Sackboy: A Big Adventure

In the rush of next-gen hype, I hadn't expected Sackboy: A Big Adventure to be the game that grabbed my heart (and my strained attention) in a big warm hug and didn't let go, but it's just hours of pure happiness. I don't care if you're nine or ninety, or a ghost who hangs around the living room, you can't help but be won over by it. Even when you're done with the story, there are so many reasons to go back in just to try and ace a level, or beat your time in a Knight trial, or keep adding to your costumes, or to try some offline co-op with a friend. If you're a hardened gamer who is more interested in the brutality of Demon's Souls or the street swinging of Spider-Man: Mile Morales, know that Sackboy can hold his own with both of them and deserves a place in your PS5 must play list.

In terms of PS5 launch titles, Sackboy: A Big Adventure didn’t make headlines as a highly anticipated game, but it manages to be one of the most charming and fun PS5 games so far. Its heart was an unexpected delight, with a level of detail and polish that made it an absolute joy to play. Snipped free of the level creation side of LBP, Sackboy manages to swingamajig his way to platforming heights that the character never has before, in more detail than ever on PS5.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an audio-visual feast, a living work of art that continuously delights and amazes players with its bottomless well of creativity. Some pacing issues can't do much to detract from the amazing level design, tight platforming, and astounding soundtrack. Sackboy is a pure delight.

An astounding triumph of imagination, Sackboy: A Big Adventure isn't just one of the best platformers ever made, it's also a proper highlight of the PlayStation 5 launch line-up that is steeped in such fun and free wheeling creativity, that it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as other PlayStation platforming heroes such as Jak & Daxter and Ratchet & Clank.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure accomplishes what few modern games do by simply offering an unabashedly lighthearted world that's bursting with joy, fun, and plenty of laughs. It's an absolute must-have for any gamer who enjoys co-op experiences.

With Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls dominating the PS5’s launch lineup this season it would be very easy to overlook Sackboy: A Big Adventure. I’m here to try to make sure that doesn’t happen, as it satisfies that family friendly, co-operative platforming adventure quota, and it’s definitely a colorful, creative and enjoyable next-generation adventure worth taking.

Sackboy is not groundbreaking in any way, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a wonderful platformer that looks great, sounds excellent, and offers superb co-op. It is pure, varied fun and deserves much more recognition than it received overshadowed by Spider-Man: Miles Morales and some other big releases. [01/2021, p.38]

A brilliantly accessible and clever platformer with a top-notch soundtrack. This is a must-have title for any PlayStation owner who likes platformers.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a brilliant platformer bursting with ideas, and even though it strictly adheres to tradition, every minute is still a joy. If PlayStation was looking for its own Mario, it found it.

After a six-year absence, PlayStation’s knitted icon returns in stunning form in one of the year's best platformers. With an A-list cast, superb visuals, and some strong co-op gameplay, Sackboy: A Big Adventure successfully proves that Sackboy can thrive without LittleBigPlanet’s creation mechanics, all while still paying homage to his roots.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is incredible — solo or with others. It has an amazing amount of content for a game that most will write-off haphazardly. It’s an example of fun creativity that comes with people who are passionate about bringing a good experience to gamers of all ages.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an amazing 3D platforming game. A must have for the PS5.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an unexpected pleasure. Overshadowed by the likes of Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls in Sony’s launch line-up, it’s gone far beyond our expectations – to play it is to love it. An immaculately made 3D platformer with huge amounts of charm, if you’re after something that will never fail to put a smile on your face you ought to consider picking it up alongside your PS5. With its cutesy looks, responsive controls and oodles of imagination, Sackboy: A Big Adventure goes further than ever to make Sackboy the PlayStation mascot he deserves to be.

Sackboy's first foray outside of the Media Moleculeverse without an editor to guide his way is not only a fantastic 3D platformer for all ages but also one of the best PlayStation 5 launch titles for younger audiences.

