Disney Infinity 3.0 Marvel Battlegrounds Review

Recently Disney released Marvel Battlegrounds for Disney Infinity 3.0, this game brings together Marvel characters from 2.0 & 3.0 in a all out brawl, across different levels and featuring new ways to use power discs. In this review, Roger & Abe share their thoughts on the playset.

Roger – My first impression of Marvel Battlegrounds was pretty simple, I was incredibly impressed with the overall experience, it feels nothing like any previous Infinity playset. It is a all out brawl between the Marvel characters and while the initial story mode is short, the added individual character challenges do add a couple more hours of entertainment.

Abe –  Marvel Battlegrounds has been one of the most anticipated playsets since last years D23. The thought of a smash brothers type brawler for Disney Infinity using purely Marvel Characters. It was a game that would allow the ability to brawl with four people locally and would be present an new game style for Disney Infinity. Well it definitely is quite a unique experience. It’s very well done and a welcome playset to the game.

What We Liked: –

Roger – There are some great onscreen events such as when a finishing move is performed, a KO achieved or power disc is used, that make this game feel so different. I like how it feels a separate entity from Infinity, each character has unique moves and isn’t connected to skill trees. If you popped is game on its own without the figures, it would be a good game in the indie category, as it wouldn’t stand on its own as a full priced game, but for the price of the play set with the Captain America: First Avenger figure, it’s a good pickup.

I’m also loving that this playset has come over 6 months after the launch of the initial game, allowing us players more content throughout the game.

Abe – My favorite thing about this playset was the incorporation of the power discs and the new and unique way they are used to help you fight. They randomly appear during battle and anyone can use them, including AI competitors. It’s an awesome feature for the playset. I also love the challenges. It’s a nice way to not only make you use all the figures, but a clever way to help you unlock toys for the toy box. The challenges are also like mini stories so It is a nice way to add more gameplay.

What We Didn’t Like:

Roger – The length of the story mode is a major disappointment, while fighting games aren’t known for long story modes, this just seemed so short, especially compared to other Infinity playsets. One of my pet peeves is how you’re got to tap in all your figures and power discs for each session, it would have worked much better if it remembered them.

I also have an issue with the choice of having the Captain America: First Avenger variant figure included in the pack, I don’t have a problem with the single figure change from previous playset releases, I just don’t like people being forced to buy a variant figure.

And finally, the lack of online play is a major mistake, this playset is made for online play between friends and would have extended the life span incredibly. The reason from Disney, is apparently players would always want online playsets, which is true, but with this game feeling more like an expansion toy box game like Speedway, it does feel the biggest disappointment for Marvel Battlegrounds.

Abe – There are two things that make this playset suffer. First the story is tremondously short. The story can be completed in 30-45 minutes. It is a nice story and well done but unfortunately it’s just not long enough. Second, the biggest issue with this game and what makes it suffer the most is the lack of online play. This playset is begging for online play, but the excuse of not adding it because we would want it in other playsets is quite frankly a poor excuse. The game has beautiful combat and plays amazing with multiple people locally, but without having someone to play with, the game will get old

Power Discs

Roger – The way power discs are used in the Marvel Battlegrounds playset is superb, I love the effects and how they work, it not only helps the older discs from 2.0, but the new discs can be a lot of fun inside the playset, though the new Ghost Rider vehicle for the toy box is a lot of fun.

Abe – The new Power discs are great. They are not too unique but they are a welcome addition. I do love Ghost Riders Bike the most especially the added Easter egg with Jack Skellington’s head catching fire when he rides it. Very nice touch.

New Figures

Roger – Along with the First Avenger, we also get the Black Panther, Vision and Ant-Man, plus the 2.0 Vita variant Black Suit Spider-Man. And don’t forgot Hulkbuster & Ultron from 3.0 and all the Marvel figures from 2.0. I had hoped for more Marvel characters in 3.0, but more are apparently coming and hopefully we get some females coming soon, as that was a odd decision. The new characters are a lot of fun and with the new Civil War movie out soon, Black Panther is a welcome fresh face and Ant-Man is also a great addition to the deep bench!

Abe – The new figures are beautiful. The design and the details on these figures are such an improvement. From Vision’s Cape, to Black Panthers suit, you can see the amount of time that went into designing the figures.

Closing Thoughts –

Roger – Marvel Battlegrounds is a great addition to Disney Infinity, the different gameplay style and unique look, does mean it’s totally different and while the story mode is too short, if you have friends or family playing with you, it’s a lot of fun and will give hours of entertainment but for solo players, it might not keep your attention too long. Battlegrounds is a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it, it is very different to 2.0’s Marvel offerings and that isn’t a bad thing.

Abe –  Over all, Marvel Battlegrounds is a great playset. It adds local 4 player support and hours of fun when you play with people locally. The playset is beautifully done and the story, while short, it’s still pretty cool. The Marvel characters are great and the addition of more coming soon will be awesome to bring you back into the playset. It is well done, but the lack of online play may cause it to suffer. Hopefully it gets added in a future update.

Check out this weeks Disney Infinity & Beyond Podcast where Abe & Roger discuss the Marvel Battlegrounds playset:

What do you think of Marvel Battlegrounds?  Comment Below: