If you’re looking for a clear picture of the video game industry in 2023, look no further than Disney Speedstorm. The upcoming Disney-Pixar kart racer combines multiple popular trends into one video game perfect storm. It’s another studio trying to capitalize on the success of Nintendo’s best-loved multiplayer games, the corporation leveraging its vast library of IP and a slew of live service ideas intended to drive long-term engagement.
I got access to the game before its official early access release on April 18th and I came away with mixed feelings. As MultiVersus and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl before that, Disney Speedstorm it gets a lot going for it in terms of core gameplay, but makes some questionable decisions as a live service proposition. It may be the most “of the moment” game I’ve played so far in the 2020s — for better or worse — but dedicated Disney fans should get exactly what they want out of it.
Disney Kart
Disney Speedstorm is incredibly easy to sum up in six words: Mario Kart, but with Disney characters. All the basics are there, with drift-based racing, items to throw at opponents, and winding maps full of shortcuts. On that basis alone, developer Gameloft is getting pretty good. Races are fast with an emphasis on constant boost and energy management. Drifting not only gives players a little speed, but also fills up their boost meter which can be used up when it’s full to run forward. The standard race has me trying to string together as many speed boosts as I can by going into instrument panels, increasing my boost meter, and occasionally getting extra momentum via certain items. It’s not quite F-Zero, but it’s a little closer to that speed than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Of course, the main attraction is the integration of favorite franchises. On that front, Disney Speedstorm it has some advantages but still leaves room for improvement before full release. The current roster strikes a good balance between icons and some unusual selections that show Disney likes to dig deep into its vault. It’s surreal to see Mickey Mouse throwing bombs at Baloo and pirates of the Carribean‘s Elizabeth Swann, which is exactly what you want from a crossover project like this.
What works here is that the integration of the franchise doesn’t stop at the character masks. Voice lines from actors like Ming-Na Wen (who plays Mulan here) bring the runners to life, making them feel more complete than something like GameMill’s voiceless Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl did at launch. So far, I have also been delighted by its soundtrack, which remixes classic Disney songs in Rocket LeagueEDM style songs. Electronic remixes of songs like The needs of bears and the Mickey Mouse Club theme are totally hilarious — and I kind of like them.
Other aspects do not seem very special. The current batch of items feels a bit vague, with runners throwing mines, surrounding themselves in flames, or throwing discs that spin the opponent’s screen. Nothing stands out Disney, although I appreciate that each item has multiple shapes that can be customized for each runner. For example, I can set whether or not I want a shield boost to protect me from attacks or act as an offensive aura that stuns anyone who touches me. That extra layer of character-level customization is a nice part of the iteration of the Mario Kart formula.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
However, what Gameloft has going well so far is its Disney theme songs. Each of them works differently and is full of personality. Pirates of the Caribbean’s exciting track has me racing around a busy battle scene as cannonballs whiz past me. Another makes me fly into an old movie screen and race around the world of black and white cartoons. There are quite a few songs already in early access, and there seem to be a lot more coming with each new season, and each one seems to be themed around a certain franchise. His first season, for example, revolves around Monsters Inc. and brings tons of new tracks and racing vehicles to the mix.
I especially like how well each track supports smart routing. Cause of Speed stormDue to its heavy reliance on amplification, each song has plenty of shortcuts that can be used with enough momentum. If I get my boost ready, I can dash over the hill off the road or make my way through the dirt on the side of the turn. Most tracks also tend to split into two or three tracks at various points, crossing over multi-level tracks and grindable rails.
At a fundamental level, Disney Speedstorm it does pretty much everything I’d want a kart racer to do. Even if you don’t care about IP combos or Disney, there’s an exciting, fast-paced racing game to enjoy. You’ll just need to dig it out from the layers of complicated live service hooks.
Burying a good thing
The moment I first signed up Disney Speedstorm, I was already exhausted. I was greeted by a bland user interface filled with menus and tabs for navigation. It feels a bit like Gameloft took every single modern gaming cliché they could think of and crammed it in here. The result is a bunch of headache-inducing progression loops that make me hesitant to get too deep into the experience.
For example, Disney Speedstorm it has an absurd number of currencies and resources that I can’t think of. There seem to be at least three basic currencies that can be used to buy cosmetics in his shop, although I don’t know the difference between them. On top of that, each character gets their own resources in the form of shards. There are also upgrade materials used to advance runners, which include universal resources and character-specific ones needed to reach later levels. All of these seem to be earnable in the game, but it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Much of my experience so far has been in menus where I have to juggle a ridiculous number of systems. I can level up each runner to improve their stats, but also level up the stars using them, allowing me to power up and customize their items. Each racer can also equip crew members, giving them more boosts — and each has its own upgrade currency. I can further personalize them by changing their car parts, clothes and victory poses. And of course, there’s a huge shop full of rotating items and a battle pass to get more gear and resources.
There were times when I was playing when I would find myself three menus deep, stuck in a Russian puppet system. I immediately go back to my first sour experience with MultiVersus, a game that always seemed to try to get me out of matches as quickly as possible to get me back into the action. That’s true here as well, especially since the races so far only last about two minutes. I feel like I’m throwing loot boxes more than racing.
These modern complications make me feel like the “mighty” who create Disney Speedstorm I don’t understand what was done Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Sales Behemoth: It’s an incredibly easy game to pick up and play. Choose a character, build a fast kart and choose a track. That streamlined elegance is the defining feature of Nintendo’s greatest hits, allowing players of all skill levels to jump in and have fun.
I don’t feel that will be the case with Disney Speedstorm far. For example, the leveling component already leaves a sour taste in the mouth. If I’m not at the right level for certain missions, I just can’t win. I have no choice but to grind upgrade materials to progress through the single player content. What’s worse is that there’s a ranking mode that takes levels into account, forcing players to max out their runners if they want to stand a chance. There’s also a pure skill-based multiplayer option, but the core competitive experience seems to be built around all those long-winded upgrade systems.
It’s all a bit frustrating because Disney Speedstorm cracks how to handle good karting single player content. The Early Access version includes six character-focused chapters filled with specific missions to complete. Some are as simple as winning a race, while others cover a track in fog or fill every item box with bombs. Season-specific chapters add even more, offering a good enough reason to check back in. Layers of resource gathering, loot boxes, and more simply distract you. I’d be happy to just play through the missions and jump into some simple online multiplayer without the obsessive juggling.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Gameloft has a solid racing experience Disney Speedstorm. Excellent track design and lightning-fast driving make for a fun iteration of Mario Kart that isn’t just dressed up with Disney characters. Overreliance on forced live-service hooks just gives me nasty flashes MultiVersus, a game that initially won players over with its IP mashup, but failed to retain them long-term. That game is now almost completely shut down because Warner Bros. plans to restart in 2024.
It feels like Disney Speedstorm is on the same path as it tries too hard to keep players captive with cheap hooks instead of trusting the core gameplay. This is one case of an early access game that I hope is scaling back what’s currently there instead of rushing forward.
Disney Speedstorm enters early access on April 18. It is slated for launch on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn