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Disney Infinity game review

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. A few years ago, Skylanders — with its adventure game and action figures — came out of nowhere to become a big best-seller. Now Skylanders has a challenger called Disney Infinity.

DISNEY INFINITY
(Disney Interactive for PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, 3DS, PC; Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older)
infinity-200x148
Gameplay: 8.9
Graphics: 8.7
Music: 7.5
Replay Value: 9.4
Overall Score: 9.0Pros: Toy Box is brilliant; so much to do; amazing beginning.

Cons: No online play; some frame-rate drops; adventure mode needs work.

SUPER-COOL FACTOR

Disney Infinity is somewhat different from Skylanders because of its fascinating Toy Box mode. You can buy various Playsets, each with three characters. These let you enter adventure worlds based on certain Disney movies.

So how about the action figures? The first thing I noticed with Infinity figures is that they don’t seem quite as detailed, colorful or elaborate as the Skylanders figures. In one case, the silver paint from Mike’s retainer splashed onto his teeth. That shouldn’t happen: This is Disney, after all.

Then again, playing as Captain Jack Sparrow or Mike or one of the Incredibles superheroes has its own kind of super-cool factor.

Here’s why: You already know these movie characters. You’ve thought about them. You’ve probably even made up your own stories in your head about them. They are super-cool before you take them out of the box.

So, once you get them inside the game via a Base that plugs into your console, how great is the experience? Does the Disney and Pixar sense of wonder translate to adventures that are interactive on disk?

THE BEGINNING’S AMAZING

Yes and no. The game’s beginning is probably the most awesome kids’ game introduction that I’ve ever seen. Instead of a cut scene that tells a generic story, this really sparks the imagination. And boom, boom, boom! It even got my heart beating in anticipation.

infinity-1At first, you see a bright white spark on the screen. It’s the spark of imagination and creativity. As you move the spark around, pine trees and flowers grow. Waterfalls appear. You meet Mickey, and then your spark becomes a human made of many sparks.

You rush through a sparklingly curious Disney world where you briefly meet Jack Skellington. Soon you enter the desert world of Toy Story, the campus of Monsters University and the world of The Incredibles (defeat monsters!). Then, you meet Jack Sparrow (get shot through a cannon!).

All the while, you’re learning a bit of the game. But it’s intuitive and exciting, not like a boring school class. Take the time to look around in these areas instead of just following the characters. The environments are intensely beautiful. There’s no other way to describe it; this intro is utterly masterful, a real step forward in videogames.

BUT WAIT: THE ADVENTURE STUTTERS

infinity-2I put the Captain Jack Sparrow figure on the Base and entered his world of scurvy pirates and cannonball mayhem. I noticed that the adventure game portions of Disney Infinity are good. But they don’t break the mold like the game’s opening does.

After an hour, I had enjoyed the game play and leveled up a few times. During missions, I found lots of pieces of clothing, parts of characters and even parts of a ship. I discovered areas to zip-line across, and these were fun, if not stimulating. But they reminded me of another game series, Sly Cooper.

I released a prisoner during my time in this pirate world, but he didn’t seem happy enough to be freed from a dungeon high atop Buccaneer Bay. Even after downloading  an update, I noticed some frame-rate issues and camera-angle problems. The adventure portion, while full of things to do, clearly needs more exhilarating thrills. Tightening the game design and programming would help, too.

INSIDE THE TOY BOX

infinity-3But the biggest deal with Infinity is the Toy Box mode. Introduced in a smaller way in Disney’s landmark Toy Story 3 game, the Toy Box lets you do an infinite number of cool things. In fact, it almost reminds me a bit of Minecraft — Disney style. (Soon, there will be an app that will let you edit your world anywhere via your iPad.)

In the Toy Box, you can build your own version of all things Disney. When I entered, right away I got six spins for toys that let me accumulate Muppet characters to populate my world. Then I got ramps that would help if I wanted to build a race track. I also chose a giant waterfall. Immediately, I put up about five of them my world. I just love water features.

infinity-4I christened the world “Owl Land” since I admire these birds of prey more than any other. Hopefully, I’ll find some owls in the Toy Box, too.

Once you’re done with your world (this will take some time), you can’t upload it online for others to check out. Too bad! But you can download some Disney-created worlds.

A VERY WORTHY COMPETITOR

I’ve only begun to explore the vastness that is Disney Infinity. I still have to check out the others worlds more fully, like Monsters U and Incredibles. I also have a three-figure villain pack, which will add some mild evil to the experience. And I can’t wait for some Nightmare Before Christmas characters.

While the adventure portion will need a fair amount of polish in future editions, the Toy Box nearly makes up for the various adventures’ lack of passion and emotion. But all told, Infinity is a very worthy competitor to Skylanders.

Let the battle begin!

