I’ll start out by saying that the movie on which the game is based, Disney’s Meet the Robinsons, is one of the most overlooked gems of Walt Disney’s Animation Studios. It’s a really good movie.
That being said, the game doesn’t walks you through plot points of the movie, as most games based on movies do, but rather creates it’s own narrative. Cast as Wilbur, the son of the main character, you time travel to the past, ala movie script, and accidentally bump into two kids, destroy their science projects, and subsequently alter the time line. The purpose of the game is correct the corrupted time line and get back to the past to help your father “Keep moving forward”. Essentially, the game ends about the same time the movie begins.
The game play was strictly what I’ve come to expect from Disney Interactive. No new ground is broken, but that isn’t to say that the game isn’t a solid plat-former. You make use of various technology — such as dis-assembler guns and energy gloves — to make your way through very linear levels. Essentially your goal is to get from point A to point B using one of six gadgets to solve puzzles in your path. The puzzles are clever, but simplistic.
Where I had the most fun during the game was the mini-games. Security System had you blasting ‘bowler hat guy’ as he ran from room to room in the Robinson home. Power-ball set you against a computer controlled opponent in a high-tech, handball hybrid. And the Havoc puzzles forced you to dig tunnels underground to unlock in-game bonus content. I enjoyed each of these.
Overall, the game play is very simplistic and would eventually start to get boring, but thankfully the game only took me about 4 1/2 hours to play through. It was over before I felt tedium settling in. If I wasn’t the Disney the fan that I am, I’m sure I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much, but even still the game excels at what it’s trying to be. Nothing more, nothing less.
My final score, 5/10. (+2 Points accounting for my ‘Obsessive Disney Disorder’).
Security System is a highlight of the game
June 15, 2010
Media, Thoughts