Disney Epic Mickey was a extremely unusual recreation, one a far methods away from the same old vivid and cheery tones we’ve come to count on from the Home of Mouse. Initially launched on the Wii, its mix of journey platforming and darkly self-referential premise struck a chord with players turning it into considerably of a shock hit for the system. I’ll admit, as an enormous Disney fan, I too discovered myself actually intrigued by developer Junction Level Studios‘ dedication and love for Mickey Mouse and particularly Disney’s theme parks. Whereas removed from good, the sport had a variety of coronary heart and proved greater than pleasurable sufficient to hold its roughly twelve-hour runtime.
Quick ahead to 2024 and Mickey Mouse is again with an upgraded remaster of the Wii hit that goes past only a contemporary coat of paint.
For these new to the world of Epic Mickey, the sport was a 3D platforming journey starring… properly you may in all probability guess based mostly on the title. Launched by an excellent opening CG cutscene, Mickey ventures into the workshop of famed sorcerer Yen Sid, experimenting together with his magic paintbrush till he by chance creates an evil ink monster. In a hasty effort to destroy it, Mickey then causes a horrible mess spilling thinner throughout Yen Sid’s newest work – a spot for all Disney’s long-forgotten characters. Scampering away to keep away from getting caught by Yen Sid, Mickey continues on together with his life believing his spell of mischief to have gone unnoticed. Sadly for him, the evil monster returns dragging him into the very world Mickey clumsily defaced with thinner.
What then follows is an journey by a warped and twisted model of Disneyland, iconic rides and landmarks turned from radiant and brimming with life to an inky and dilapidated state. It’s all very un-Disney and one of many recreation’s biggest promoting factors. Each space you wind up visiting is totally oozing environment from the (much more) murky tackle The Haunted Mansion to battling with the clock from the It’s a Small World experience. For followers, there are far too many winks, nods and straight-up factors towards the theme parks to depend and with their intriguing new coating of grime and darkness helps make every thing really feel acquainted however excitingly contemporary.
As for the precise platforming itself, Epic Mickey positively has an air of sixth-generation consoles about it, from its construction to its concepts. That’s not by any means a nasty factor, the nostalgia of exploring a collection of open areas and amassing gadgets or performing feats to finish quests a refreshing one particularly given these types of video games are few and much between these days. Whereas Mickey will be capable to hop about and carry out the same old platforming hero repertoire of strikes, he may also use his paintbrush to shoot paint or thinner to assist take care of enemies or clear up puzzles and reveal hidden areas by portray in or eradicating surroundings. It’s a neat thought and one which tries to create a way of proper versus mistaken with paint typically being seen as Mickey doing good by turning enemies onto his aspect or serving to convey the Wastelands again to life with thinner than being the dangerous choice outright eliminating enemies or inflicting additional chaos.
Together with exploring the sport’s 3D environments, Mickey will use projectors to journey between areas, these taking over the form of sidescrolling segments based mostly on cartoons from his previous. Once more, as a fan hopping my means by ranges based mostly on Fantasia or the unique Steamboat Willie introduced an enormous smile to my face and I discovered myself eagerly anticipating the place the following projector would ship me.
Whereas there’s nothing innately mistaken about the way in which Epic Mickey performs nor the journey as an entire, I have to admit it additionally lacks any actual punch or moments to go away you leaping off the chair like a Mario or Astro Bot journey. Certain, I helped Madame Leota along with her library however going about that was merely a case of wanting round for some books. Certain, I acquired to discover Tomorrowland however going about that was extra hopping about and slapping some paint round, simply in a special setting. None of those duties are dangerous per se, however quite amusing sufficient with out ever excelling a lot past that.
The sidescrolling segments – as cool as they’re – are additionally fairly by the numbers by style requirements, and dare I say even a tad too simple. The morality system within the recreation in the end feels undercooked too, your selections probably not amounting to a lot quite a lot of slight modifications in later missions and the sport’s closing cutscenes. As I mentioned, the sport’s concepts and execution guarantee a enjoyable time is had (particularly in case you’re a Disney fan) whereas the setting is definitely among the finest I’ve gotten to discover in a platformer. I simply by no means discovered myself enthralled by what I used to be doing. Distracted and entertained positive, however by no means blown away.
So far as remasters go, Rebrushed does a good job of bringing the sport as much as extra trendy requirements. The sport does look noticeably improved over the unique however the Wii’s limitations can nonetheless be felt particularly as you begin to look nearer at your environments. One factor I used to be shocked by although was the lengthy load occasions notably when returning to the sport’s hub Imply Avenue. Whereas I’m typically accustomed to longer load occasions with the Swap, for a recreation practically fifteen years outdated I count on higher.
Different enhancements to the sport embody a touch capability and different quality-of-life additions together with the flexibility to revisit ranges a lot simpler if you wish to return and gather gadgets you might have missed.
Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed is a good replace of one of many Wii’s much-beloved adventures. As a Disney fan, taking part in by with my son was an absolute delight, smiling with glee as we registered rides from the theme parks and leaping off the couch every time we crossed paths with a widely known face. As a gamer although, my expertise was – as a lot as I hate to say it – good however not nice crammed with intriguing worlds to discover and dated duties to perform. Nonetheless, I had a good time general and Rebrushed is definitely one of the simplest ways to expertise Disney’s weirdly great journey.
Model Examined: Nintendo SwitchReview copy offered by THQ Nordic
