'Disney Infinity' in Progress… (Part 2)

I'm almost done with the starter pack, actually, though that's nothing considering all the toys and play sets out there. Currently, I plan on getting at least one play set before winter break ends. I'm thinking either Toy Story or Cars; the space fan in me wants the former, the race fan in me wants the latter.

Anyways, I've finished The Incredibles play set and like Monsters University, it delivers on wide variety fun. One disappointing aspect, however, was the size of Metroville. I expected something a little bigger, since Monsters University's titular setting was divided into various sections, and you could even visit rival university Fear Tech! In Metroville, there are a few bridges to other parts of the city and whatnot. Nothing really spectacular, but visually it's pulled off well.

Music-wise, it immediately plunged me back to the autumn of 2004, when the film roared into theaters. Michael Giacchino's score always stuck with me, and when I got The Incredibles video game for Christmas, I had constantly played the scenes from the film. However, I remember not particularly enjoying that game despite some great ideas in it; this game made up for it. Anyways, you tear through Metroville's streets fighting endless Omnidroids (based on the different versions we saw in the film during the sequence where Mr. Incredible discovers everything via that giant computer!) and taking down three criminals before you get to Syndrome.

A lot of it is pretty easy, much like the Monsters University play set, it could use a little more challenge. Thankfully, the metal-banging, missile-blowing thrills make up for it. The different power-ups and weapons you get? Awesome. Driving the Incredibile that's only in the opening sequence of the first film? Satisfying. You also get a copter of all things! The missions themselves involve thwarting the schemes of a bunch of criminals, one of which uses machines that turn people into monstrous giants while another one uses a sleep inducing plant to put Metroville's civilians to sleep. The only downside to defeating each? You have to do a monotonous "escort the [insert whatever here]" mission to the wagon carrying them to the supers' headquarters. Those missions were not to my liking, but the rest were good fun.

And… I will also admit… I kinda thought, "Man, an Incredibles sequel would be soooooo cool!"

If you've been here long enough, you'll know that I don't ask for sequels. When one is announced, I simply say "well, we'll see what happens" (Finding Dory, for instance) and spare the negativity. An Incredibles sequel would be lovely, but I think it should only happen if Brad Bird wants it to happen. As in "really wants". Bird, to me, seems kind of "Yeah one day, maybe" on it. Either that, or he's essentially telling fans, "It's not happening."

Anyways…

Pirates of the Caribbean, to me, is much more challenging than the other two play sets. I haven't finished it yet, but some of the missions feel a bit longer and a little more difficult this time around. Also, you're encouraged to really explore in some missions. Your range of weapons is super cool, plus the setting is the least toy-ish of the three. Lush jungles, swamp, lagoons and towns make for this play set's backdrop, and the music definitely adds to the atmosphere.

You know what else rocks about this play set? Being at the helm of a ship, of course! Fire at enemies, sail the seas, discover different areas, you could not ask for more!

This particular world is massive too, given its oceanic setting. You can sail to small little islands or pretty big shores, there's so much to explore. Racking up tons of coins never felt so satisfying either, for some reason. If there's one slight downside, it's the speed of the dinghy. You go slow, which is important for certain missions, but what if you want to row around like a madman? I have very little complaints about this play set, though some missions do tend to fall to the easy side. The side-challenges are expectedly fun and make for in-between mission enjoyment.

So after finishing up with the fort mission on Pirates, I headed over the Toy Box. Now, I had added a lot to my Toy Box world that I showed in the last review, but to my horror… There was a limit! I decided to create a new world instead, but first, I took on the Toy Box challenges.

Considering my history with building games like Zoo Tycoon and Sim City, I jumped right into building a new toy box rather than doing the tutorials or adventures. Thankfully, the adventures give you some ins and outs that are useful to know, but some of the challenges are great and you keep coming back if you didn't win a gold medal the first time.

Anyways, here's my new Toy Box world so far. This time it comes with a commentary; didn't feel the need to record one for the last video…

'Disney Infinity' in Progress… (Part 1)

Well folks, I got it… Yep, Disney Infinity.

Instead of doing a sort of complete review or "overall thoughts" thing, I thought I'd review it as I get through it. So far, I have completed the Monsters University adventure. I did quite a few of The Incredibles levels, and just began working on Pirates of the Caribbean. Suffice to say, I'm well enough into it.

Before I get started, I got this for PlayStation 3 and of course the starter pack comes with Mr. Incredible, Sulley and Jack Sparrow. I haven't bought any other characters or play sets yet, though I plan to very soon. Right now, I'm thinking of getting Mike Wazowski, Wreck-It Ralph and Lightning McQueen.

So what do I think of it?

I love it.

