Disney Infinity 3.0 on PlayStation 4

Ever since Disney threw their hat into the toys-to-life scene with Disney Infinity, many awaited the moment when some of their biggest properties would finally receive the proper justice. From the first game, fans and newcomers alike were treated to large, beautiful worlds set in some of the beloved company’s franchises. But, it was clear that they were still finding their voice. This new type of interaction between toys and video games was relatively new, and finding a space to call Disney’s own would take some work.

Where Skylanders has its large adventures and heavy action focused gameplay, Disney Infinity is about creativity, and the creation of memories within the vast worlds people have been fallen in love with for decades. But, just having a game where you can create wasn’t enough. This is something Disney Infinity 2.0 began to figure out, but it would take something a little more special to seal the deal. Something from a galaxy far, far away.

Now, on its third iteration, Disney Infinity looks like it may be finding its groove, and it’s all thanks to a little franchise many have come to know and love. Of course, we’re talking about Star Wars.

Taking a look at the game from a technical standpoint shows that the developers have learned quite a bit. While the second game in the series was a solid experience, it was plagued by a myriad of technical issues not least of which was load times. Loading was so bad that accessing menus was often a game of chance, and certain mission checkpoints would never appear. Thankfully, this is no longer the case in Star Wars’ first outing with the bunch. The game runs smoothly, so you can get right into the action or hop out and get into some creations with ease.

At it very core, Disney Infinity 3.0 hasn’t changed much. Each toy has a set of skills that makes it unique when lined up next to others, but there are certain group sets that ensure you don’t need to own every figure under the sun to enjoy every last bit of content. Gameplay receives a pretty noticeable change thanks to Jedi abilities, though. The ability to pull and push things at will from a distance, as well as use interesting attacks, all while traversing large intricate maps, is a welcome addition.

Disney Infinity 2.0 brought in the idea of open worlds with its starter pack, but 3.0 ups the ante by filling those areas with multiple passageways, and loads more NPCs for you to interact with (nicely or maliciously, depending on your idea of fun). Dashing through the sky, grinding down rails, commandeering vehicles, reflecting blaster rounds, and engaging in lightsaber battles is fun and responsive, and all takes place within living environments.

Increasing the focus on fun is the adjustment to player progression. As with previous Disney Infinity games, players can level up their figures by using them in any of the various game modes available. Campaign missions, challenge maps, creativity, co-op fun, as long as you’re doing something, you have the opportunity to earn experience towards the figure you’re using. This is nothing new to toys-to-life games. After all, there needs to be some type of incentive to switch between the hundreds of toys on offer. However, it was a grueling process before. You could play through the whole main story and still not fully upgrade one of your toys.

In a game full of colorful cartoons and tons of humor, the last thing anyone wants to do is grind for days to max out a single toy. Disney Infinity 3.0 fixes this in two ways. The first is that players earn much more experience for completing activities. The second is that there is just so much more to do while running around. There is no more having to find a spot with enemies to farm, or a singular mission to have to replay on end. The base game is packed with content and activities, and that’s before players even get to the heart of Disney Infinity 3.0: the creation.

At the core of each Disney Infinity lies the Toy Box, an area where players can let loose and play in whatever way they see fit. Fighting, shooting, racing, exploring, creating, whatever it is that you feel is fun, you can probably do it with a bit of creativity. The Toy Box gets a much needed upgrade thanks to the addition of intergalactic toys and vehicles. X-Wings, droids, pod-racers and more can be combined with classic Disney settings, and even some Marvel set-pieces and characters. Worlds allow for more creativity this time around, and the act of linking locations has a more natural feel allowing players to create some truly novel experiences.

If there is a downside to Disney Infinity 3.0, it’s the fact that while it is a huge improvement over the last entry in the series, it is nothing more than just that. Disney Infinity 3.0 tightens up the formula to help further define what the series is, but when it comes to actually adding anything, that is all relegated to new Star Wars stuff.

Version 3.0 makes the whole affair sound like an update, and that’s essentially what Disney Infinity 3.0 is. Better visuals, a tighter experience, and some intergalactic fun round out what’s on offer, but that shouldn’t deter anyone from getting in on the new craze or even upgrading. Disney Infinity 3.0 is definitely worth a look for those looking for simple, toy-centered fun. The inclusion of a juggernaut franchise in a way that doesn’t feel cheap or tacked on sweetens the deal as Disney further carves out their place with all of its toys.

But, if you weren’t too fond of the last two outings, the latest entry will do very little to sway your decision. It’s more of the same, only this time you get to have Yoda narrate the whole ordeal.

Score: 3/5