Nintendo Switch Review Key Provided by h.a.n.d.
When I had heard the news that Disney Magical World 2 was being re-released on the Switch, I nearly lost my mind. As a new member of the Switch family myself, I knew that I just had to get my hands on what h.a.n.d. and Bandai Namco had created, as I missed it on its first go-around on the 3DS.
Having now played Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition, I truly appreciate the real attention to fan service as well as unique ideas that the devs implemented into the game to give it a spirit all its own. It’s a love letter to everything that Disney stands for and it all came together in a pretty awesome way.
Story
While the story develops a bit over time as you meet the ensemble cast of Disney characters, the real gist of the story is that you’re a newcomer to the world of Castleton. This town, ruled by a king, is where most of your favorite Disney characters reside.
I found the story very simple and easy to connect with no matter your age. Disney is a very timeless piece of American culture and something that any person can find that special connection with. It also helps that there are characters represented from across the entire Disney timeline. I appreciate that the devs didn’t just focus on new characters in that aspect.
Gameplay
I’ve got to say, I was pretty blown away by just how many moving cogs there are in the gameplay offered in DMW2. There are normal life-sim things like scavenging for supplies around the world like shells, food, and secret treasures. You also have things like dressing your character up, decorating your house, and fishing too.
On top of that though, you have your own cafe to run, where the menu is yours to build as you scavenge for supplies, and you can even plan elaborate themes that turn your cafe into a giant party. It’s cool little things like that which really bring the flair and fun that the Disney parks are known for.
Then there are the dungeons that you get to explore. These are often pretty easy overall though offer some cool treasures to find and boss battles to engage in. Fighting is simple; you have a magic wand that can produce different attacks depending on which wand you use. In order to peacefully search an area for loot, you’ll have to clear it of any nasty enemies.
Additionally, what you’re wearing can also impact your dungeon crawl as clothing can give you better stats. Though I personally found the battles pretty easy, that didn’t detract from the fun in the least. Disney is about being fun first and foremost so I think that if the battles were too complex that it would defeat the purpose of the game itself, which is to be fun.
All of these gameplay features though really do have layers to them that offer some uniqueness even past what they are at face value. Though I have to admit that the game will be explaining things to you even hours into your playtime. At times, it really feels like some things it explains could have been done all at once at an earlier point of the game.
Don’t get me wrong, I love instructions and tutorials, but I just don’t think it was handled properly and it makes it feel a bit sloppy and sluggish at times. There is a ton of reading that you’ll do and very often so. This really tends to pull the gameplay down to a crawl.
Audio and Visuals
The audio and visuals for DMW2 truly feel at home on the Switch. It seems to have definitely been treated to some visual upgrades here and there to make sure it looks as good as it can for players. There are some aspects that still could have been improved upon overall, but that’s really more of a nitpick than anything. Honestly though, seeing and hearing the Main Street Electrical Parade felt overwhelmingly nostalgic and left a real impact on me as I continued playing.
Replayability
As it’s a life-sim with very many layers to it, DMW2 has a ton of replayability within it. Especially if you’re someone who plays these types of games hours on end, there is a lot to do. And even if you’re just looking for a Disney binge, this will definitely satiate that need.
What It Could Have Done Better
My biggest gripe with the game is that the first few hours feel like you’re stuck in summer school. It’s just tons of reading and learning when all you’d rather do is go have fun and play with Disney characters.
Verdict
Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition is the perfect starting point for new gamers and veteran gamers alike. There’s a lot of fun things to do and it manages to bring elements of other genres onboard in a realistic and organic way. It’s a title that makes me hopeful that a third game in the series could be on the way from Bandai and h.a.n.d…Though it can take a while to get its feet off the ground, this one is definitely worth picking up if you’re a Disney nut like me or just want to see fresh ideas added into the life-sim mix.
