Toy Story 3 (Wii) Review

Let’s put the obligatory introductory statements to the side for the moment and get straight to the point. Toy Story 3, based on the recently released movie you all know, is actually a pretty good game. Shock, horror, gasp! A licensed game that is actually good? “Surely he must have consumed some magic mushrooms before playing” you say. Not the case at all (drugs are bad), and to make my off-the-bat statement even more impressive, I had just finished up (nearly) playing Super Mario Galaxy 2 when Toy Story 3 arrived at my door – and they are both platformers. Now, Toy Story 3 still falls a long way short of SMG2, but so do most games. The point is, we have a licensed game here that is actually very playable and worth spending money on, particularly for the younger gamer. And that is worth getting excited about.

Toy Story 3 only loosely follows the plot of the movie, but this is not a major problem. Few games are actually made better by the story (i.e. the game that actually places importance on story benefits from it, but others not so much) and if you read a basic synopsis of the movie, you’ll have a sound enough understanding of what is transpiring anyway. The game is split into two key modes – a 3D platformer and a sandbox mode. The story mode is the main mode, and this is where you will take control of several key characters (including Buzz and Woody of course) as you run, jump, shoot, solve puzzles and collect items across several different levels.

Not a Wii Screenshot

This element of the game pales in comparison to SMG2, but there is enough variety here and the controls are mainly good throughout. It’s not too difficult either, which makes it more appealing to the younger crowd. There are some repetitive moments throughout, but there are also some really original moments that make you pleased that some developers still see their profession as an art of sorts – that is, they actually care about the end product. It’s not an entirely long story mode either, and it can probably be finished in a couple of hours but there are plenty of collectables (which are needed for the other mode) meaning you will replay levels anyway.

The other main mode is the sandbox mode, where you are free to roam around a fairly large open world interacting with characters and completing various missions. This mode is quite fun, and although it is fairly simplistic, it is nonetheless entertaining. Without going into great detail, there is a lot to do here, and much of what you do relates to what you collect in the story mode. Extra characters, costumes, missions… the list goes on. It would have been quite easy for the developers to totally omit this mode and release the game with only the story mode, and even then it would have been better than most licensed games. Instead, the developers have packed a great deal into this title, and you can only hope that licensed nature of the game doesn’t detract gamers from giving it a go.

Not a Wii Screenshot

If you’re still reading, you will have noticed a very positive tone to this review, which reflects my surprise at having actually played a licensed game that is quite good. That is not to say that the game is without flaws – for instance, the gameplay is not devoid of control problems – but because most reviews for this sort of game are inherently negative, I am taking this rare opportunity to highlight what is a solid game. Visually, the game is in the average range – not the worst I have seen, but far from fantastic (the cut scenes, however, do look wonderful). Sound effects are acceptable and the soundtrack suitable, if a little drab at times. Control wise, the game is simplistic and approachable, and usually (but not always) intuitive. The best way to sum up this game is to say that what it lacks in polish it makes up for in effort. And for this reason, I would recommend Toy Story 3 to fans of the movie, and particularly younger children who will actually get to play a good game with the favourite characters in it. The developers could have easily rushed out another piece of shovelware to coincide with the release of the movie, and made just as much money. Instead though, they have actually developed a good game that is well worth looking at.

Graphics 6.0

Cutscenes look wonderful, in-game graphics are passable.

Gameplay 7.0

Solid platforming story mode plus a very entertaining sandbox mode.

Sound 6.0

Nothing special here, though music is appropriate enough. Doesnt use the same voice actors, which is disappointing.

Tilt 8.0

Story mode will take a few hours to finish the first time, but there are lots of collectables. The sandbox mode offers a great deal to do as well.

Value 9.9

A licensed game that is actually good? You bet.