Ben-DutkaIf you’ve got a kid who got hooked on Skylanders , but then decided to switch to Disney Infinity last year, you’re not alone. The new effort from Disney Interactive successfully countered the latest Activision title, managing to sell nearly as many copies as the recently released SWAP Force . Now, the sequel looks to steal away even more market share, as Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes will undoubtedly be on many a child’s holiday wish list. After all, it’s Disney combined with superheroes; how can you go wrong?
The game will initially boast a round of “Avengers” characters: Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, the Hulk, and Hawkeye. Even though this game sits on the cartoon-y side of the fence (for obvious reasons), the character designs of these new superhero characters are a bit more on the darker side. Not that they’re mature-looking by any stretch of the imagination, but they’re not quite as cute, either. Aside from this minor cosmetic difference, the sequel will feature plenty of gameplay improvements and additions, which will result in a more robust, compelling experience. First up, the appreciated addition of depth.
Not only are the new characters separated into distinct classes, complete with melee and ranged specialties, but each fighter also has an extensive skill tree. This should make the game more appealing to core gamers, despite its cutesy exterior. You have the freedom to build and customize your character however you see fit, and these changes will be reflected in the character’s appearance, too. The more you play, the more you earn items and gadgets, which can also be used to deck out your favorite Disney mascot or Marvel superhero. This brings us to another new feature: The madcap Toy Box Mode, which will be great for multiplayer fun.
This is a mode that lets you pull a variety of objects from the box, and then you can fly at your friends with all manner of crazy apparel and weaponry! On top of which, you can build your very own levels and this time around, it’s easier and more streamlined. The inclusion of assisting robots, which run around and clean up the mass you left behind, makes the process smoother and more accessible. If you combine this with the increased depth and longevity, you’re looking at a game that you might actually want to play with your kids. There’s plenty to do, lots of characters with which to experiment, and oodles of colorful action.
The Starter Pack that comes with the game will feature Iron Man, Thor and Black Widow, along with the Infinity 2.0 USB base, two Power Discs, and The Avengers play set piece. There’s also a limited edition collector’s bundle for either the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3 that includes all six of the aforementioned Avengers characters, along with a light-up diorama featuring the Frost Beast boss from the Avengers play set. If you’re willing, you can also spring for more Power Discs, which add fresh weapons and skins. Yeah, this product is a massive moneymaker.
Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes will launch on September 23 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC and iOS platforms. As you might expect, Disney will provide fans with lots of new characters in the months after the game’s release, but of course, none of ‘em will be free. Maybe more packs will be on tap for junior’s birthday in 2015…?
Disney sucks and will ruin Star Wars.
Why pay probably 15 to 30 bucks for 3 superheroes when you can have more than a hundred of them for only the disc price on the Lego Marvel game? I fall for Skylanders:Swap Force, but I won't buy this or Skylanders:Trap Force for my kid.