Disney Infinity 2.0 features similar gameplay to Disney Infinity. Each character can equip a "Pack" or a "Tool". Packs are items that are worn and can be equipped on a character's back, occasionally shown as some sort of backpack. Tools are items, such as rifles, that can be equipped in a character's hand. Some aspects of the game, however, have been changed. In addition to ground movement, certain characters can fly and hover.[16] The size of Toybox worlds and Playset has been increased, notably due to the inclusion of flying.[16] Certain characters can climb walls, including the Hulk.[17] The level cap of playable characters has been expanded from Level 15 to Level 20.[16] Characters can be "leveled up" by collecting sparks.[18] A "Skill Tree" has been incorporated into the game and can be used to upgrade a character's abilities.[19][20][21] The figures from the first game also receive additional abilities through the Skill Tree.[22] The choices made in the Skill Tree are semi-permanent, as players have the option to reset the Skill Tree choices by resetting their character to Level 0.[18] Some characters can jump long distances, including Hulk.[12] Each character plays differently from another,[14] with characters being roughly divided into two categories, Ranged and Melee.[23] Ranged characters fight from far distances, while Melee characters fight using close combat. Signature moves can be unlocked as the player progresses.[24] For example, Drax primarily utilizes short-ranged melee attacks to defeat enemies, while Star-Lord can use ranged pistols.[14] As characters are leveled up, new abilities will be unlocked.[25] Iron Man's ground slam and Hulk's Thunderclap[25] abilities can be unlocked once players have enough Skill Points. Characters' upgrades differ. Iron Man can upgrade his blasting capabilities, while Thor and Hulk can upgrade their strength, using the new Special Skills and Combat system.[26] All upgrades, skills and progress applied to the character will be saved to the figurine.[27] The freeform unlock system in Disney Infinity 2.0 replaces the roulette-based unlock system from Disney Infinity.[28] If a player is defeated in-game, they must wait a certain time frame until they can use the character they were using again.[29] A map scanner has been implemented to allow players to get around worlds more easily.[29] Mission givers are also present in the game.[29] In order to web-sling players do not need to attach their webs to surroundings near by.[13]
Disney Infinity 2.0 is split up into two game modes: Playset and Toybox (referred in Disney Infinity 2.0 as Toybox 2.0.)[30] In Playset mode, players can play open world multiple story modes based specifically on a certain franchise. Each Playset spans from 6–10 hours in length.[31] These Playsets can be accessed by placing the Playset piece (also known as a crystal shard piece)[32] on the Disney Infinity Base, a near field communication-enabled[33] hexagonal platform that has two round spots to place figures (and use them in the game) and one hexagonal spot to place the Playset piece or Power Discs. Only figures, usable in the game through near-field communication technology,[33] that are from a Playset's corresponding franchise can be used in that Playset. Certain characters, including Nova, Iron Man, Rocket Raccoon and Hulk[18][30][34] are playable in more than one Playset, by collecting tokens (called "Cross Over Tokens")[18] scattered throughout levels.[35] Once players have collected ten Cross Over Tokens for one character,[18] that character can be used in another Playset and will unlock exclusive storylines. The Avengers Playset and the Spider-Man Playset take place in "Marvel Manhattan", a version of Manhattan that is 4x larger than The Incredibles Playset featured in the first Disney Infinity title.[11][16][17][19] The Incredibles Playset was the largest environment in Disney Infinity.[36] While in Playset mode, players can uncover secret missions and new goods that can be used in the Toybox.[25] Bendi penned the stories and dialogue of all future Marvel Playsets.[11] Local multiplayer can be accessed through split screen.[37]