We've known about Disney Interactive's ambitious videogame/toy collectathon, Disney Infinity, for a while now, but initially, it was something of a confusing picture. With so many different aspects and elements, it was tricky enough for us to figure out how everything was going to fit together, yet alone a parent who's been pestered about the latest game craze. As the release has drawn closer, though, the dust has slowly began to settle, to the point where we now have a much better idea of what sort of game it is, how the toys and the software work together, and crucially, whether we think it's going to be worth the investment. So without further ado, let's take a look at what Disney has planned for the launch of Infinity, and beyond.
Disney Infinity is comprised of two main components; the game itself, and the physical toys - but much like the similar Skylanders Swap Force, it's the way that these two interact that makes the game special. The game ships on August 20th as a Starter Pack which includes everything you need to get going. The pack contains the game itself, along with the Infinity Base (which connects to your console via USB), three figures from different Disney franchises, access to three in-game 'Play Sets' and a Power Token. These elements are the key to Disney Infinity, and you'll need to make use of all of them to get the most out of your game.
The starter pack - base, figures, a power disc, the game itself, and the "play sets", contained on the transparent die.
The figures included (Captain Jack Sparrow, Sulley and Mr Incredible) are of many that are lined up for release over the coming months, and are really rather nice toys in their own right. They're well made, and wouldn't look out of place amongst other Disney memorabilia and collectable toys. The characters may be from different franchises, but they've been united by a common art style and as such, even live-action characters like Johnny Depp's Captain Jack don't look out of place amongst the more animated Pixar characters. Of course, they're not just there to admire though, as once they're placed on the Infinity Base, the figures become your character in the game, ready for you to take over.
The game itself is split into two distinct modes. The more traditional side of things is made up of 'Play Sets', each one a 6 - 10 hour 3D action game based around a single Disney property, and you'll get access to three of these with the Starter Pack (Pirates of the Caribbean, Monsters University and The Incredibles to be precise). Each game plays similarly to the LEGO games, particularly the recent Wii U smash LEGO City Undercover in that you'll spend much of your time scampering around a 3D free-roaming world completing missions, taking out baddies and collecting lots of shiny items. Each Play Set will have unique twists on this familiar formula though, making each feel in tune with its source material. Pirates of the Caribbean adds swordplay and ship customisation for example, while Monsters University places an emphasis on pranks and scares. From what we've seen so far the gameplay looks fun, engaging, and incredibly large in scope, if not especially original. Imagine a sprinkling of Disney magic on the pick-up-and-play appeal of one of the more recent LEGO games, and you're pretty much there.
Of course, that's only part of the story with Disney Infinity. The other, potentially more interesting component is the Toy Box mode. Taking its cues from the well-received Toy Story 3 game, as well as construction classics LittleBigPlanet and Minecraft, Disney Infinity's Toy Box has been designed to replicate a bedroom floor where toys and characters from different themes can play together. Again in a nod to the world's favourite building toy, the game's designers liken the experience to building a LEGO set. You can of course follow the instructions and build what you're 'supposed' to, but as all the pieces are compatible, why not combine different elements to create something unique? Toy Box provides a wealth of materials, buildings, mechanical gadgets and accessories for you to use to create, well, whatever you like. You could choose to build an impenetrable fortress, design your own racing game complete with Tron-themed vehicles, or simply see how tall you can build a tower made of pirate ships (or pirates themselves). More elements for the Toy Box are unlocked by playing through the Play Sets, so the more you play (and the more additional Play Sets you buy), the greater your creative options. Characters in Toy Box mode are not bound by their respective franchises either, so while you can only play as a Pirates character in the Pirates of the Caribbean play set, you could easily have Jack Sparrow racing against Wreck-it Ralph on a custom made track, or team up The Lone Ranger with Buzz Lightyear on the football field. In a clever, and rather brilliant, move Disney Infinity's Toy Box mode also supports multi-platform play by using Disney's own "cloud-based" saving system. For example, if two friends create a huge world on one's 360 and save it to the cloud, the other could then download and access the same world at home on his PS3 with no trouble.
Toy Box mode could be the most fun you'll have with a game this year.
Disney Infinity has clearly been designed as a platform, not just a game, and Disney seems to be committed to it long term. The great news for children (but possibly less great news for parents) is the multitude of additional content planned for the game. In addition to the Starter Pack, additional Play Set expansions packs will also be available, each based on a different theme, containing two new figures and access to a brand new themed Play Set. So far we know of Cars and The Lone Ranger, but judging by the characters featuring in some of Infinity's trailers we can expect to see figures and Play Sets based on Wreck-it Ralph, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and more. Falling somewhere between Downloadable Content and full games, these sets will be priced at around £20 - £30. Individual figures will also be available, as well as 'Sidekick' packs of three figures from the various films. As you'd likely expect, Disney have said they'll be "assessing" each of their properties in the future to decide which make the most sense to be added to Disney Infinity - and while nothing's yet been announced, but it would be very surprising not to see Marvel superheroes or Star Wars content coming to Disney Infinity at some point.
of course, the extras don't stop there, as Disney Infinity also has its eyes on the world of collecting and trading on a smaller scale, with the intriguing "Power Discs" forming an important part of the game. With one included in the Starter Pack to get you going, Power Discs are divided into two types; hexagonal, which represent items to be added to the game and circular discs which boost characters' abilities. When placed on the Infinity Base underneath a figure, a circular Power Disc could increase their strength or enable a special ability for example, while hexagonal discs could add a Wreck-it Ralph 'Sugar Rush' theme to the Toy Box, or unlock Cinderella's carriage for characters in the Toy Box to drive. These will be sold 'blind bagged' much like trading cards or LEGO Minifigures meaning there's no way of knowing what's inside the packet. Both varieties of Power Disc feature artwork from a wide range of Disney characters, and as such will probably become collectable in their own right; it's a safe bet that eBay and the school playground will be overrun with the coveted plastic tokens in the future.
The creative possibilities are pretty much endless in Disney Infinity. Kids (and big kids) will be able to lose themselves in this for hours.
We're fans of the Disney Infinity idea - the execution looks brilliant, the game itself looks incredible, and the potential for the future looks huge given the right support. However, as is always the case with these things, whether it flourishes or flops will be entirely dependant on the price, and with the basic set costing £55-60, expansions costing £20-30, and extra characters going for up to £15 each, it does require a substantial investment of both money and time to get the best out of it. If parents can be convinced of the platform's worth, then it'll fly off the shelves - but for those families who have already invested in Activision's Skylanders series (which uses the same combination of toys and video games), it may be asking too much despite the massive draw of Disney's near-legendary characters.
Disney Infinity will be released on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, PC and 3DS on the 20th August.
