In the interest of full disclosure, let me say I have never considered myself a Disney fan.
When I was a child, I always preferred Daffy Duck to the sometimes over-saccharin Disney characters.
But I was determined to review this Kinect Disneyland Adventures game without any bias.
And so, to my surprise, I enjoyed myself – perhaps a little too much.
I spent the first half hour of this Disneyland Adventures game happily traversing through the vibrantly modelled streets of Disneyland, occasionally stopping to hug Mickey Mouse and Snow White.
Players navigate the vast theme park by pointing towards the direction they wish to explore. This intuitive mechanism is surprisingly simple and easy to use, making movement a breeze.
However, the Kinect sensor would sometimes accidentally run my character into other pedestrians and objects, disorientating me. Thankfully, players with a poor sense of direction will be glad that the game provides a helpful glittering golden path to guide you to your current objective in the park.
Much of the gameplay of Disneyland Adventures revolves around the mini-games which double up as quest objectives. At the start of the game, players are given a series of tasks that span across the various mini-games scattered throughout the park.
Each mini-game is faithfully named after the real-world attractions of the theme park and range from sword-fighting with the Pirates Of The Caribbean to balloon racing with Winnie The Pooh and Tigger.
The motion controls are simple and engaging. From swinging your hands to fight using a sword to stretching your arms to fly, anyone can easily pick up the controls.
The main game is also crammed with collectables, ranging from souvenirs available from the park stores to autographs of famous Disney celebrities.
The ambient sound effects really help build the illusion of walking in the vast theme park. Disney lovers will also be treated to a wide playlist of nostalgic show tunes.
Still, as much as I enjoyed wandering around aimlessly in Disneyland, I could not help thinking I might feel more fulfilled playing a more challenging game.
But there is no denying the magical attraction of Disney.
In short, Disneyland Adventures is an appealing game that can be enjoyed by both the young and the old.
Whether you are a die-hard Disney fan or just coming along for the ride, the game will certainly take you back to when you first saw those magical characters on the silver screen.
Download the Kinect Disneyland Adventures and have fun now.
