With the new installation to the LittleBigPlanet franchise slowly peeking over the horizon, we’re just standing here.  Hopefully.  Wondering about what delights await in this new package of user-created carnage.  Ever the speculative sort, we at LittleBigJourney think it’s time to clamp down on the possible qualities that may heighten what we already know about the upcoming and likely promising LittleBigPlanet 3… we just have to hold our ground in anticipation and hope that everything will turn out like we’d imagined, just like the previous two games of the series.

The one thing that stops us from having total hope is the apparent company withdrawal.  Media Molecule has since let LittleBigPlanet off on its own, much like a child approaching adolescence, ready to be cast into the wide world ahead.  Luckily, Media Molecule proved to be a loving mother, Tarsier Studios the caring aunt, and United Front Games the weird uncle who pretends that he’s got your nose.  With this streak of nurture intact, the new LittleBigPlanet game has a lot to live up to.  Maybe we don’t know it yet, but it really could be the next next big thing.

As the likelihood stands, the game will probably be available for PlayStation®4, if not a launch title.  The deliverance onto the PlayStation®3 system – practically, an old console – would be very much pointless.  Then there’s the backwards-compatibility of the downloadable content which is also very likely; the previous downloadable bits and pieces should be usable on the new system and game.  However, our main concern goes to the actual content of the game.  What can we expect, and why?

Previously we have predicted hopingly a 3D creation system, to create fully-fledged games in their own right, or to go beyond the three layers we’re used to in the previous canon games.  The addition of this is highly sought after; the creative aspect of the LittleBigPlanet games is always second-to-none, so having a 3D system would probably increase the replay and creation value in play and create mode, respectively.  Not to mention, third and first-person shooters would soon find their way to Craftworld, instantly increasing the variety in levels throughout LittleBigPlanet...  a platform for a platform for games, perhaps?  It’s very much doable, and the diversity in levels would be spectacular, also.  Imagine all the racing levels!  It’s easy if you try… (So here’s a pre-emptive R.I.P. to LittleBigPlanet Karting!)

Stickers and decorations already come aplenty throughout the games, so if the previous games and downloadable content are backwards-compatible through LittleBigPlanet 3, we’ll have more than enough to decorate with.  The mixture is already amazingly extensive, and so we’re not too fussed about a sackload more decoration pieces, but we certainly have room for improvement on the materials front.  Foregrounding the materials, we could do with some more realistic building tools.  Anything to let the materials we’re used to become more flexible for different functions, without clouding them with stickers and such.  We’re looking for change, mainly… anything to make this extension to the creative universe more plausible.  Variety in what we have already would be a good start, and changes to what was lacking in previous games will also help in the long run.  Since diversity is all about difference, we’re sure that change is a good thing for LittleBigPlanet.

To improve what we already have, we have to improve every aspect to a desirable point.  While a redesigned Sackboy might not be the way forward, the art styles in levels could be bumped up a notch, or be more varied.  The gameplay in the story levels could be one-upped, without more of the same (which was a case in the earlier levels of LBP2), otherwise Story mode is pretty much perfect.  More practical and useful logic tools may be desired, and maybe even more realistic instruments for the music sequencer.  How about designing new costume pieces or crafting materials… or maybe even some new power-ups?  Maybe you have some ideas to share?  Let us know!