When Disney Infinity was officially unveiled almost two years ago, the first thought that came to my mind was that this is the perfect platform for video games based on Disney movies, TV shows, and more. Instead of having to deal with a strict and short development time on a whole, brand-spanking new movie-based game, Disney can just release an expansion to Disney Infinity in a fraction of the time in an established universe.

That idea was evident with The Lone Ranger Play Set, which followed on the heels of the movie (which was a bomb for reasons not related to the fun Disney Infinity Play Set), the Monsters University Play Set, and the pair of Frozen figures that came out alongside the movie (which was a gigantic success for reasons not related to the two figures that didn't have their own unique Play Set). But even all that just seemed like a rough draft as Disney Infinity, outside of the amusing adventures in the Play Sets, was just a meandering complex toy box in the Toy Box mode.

With Disney Infinity 2.0, that tie-in concept seems to be going into overdrive, mostly thanks to the smashing success of the Marvel films and TV shows. The Avengers Play Set ties into the 2012 film and the upcoming sequel. The Ultimate Spider-Man Play Set heavily references the current cartoon. The Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set builds off of the summer blockbuster. Essentially, all these figures act like technologically advanced toys that kids can play with in game worlds. In my eyes, it's brilliant and could be something even more special than last year's original game.

What also helps all of that is that even outside of the Play Sets, you can set up your own adventures without building it all yourself. The new Auto Creators can be set up to build areas in Toy Box, and some of the new Power Discs open up full-on tower defense and dungeon crawling adventures, giving you more than just the linear adventure for specific characters.

I'm encouraged by the strides that Disney has made with Disney Infinity 2.0. I'm curious to see if this game grabs me in a way the original didn't. I'm also curious that if the added nuances still translates into a game that my 6-year-old niece adores, as she played the hell out of the first one. We'll find out soon enough as Disney Infinity 2.0 launches on September 23.