Toooo Infinity! AND BEYOND! Those are the words that always cross my mind when I think of Toy Story. Woody may be the lead character in the movie but everyone’s favourite is mostly Buzz Light Year. He’s the cool guy. Yes, a series of movies that I really enjoyed and I’m pretty sure most adults reading this do as well.
Toy Story Mania is a game that is based on a real life attraction (Toy Story Midway Mania) located in the USA. This comprises of games which see the player throwing pies, aiming for targets, popping balloons and various other games similar in style. The developers, Papaya Studio and Publishers Disney Interactive studios definitely aimed to target the family market and kids when making this game. The question that remains though, did they pull it off? Or have they been ambitious in their imagination?
Credit has to be given to the developers on trying to make a game with a concept based on theme park like attraction.
In all honesty, it’s a very basic game which has all your favourite characters from the movie(s).
You’re introduced with a small cut scene and the menu offers you a choice of using the controller or the Kinect Sensor. I must point out at this time that quite a few games that I have played which are compatible with Kinect have really been a let-down. And I was secretly hoping that this game might change my mind.
The options available are an Adventure mode, a Party mode and a Free Play. All modes are hosted by one, two or more of the characters.
The Adventure mode: Not what you first think. Rather than a story like theme it’s more comprised of a big game consisting of mini games (if that makes sense). You go through one mini game at a time and the main aim is to get a high score. Then move on to the next, get a high score and so on and so forth. Again all the games you play are either about aiming for the targets which earn you points if you hit them.
Party Mode: Simply play with your friends and enjoy yourselves. You get a chance to select which game you would like to play and go head to head in hitting targets and aiming to get a top score.
Free Play: Don’t feel so competitive today? No problem. Have a go at Free play and just relax. There are always plenty of Achievement’s available to unlock which playing the game. You still get the same game modes and still have to try and get a high score; only you’re not playing one game after another.
And that’s there is really that the game has to offer.
I’m sad to report that the experience was not improved by the Kinect. It may bring a different experience and you enjoy swinging your body around to avoid being hit by a pie or even re-adjusting yourself so that you can target higher points. Or for that added pressure, you can get a second person to join you on the Kinect and go head to head. It also didn’t respond very well at all and could get frustrating to an extent.
But after a short while of game play and party play and adventure mode, the game gets repetitive and boring. I did of course let my 3 year old daughter have a go as she is a huge fan of Toy Story. Sadly, this game did not cut the mustard for her and 10 minutes after taking turns I found myself playing on my own again.
All in all, I wouldn’t say that it’s a must have game. If you’ve got a kids party coming up or even want to keep kids entertained? Get them to play this game and earn the achievements for you.
Simply put, it’s not a game I would have on a Christmas wish list.
