Review: LiitleBigPlanet 2 Cross Controller DLC
Ever since Nintendo released the Wii U console, gamers have been experiencing dual screen gaming using the controller's touch screen to control characters and other items for various games.
Sony has somewhat implemented its own version of this type of gaming for those people that own both a PS3 and PS Vita console.
Thanks to the release of the new "Cross Controller" DLC for LittleBigPlanet 2, PS3 gamers can experience dual screen gaming that Wii U owners have already been doing a few weeks ago.
Bear in mind, the cross controller aspect is only compatible with the new levels included in the DLC and not on the full game of LittleBigPlanet 2.
If you've already played LittleBigPlanet PS Vita, you may already have an idea of how the game will make use of the PS Vita's many unique controls that the PS3 lacks.
The level design in the DLC is somewhat similar to the Vita version of the game. For people who have not played the Vita version of the game before, they will be in for a treat as the Vita's controls adds a new whole dynamic to the gameplay.
You can play the game using the PS Vita itself acting as a PS3 controller, or you could stick to using the PS3 controller and changing to using the PS Vita when the situation calls for it.
Alternatively, I let my brother play the game using the PS3 controller while I sat and helped him out while using the PS Vita.
As aforementioned, some of the gameplay features here are similar to the levels seen in the PS Vita version of LittleBigPlanet.
Here, you will use both the front and rear touch screen controls to push and pull boxes so that you can climb onto higher platforms.
You will also use the touch screen to control levels and even use the gyroscope to tilt certain segments in some of the levels.
They're all fun elements that the original game never had and adds a whole new dimension to the overall gameplay.
Getting the PS3 and PS Vita to sync with one another is not an easy task to do. Aside from purchasing and installing the DLC itself, you will need to have the latest LittleBigPlanet 2 patch installed to make this work as well.
The patch (1.20) is a hefty 1GB and not to mention you will have to install a further 400mb on the PS Vita as well.
Once you finally install and download both patches onto both consoles, getting the PS3 and PS Vita to sync with one another is easy as the "cross controller" feature will pop up as a new option on the main menu.
The story of the DLC reminds me both of Star Wars and Indiana Jones. This is because you join a group of space pirates that are on a quest to find some treasure.
Their task isn't easy because an enemy with the same shaped helmet as Darth Vader is always standing in their way preventing them from getting to the gold.
The level design is all space-inspired so you'll see lots of lasers avoid, robots to destroy and you even get to ride on a spaceship at the conclusion of the DLC. It may not last that long, but it sure is entertaining to play.
If you've finished with the single player offering of the DLC, you can head on over to the create mode to make your own cross controller levels.
I have to admit I've never been an expert at creating my own levels in LittleBigPlanet video games (apart from LittleBigPlanet Karting), but you can thankfully still download created levels from the extended LBP community.
All in all, the cross-controller DLC for LittleBigPlanet 2 turned out to be better than I expected. I thought it would have just played as a cheap gimmick, but the PS Vita actually adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay.
Too bad this is only available as a DLC offering as it would have been great to use the cross-controller features for the entire game.
Hopefully more game developers will use this with future titles as its fun to use and PS3 gamers will finally get a taste of what it might be like playing on a Wii U console.
Graphics: 8.5Gameplay: 9.0Sound: 7.0Lasting appeal: 8.0
Overall: 8.5
