Disney Illusion Island
Summary
It ’s gracious to have a Metroidvania game likeDisney Illusion Islandwhich is so clearly gear towards families . By providing abilities like being able-bodied to bosom your fellow players to give them extra wellness ( which is a adorable mechanic that more game urgently need ) to a wide range of customizable aid options , Disney Illusion Islandsets itself in such a means that a 4 - year - quondam , a 13 - year - onetime , and two adults who are starting to get self - conscious about their own age can all have an entertaining experience together .
There ’s no combat inDisney Illusion Island . Instead of fighting through horde of enemies like in most titles of this nature , it is instead up to the squad of Disney Hero to nullify and outmaneuver enemies . Players choose one of four type - Mickey Mouse , Minnie Mouse , Donald Duck , or Goofy - but only the first actor moderate the photographic camera . This is ostensibly mean for the parent , or at least the most senior player in the group , as giving dominance of the screen space to someone who is n’t quite certain where they should be going can be a formula for frustration .
A Gorgeous Adventure With Lots of Heart
Disney Illusion Island’sanimations are beautifully detail , and it ’s specially nice how much attention was given to make each of the four playable characters alone but still in business with their establish personality . Foodie Goofy perform his wall jump ability by stab the wall with a giant forking ( and , if the process of wall jumping is too complicated for untried players , there ’s even an pick to have character stick to the walls instead of sliding off ) while the everlastingly put - upon Donald Duck must bank on a plunger , for example . In the above image , observe how Mickey is using a propeller while Minnie is floating by way of a polka - dot umbrella . It ’s a nice touch and speaks to the storey of allegiance the growing squad has for the Disney brand and the character on offer .
Related : Every Nintendo Switch Exclusive In 2023
Speaking of the Disney trade name , it would n’t be a Disney game without muckle of callbacks , references , and easter eggs related to former Disney properties . While the principal game itself can be finished in under ten 60 minutes ( and honestly , probably under five depending on your team ’s playstyle ) collecting little globe of light called Glimts , which are scattered all aroundDisney Illusion Island ’s three distinct biome , unlock rewards like concept art , pictures from older Disney cartoons , and in - game token like extra hearts . Unfortunately , extra hearts do n’t really feel necessary in a secret plan where all approach can be easily ward off , health can be instantly returned to teammate , and taking harm can be disable altogether .
Delightful, But Quite Simple
Disney Illusion Islandis a fantastic kid ’s plot , with unbelievable attention to detail , lovely music , and charming role , but it is in no ways difficult or mind - blowing to mass already familiar withwhat a Metroidvania game is . It’sOri and the Blind Forestby way ofSteamboat Willie , and will likely serve as a not bad introduction to young player who are unfamiliar with the genre , but all but the most die - heavy Disney adults might have a heavy prison term power through to the close out of cobwebby deficiency of challenge . That ’s not needs a bad matter , considering who this game is understandably uprise for .
We ’ve had a great timeplayingDisney Illusion Islandin multiplayeras a family , and I ca n’t serve but think that ’s the only " right " means to wreak it . It would be nice if there was a bit more voice acting , since the gameplay is simple-minded enough that even fry who ca n’t quite read yet are able to peck it up and dally mostly effortlessly , but even considering these few flaws it ’s still one of the best family games of 2023 . It ’s a well - made adventure that , despite the many assistance feature and deficiency of combat , still negociate to be entertaining and enjoyable to player of varying ages . While it probably wo n’t be everyone ’s favorite Metroidvania of all clock time , it ’s dead deserving play if you have kids .
Disney Illusion Islandreleases on July 28 , 2023 , for the Nintendo Switch . A download code was provided toScreen Rantfor the purposes of this critique .
Disney Illusion Island is a Switch exclusive that follows Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Minnie as they investigate the island of Monoth. The 2D platformer has multiple playable characters, 4-player co-op, and hand-drawn animation.
Disney Illusion Island is a Switch exclusive that trace Mickey , Goofy , Donald , and Minnie as they look into the island of Monoth . The 2D platformer has multiple playable characters , 4 - actor carbon monoxide gas - op , and manus - drawn animation .
