This innovative platformer won't string you along.
What's more, the second character introduces a fun co-op style of play for Puppeteer, where one person controls Kutaro and the other his assistant. This is a great way for parents to play along with their kids, so they can always lend a hand and tend to any frustrations that come up. Furthermore, it supports PlayStation Move, in case you're looking for another game to do so.
Puppeteer looks absolutely dazzling. The visuals look like they came right off a puppet stage, especially when it comes to character movement and background design. That doesn't limit the world by any means, as you can still get around and explore these lofty environments without ever feeling like you're trapped. There are some cinemas you can't skip past, but it helps to get the gist of the story anyway. The game also supports 3D, and in a good way, at that.
As for the audio, it's tremendous. Along with a solid background score and occasional "oohs" and "ahhs" from the audience – perfectly timed, at that – the game features splendid local voicework. As I stated, Ying Yang is a trip, and Moon Bear King has his moments as well, hamming it up like a good actor should. There isn't a bad voice in the bunch – a rare feat for games these days.
You might think you're burned out on platformers, or Puppeteer just can't offer anything over LittleBigPlanet. But that's where you're wrong. This is another original blast of fresh air from the team at Sony, and a great game to blow through while you wait to see what the next generation brings for the PS4. One thing's for sure – these puppets deserve an encore.
Score: 9 / 10
