Plus XP

Last night saw the release of the long-awaited Water feature in LittleBigPlanet, in the shape of the Pirates of the Caribbean level pack. As with the Metal Gear Solid level pack (which contained the Paintinator gun tool), it introduces a brand new gameplay element in the form of a brand-themed DLC level set. I downloaded it, equipped my best piratey gear and dove in.

The levels are very loosely based on the popular Disney movies, revolving mainly around having to find a legendary ship which can defeat the Kraken, the most feared beastie of the seas. You travel through areas such as Port Royal and the cannibal islands, with plenty of swimming and jumping around on boats and skulls. I’m a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies - and although there are odd references dotted around, it felt a little generic at times, aside from the odd key area such as the waterwheel-ride seen in Dead Man’s Chest. The levels themselves weren’t bad, but I must admit I wasn’t as impressed with the attention to detail as I had been with the Metal Gear pack. However, I did enjoy a couple of the scenes with the Kraken, with one particular scene in mind toward the end of the levels.

Like the other level packs so far, it’s largely a matter of showcasing the new tool, which allows for swimming and water physics within LBP. There are also a couple of tutorial stages just showing how water tools can be used; explaining buoyancy, global controls and water-related switches.

Sackboy can now swim in open water, and in a Sonic-like fashion has a limited amount of oxygen, which can be refreshed by breathing in underwater bubbles that serve as an air supply. Although not used in the levels themselves, the DLC also adds a Scuba Gear power-up item which works much like an underwater Jetpack, albeit slower and granting you infinite air supply. Water also has the added detail of being able to extinguish fire, which is a nice touch. However, it is a global setting, limited to creating an overall water level within the stage that can be lowered or raised to create pools or affect buoyant materials, rather than an object to be manipulated. So although it has a lot of potential, don’t expect to be able to do anything too crazy like creating fountains or water slides; yet people always seem to be able to creatively replicate these ideas so it’s not a total loss.

For a small £4.79, its well worth picking up the pack if you enjoy creation, as the water is a good solid tool – perhaps the largest core tool that LBP really was missing – no longer will people need to create their own water effects using foggy glass and an obscured jet-pack. Included is also a Cannibal costume to obtain along the way, which is a nice little touch, albeit a bit freaky compared to the rest of LBP’s denizens.

Also available is a separate pack of six POTC costumes, for the same price as the level pack – £4.79. Although this is the same price as most costume packs, it contains six whole outfits that are nicely detailed representations of the major characters of the series; Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swan, Captain Barbossa, Davy Jones and Tia Dalma (the crazy sea witch). The characters look great, and there’s a lot of good parts to play around with, even though the Jack Sparrow and Davy Jones head pieces are perhaps a little specific if you want to create your own concoctions. Sadly Jones’ face and hat are a joined item, so making crazy alien octopus creatures sadly won’t be as easy as it could have been. That said, the mask is organic-looking and changes with Sackboy’s facial expressions, so it’s cool nonetheless.

If you are into creation, or maybe enjoy getting a few extra Trophies then it’s worth a go; the levels aren’t bad but are nothing spectacular (compared to some of the other creations I have seen in the last year). For the Water tools, the price is fair and theres plenty of other creation parts such as music, textures and stickers. However, if you’re not into creation and aren’t fussed with the official levels, you’ll be able to play other peoples’ water levels online without paying for the POTC pack yourself.

Overall the stages are fine, but I found the Metal Gear Solid pack to be more… erm, Solid, as a level pack in itself. However, the included Water tool is a worthwhile creation element and is a steal at £4.79 for it’s real potential in a Creator’s hands.

-Leon