When Disney Infinity was announced, I saw a lot of potential in it because it was going to bring multiple Disney characters and their worlds together. Crossovers are always fun and all, but this is actually a great opportunity for Disney to popularize some characters from their more "obscure" (or "lesser", as they would apparently think) films and shows. So far, they seem to be doing that little by little. For example, in a promo image, The Lone Ranger's Tonto is riding the goofy elephant Tantor from Tarzan. While Tarzan was a popular hit for Disney back in the day, for some reason they treat it like the rest of the post-Lion King Renaissance films. Unfair, but Disney could boost that film through this game.

In fact, Tarzan should be a play set soon given the jungle setting and tree-surfing action. It made for a solid movie-based video game back when the film came out (I had the PlayStation version), and a decade before this game was released, Disney gave us the underrated Disney Extreme Skate Adventure. Sure it was pretty much a family-friendly Tony Hawk's Pro Skater with Disney characters, but Tarzan was one of the three films they chose for settings. The other two were the Toy Story films and The Lion King. Imagine that, Disney actually giving something like Tarzan something of a popularity boost…

But enough babble about Tarzan and the way Disney treats their not-Lion King films, the point is, Disney Infinity could help popularize some of the Disney films that Disney tends to push aside. I would certainly love to see worlds or toy box items based on Treasure Planet or Atlantis, or maybe even 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Infinite possibilities, they say…

To start off, what I like about Disney Infinity is how open-ended it is. For the remainder of the review, I'll be focusing on the Monsters University adventure since I beat it. Next review will focus on The Incredibles…

Monsters University's adventure of course lets the player go around the campus itself, and you can also climb buildings and whatnot, getting a good look at everything. Like any good sandbox-style game, there's missions you have to take and there are also side challenges, and they're pretty damn fun! The story here is enjoyable too, basically you have to help Monsters University beat Fear Tech. Fear Tech is mentioned a few times in the film itself, though the rivalry between the two universities is ultimately minor: Sulley steals their freakish pig mascot, we see MU take them on in a football game and young Mike sees a Fear Tech graduate tell Frightening Frank McCay (the monster who Mike watched scare when he was little) monster that Fear Tech is better.

Anyways, you actually get to go to Fear Tech in this game and I must say, the designers did quite well with bringing it to life. It makes me want to see it in Pixar form, so I'm hoping the studio makes a Monsters University special or short film where we actually visit this competing campus. Will Party Central, whenever that comes out, take us there? Maybe. At Fear Tech, you have outsmart their students with pranks, get the message across that MU rules and for a grand finale… Steal Archie the Scare Pig!

In the mean time, you got to get the frat houses up, compete in a paintball tournament with Fear Tech students, undo the messes they brought to MU and many other things. It keeps you busy, and the story is surprisingly a little short. I'm hoping they expand it in some ways, because the setting alone is good-sized. Maybe we'll get more levels set in the Monster World outside of the university, maybe even Monsters, Inc. itself! One can dream, right?

The missions bring a lot of variety to the table, as they should. They test your abilities, too, from sneaking to climbing to bike riding. I admit it was pretty cool to run around roaring at things, and it's neat how you can ride across campus. (Surprised there's no skateboard for someone like Mike. That's a no-brainer, methinks!) If there's one complaint I have, it's that the missions are at times a bit too easy. I understand this is a family-friendly game, but I think it could've been a little more challenging. Some missions are just that, particularly some of the Fear Tech ones where you have to avoid the tough guy security guards. Non-mission activities such as challenges consist of timed puzzles and whatnot, making for some extra fun. You can also have a field day pranking your rivals with various objects that end up knocking the opponents across campus or something. Not to mention the ongoing search for Toy Box pieces and whatnot!

The graphics? They are impressive, and I think by making everything into toys, they were able to pull off a decidedly simplistic and cartoonish look. It's nice to look at, and of course, it's bursting with color and great art direction. The music at times can be repetitive, but what they have is a treat to the ears. Monsters University's backdrop recalls the jazzy tone of the first film's opening credits, rather than the bombastic score that Randy Newman did for the prequel. When you hit frat row, you get some rock while you get 80s synths when you visit Fear Tech (after all, Monsters University takes place in the mid-to-late 80s), other times… It's silent. This happens in Toy Box Mode too, the music just goes away for a while. But you know what? I kind of like that, a little breather and some silence, ya know?

Overall, while the Monsters University adventure was mostly a breeze in terms of the difficulty, it was undeniably fun. It was great to explore the campus, frat row and Fear Tech. The story was cool enough, and I'm hoping Pixar does some kind of special or something about MU vs. Fear Tech. I think that would be pretty cool.

As for Toy Box Mode, I'm already a huge fan.

I grew up playing games like Sim City, Rollercoaster Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon, so this is my kind of thing. Yes, I began building a world, though it is in its very early stages. I need to wait until I get even more toys and whatnot, but here it is so far… (If you are interested…)


What are your thoughts on Disney Infinity? Sound off below!