What happens when you combine life in a fantasy world, lots of the most recognisable fictional characters on the planet, some bonus magic, sparkles and cheery songs into a tiny 3DS cartridge? Theoretically, the answer you're looking for is "success". Luckily in the case of Disney Magical World 2 this is also a reality.
Just like its prequel, Disney Magical World, this game sees you move into your new home in Castleton, right next door to Mickey Mouse himself. The objective of the game is both simple and definitely not simple, by which we mean there are so many different things to do and take away from the experience that you can create your own objectives – the most important of which should be to just have fun. There is an awful lot of content to explore here with bucket loads of characters to meet and objectives to tackle, both in your home town and also the worlds of the various Disney characters everyone knows and loves.
The first portion of the game guides you through a variety of tasks to help you get to grips with your surroundings, the types of activities that will be made available to you and the system by which the game works – stickers. Earning stickers is as simple as meeting various criteria – at first these are very simple and compulsory, before becoming optional and more time consuming as the game goes on in the form of side quests. These stickers unlock new portions of the game – locked sections have a required sticker count which once met will become available to you to explore. Apart from the first 18 stickers which take the form of what feels like the longest tutorial in video game history – though it likely isn't – these can be done in any order you like as long as you have come across or unlocked the necessary means to complete the task.
Restricting this game's genre to just "life simulation" feels a little harsh. Just like the relatively recent treasure trove of great life sims such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Fantasy Life, this game sees you have a go at several different styles of gameplay. Alongside the typical life simulation traits such as creating your own avatar and maintaining your own house, the RPG elements perhaps take centre stage. Your room, your outfit and your café – yes you run your own café – all require materials and ingredients to be found which can be crafted into the specific items you need. The opposite end of the RPG scale is also represented with small missions requiring the use of health points and magic stamina bars as you fight through hordes of enemies, collecting more items along the way in treasure chests and from your opponents. Other genres appear occasionally such as rhythm-action, whereby you'll be pressing buttons along with the music and images on screen. This mix of activities keeps things fresh and lively and helps stave off any boredom from repetition.
The scale of the game is immediately striking; during the opening sections you may find yourself walking past areas with particularly high sticker counts that feel like they're ages away, yet it always feels like a good amount of content is unlocked with each new sticker. The amount of collectible items for your home and your outfit is also impressive, with countless different options available. Many, many hours could easily be poured into simply trying to make new furniture for your home, and just when you finally start to wonder if you've seen most of the important stuff, new worlds begin to open.
Just like in the original title, after collecting the required amount of stickers whole new worlds begin to unlock. These are worlds based on the locations in which we see our favourite Disney characters in their original films, and each contain new quests to complete alongside your new-found friends. Despite an already generous cast of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald and Daisy Duck living on the same street as you, within the first few hours you'll be visiting Lilo and Stitch in Hawaii, Winnie the Pooh and the gang in the 100 Acre Wood and – new to this sequel – the incredibly popular Elsa and Olaf in the Frozen Universe. We'll stop there and let you have the excitement of stumbling across more of your favourite Disney stars for yourselves, but needless to say there are many characters to meet here.
At any point in the game you are able to take a photograph of your character, too. Pressing the L button brings up a menu from which you can take a screenshot of the action, and whilst you could be saving hundreds of images to your SD card at any point, the game does a great job of setting up as many photo opportunities as possible, just as if you were visiting Disney World. Often characters such as Mickey will offer the chance to have a photo, sometimes in dream like situations which can be unlocked by certain collectibles. Needless to say, younger audiences will likely love every second of seeing themselves next to all their favourite characters.
It's challenging to pick any real faults with this game; it is by no means spectacular, but it does everything it tries to do well. Of course, this doesn't mean that everyone will love it – the music, the over-the-top excitement and wonder may be a bit too in your face for some players; this is an all singing, all dancing Disney product, remember, but you probably knew that before reading this review. It doesn't quite live up to the incredibly high bar set by Animal Crossing and the like, but if you're a fan of the Disney franchise you will likely instantly look past that as you are drawn in by the magic.
