Film game tie-ins are the 'Straight to Video' equivalent of the video game industry. For every GoldenEye there are a dozen Superman 64s. Furthermore tie-in video games based on animated films tend to focus on the younger gamer, so it is no wonder that there is a general sense of apathy when it comes to these kind of games. Avalanche Software seems to have been very aware of this when designing Toy Story 3: The Video Game and have worked alongside Pixar in an attempt to make this title more than just 'Bargain Bin' fodder.

The game is split into two sections: Story Mode and Toy Box Mode. The Story Mode, as you would imagine, is loosely based on the film's plot. It is very much an abridged and edited version to make it playable, with sections of the plot cut out explained in voice over from several of the film's characters such as Hamm and Rex (all characters are voiced by the same actors as in the film, except for Woody and Buzz who are voiced by Jim Hanks and Stephen Stanton respectively). In this mode you play as either Woody, Buzz or Jessie. At times you are forced to be one of them but in other levels you can choose, although typically it is just a matter of preference. In some of the levels you have to switch between them to navigate different areas (using Jessie's ability to jump onto small spaces or Woody's drawstring rope move for example) but it was only really used effectively in one level.

The Story Mode is an okay platforming game, although at times there are hints of other game genres such as racing, puzzle and even something akin to Boom Blox, but suffers from the 'child's game syndrome' as quite often levels are short and simple. There were a few times when the game proved troublesome and even rarer occassions whereby one of the eight levels took longer than five minutes to complete. The level based on the Buzz Lightyear game showed in Toy Story 2 is particularly fun, except when trying to aim his laser which just goes everywhere and makes it extremely difficult and infuriating to use. The whole mode took me just a few hours to complete however, but it was a fun (albeit not particularly challenging) journey.

Screenshot from Xbox360 version as no Wii screenshots are available

The Toy Box Mode is where this game really comes to life. This mode puts you in control as the Sheriff of Mayor Hamm's town and you can pick to be either Woody, Buzz or Jessie, although who you choose has no impact upon the game. When you first start out you are given one or two tasks to follow to get to grips with it. Shortly after that however you are able to do what you wish when you wish as long as areas have been unlocked (they can be purchased but you need to wait for the game to decide you can buy them).

For the most part you can progress through Toy Box Mode as you wish. There is a certain degree of linearity to the missions being unlocked but along the way you can do as you wish. You are also able to dress up the block-headed townspeople and little green men (by pointing at them and pressing B, not throwing them in buildings like on the 360 and PS3, which left me puzzled for longer than I'd like to admit) and there are dozens of costumes. Often they will ask to be dressed up and seldom seem to enjoy an outfit for more than a few minutes. When selecting their costume however the preview image is quite small so at times it can be difficult to ascertain which costume you are supposed to be selecting. However, when you get it right there is usually a humourous little cut scene to reward you for your efforts.

There are several themed areas that can be unlocked such as Zorg's Space Port, Lotso's Magical Kingdom and Buttercup's Stunt Park. Each of these areas have a different 'vibe' to them, with Lotso's Magical Kingdom being similar to Spyro and Buttercup's Stunt Park being more like ExciteTrucks. For the most part these areas are fun and offer a range of gameplay types, although personally I found the handling on the numerous vehicle-based modes to be problematic as it was quite ragdoll-like so the vehicle would often be thrown about against your will. There was also a weird bug in Toy Box Mode whereby when you summon Bullseye, who you can ride around the area on, nothing happens until you are presented with the option to press the 'A' button to jump on him and he suddenly materialises. It obviously doesn't affect the gameplay at all but it seems like something that should have been picked up during testing and rectified.

Screenshot from Xbox360 version as no Wii screenshots are available

Overall Toy Story 3: The Video Game is an entertaining, if not particularly challenging, title. It is obviously aimed at the younger market, particularly the Wii version which apparently is simplified in places, but that doesn't mean childish adults won't enjoy the Toy Box Mode. While this game won't give Super Mario Galaxy 2 a run for its money it is certainly an okay title that shows that tie-ins don't need to be rubbish.