LBP:GOTY Edition is an amazing and fully realized platformer that instantly stands out in any collection.
The game is played as a two dimensional platformer from the old days, with the added layering seen in current gen entries. The ability to simply move in and out of the screen on three layers allows users to take different branching paths, some requiring 2-4 players to complete specially designed cooperative challenges. Thankfully, the designers foresaw the potential for mechanical flaws and made it so that you do not have to "steer" in and out of the background during jumps between layers. Your sackboy will intuitively leap to the correct and intended layer during 3-D platforming sections. Also, running along a plane that becomes blocked by a structure will most often cause your character to seamlessly move to the next open layer (CAUTION: although this rarely causes you to plummet to your death, this may accidentally remove you from a layer being used for cover from turrets and tanks). That's not to say that you don't control your movement into and out of the different planes, but the game predicts accurately when you intend to move between them during parts that would otherwise be frustrating to control with only two thumbs. Your control is generally precise, although there are some points in the game where your jumps seem to float and drift a little more than intended and cause you to fall into a trap, forcing you to restart the section. There is no camera control, so there is no way to zoom out and see what's just ahead off screen. For the most part, the level design (at least on the MM levels) don't punish users for not being fast enough to dodge objects previously off screen. This is not as definitive in user-created levels, which sometimes use these cheap mechanics to add difficulty to an otherwise easy level (NOTE: this review does not take into account user-created material for the review score). Media Molecule-designed downloadable map kits are well designed and just as enjoyable as the original campaign levels, although some are simply linear object collection "maps" that will show you creative ways to use the objects in your own maps. Others come with full-fledged stories and sticker triggers.
The multiplayer aspect of this game can best be described as competitive coop. There are puzzles in most maps that force you and up to 3 other players, locally or over PSN, to cooperate in order to reap the rewards. It's very easy to find a map with other players in it; the only issue I've had with matchmaking was occasionally joining a game as the other players are leaving, having just completed the map.
The real enjoyment from this game is it's infinite replay value. Once you've completed Media Molecule's campaign, you'll be awarded the "Just Beginning" trophy. There has never been a more accurate, suitable title for an achievement. The campaign is simply the tip of the iceberg. One of the biggest draws to games like Far Cry and LBP, for me at least, was the ability to create, share and play maps using the included level editor/builder. Far Cry had a decent, but occasionally limited map editor; Halo 3 saw the potential and gave us Forge. Little Big Planet follows suit and allows you to use all the items you've gathered from the campaign, community maps, downloaded kits, etc to create your own works of art. You are essentially given a blank canvas to build your world, including story (via pop-up text bubbles), and share it with the Little Big Planet community to play and scrutinize. If you've ever wanted to truly feel how it is to design a level from the ground up, here is your chance. Select your theme, use discovered objects or build your own unique ones (which you will also be able to share with the world), design your level. In some of the community maps, designers have come up with some incredibly elaborate maps, stories, traps and even boss fights. Beware, though, some levels that are shared have been horribly designed, with screwy layering that sometimes get the player "stuck" in the environment or just flood maps with objects just to have them in there. In most cases, these maps have been "flagged" by other players using the one-word review system employed by media molecule. For instance, joining one flagged map saw me the victim of a collapsed environment, with a starting spot concentrated with point bubbles (unintentionally earning me the 8X multiplier trophy). The entire map consisted of attempts to jump and "move" the objects just far enough for me to squeeze through to the next inch of the screen. When choosing maps, pay close attention to what players before have said about it, or you may end up gaining rewards you wanted to legitimately earn.
One of the benefits of the GotY edition is the included MGS4 pack that I previously alluded to. It gives you the extra option to include the paintinator (a paintball marker that adds a shooting mechanic to the game). Originally released as DLC, the kit and costume pack bring with it a full 5 act story mode with loads of unlockable sprites, objects, stickers, etc. There is also a survival challenge as well as a full host of LBP:MGS4 kit-specific trophies. Also included with the GotY edition are the History and Monster costume/map kits. For the History kit, MM did not include a full fledged story, but gives you a fairly simple, linear level to collect all the objects needed for this theme. As you run through the level, you'll be shown creative ways to use the content to design your own map.
Little Big Planet: Game of the Year edition is arguably one of the most satisfying $60 game purchases of the year. A somewhat short campaign and occasionally lofty controls are the only true flaws holding this game back from a perfect 10 (and if it was possible, I'd give it a 9.9). This is one game that truly defines replay value without forcing the player to simply replay the exact same game over and over, or relying heavily on it's multiplayer to give it longevity. An ever-changing list of community created levels built from the ground up, limited only by the creator's imagination, give the game it's true $60+ value. The included DLC is the icing on the cake. I can't stress this enough, if you own a PS3, you should own Little Big Planet, and with the bonus content, the GotY edition gives you little reason to stall any longer.