You like jump&runs and find the world of Little Big Planet adoring? Then there is no way, you should pass this game by. On PS5 the visuals are crisp, while audiohaptic feedback enhances this charming platformer.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure doesn't offer too much challenge but what it does offer is great level design, fantastic music, and a plethora of objectives for the completionists out there. This all adds up to a level of charm that can rival even the best of Nintendo platformers.

A delightfully charming platformer, Sackboy:A Big Adventure untethers the knitted knight from the creation-focused LittleBigPlanet and gives him his own grand adventure. In doing so, Sumo Digital has delivered one of the most thoughtful, interesting, and love-laden platformers in recent memory, resulting in a perpetual delight.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a great platformer filled with charming levels, fun combat, and a lot of challenges to complete.

Sackboy is the perfect launch title to initiate young children into the next generation of games, as well as provide a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone else. Even though it launches with a hefty price tag, the amount of content this game has to offer more than covers its cost. Plus, you can either play this one with or without friends, and it will undoubtedly entertain all for hours. The mixture of fantastic level design, coupled with a great soundtrack, will reignite that lost feeling of childhood happiness.

It has been very easy to forget about Sackboy in the whirlpool of new generation games, attracting so many expectations. But it's even easier to fall in love with it, becoming one of the surprises not only of PlayStation 5, but the year. Sumo Digital has understood the genre perfectly and although there is nothing here that you may not have seen a few times already, it is impossible not to be impressed by the good design of its levels. It doesn't matter if you move to the new generation: if you like platform games, you have to play it.

Cuddly Jump&Run with fun couch co-op and fantastic music levels. The sacklings do well without an editor!

Sackboy: A Big Adventure, is a big step in a fresh direction for the overall franchise. Leaving the tried and true ‘Play, Create, Share’ model behind is a gutsy move from Sumo Digital, but is one that greatly benefits the final product, with each level clearly benefiting from the extra TLC that comes from not dedicating time to an all-consuming creation mode.

A Big Adventure is a big surprise. A fantastic platformer that gets better the more you play it, and becomes a fantastic choice to inaugurate your PS5.

Sackboy stars in a fun adventure that, given the nature of the gameplay, at times tends to become repetitive. Nevertheless, we are dealing with a game worthy of such a popular character that the lovers of platform-games will enjoy.

Sackboy is a smart and colorful platform game, filled with fun moments and loyal to its LittleBigPlanet’s roots.

Sackboy A Big Adventure goes out if its way to be a Nintendo-like platformer, and almost gets it right if not for a few small but costly mistakes. It's still a very good game, but could have even been better if the developers focused more on their own ideas.

Easy going game for the whole family. It may not be as good as typical "Mario” games, but it still feels really good. [Issue#308]

An inventive and engaging platforming experience that especially shines in co-op multiplayer - enjoyable for all ages.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure represents a nearly forgotten genre of game, and represents it in fine fashion. Competent if not revolutionary platforming propels Sackboy through a stunning world full of fun set pieces and clever writing, while an approachable challenge level opens the experience to all skill levels. It’s about having fun, and Sackboy’s first full adventure absolutely succeeds.

Where Sackboy: A big Adventure proves most winsome isn’t in its play but in the surfeit of its surrounding glitter.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a great family-friendly platformer, that makes good use of DualSense unique properties, but also features some really memorable, dense, and original levels. The only drawbacks here are mandatory blue sphere collection and co-op only worlds that you can't complete solo without any friends or family members.

An ideal game for family fun through its co-op mode and the overall low challenge and charming aesthetic. This is not a LittleBigPlanet sequel, but a quite pleasing, diverse and lengthy 3D platformer that shows the power of the PS5 in its own, cute way.

Although its lack of online multiplayer at launch is disappointing, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is still a charming platformer. Going through each of its stages is a pleasure. Collecting things and dressing up is delightful, and multiplayer is a lot of fun if you have friends around. It may not be the most ambitious title to feature Sackboy, but what's here is nothing short of jolly.

