RUSH: A Disney • PIXAR Adventure

*RUSH: A Disney • PIXAR Adventure* invites players into the vibrant and cherished worlds of several beloved Pixar films. Originally released in March 2012 for the Xbox 360 as *Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure*, the game utilized the Kinect motion-sensing peripheral for control. It was later remastered and released in October 2017 for Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, shedding the mandatory Kinect requirement and adding support for traditional controllers, enhanced graphics including 4K Ultra HD and HDR visuals, and additional content. A Steam version followed in September 2018. The core premise of the game places players in Pixar Park, a hub world where they can create their own child avatar. This avatar then transforms appropriately when entering the different movie worlds – becoming a superhero in *The Incredibles'* world, a car in the *Cars* universe, or a small rat in *Ratatouille*. The remastered version features worlds based on six Pixar franchises: *The Incredibles*, *Ratatouille*, *Up*, *Cars*, *Toy Story*, and *Finding Dory*, the last of which was a new addition not present in the original Xbox 360 release. Gameplay primarily consists of action-adventure style levels, often feeling like "episodes" within each movie's world. Each world generally contains three episodes (except *Finding Dory*, which has two) that present mini-stories set within that universe. The gameplay mechanics vary depending on the world; players might find themselves engaging in platforming, racing, swimming, or puzzle-solving. For instance, the *Cars* levels involve driving and chasing objectives, while *Finding Dory* levels focus on underwater exploration and navigation. Many levels are designed with an "on-rails" feel, guiding the player forward, while others offer more free-roaming environments with multiple paths to explore. Throughout the levels, players collect coins and tokens, uncover hidden secrets, and work towards achieving high scores, often based on speed and completion of specific goals. Unlocking new objectives and abilities encourages replaying levels to access previously unreachable areas or discover hidden paths. A key feature of the game is its cooperative play. It supports local split-screen co-op, allowing two players to team up and tackle the challenges together. This is particularly beneficial for solving puzzles that require teamwork and for collecting items scattered across branching paths. The game is designed to be accessible, especially for its target audience of families and younger children. Controls are intuitive, particularly with a standard controller in the remastered version, and the game avoids frustrating mechanics like player death, focusing instead on exploration and achieving objectives. Hints pop up to guide players, and familiar Pixar characters often provide audible advice. While the original Kinect controls were sometimes criticized for being tiring or imprecise, the addition of controller support in the remaster offers a more conventional and often preferred way to play. Visually, the game aims to recreate the look and feel of the Pixar movies, featuring vibrant colors, detailed environments, and familiar character designs. The remastered version's 4K and HDR support enhances this aspect significantly, making the worlds feel immersive and faithful to their source material. The sound design and voice acting, although not always featuring the original movie actors, generally contribute positively to the experience. *RUSH: A Disney • PIXAR Adventure* is generally considered a good game for children and dedicated Pixar fans. Its strengths lie in its faithful recreation of beloved movie worlds, accessible gameplay, and enjoyable cooperative mode. While some critics found the gameplay loop potentially repetitive or lacking deep challenge for older players, its lighthearted nature, lack of frustrating mechanics, and polished presentation make it an engaging experience for its intended audience. It offers a chance for players of all ages to interact with favorite characters and explore iconic settings in a fun, family-friendly adventure. The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing progress to be shared between Xbox One and Windows 10 PC versions.