67 Comments on Disney Infinity game review

  1. Go skylanders!

  2. Random Gamer // November 21, 2013 at 6:22 pm // Reply

    I love Disney Infinety. I got it for WII. I am having trouble with the Kraken in the Pirates of the Carribbean part. Can someone PLEASE help me????

  3. Birthday Boy // November 19, 2013 at 7:39 pm // Reply

    I might be getting the game soon.

  4. I got it for the wii and…ehhhh. It’s okay. It’s got some glitches though.

  5. Skylanders Easy!Disney Infinity Cool!

  6. awesome !

  7. online rebel // October 8, 2013 at 3:48 pm // Reply

    nice game

  8. I prefer skylanders

  9. mr incredible // October 4, 2013 at 3:18 am // Reply

    Awesome game!!!Fantastic.I love it.Supercool!. Skylanders is lame and boring game.

  10. iv playd it like a BOSS.

  11. It’s like Minecraft & skylanders put together with the toybox. I think its cool.

  12. I am getting it soon

  13. skyladders is better but this has a toybox and yes they should have a review of pikmin 3 my sister won 2 and I watched her so I can tell you anything

  14. I voted for a hole week

  15. who won?

  16. This game looks awesome. I was in the contest, but did not win. Congrats though to the kid that did win the contest. I bet this game will eventually beat Skylanders.

  17. when will they announce the winner for the contest on wii U disney infinity and gamepad bundle?

  18. i reely want this game becaus it has no rules and you can be creative. you get to play in there worlds and you have a toy box.

  19. can i have it please i am only 4

  20. i want to get a wii u before i get it but if i win the contest i can get them both for free!!!!!!!

  21. I got the game the week it came out and got Dash and Randell. I also got the official guide. Oh, and you can play online. You get codes from each charecter, set, and starter pack. You use them to play as that charecter in there world. The toy box is hard! I can barely place the object I’m trieing to place on the ground! Jeez, why can’t they make the controls easyer! Oh, just a tip. Do not get it on 3DS! It’s $75 like the others, but it’s like Mario Party with terrible mini games!

    • Shes right guys. Its like Sonic Colors. The Wii’s Awesome ranking: 1,000,000%! 3DS’s Awesome Ranking: 1%. Also like Minecraft. X-Box: Awesome!!! P.E.: Blech! Computer: Awesome!!!

  22. wallite

  23. I am gunna get it today its supposed to be awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • hey does anyone know if you can play as jack sparrow in the incredible’s realm ?

      • Hi Dash, I have the game, and no, you cant be sparrow in the incredibles. to go into story mode you have to have that character. For example, if you want to play in the monsters university mode, then you have to be mike, sulley, or randy.

        Bye

  24. As soon as it came out I’ve always wanted it, so i keep my fingers crossed that i get it.

  25. love cant wait to get it skylanders normal and giants are lame compared to this

  26. I like it so much want it right now I hope I win

  27. bubba is right skylanders is better but this game is rad ive played it and i want my own copy

  28. If I win the wii u bundle pack (with disney infinity) that would be cool!!!

  29. this is the best thing ever I hope I win the wii u

  30. i think it sounds very cool,can’t wait 2 get it.(even though disney don’t need no more money) but i think skylanders is better.

  31. Rock Star 627 // August 26, 2013 at 3:52 pm // Reply

    In my opinion, this game is overpriced and figures are $13 each. I’ve seen commercials about it and it looks terrific, but price should definitely be lowered.

  32. skylanders 153 // August 25, 2013 at 2:13 pm // Reply

    skylanders is way better than this!

  33. Now I really want to win

  34. mr incredible // August 25, 2013 at 12:11 pm // Reply

    I want it so bad

  35. I totally want to get that game.

  36. I CAN’T WAIT IT LOOKS BOSS IT’S $75

  37. I hope I win the contest where you have to find pee wee every day.

  38. I need this

  39. ShrewManChew // August 23, 2013 at 5:38 pm // Reply

    I like that it isn’t just for the wiiu but it is also for the wii

  40. I love it

  41. Hm I wonder if the guy will review a fire embem games andi like this 1

  42. i have played it for wii u it’s like BOSS

  43. Skylanders is better!

  44. i cant wait!!!!!!

  45. Quite interesting. I will have to show my parents this.

  46. Mr.JAMsquared // August 20, 2013 at 10:35 pm // Reply

    can you do a review of Pikmin 3?

  47. Mr.JAMsquared // August 20, 2013 at 10:34 pm // Reply

    I like the review a lot

  48. nintenfreak // August 20, 2013 at 8:57 pm // Reply

    this made me want disney infinity

  49. video game man // August 20, 2013 at 5:04 pm // Reply

    This would be a very fun game for me if it did not freeze all the time. It only does it on ps3 version. I hope I get it with the wii u!!!!

  50. I can’t wait to get it!

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