Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
- September 24, 2024
- Purple Lamp
- 12h median play time
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a wonderful remake that looks gorgeous in many different ways, with simple yet fun platforming at its core.
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Get on PS Store"Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed" is a remake of the classic game, now available on PS4 and PS5. This reimagining offers enhanced graphics, gameplay features, and the same beloved Disney storyline. Players join Mickey Mouse as he explores a paint-and-thinner world, interacting with iconic Disney characters to complete missions and save the day. Experience this classic adventure with modern upgrades and get ready to create your own epic story.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
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Xbox
Reviews
- The remake features stunning graphics and improved controls, making the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable than the original.
- The game retains the charm and nostalgia of the original while adding new mechanics and quality of life improvements, such as the ability to skip projector levels.
- The story is engaging, exploring themes of creativity and morality, and the attention to detail in the environments and character designs is commendable.
- The game suffers from occasional bugs and crashes, particularly when transitioning between certain areas, which can disrupt the experience.
- Some players have reported issues with audio synchronization and missing music tracks, detracting from the overall immersion.
- The price point of the game may feel steep for some, especially considering the length of the gameplay and the potential for missing collectibles.
- graphics84 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visual upgrades and vibrant art style that enhance the overall experience. While some noted that the new visuals are brighter and less eerie than the original, the remaster successfully retains the charm of the original game while introducing modern graphical conventions. Overall, the graphics are considered a significant improvement, making the game visually appealing and immersive.
“I can't get over just how good everything looks, the visuals are all a 11/10, exceeding all my expectations for a 2024 game.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, the enemies/bosses look really great too, there's a gamma meter to make the game a bit brighter if you're having trouble seeing where things are.”
“The redesigned visuals are amazing and there's so much detail.”
“The way the paint was sort of embedded into objects felt better than when the paint seems to splat and droop off of buildings and floor and everything feels a lot less sharper, not in graphics, but the ways that rocks, patterns, and certain background elements feel softer, which in a world in absolute distraught doesn't match completely.”
“Yes, I do miss the more eerie, darker look of the original, but the graphic step up was needed; I could actually see where I was going.”
“While some might complain about the loading times and the minor graphical glitches, that is it with the problems this game has.”
- story62 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Epic Mickey: Rebrushed" is generally well-received, praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative centered around forgotten Disney characters, particularly Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Players appreciate the choices that impact the storyline and the vibrant, immersive worlds, although some express disappointment over the lack of voice acting and occasional repetitiveness in quests. Overall, the game is seen as a nostalgic yet fresh experience, with a compelling plot that encourages replayability.
“This game shines mostly through the design and story, using some of the most unique approaches to gaming I've seen in a long time.”
“The story is quite beautiful, and the way in which your decisions are reflected in it makes the overall experience feel more personal.”
“Warren Spector's dedication to making a story about a forgotten cartoon rabbit led astray by his own hatred, and a cartoon mouse just trying to get home is genuinely interesting and will never cease to amaze me.”
“The story is all over the place, and I wish the text dialogue was spoken instead of having to read everything, but it's not a real issue.”
“It's not a remake; it's a retexture port with a slower pace, a dated story, and unneeded movement enhancements.”
“If you didn't grow up with Epic Mickey, the rebrushed version is going to offer little more than a short but pretty kid's game you missed the boat on the first time, as Gus overexplains every minute detail of the game from basic controls to the exact steps needed for some missions.”
- gameplay53 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the remastered title has received praise for its improved mechanics, fluid controls, and nostalgic elements, making it a fun experience overall. While some players noted that the gameplay loop can become repetitive and the combat lacks depth, the addition of new features like dashing and enhanced movement has revitalized the experience. Overall, the game successfully combines classic elements with modern enhancements, though some feel it may not justify its price for the amount of content offered.
“3D platforming, simple yet effective combat, your choices matter, puzzles, hidden secrets to find and hunt down... it's got a ton of amazing gameplay mechanics.”
“From big details and design touch-ups to the small things, like big scene backdrops and added details, to Mickey's tip-toe animation having sound cues; this remaster has been lovingly faithful, and thusly expanded upon the original game in a fun way with the new mechanics.”
“The gameplay feels seamless, with intuitive controls that made me feel like a true artist in a living canvas.”
“The art style is nice, but the gameplay is simple, repetitive, and wears off quickly.”
