Playmation Gamma Gear Starter Pack Review
Last month, I had the opportunity to review the Playmation Repulsor Gear Starter Pack, thanks to the team over at Disney Consumer Products. Since then, I have had a lot of fun hours playing within this imaginary realm, fighting alongside the Avengers while defeating the armies of Ultron and his villainous friends. This past week, Disney Consumer Products sent my way another box with free goodies to play with and review. Included in this box was both the Gamma Gear Starter Pack (released today) and the Ultron Prowler Bot, which came out at initial launch back in October.
If you are not aware with the concept behind Playmation, it’s a console-less gaming system that requires players to be active. By wearing the provided gear and guided by J.A.R.V.I.S. through said gear, the “new recruits” assist the Avengers in defeating enemies, completing missions, and ultimately saving the world. The surrounding world in which they “play” and be active in is brought about by the “imagination”… ergo Playmation. I tend to think of it as being a character actually inside the game, where your movements, actions, and decisions affect the progress of the game.
Like the Repulsor Gear Starter Pack, the Gamma Gear Starter Pack (MSRP: $119.99) comes in some very inviting packaging where Dr. Bruce Banner invites you to join the team by wearing this special gear that “tranforms” you into a “Hulk” version of yourself. In addition to the Gamma Gear, the Starter Pack comes with (1) Power Activator (which in game can become a wide variety of enemies, villains, and obstacles) and the Starter Pack exclusive Loki Villain Smart Figure.
As I expected, the gameplay with the Gamma Gear is much different than that of the Repulsor Gear. Where becoming an Iron Man recruit warranted itself to a lot of ranged attacks, as a Hulk recruit you have more hand-to-hand combat… ie punching, slamming, etc. For me, I noticed that I was much more active with the Gamma Gear, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. One of the biggest differences, and I am still seeing if I like it, is that the Gamma Gear requires you to do stuff with hand to ground (pressing on the ground to “sense” enemies, special moves like “Hulk Tsunami” requiring you to slam the ground with the fists)… and it’s going to beat up the gear quite a bit if I am in contact with the ground a lot. Also, as an adult…. yea, my knees suck, so getting down to do the moves can get difficult. However, for kids, this would most likely be less of an issue.
Now, with playing through quite a bit of the Repulsor Gear missions, the missions in the Gamma Gear are similar so far. I have only been to New York City and Avengers Tower with the Gamma Gear, but that is the same starting point as the Repulsor Gear. I understand totally that Playmation probably wants to follow roughly the same storyline in each gear, especially if the gears are synced and playing together (yes, it’s possible), but it leaves less to be imagined when I already imagined it, you know?
As I had a limited time to review the Gamma Gear yesterday evening for today’s write-up, I did not have a chance to play around with the Loki Villains Smart Figure. Playmation Smart Figures ( MSRP: $14.99 when sold separately) and quite a bit to the Playmation experience. In addition to the missions loaded into the base program of the Repulsor Gear, the addition of Smart Figures to the game play adds additional locations, missions, and upgrades to your adventure. Hero Smart Figures, like Captain America in the Repulsor Gear Starter Pack, “has two attacks to help you level-up to earn a unique attack”. Villain Smart Figures, like Loki, unlock a new attack and unlock a new location once defeated in battle, which also brings new missions.
The team at Disney Consumer Products also sent over one of the Ultron Prowler Bots (MSRP: $39.99). I didn’t get a chance to play with it much, as it also unlocks more missions and an additional location to explore. However, I did have the Prowler Bot on while playing the missions with the Gamma Gear and, in all honesty, when I was told that it would be harder to defeat, I took it for granted. The ability to move around at will and have a greater range with the infrared, it seemed, added a different level to fighting enemies. I did not mind it one bit, I was just not expecting it. I look forward to playing with the Prowler Bot more in the future.
In addition to all of the gadgetry and figures involved with Playmation, a big part of the interactive game is the AvengersNet App, which currently will be available on most iOS devices, with Android device support coming soon. The app is a free download, with subsequent in-app purchases. By linking your gear to the app, you can get important updates and expanded game play by discovering new characters, storylines, and adventures.
Overall, I am really liking the Playmation line. It is a new style of interactive gameplay, and they did well bringing Marvel to the brand first. Not knowing if the Star Wars and Frozen lines are still in development and, if they are, when they are due out. I am intrigued by their possibilities.
Also a minus (but not really), my Power A Playmation Gear Bag is now too full! I might have to get me another…
Also released today were new Smart Figures to enhance the Playmation gameplay. Vision and Hawkeye are now available as Hero Smart Figures, while Ultron and Super Adaptoid join the Villain Smart Figures lineup.
Looking for Playmation as a holiday gift? The Disney Store has a great deal going on right now, with both the Repulsor Gear and Gamma Gear Starter Packs on sale for $79.99 (a savings of $40). You can shop this great deal here. In addition to the Disney Store, Playmation is available at numerous retailers here in the US, including Amazon, Target, GameStop, Walmart, Toys “R”Us, and Best Buy. Most of these retailers have exclusive Smart Figure/ Power Activator Combo Packs, so be on the lookout for those.
For more details and information on Playmation, you can visit the official Playmation website.
Will you be getting Playmation for the holidays? Already have it? Let us know what you and/or your children think of the game.