An enjoyable game with a variety of game-play elements that's great for a range of players.
The story mode is primarily a string of platforming levels with some switch puzzles scattered about. There are stages where you're able to take control of multiple characters (Woody, Buzz, and Jessie) and use the special characteristics of each toy to help each other through the stage. Woody can swing using his pull-string, Buzz is stronger and can throw items farther than other toys, and Jessie can jump onto small spaces.
More than just platforming, the levels do offer up a fair amount of variety. The different game-play elements could take the form of racing Bullseye, flying Buzz through a canyon, taking a 3rd person shooter approach, saving alien toys by throwing them out of the way of a trash compactor, and more. It all comes together to make a cohesive gaming experience that does feel like an adventure.
To try and appeal to as wide as an audience as possible, there is a great adaptive difficulty feature built in. This helps less experienced players make it through sections they're having trouble with. Meanwhile, experienced players are still able to get some joy out of the game, because while it has a look and some features geared to a younger audience, it's not a mindless walk in the park.
Co-op is also available via split screen action, and if it's an adult playing with a younger sibling, or in my case playing with my kids, it can make the experience even more fun. When one player dies, they usually will not re-spawn until either the other player dies or they reach the next checkpoint. Other times, the player just has to wait a minute before they're put back into the game. Luckily checkpoints are usually generously spaced, so the player won't have to wait too long before they're back in the game. This also means that better players can help move the game forward for partner-players that aren't doing so well.
Each level does have a unique look and feel to it to keep things interesting. To add to the re-playability and the level of challenge, there are collectibles placed around the levels which allow you to unlock features that you can use in Toy Box mode.
Toy Box mode is a risk free zone set in the Western themed land of Woody's Round-up. Here you can approach various characters that will send you on mini-missions, like helping Green Army Men Paratroopers safely land in drop zones, or knocking down obstacles. The unlockables you've collected in the Story Mode open up new areas and items to use in Toy Box mode. That's really the most uneven part of the game: You have to be good enough to get all the collectables, but Toy Box mode is better for players that don't have the best of skills.
There's a lot to do for a variety of players, and obvious effort was put in to make more than just a movie tie-in. It won't rank up there with the best of titles available in this genre, but it has enough to keep the whole family entertained.