Disney Universe

Name: Disney Universe
Item: Disney Universe
Rating: 4
Author: Christopher Healy

Game review by

Christopher Healy, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 10+

(i)

Good multiplayer co-op has a surprising amount of violence.

Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
$49.99
2011

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Kids say

age 7+

Based on 7 reviews

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X of Y

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Educational Value

Kids can learn problem solving by exploring this large game filled with different Disney movie worlds. You have an option of playing alone or with others. When playing cooperatively, kids can learn how to communicate and solve problems that require plotting out strategies and often have each kid doing something different. Kids going it alone will find tons of wacky puzzles where logical thinking is the key to success. While there could have been better tutorials and feedback, kids can experiment to figure things out. Kids fight off bad guys as they puzzle their way through this expansive world.

Positive Messages

Messages are very mixed. There's an overarching call for teamwork (and if kids don't work together, they'll likely not make it through the game), but players are still scored against one another at the end of each level. Kids will regularly see the villain playing devil's advocate and offering suggestions on how to thwart their fellow players (stealing their gold, etc.).

Positive Role Models & Representations

The characters are depicted as almost animalistic, more mischievous than helpful. But they are still inevitably the heroes of the game. They are on the side of good, eliminating the chaotic evil elements from the Disney Universe.

Ease of Play

The game is built for multiplayer cooperation, and if you can play with a few friends, you should be able to make it through reasonably well. If you are playing a solo game, it can be surprisingly tough. However, hints are provided and you do have unlimited lives.

Violence

Fighting is at the core of the game. The heroes will be constantly beset by large groups of robotic enemies, which they will need to destroy by bashing them with handheld weapons (everything from swords and clubs to umbrellas and banjos). At times players will be able to shoot lasers, fire cannons, and even project stinging bees at enemies. The bad guys are all robots, so they blow up when defeated. If a player is beaten, he or she simply respawns (but is docked points from the final score).

Sex

Language

No bad language, but there is a pig that farts out toxic green gas.

Consumerism

The game ties into six Disney movie worlds and expect more to come. And while you have over 40 characters to choose from in the game, there will be others available to purchase as downloadable extras. These characters are from all sorts of Disney properties.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Disney Universe is a frenetic beat-em-up game that can feel surprisingly harsh as a Disney property. The majority of the gameplay consists of chaotic battles, with loads of smacking, shooting, throwing, and exploding going on all around. There are puzzle elements, as well, and a decent amount of exploration needed in order to find hidden bonus items. The game works best with a multiplayer team of 2 to 4 players.

User Reviews

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Kid, 10 years old December 4, 2011

age 10+

ok

it is fine. extreme combat. disney only made this for MONEY MONEY MONEY. HOW DO THEY EXPECT LITTLE KIDS TO HAVE A XBOX LIVE!

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Teen, 16 years old Written byJesuslover23 January 9, 2013

age 11+

One of the best games from the happiest place on earth!

I got this game for my birthday last year, and i really love it. My favorite level is always "Lion King". I always suit up as Simba. I think other kid... Continue reading

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What's it about?

Disney Universe takes place in a virtual theme park of the future, one in which guests dress up in costumes and interact with friendly robots to relive their favorite Disney movies. But an evil hacker takes over the park, turns the bots into baddies, and captures some of the guests. Up to four heroic park patrons tramp through six Disney worlds (Alice in Wonderland, WALL-E, Monsters Inc., Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Aladdin) bashing enemies, fixing the hacks, and freeing captives (and earning new costumes).

Is it any good?

How you feel about Disney Universe will probably depend on whether you're playing alone or in a group. There are certainly fun elements for solo players: Figuring out puzzles, tackling "challenge arenas," collecting new character costumes, and so on. But the sheer number of enemies — and the strength of the villain bosses -- make it a really tough game for one player to attack alone. You simply respawn each time you die, so you won't ever lose -- but it can take you an awfully long time to win. With a few teammates, however, the game takes on a whole new life. Working together to battle through the hordes of bad guys, team up on massive bosses, and share steps in puzzle solving: That's where the real fun is.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the violence in the game. Does all of this fighting feel appropriate in a Disney title? Does the cartooniness of the characters diminish the impact of the violence?
Parents can also discuss the commercial nature of a licensed game like this one. Does playing the game make you want to see any of the films that are featured? Are you more likely to buy other toys, games, or books with these characters?

Game details

Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
Skills: Collaboration: cooperation, group projects, teamwork
Communication: listening, speaking
Thinking & Reasoning: problem solving, solving puzzles, strategy
Price: $49.99
Available online? Not available online
Developer: Disney Interactive
Release date: October 25, 2011
Genre: Action/Adventure
Topics: Magic and Fantasy
ESRB rating: E10+ for Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor