Disney Universe
SCORE: 78
After playing Disney Universe for a few
days I realized that it reminded me of
something. Another franchise out there. The Lego video game franchise.
Players in Disney Universe can wear different costumes. These costumes
(or skins) are like dressing up as Disney characters. Players collect
coins in the levels from breaking things and defeating enemies. These
coins are used to purchase additional levels.
The costumes are one of the greatest parts of Disney Universe. It is
wonderful to see so many different Disney characters. Although my
character looked a little mischievous. Speaking of that, the enemies
will routinely take things like keys and hide them from you. Thankfully
the game will point out where key items are even if they have been
moved. The biggest thing that causes Disney Universe to earn the E10+
rating is the violent content. The battles with similar looking enemies
occurs often.
The good news is how the levels look. Each of the
worlds fits the Disney franchise it
is modeled after. While it does not look exactly like the scenes from
the movies, it will bring back memories. Pirates of the Caribbean has
things like Mermaid Tears that make sense to those who have seen the
movie.
I enjoyed the music in Disney Universe, as well as how much of it was
unlockable. I also
like the sounds those block looking characters make (who run the world
in Disney Universe). I am not so big on the sounds that are made
in the levels. Some of them fall under crude humor, and others seemed a
little odd to me. The goal of Disney Universe is to set the world right.
I am not clear how that happened after I completed a world. I could go
right back in and play a level a second time. So how did I make things
better?
Family Friendly Gaming was provided the Wii version of Disney Universe
for this review. There are also Xbox 360, and Playstation 3 versions of
this game. There are multiple collectibles in Disney Universe. Some of
them unlock music, others concept art. Costumes are also unlocked while
playing this home console game. There are forty-five different costumes
in fact.
Disney Universe is a game that is best played with two to four family
members. Disney Universe can be played alone, but it is not as much fun.
The one thing families will want to pay attention to is Disney Universe
is a competitive game. There are areas where cooperation can be used.
But the main goal is to get the most points. In our household that leads
to arguments.
The best area of innovation in Disney Universe is the directions. You
will never get lost in Disney Universe. This game will point out where
to go next, and explain what needs to be done. A basic reading ability
is required. So hopefully those ten years and older in your family can
read. I don't mean any offense if they can't. Just know that it is
needed to play this game.
The levels in Disney Universe are generally pretty short. There are
multiple things that can be done in each of them. There are three
episodes per world, and each episode has three levels. Which brings the
grand total to nine levels per world. Expect some sort of a boss fight
in the last level per episode. Some of these are very creative.
I put the lessons from Disney Universe down into two categories. The
first category is solving the puzzles. Players use their minds to follow
the instructions on what needs to be done next. These generally do not
require a lot of thought. It takes more time and effort to find all the
hidden content. The second category is killing all the guys that get in
your way. How can there be so many of these guys to teleport into level
after level.
I found that the enemies will sometimes attack one another, and can be
fooled into areas like a pit with a crocodile. This added a little
strategy. But normally it was all whacking and hacking. Some power ups
are guns that can be used to shoot them. There are also large weapons
like cannons that can be used. The violent action in Disney Universe can
get extremely chaotic. At times I was not clear where I was anymore or
even that I had died. Deaths are no big deal in Disney Universe. You
respawn quickly right back into the action. How many times you respawn
do count against you in your final level score though.
- Paul
Graphics: 72%
Sound: 83%
Replay/Extras: 85%
Gameplay: 77%
Family Friendly Factor: 74%
System: Xbox 360/Wii/PS3
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Rating: 'E10+' - Everyone 10+
{Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor}
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