Review: Heroes power mighty 'Disney Infinity 2.0'

Most comic book fans love a good crossover. Typically, it involves superheroes from the same universe, such as Spider-Man teaming up with The Avengers to combat a threat.

But what about superheroes like Iron Man and The Hulk joining forces with Mr. Incredible and Elsa from the hit animated film Frozen?

Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Superheroes ups the ante in the suddenly competitive "toys to life" game genre by recruiting Marvel characters including Spider-Man, Captain America and The Guardians of the Galaxy. It's a smart expansion representing a big upgrade over the original, especially with the game's imaginative Toy Box feature.

The "toys to life" genre is the latest hot trend in video games, pioneered by Activision's popular Skylanders franchise. Along with the video game, players acquire collectible figurines brought to life in the game by placing them on a special portal. Video game stalwart Nintendo enters the fray later this year with its amiibo lineup featuring Mario, Donkey Kong and other famous characters.

Like last year's title, Disney Infinity 2.0 breaks down into two key components: Play Sets and the Toy Box. Players buy a Starter Pack that includes the game, three figurines (Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor) and a clear Play Set piece. Placing the Play Set piece on the portal unlocks a single-player adventure featuring The Avengers, who work to stop Thor's evil brother Loki from freezing New York City with frost giants.

Infinity features two more playsets sold separately: one starring Spider-Man and a second with The Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as individual characters. Overall,16 characters will be ready at launch.

Infinity Play Sets expand on the open-world philosophy from the first game. It's all textbook, "sandbox" style action, as players are free to do what they choose, from tackling missions and side challenges to just exploring the cities. Only characters tied to a specific Play Set can participate in that adventure, although some can cross over, such as Rocket Raccoon in The Avengers or Iron Man in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Combat is simple, ideal for Infinity's younger target audience. A basic attack button strings together a flurry of strikes at enemies, while the right trigger executes an alternate move such as Thor's hammer toss or Hawkeye's ranged bow and arrow attacks. Players can string together additional moves when picking up enemies or jumping.

New to Infinity 2.0 are character skill trees. When players complete missions or beat up bad guys, they collect orange sparks that beef up experience. A character then "levels up," unlocking new abilities ranging from increased health to a super move that wipes out multiple foes. The skill trees don't just apply to Marvel heroes. All figurines from the first Disney Infinity are compatible, and will feature the same skill trees (additional Disney characters will launch later this year).

The Superheroes lineup feels diverse, giving players a strong mix of powerful, quick or resilient characters. Every superhero boasts a fighting style that properly represents them. For example, Hawkeye must rely on attacking from a distance with his bow and arrow to survive, while The Hulk can mix it up with multiple enemies up close and wreak havoc.

Naturally, since this is a superhero game, choosing a flyer (or Spider-Man) is the most entertaining option. It's easy to take to the skies with Iron Man, Nova or Thor and soar through the city. Navigating is a bit more tricky with grounded characters like Black Widow or Captain America. Players can call for a S.H.I.E.L.D. motorcycle, but it's difficult to steer. Fortunately, you can ditch it for a Sky-Cycle to get airborne.

Each Play Set provides a solid single-player adventure, but the real draw is the Toy Box. This is where players can design and create levels, then upload them through their Disney account to other players.

The mechanics of Toy Box haven't changed much. Players can enter Spark Mode to quickly remove or set up objects, from terrain to enemy generators, or open up the fuller menu for more options. There's a lot more content, and it's better organized, so putting together a vibrant environment in Infinity feels really easy.

But for those players who just want to soak up spaces, there are far more templates and pre-built Toy Boxes available for consumption. They're great options for players who want to dabble with creating but don't want to start from scratch. Challenges spotted in the Toy Box vary from racing challenges to a game called Pastry Panic, where players must eat as many pastries as possible.

Power Discs enhance that experience by adding themes or special objects to a level, including the Infinity Gauntlet. Some discs also unlock new games such as Assault on Asgard, where players must fend off waves of frost giants attacking Thor's home. The Toy Box was already a highlight of Infinity, and now it's a lot better.

If players want an even simpler customizable experience, the My INterior mode lets players decorate their own homes, adding extensions and inviting over digital friends.

Disney Infinity 2.0 is another example of a really good superhero crossover. It's a strong follow-up with bigger action and more outlets for creativity and exploration.

Publisher: Disney Interactive

Developer: Avalanche Games

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360

Price: $74.99 for Starter Pack; $13.99-$34.99 for additional characters, Play Sets

Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10 and up

Release Date: September 23

Score: 3.5 out of 4

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.