Disneyland is a magical place. I’ve never actually been there myself, but I’ve been to its beefed-up Florida counterpart. And let me tell you, it is an experience like no other. If you are hoping to replicate the experience of going to Disneyland from your home, you won’t exactly get a realistic experience from Kinect: Disneyland Adventures. But what you will get is a fun, whimsical journey through one of the most-visited spots on Earth. Oh, and as much Disney magic as you can handle. Seriously, I’m still shaking off the pixie dust.
The game starts you off as an unnamed guest visiting Disneyland. You can pick your gender, your hairstyle, and your clothes before your adventure begins. Your first stop? Mickey Mouse! Much of the game can be spent interacting with walk-around characters, and you can talk to them (as long as you don’t mind stock replies), dance with them, give a high five, and even get an autograph or a hug. Mickey Mouse welcomes you to the park, gives you an autograph book and a camera, and sends you on your way. The game has a very passive mission system which has you seeking out characters for pictures, autographs and special items. If you like this sort of directed play, you can count on a satisfying campaign that will see you hitting all of Disneyland’s sights and attractions.
However, if you want to take a more self-guided approach, you can do that too. Though you get some cool items and spending money by doing the game’s little missions, if you want to take a break and go talk to Buzz Lightyear or take a spin on the “It’s a Small World” boat cruise, you can do that. The game gives players a great sense of freedom, which is really what the Disney experience is all about. And the best part? No lines!
But the biggest question in your mind is likely “What about the rides?” You can hardly replicate the feeling of Peter Pan’s Flight or Space Mountain in a game, and the genius of Disneyland Adventures is that it doesn’t try to. Instead of just watching an avatar tide a super-fun roller coaster, you instead transform into a character yourself and experience an interactive minigame based on the attraction. For example, if you want to hop on the Jungle Cruise, instead of being told the same old jokes by Skipper Dan you’ll have a water gun to squirt hippos and other creatures as they approach the boat. Space Mountain sees you putting on a high-tech space suit and blasting across an intergalactic highway complete with asteroids and hyperdrive jumpgates.
These minigames are extremely fun and give you the feeling you’re experiencing something new, which is a big deal to Disney aficionados who feel as though they’ve already done everything there is to do. Each minigame area has several chapters, complete with cute little cutscenes that will keep you coming back for more. If you do particularly well in a game, you can also collect Disney pins from each attraction, which is another nice little touch for Disney parks fans.
Another little touch that adds some authenticity to the experience is shopping for items. If you’ve ever been to a Disney park, you know that perusing the gift shop is part of the experience. And this experience is replicated rather interestingly here. Doing well on attractions and exploring the park will net you in-game currency, which you can then use at the gift shop to get memorabilia, autograph books, and more. Sure, you won’t get that sinking feeling that you get when your small trinkets end up costing a lot more than you thought, but I think we can all agree that this is a good thing.
As far as the motion controls go, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures definitely puts Kinect’s body tracking ability to good use. Moving around in the park is accomplished by holding your arm out like you are holding a marionette, and works flawlessly as you navigate the many pathways around Disneyland. Minigames generally involve simple gesture-based controls, and are never too difficult to figure out. The game also features an impressive set of vocal commands. Nearly every character interaction can be performed just by talking, and every single menu option can be spoken aloud. This makes interacting with your favorite characters and getting to the best attractions extremely easy, no matter where in the park you are.
Visuals in the game are also presented extremely well. The park is incredibly detailed, and visitors will recognize everything from the placement of the Emporium on Main Street to the Astro Orbiter floating high above Tomorrowland. Now, there are a few things missing from the game; the Indiana Jones ride, Captain EO, and Star Tours are all absent due to licensing issues. However, all the Disneyland staples are there, and are presented with loving detail. Characters also look great, with everyone from The Beast to the little green aliens from Toy Story looking their absolute best with plenty of intricate detail and superb animation quality.
I know that this holiday season many parents are going to get this game and tell children that it’s “just like being there!” Unfortunately, they are wrong, as there is nothing that can really duplicate the Disneyland experience. However, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures is a great virtual representation of the park, and works well as a companion experience. The game’s format is nice and loose, and the gameplay is simple but intuitive. For Disney-philes, this game is certainly a must-have, as it works extremely well and features plenty of “magical moments” that players young and old will appreciate.
Game Features:
Create Memories. Whether it’s your first time or hundredth time exploring Disneyland, relive your fondest memories or embark on a new adventures as you enjoy whimsical attractions and entertainment that has shaped the dreams of Disney fans, both young and old.
Discover Disneyland Park. Whether you want to go on an adventure in your favorite attraction or explore the entire Park, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures allows you to play at your own pace and customize your own Disneyland experiences right from your living room, whenever you want.
Explore the Attractions. Experience your favorite Disneyland attractions as immersive adventures – explore Neverland at Peter Pan’s side and take up your sword to fight Captain Hook, battle your way to the island in Pirates of the Caribbean, or partner with a friend to escape the Yetis in the Matterhorn.
Meet the Characters. Share magical moments with your favorite Disney characters – hug your favorite princess, high-five Mickey Mouse, collect autographs and accept quests.
Collect and Unlock. Collect Disney-themed items, rewards, and Xbox 360 Achievements as you make your way through the Park to discover new locations and game experiences, including themed parades and firework displays.