A Big Adventure is a lovely spin-off of LittleBigPlanet that’s filled with charming sights and sounds alike. Its level designs are adorable and creative, really shining in co-op but still entertaining when played alone. Its platforming can occasionally frustrate, falling short of the precision and nuance needed to really make it stand out from other games like it, but the feel-good vibe that permeates every corner of its crafted world still makes it a joy to play.

Ultimately, I’m not sure if Sackboy: A Big Adventure will go down as the most memorable title in the PlayStation 5’s lineup. (Indeed, it’s also available on the PS4, though I can’t speak to that version at all.) I’m also skeptical the realignment away from LittleBigPlanet will help Sackboy join the likes of Mario and Sonic as true platforming icons. But there’s no question fans of the genre will find a lot to love here—and plenty of it.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a competent platformer with tight controls. However, the generic craft theme and lack of memorable characters prevent it from being outstanding. The 3D platforming genre is filled to the brim with classics, and to stand out, a game has to do more than just be playable. There are plenty of costumes to collect and bits and baubles to pick up throughout levels, but Sackboy lacks that hook that’ll keep gamers coming back.

Sumo Digital's new game is a colorful and fun adventure that brings back Sackboy, allowing players to explore new worlds, each based on different themes and gameplay mechanics. A great game for Christmas to spend some time along with your family, thanks to the 4-player co-op mode.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a very entertaining platformer and a varied game with beautiful levels and strong design. It also takes a good advantage of DualSense unique capabilities. Some levels are too linear though.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is dripping with charm and makes excellent use of the DualSense controller.

While it’s sure to be overshadowed by the excellent pair of Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a wonderful platformer and a strong part of what makes the PS5’s launch lineup arguably the best in video game history. The aesthetic beauty, incredible use of music, and wealth of unlockables overshadow some of the finicky control issues. Whether you’re going it alone or partying up with some pals, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a great entry to one of Sony’s beloved franchises.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an easy recommendation to fans of the platforming genre or anyone looking for a co-op game to play on their new PS5 console. While it would be nice to see a proper LittleBigPlanet 4 come to Sony's next-generation system, hopefully, fans can look forward to future Sackboy platforming adventures as well.

Sackboy: A Great Adventure is perhaps the real surprise of the PS5 debut. A solid platformer as expected from Sumo, which knows where to draw inspiration from and how to reinvent it, as if they were true game design restorers. Simple and very smooth from start to finish, but a good challenge to bring to full completion, with all its collectibles and challenges that enhance a level design that is not at all trivial and that always strives to do something different to make each stage a unique gaming experience.

Sackboy doesn’t have the tight movement tech of Crash Bandicoot 4 or the butter-melting charms of a game like Astro’s Playroom, but it’s well worth a look if you’re in the market for an innovative platformer that makes the most of the PS5’s exclusive features.

There’s a lot of love been poured into Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and thus it’s hard not to love it back. This is a brilliant platformer with tons of imaginative ideas and a strong sense of style. The lack of online multiplayer at launch is a bit disappointing, but it’s coming as a free update before the end of the year, so we can forgive the developer that. If you’re looking for something bright and breezy to begin your PS5 journey, then this is a near-flawless romp when it’s at its pomp.

A good platform game for the whole family that fits perfectly in the PS5 line up.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the hessian hero's best outing yet. Tighter platforming controls and a fresh perspective go a long way to reinvigorating the franchise, and it helps that the whole thing is positively stuffed with charm from beginning to end. Levels that feel lonely when played solo, and worse, levels that aren't accessible at all in single player dampen the experience, but not enough for platforming fans to dismiss it. If you've just brought home a shiny new PlayStation 5 there's also a lot here to showcase what the console is capable of in both visuals and the user experience, making it well worth considering as part of your launch library. Viva la Sackboy!

