Disney Magical World, a new game for the Nintendo 3DS draws a lot of comparisons to Nintendo’s own Animal Crossing. It’s a life simulator that focuses on collecting raw materials which the player uses to make clothes, build furniture, and customize unique spaces. However the main aspect that really sets Disney Magical World apart is the linear game play. Rather than an open-ended format like Animal Crossing, the game progresses by earning stickers which you need to unlock new areas and challenges. While there are plenty of open ended activities such as running a cafe and decorating your studio apartment, the player is ultimately dependent on progressing through the sticker quest to find new raw materials and recipes which expand your customization options. While this could be seen as an improvement on the life sim genre since there is always a goal to reach for, the challenges and missions in the game get very repetitive and the initial excitement I had died pretty quickly.
Game Play
Overall the game seems to be very geared towards 7-9 year old girls. Although you can designate your character to be male or female, the actions your character can learn include double handed waving, princess twirls, and leaping through the air with a trail of sparkles (which is done by pressing the R shoulder button). Additionally, even if your character is male you can wear princess dresses and other characters you interact with will always compliment you on your stylish choice which is progressive…I guess. The game is very text heavy which might prove difficult to someone who has just entered reading age but the content is so basic adults might get bored.
Players begin the game in Castleton, (which looks so much like the Magic Kingdom one has to wonder why it isn’t) from here you participate in a very long 16 step sticker mission to learn the ins and outs of the game. After this you begin to gain access to places like Cinderella’s Castle, Wonderland, and the 100 Acre Wood. Its in these satellite worlds that you complete missions which help player to make new clothes, furniture and food in Castleton.
Almost all of the missions in this game involve buying or making a new item, running errands for a non-playable character or participating in dungeon crawls filled with ghosts which you vanquish with your magic wand. The existence of the ghosts is never fully explained and its just something you have to accept. (The missed opportunity here is if Castleton was the Magic Kingdom perhaps the ghosts could have escaped from the Haunted Mansion!)
Graphics
The models of the Disney characters look really great on the 3DS! The draw back here is the other non-playable characters and your Mii avatar don’t really match the Disney art style so there is a bit of a disconnect.
The individual worlds look great too although there are some parts where the textures appear low-resolution and gritty.
Sound
The music is good however its completely original to there game. Not using classic Disney melodies here was a huge missed opportunity and reduced the appeal of the game for me. Every time I entered the 100 Acre Wood I expected to hear the Winnie the Pooh theme and it was a disappointment when I didn’t.
Verdict
+ Disney Magical World is an unique take on the life sim genre.
+ Tons of Disney things to collect, build, and buy.
+ This game is great for school aged children and Disney fanatics
– The game could help draw older gamers in with a little more polish graphically.
– Needs more immersive Disney Worlds in the way the Kingdom Hearts series does so successfully.
– The lasting appeal of the game suffers from how repetitive its activities are.
Final Score:
7.5/10