“If you played the original, you will love this, but for how much gameplay you get, it's not worth $60.”
“I also would have liked to see some more changes with the actual gameplay, particularly the stale combat, as it's more or less the exact same with a couple of new cool but ineffective additions.”
- music30 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic soundtrack and its dynamic nature, which enhances the atmosphere. However, several users noted issues such as missing tracks, incorrect music timings, and a lack of the original's layering system, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the original compositions by Jim Dooley were praised for their quality and ability to evoke strong emotions.
“I love the art style, music, and atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere and music of this game are truly something special.”
“The soundtrack deserves a mention, too—each note perfectly complements the whimsical tone of the game, enhancing every moment from epic boss battles to quieter exploration.”
“The music is quite messed up, with many tracks completely missing and/or playing at the wrong times; which is a shame given the care the original game's dynamic music system had.”
“Some music tracks are not matching the correct timings, (e.g. bog easy just plays the generic lonesome manor music rather than its special track, Oswald's room in Mickeyjunk Mountain plays the generic ambience rather than his theme, the music timing for raising Smee's boat and the cutscene to the Jolly Roger is off, etc.)”
“The only real issues I had were with missing audio, incorrect area music, and the thinner disaster sequence being the censored version, rather than the original.”
- stability17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and crashes that hinder progress, while others report a smooth experience with minimal glitches. Notably, issues such as freezing and hard locks have been highlighted, particularly in specific areas, but many users also acknowledge that these problems are not universal and can vary by playthrough. Overall, while there are some stability concerns, many players find the game enjoyable and believe it has potential for improvement through future updates.
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches, making for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; I can focus on enjoying the story without interruptions.”
“The performance is impressive, with consistent frame rates and no lag, which enhances the overall enjoyment.”
“Buggy as heck, I can't get out of the first hub world without it crashing on me.”
“It will not let me leave Mean Street; it just freezes on a black screen and then I have to reboot.”
“It is quite buggy and at its worst hard-locked me out of progress mid-playthrough while trying to do the thinner route because characters would not talk to me anymore, despite efforts to fix it.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game presents a mixed experience; while some players enjoy smooth performance and excellent Steam Deck support, others report significant issues such as severe frame drops, crashes, and stuttering, particularly during intense moments. Despite these performance inconsistencies, many still find the game enjoyable and believe that future updates could enhance its overall stability. Overall, while the game shows promise, it still requires further optimization to address the various bugs and performance problems reported by users.
“More enjoyable than ever with updated controls, fantastic optimization, and perfect Steam Deck support.”
“It seems completely fixed now, and the game runs smoothly on Unreal Engine.”
“The framerate dips often, there's tons of stuttering at certain points, some of the enemy AI is bugged, and it feels like they made the game a good bit easier than I remember it.”
“If you get rid of the nostalgia factor, it gets a 7 out of 10. Once the performance issues are fixed, it will be an 8 to 9 out of 10 even without nostalgia.”
“The final thing would be performance; it's smooth for most of the game, but there can be some frame drops at bigger fights.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning art style, dynamic music, and a mature, dark undertone that evokes feelings of hopelessness and devastation. Players appreciate the gorgeous graphics and improved camera mechanics, which enhance the overall immersive experience, while the option to adjust brightness allows for a customizable atmosphere that caters to different preferences. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to its appeal.
“I love the art style, music, and atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere and music of this game are truly something special.”
“The shadows dance across the landscapes, creating a dynamic atmosphere that draws you deeper into the experience.”
“Safe to say, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed has fixed the problems of a hard to navigate camera, as well as polishing the atmosphere of the original game by remaking all the original assets on Unreal Engine.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt story and memorable characters, which resonate deeply with players, evoking strong feelings of nostalgia and joy. While some critique the lack of voice acting as a missed opportunity to enhance the emotional depth, the game's beautiful scenery and touching narrative create a distinct and memorable experience. Overall, it is regarded as a casual yet impactful journey that leaves a lasting impression.
“And me being such a fan, when I saw the first trailer of this game I cried, happiness of this game finally seeing the light.”
“Still some oddities here and there, but the even more beautiful scenery and the ever heartfelt story and characters makes for a distinct experience you'll remember for a long time.”
“A true masterpiece with a heartbreaking story of Mickey's lost brother Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing details, such as the extra tombstones outside Lonesome Manor and the typo in the "just friends" pin description. