Released back in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, Disney Illusion Island was a platform exclusive platfoming title with whimsy, charm, and metroidvania catered for children and even adults. WIth the right balance of difficulty and reward it was one of the better third-party platforming titles for the year.
Now the magic has come to other platforms, and the same formula has carried over bringing Mickey and gang to another adventure.
Story
Mickey and gang are invited to the island of Monoch under the guise of a picnic, but they later discover that 3 magic tomes have been kidnapped and the islands locals have tasked the gang to bring them back.
In the adventure you can play cooperatively or by yourself, and the game really does a great job of matching the playstyle. Playing with friends is recommended as you can unlock extra interactions such being able to hug each other to restore HP.
The game is relatively short but the story is full of a lot of character, life, and is an enjoyable experience throughout.
Presentation & Gameplay
The game has a very cute art style and its part of the charm of what makes the game pleasant to look at. You can enjoy the game with great ease and look at the 3 different biomes you get to explore. The gameplay loop is a metroidvania style with plenty of platforming, backtracking, and basic ‘combat’, but with the ability to fast travel, the game is significantly easier to beat.
The game has a unique approach to combat that is to say, there is none. Similar to the Rayman games, you primary method of traversal over enemies is jumping or avoiding them. Which adds a slight element of challenge to the game but nothing that can frustrate or otherwise irritate you as you make your way through.
Conclusion
Disney Illusion Island is a pleasant and welcoming addition to the genre. While it is primariy intended for children through its presentation, it is still a game that can be enjoyed with friends, family, or anyone you feel like playing the game with.
The coop is only limited to local multiplayer unfortunately and while that can be a dealbreaker for some, there is a certain joy in being able to play this on couch co-op and getting the genuine reaction of the player beside rather than hearing it over a microphone.
