Most memorable movies or games have at least one entity that gets sucked in by and intertwined with pop culture.

In the case of movies, it's usually a quote from a movie that simply embodies a singular (but shared) angst, experience, conviction or summation of an event. Examples include 'Wayne's World's' "Not!" or the "Harrr!" made popular again by 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

Or it can be a character, which is normally the case in games. 'Halo' had Master Chief, 'Metal Gear Solid' had Snake — and 'LittleBigPlanet' has Sackboy.

To Sony, Sackboy is a poster child for their dreams of rejuvenating interest in the PlayStation 3 and they've certainly drummed up hype before the game's launch. To gamers, however, Sackboy's platform adventures, or rather the environment and its customisability in which his adventures take place, was the true selling point.

Teaser videos showcased highly imaginative levels and a delightful and perfectly matched soundtrack to go with it. And then there was the promise of endless creativity by creating your own levels and sharing them with gamers all over the world.

Simply put, it seemed set to be the 'Portal' of 2008.

The game could at first be a disappointment to some, as it takes a long time for the game's quirky and undeniable charm to truly emerge. At first one feels a slight sense of disappointment, because somehow it all seems so under delivered, almost as if the idea was bigger than any developer could possible realise.

But if this should happen to you, take a walk around the block and have a short pep-talk with yourself. Remind yourself that gaming is about having fun; that a platformer shouldn't be about glitz and glamour, but about discovering little surprises in hidden corners; and about depth in the simple things. Then go back, and boot up 'LittleBigPlanet' again.

Then you'll discover that this little platformer is all about these things and doesn't try to be anything else — and that's what makes it such an enjoyable game. The imaginative, blisteringly beautiful levels and charming music only adds to this appeal.

There are arguments to be made against the lack of precision in movement, but ultimately these would be verbal pomposity because it doesn't really matter. You might have to retry overcoming certain obstacles a few times, but these little frustrations will quickly dissolve in a warm, fuzzy cloud of gaming enjoyment.

And then you haven't even gotten to the level creation tools — or, if that's not your thing, exploring the levels created by other gamers.

'LittleBigPlanet' is not exactly on the same level of creative and mind-boggling ingenuity as 'Portal', but it's certainly one of the most exciting exclusive titles to hit the PlayStation 3 yet.

9.1/10

Buy this game: PS3