It's innocent, it's fun, and it feels unique. We need more games like it, even if they don't push the genre forward...which is by no means a requirement.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure isn’t the most attention-grabbing PS5 launch title. It’s fair to say it’s been completely overshadowed by Demon’s Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but it offers a wonderfully crafted alternative to what are more mature titles. Sony is on a roll with the PS5, with Sackboy: A Big Adventure being yet another title PS5 buyers should seriously consider adding to their collection.

The story isn’t anything special and chocked to the brim with cliches, but a solid voice cast combined with great level design will keep you playing the entire length. While playable solo, Sackboy is best when played co-op, and unfortunately at launch, co-op options are limited. As a complete experience, though, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a fun platforming adventure that’ll leave you with a smile on your face.

The visual upgrade on PS5 is hard to ignore, with Sumo Digital displaying a mastery of recreating materials. Subtle and impressive lighting effects add an additional layer of believably to physical objects such as fabric, metals, and other surfaces – and even the nearly invisible wisps of fuzz on Sackboy’s head. Even though the fidelity isn’t quite as sharp on PS4, a strong overall aesthetic direction makes it still look appealing on the aging hardware. DualSense implementation makes for another strong case to play on PS5 if at all possible. The controller’s haptics and adaptive triggers are put to great use, mimicking the sensation of walking on different surfaces and hoisting heavy objects. Regardless of what version you pick up, you’ll be setting off on a joyous and satisfying journey. But if you have a choice, the PS5 version is the clear winner here.

The Big Adventure starts slowly, very slowly. Then, from nowhere, it starts going completely crazy, bringing together art, music and challenge, building a perfect experience for its target audience.

Sackboy is a fun adventure for everyone, easy to play and difficult to master, and it also works as a demonstration of some Dualsense capabilities, but we miss the creative side of Little Big Planet and more unique mechanics (such as the musical levels).

Ultimately, Sackboy is a straightforward and genuine platformer, “tailor-made” for fans of the genre.

The beautiful worlds are a joy to walk through and the DualSense implementation is a lot of fun. The game gets repetitive, though... and the camera doesn’t always work as well as it should.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a charming game that I was smiling while playing almost entirely. It will likely get lost amonth after the Spider-Man and Astro Bot mainstays, but this game is more than worth checking out. Especially for those looking for something to play with their family and friends. It is a whimsical adventure that finally makes me enjoy a game featuring Sackboy, and that is a win in and of itself.

It doesn’t take a lot of risks. You’ll run around a little hub world choosing visiting shops and choosing levels filled with various running and jumping challenges, plus some signature Sackboy moves involving tugging, pushing and hanging onto stuff. But it’s well executed and wonderfully easy to just sit down and play for 20 minutes here or there. Plus, the action is set to a buoyant soundtrack filled with music that perfectly matches the family-friendly hijinks. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming these tunes long after you stop playing.

A fun and well designed platformer that lacks the charm to make a long standing impact. You should try it if you want a good and family friendly game for PlayStation.

While not on the same level as Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon's Souls, this launch title is still a banger and a very good platformer, even though it has its numerous shortcomings.

At the end of its yarn, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a fun romp through a craft-inspired world that feels as if it was cut from the same cloth as something like Yoshi’s Crafted World, rather than LittleBigPlanet, however, this is not a bad thing, especially for those looking for a traditional platforming experience. Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a content-rich platformer that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age and is a worthy addition to the PlayStation 5 launch line-up.

With Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Sumo Digital embroiders an exciting, somewhat patched up adventure. Yes, the ideas that follow have been seen in other titles like this before, but it all works well.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the ultimate family platformer and therefore an excellent launch game. You can buy this without thinking twice if you have kids. But young and old are going to enjoy A Big Adventure. Take the traditional platforms for granted now and then and you will get a big smile in return.

Simple but yet fun platformer that doesn't want to do nothing new, but manages to entertain if it's played with friends. Easy and uncomplicated proposal that could have been much better with a bit more ambition. Just imagine a LittleBigPlanet game without its creativity side, add 3D levels, furry graphics and some excellent musical levels. That's what this game is.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an enjoyable platforming game that feels like familiar territory. It's a solid launch title, and will satisfy fans of the genre and the LittleBigPlanet franchise, but it doesn't do a whole lot to showcase the PS5.

