First released alongside the third movie back in 2010, Toy Story 3 was a well-above-average movie tie-in game. Which, considering you couldn’t move for tie-ins around that time, is pretty high praise! Now, developer Digital Eclipse has just released Toy Story 3: Complete Edition, a modernised port for Nintendo Switch/Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
I hope you’re ready for a heavy dose of nostalgia, as we take a trip down memory lane and experience Toy Story 3 all over again!
You’ve Got a Friend in Toy Story 3
The original release holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first games I remember playing with my younger brother all those years ago. It was never a particularly challenging title, but it was undeniably a lot of fun!
Here’s a niche question: what (if any) movie tie-in games do you consider to be better than the rest? In a sea of cash grabs, are there any that stood out to you? Let me know in the comments below, but for now, it’s time to go to infinity, and beyond!
Gameplay
For better and for worse, this is the exact same mechanically as it was in 2010. That’s not to say it’s bad, although there are some slight issues with the camera doing its own thing and platforming that isn’t quite as tight as more modern titles. Toy Story 3: Complete Edition is split into two main modes: Story and Toy Box. The former follows the plot of the titular third film with Woody, Buzz, and Jessie all being playable. What some may consider a throwaway part of the game in favour of Toy Box, the story is actually well worth playing. From exploring Andy’s room, to Sunnyside Daycare, and even a recreation of Buzz’s videogame Rex plays in Toy Story 2, there’s a good amount of variety here. It’s mostly light puzzle solving and platforming using each character’s unique abilities, and it’s fun whilst it lasts, despite the short runtime.
Toy Box mode, though, is something much grander and is what you’ll spend most of your time playing. The main aim is to rebuild a Wild West-themed town by completing missions, purchasing new buildings, completing challenges, and so much more. The large hub world is incredibly customisable; from shop fronts to the villagers themselves, there’s a lot of room for creativity. There was never a point where I wasn’t sure what to do next. There’s a constant stream of rewards and new missions to tackle, alongside the self-contained main quest line. It isn’t hugely in-depth, but, especially for children, it can be a huge amount of fun.
Graphics & Audio
Although I think the original holds up quite well in terms of visuals, Toy Story 3: Complete Edition has seen a fair amount of improvements. For starters, 60 fps makes for a much smoother experience. The actual graphics also see a boost in quality, with textures, character models, and environments all benefiting from the upgrade. Everything just looks sharper, bringing the title to life better than ever before. Unfortunately, the cutscenes haven’t received the same treatment, so the contrast between them and in-game is very jarring.
As for audio, I’m pretty sure everything is as it was. Voice acting is serviceable and the original themes fit well within their respective levels. That said, the iconic tunes you all know and love from the franchise are mostly all here. I’ve still got “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” stuck in my head!
Longevity
If you’re going for 100% completion, Toy Story 3: Complete Edition is likely to take you around 15-20 hours. The story mode is rather short, lasting only around 5 hours to beat all levels and find every collectible. However, the Toy Box is what will take up most of your time, with plenty of missions and collectibles to keep players entertained. Racing, stunt challenges, dressing up villagers for photo ops – there’s plenty of variety! Toy Box turns what would be a fairly average tie-in game into something utterly charming and fun to play. Yes, the aforementioned issues with the camera and platforming are still present, but these were never overly frustrating.
All in all, a decent length for a movie tie-in. Plus, for you Trophy hunters out there, a fairly straightforward and easily obtainable Platinum!
Final Thoughts
It was a genuine joy to be able to recapture a small part of my youth by playing Toy Story 3: Complete Edition. I never would have guessed that, 16 years after the original release, I’d still be this charmed by a movie tie-in game for children. If you’re looking for a nostalgia hit, or perhaps have little ones of your own now, then this is an easy recommendation!
With all that being said, I’ll be giving Toy Story 3: Complete Edition the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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