A-hyuck! Disney Illusion Island takes players on a slow but rewarding journey through a fantastical world filled with Disney magic.
While it starts with a gentle pace, the game’s progression – with the help of unlocking new abilities – makes for a hot diggity dog adventure.
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Gameplay
Out now on the Nintendo Switch, this game offers a classic Metroidvania experience with a semi-frustrating twist – there are no direct means to fight back against enemies.
Disney Illusion Island pays homage to classic Mickey Mouse games, harkening back to titles like Sega’s “World of Illusion” and “Mickey Mania” on SNES. However, it lacks traditional combat mechanics, focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving.
I so badly wanted to jump on an enemy to squash it, or throw something – alas, it wasn’t a thing.
While boss battles involve hitting switches to drop objects on enemies, the absence of offensive and defensive moves does leave room for improvement.
I pushed on, setting my frustrations aside, eventually my violent tendencies were washed away and I grew to love this magical land.
Mazzy the three-eyed croc becomes your indispensable, always suspicious, friend…? He has impeccable timing to be there when you need that next upgrade. Mazzy grants characters with traversal skills like Double Jump, Glide, Ground Smash, and Swim.
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These abilities not only aid in exploration but also contribute to puzzle-solving, making the gameplay engaging and multifaceted.
It starts slow, but I found unlocking these abilities always felt timely and they weren’t too dragged out.
While exploring, you’ll find areas that you’ll need to return to later, once you’ve unlocked that new ability. The game cleverly plants puzzle teases in early levels, encouraging you to return for hidden items.
Difficulty is determined by the amount of health you possess, with a new game or session allowing you to choose the number of “hearts” at your disposal. Each heart represents one hit point, with all enemies dealing one heart of damage.
Taking a hit will turn you invincible for a brief moment, allowing you to regain your footing.
I admittedly used this brief moment to power through fields of thorns on more than one occasion, rather than taking a slower, safer route (sue me).
Hearts aside, there’s a gradual rise in difficulty in later areas to keep the challenge alive, introducing more obstacles and tougher enemies.
I’m glad it came to this as the game has a very cruisey beginning.
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As you move through the map, you’ll collect little floating balls called Glimts – there are hundreds of these to find. The more Glimts you collect the more Glimts Rewards you unlock. These lead to an increase in health, enhancing your chances of survival.
Characters and Story
What starts as a quest for the perfect picnic spot, quickly turns into a wild and exciting adventure for Mickey Mouse and the gang.
All your favourite Disney characters are here; Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck.
Their distinct personalities shine through, bringing laughter and nostalgia. I laughed out loud on a few occasions, namely at Goofy’s classic antics and Donald Duck’s uncontrollable temper.
These quirks stay true to the characters and add layers of enjoyment.
The inclusion of Hidden Mickey logos throughout the environment is a fun touch.
Hidden Mickies seamlessly blend into the environment, offering a playful nod to the Disney brand, a la Disney Channel.
Press “A” to snap a selfie – It really (but obviously not really) made it feel like I was on an adventure with the Mickey Mouse Club.
The game’s visuals are a standout, with spectacular cut scenes reminiscent of classic Mickey Mouse animations.
The world design is wondrous and fantastical, it invites players to fully immerse themselves in a number of unique and exciting realms. Though the world looks pretty, I do wish it was slightly more interactive.
I completed the main story in about 8 and a half hours.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer mode adds to the fun, allowing players to control various characters.
It’s great for kids – if they fall behind (I’m not slowing down) there’s a mechanic that turns players into flying letters and delivers themselves to your location. It’s very Sackboy.
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If a player dies, you can revive them by finding one of the world’s many mailboxes. These mailboxes act as checkpoints, which later become fast travel points – thank god. I couldn’t imagine having to walk back through this world to access earlier areas.
Overall, Disney Illusion Island is a charming and enjoyable game, ideal for both gaming beginners and those seeking a more relaxed experience. It features a whimsical world, endearing characters, and engaging gameplay making for a solid introduction to the Metroidvania genre.
Nevertheless, the multiplayer aspect, interactive elements, and the sense of wonder within the game make it a Mickey fun time well worth exploring.
Disney Illusion Island is out now on Nintendo Switch.
Quest Daily scores Disney Illusion Island:
8/10
Nintendo provided Quest Daily with access to Disney Illusion Island for the purpose of this review.
