So Disney have launched their video game right splat into the middle of the Christmas present pitch. Disney Universe is aimed at kids aged seven and over and available on PlayStation3, XBox 360 and Wii. For the purpose of this review, I'm going to assume that my readers are more or less like me. You don't play video games (except maybe Angry Birds, WiiFit boxing or Tetris when no one is looking), you don't want to play video games and you don't really understand them either. You are probably also slightly concerned about the amount of time your kids play games you don't understand and seem largely pointless for.
Still with me? Good. Having said that, my first foray into the world of computer games was the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy game in about 1986. It had words and was interactive. It melted my brain and after I'd played for three days solid I deleted it, more than a bit scared by how addictive it was.
So, I have a little sympathy with my kids and their love of computer games - although they aren't allowed to play ALL the time. They leaped at the Disney Universe game when it arrived and dashed off to bung it into the machine.
They were up and running with it before I'd even had the time to read the back of the box. My kids are nine and 12. I asked what it's like and, apparently, your little characters get suited up as Disney favourites and run around collecting things, unlocking things and bashing things. Seemingly, this is good.
I'm not going to bother telling you about how it works, what you need to do to win - or otherwise. There's no point, you're glazing over already. And, from what I saw it didn't look very much different to the other games they play - like the Lego one and Little King's thingy.
You need to know:
Will it make my brain hurt? No, apparently kids will know how to work it by magic. Boy One tells me that it would be easy enough even if you couldn't read very well.
Will kids like it? Mine do.
Why is this different to the gazillians of games they already have? You can play with up to four players - if you've got enough controllers.
Oh? I think they can either play against each other or together in fraternal harmony.
Fraternal harmony? It was very, very shouty and stroppy sounding, but, when I tried to intervene, all part of the fun, they told me.
Is it wholesome? It's Disney so it must be, mustn't it? Mostly, although the little characters are able to bash each other with great violence. Maybe that's better than bashing each other in real life.
Is it worth the money? (£39.99) Probably, although it might be worth waiting until after Christmas when there are "pre-owned" versions for sale. It has kept my kids happy for a good couple of days and, in my book, the family sitting around playing each other at Disney Universe is considerably less painful than the loathsome Wii bowling of last year.
Disclosure: we were sent a version of Disney Universe to try.