Magical in conception but uneven in execution, it overcomes the slowest of starts to become one of the most imaginative platformers in ages. [Issue#183, p.88]

Despite being a game with consistent quality and performance, Sackboy: A Big Adventure can’t quite escape being run-of-the-mill when compared to its contemporaries. There is still plenty of that LittleBigPlanet charm to be found throughout this lengthy, platforming campaign though. It’s gorgeous to look at, it’s well-designed and the game feel is just right. However, if you are looking for some of that next-gen innovation on par with Astro’s latest, then you may struggle to find it here.

Sony Interactive Entertainment and Sumo Digital’s Sackboy: A Big Adventure on the Playstation 5 is a charming, vibrant, graphically astounding platformer that serves as a great entry into the genre for newcomers. However, more seasoned veterans of the platforming genre, who were just given the marvel that is Astro’s Playroom, might feel that the narrative and mechanics are quite simple and annoyingly familiar due to Sackboy: A Big Adventure clearly borrowing mechanics and level progression from iconic genre mainstays such as The Super Mario Brothers franchise.

When it comes to gameplay and story, it is fair to say that we’ve seen it all before, and usually done better. The main appeal here is to rehash old material with a 4K, leather-and-corduroy-upholstered refresh. If that sounds like a good time, Sackboy is sure to please, but it will leave other PS5 owners wondering when next-gen will actually show up.

Six years after the last LittleBigPlanet, the IP comes back as Sackboy A Big Adventure, but the game isn't as good as its legacy would lead us to believe. The DualSense isn't put to good use, and the game truly feels like a PS4 title. If you're looking for a platformer for a kid, it's still a good pick.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is beautiful and the added power of the PlayStation 5 hardware has led to the materials found throughout the arts-and-craft world to look and often behave like the real thing. The blend of fantasy with everyday objects gels wonderfully with the soundtrack too, giving the experience a feel that is more than a simple riff on classic 3D platforming.

Sackboy is a solid platformer and, despite its rote art style, makes great use of the PS5's enhanced visual and technical performance. It's a fun little romp of a platformer, with lots of interesting moments. At times, the visual design can look a bit flat. Even in those moments, though, the tight controls and interesting level layouts create gameplay challenges that make those flaws easy to overlook.

Another gorgeous looking first party PS5 game, with some fun and imaginative platforming, but even with four players at once it lacks that certain spark that would’ve made it a true launch essential.

I don't want to take anything away from Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Platformers are one of the genres I am least inclined towards, and were it not part of a (fairly limited) launch range on the PlayStation 5, I might not have been inclined to play Sackboy at all. I am glad that I did, though, because for pure whimsy and quality level design it's a real challenge to Nintendo at its best in this genre, and that's no mean feat. Just don't go in expecting the same qualities that made the LittleBigPlanet series itself so beloved.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure starts off slow, feeling like a hollow reflection of the franchise, but eventually grows into its new 3D platforming elements. It's at its best when it blends the new with the old, when there's power-ups, side-scrolling and a meaningful challenge, but it takes a bit too long to get it together.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a decent platforming game that’s stuffed with charm, if a little lacking in imagination, which is a shame for a franchise built on creativity. Saying that, if you’ve got children, this is a must-buy for some family-friendly PS5 fun.

A mediocre platforming game with some good ideas and a great amount of charm.

Undemanding kids will have a whale of a time, but from an innovator like Sackboy, we've come to expect a little more. [Issue#353, p.121]

Sackboy: A Big Adventure switches the creative mode from the main series to a more direct platform game. Some courses such as the rhythm-based ones are brilliant, but despite the improved control compared to Little Big Planet, most of them are too easy and slow for the experienced player. And apart from the Dual Sense features, there are no real "next gen" details that stand out.