creator Tutorial (MARINE LIFE) by Sascha_Winter.
- For an industrialized steam-ish factory, play STEAM INC by PSYNTENS.
- Find your way through a darkened laboratory in Powered Down by chimpskylark.
- Revisit past crimes in the wintery Back to the Bunker by OriginalCreator.
- Become a grown Sackperson in the trials of Sack's Coming of Age by Zirconia_man.
- Go undercover and save the day in Agent 009: Rescue Mission in New Delhi by thedongtea.
- Search for treasure and find a crazy bandit in The Mad Bandit by Moon_Slinger.
- [LBP2] Want some more of that versus-button-mashing-action from LBP2? Try Rio Dance Off by Wexfordian.
PSP Spotlight
Blizzard by darcyh/darcyh_A winter themed survival challenge. You know the deal: avoid death, collect pizza; the usual survival challenge wackiness.(watch video)
The Clock Tower by The-Questor/The-QuestorWhat's the one thing you need when you're stuck in a snow storm? Yes, that's right: pizza! This deliciously frosty Spotlight debut by darcyh will have you frantically fetching everyone's favorite Italian treat while avoiding alarmingly large snowflakes. Bring me a slice, will you? Thanks.
Not since Jeffcu28's Love Lost Sonata, have I seen a survival challenge this gorgeous. This is wintery visuals done right. But before you lose yourself in this winter wonderland, remember that this is a survival challenge, and the snow that's falling to your head, just happens to be wired to explosives. So, dodge some death snow, and deliver s few pizzas..... sounds fun!
Explore an abandoned Clock Tower. Solve the puzzles to get to the top of the tower.(watch video)
Devious Dataspace by Silver39/Silver39_7The-Questor scores a Spotlight two for two in his last couple of levels with this great little archeological timepiece-themed puzzle adventure. Flip switches, platform, and do your best to avoid demise while you try to unravel the mysteries of the Clock Tower. Be sure to set your alarm to remind you to download this one. Tick tock!
The-Questor makes it two spotlights in a row with his latest and greatest level yet. Platforming and puzzles are always a winning combination, and this level is the best of both worlds. Travel to this strange and delightful world, that's just oozing with atmosphere, and try to not to get hooked by that one of a kind Questor style. I dare you.
Your curiosity has imprisoned you in this Virtual Nightmare. Can you make your escape?(watch video)
Played everything in the PSP Spotlight and still looking for more?Silver39 continues the intriguing story from The Wicked Manufactory with this stunning cyberspace sequel. Devious Dataspace has you traversing a virtual world in search of answers and encountering some incredible platforming along the way. This is a lot like Tron, only cooler... and in your PSP.
From the minute you spawn into this level, you know it's going to be fun. Silver takes his patented gameplay to the next level in my favorite level, so far this year. This is classic platforming at it's best. With one amazing obstacle after another, and keeping the pace perfect, until you step into the ring with the boss that is.... Then it's serious business. Silver has made one of the best playing PSP levels ever.
These levels stand out from the crowd for a variety of reasons, so be sure to check them out!
- Make sure you're Back In Time For Tea to play Tanuki75's latest PSP creation.
- Alturak's new level takes on a beautiful journey Beyond the Flower Patch.
- The Cave of Despair? No, joejimbob's level is more like the Cave of Awesome.
