When Disney entered the toys-and-games genre last year, a market now increasingly competitive with Nintendo’s entry, they made a significant impact. Activision’s Skylanders had previously dominated the category, but Disney, one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, arrived with their beloved classic characters, cultivated over almost a century. Players engaged in treasure hunts with Captain Jack Sparrow, explored Monsters University alongside Sully, and experienced new play-sets such as The Lone Ranger.
Now, Disney presents a substantial update to the concept, aptly named Disney Infinity 2.0. This iteration leverages the processing power of next-gen consoles – Wii U, PS4, and Xbox One – and incorporates extensive user feedback gathered by developer Avalanche from the previous installment. Furthermore, it boasts the inclusion of characters from the immensely popular Marvel cinematic universe. The Infinity 2.0 Starter Kit includes the Marvel superheroes Iron Man, Thor, and Black Widow, along with the Infinity portal, the Avengers play-set, and the game itself in a standard case.
Returning players will find the core gameplay loop familiar. For newcomers, Disney Infinity operates as an expansive “toy box” with a vast range of possibilities. Placing physical figures on the portal brings them to life within the game. The Toy Box allows for boundless creativity: players can construct landscapes, buildings, racetracks, and custom games with personalized rules. These creations can then be populated with Disney characters and played solo or cooperatively, either locally or online. Users can also download worlds and creations designed by other players, some of whom demonstrate impressive building skills, rivaling those seen in Minecraft. Play sets provide specific worlds and missions. For example, the included Avengers play-set features a story mode where players can control the three included Avengers (supporting two-player simultaneous play). A significant improvement over the original Infinity is the expanded character compatibility within play-sets. Previously, only characters from the corresponding universe could participate in a given play-set. Now, while the initial characters are from the same universe, players can unlock the ability to include other Marvel figures. For instance, Rocket from Guardians of The Galaxy can be unlocked to assist in the Avengers storyline.
Rocket quickly became one of the editorial team’s favorites
Disney Infinity 2.0 offers a wealth of content, making it impractical to cover every aspect comprehensively. Experiencing the game firsthand is essential to appreciate its full scope. Players can unlock new characters, toys for the Toy Box, and upgrades for their figures, including new powers and special attacks, now enhanced via a skill tree. Notably, previously purchased Infinity figures remain compatible and can be further upgraded. Alongside the release of Infinity 2.0, additional figures and play-sets are available for purchase, including those based on the currently popular Guardians of The Galaxy, as well as heroes like Spiderman and The Hulk. Later in the year, classic Disney characters such as Donald Duck, Aladdin, and Maleficent will also be released, among others.
From a technical standpoint, Disney Infinity 2.0 represents an advancement over its predecessor. This improvement is partially attributable to the enhanced processing capabilities of the current-generation consoles. The graphics have been refined, with improvements to the frame rate, higher-resolution textures, and enhanced animations and facial movements. While not intended to compete with graphically intensive titles such as Naughty Dog’s Last of Us, Infinity’s visual presentation effectively captures the essence of both Disney and comic book aesthetics, appealing to a wide audience.
The audio design has also seen significant enhancements. The surround sound mix delivers an immersive experience, with attention to detail evident throughout. Directional audio cues, such as explosions accurately positioned in the rear speakers, contribute to the overall engagement. Furthermore, the familiar Disney theme provides a comforting and nostalgic backdrop when exploring user-created racetracks within the Toy Box.
The included Avengers play-set, while functional, does not offer the most compelling adventure. New York City feels somewhat sparse, and the missions often involve repetitive “fetch” objectives. However, the Guardians of The Galaxy play-set (sold separately) provides a more engaging experience. Capitalizing on the popularity of the film, the play-set incorporates recognizable story elements and scenarios. The design of the levels and missions is more varied, showcasing the potential of the 2.0 concept.
Disney Infinity 2.0 excels as a family-friendly game. The difficulty and complexity of the missions are intentionally designed to allow parents and children to play together. Therefore, direct comparisons to platform games aimed at adults would be inappropriate. The game avoids excessive violence and mature themes, even though 2.0 leans towards more action than its predecessor. Ultimately, Disney embodies themes of joy and imagination, and players willing to embrace their inner child will discover countless hours of entertainment through collecting figures, completing play-sets, and building custom worlds. This combination of features makes it an excellent choice for families and those who retain a sense of childlike wonder.
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