Conclusion
An impressive amount of content, a great cast, and a significant number of hours that are undoubtedly about to be expended by its players make up a solid new title, likely to help ensure the 3DS's legacy stays strong as it ages gracefully. Younger Disney lovers will unquestionably get a lot out of this game, with the photograph opportunities being a nice touch, but this title will also appeal to Disney fans of all ages – being able to spend your days alongside your favourite characters is fun for anyone. If this style of game captures your attention or you have a deep love for the franchises involved, we'd recommend giving this title a go.
Comments 21
For kids that looks like a great game.
can I skip the original and play this one? are there only new additions or are there characters and stuff that didn't come back? I'd have loved a small comparison with the original because I didn't play it but I'm interested in the series ahah
I'm pretty excited about this one. Can't wait until it arrives tomorrow. Is there a list of what worlds are different between the two?
Is this a large world to explore also any Final Fantasy characters?
@Eisenbolan I think you are thinking kingdom hearts. This is disney only.
can't wait to get this game tomorrow. big Disney fan here and so are my kids. we are very excited for this game. I can't wait to explore Little Mermaid's world.
My kids present
Save your money and buy mario party star rush instead...my little ones and ME are addicted to it. Absolutely brilliant game
I've been wondering this whole time "they really needed a sequel?" I guess they are still making money off Frozen: Olaf's Quest.
@plug313 You can indeed. The only plus of playing the first one is that you'll get two bonus items which are probably found later on (just got sticket 19 so not sure myself yet). It improves a lot on the first one already so go for it! Base.com has it for £28 i think which will be worth it. I loved the first one so this will go down well
@plug313 You can skip the original b/c it appears clothing and possibly furniture carries over however there are exclusive worlds to each title. I don't know if you'd want to play both b/c the gameplay appears largely the same here. The original might be going for cheaper and goes on sale, too. There's always the fact that if you play DMW 2 first, the original might be less satisfying.
This is an insta-buy based on the fact I've played the first almost to the end with few stickers remaining and it was a game I would find myself coming back to b/c you really can't find fault with the gameplay and this one looks even more fantastic. It's better than Animal Crossing. Sorry. The friendly facade of the AC residents masked the tedium that lied ahead. I have never felt Disney Magical World to be tedious or "too kiddy". Even combat is solid and male characters can wear dresses <3
Ironically, I have the first one but neglected. But the sequel looks a bit better. I've asked my local game shop owner to order this sequel and will get the game on Sunday. Yeah, my biggest complaint just only the trees and bushes. Looks blurry. But the sequel looks a bit better.
This game always looked more like a big expansion pack than a full-bodied sequel, in some ways. Which is fine! I'm looking forward to this purchase unlocking tonight.
It seems like I have been waiting forever for this game to be released. I am so glad that it is finally here! I purchased it as soon as it became available. This will be a game that I will be playing for the next year or so (or at least for the next few months) . I have been playing it for a few hours already and am enjoying it immensely. I played the original game and enjoyed it very much but this second game is just as good (or possibly even better). I would very HIGHLY recommend it to all Disney lovers. You are actually doing yourself a disservice if you are a Disney fan, have a 3DS but do not purchase this game. 😃
There is a huge amount of gameplay involved within the game - battling monsters, running your own cafe, decorating your house, visiting many different Disney characters, living a life at your own pace within the Disney universe. This game also caters to both boys and girls. You can be either a male or female character and there are clothing options which cater for everyone. This game is definitely not just for females only - anyone and everyone can play it. 👍
I'm an 18 year old male playing this game and i'm proud!
This game is superb! I'd give it a 9.5 rating. It takes everything the first one was and makes it even better. The only thing I wish they hadn't changed was collecting the cards. Those were nice and they omitted that in this version, in favor of having things like the dream world instead which is also nice. (Couldn't we have had both?)
For those who like Animal Crossing, this game is absolutely for you! It's actually more fun in my opinion because there's so much more to do.
@plug313 I actually like the first game better than the sequel. You don't need to play the first one but it has better areas to play in. Both games are awesome. People don't realise that these are open world RpG's done very well and are fun for all ages. Take it from this 51 year old gamer
@KingRamses haha I have you beat. I'm a 51 year old gamer and proud. Hey it's open world RpG at its best.
@ollietaro I wouldn't compare Animal Crossing and Disney to be honest... lol.
@mikkingu6 Good idea They are two different gaming experiences altogether.
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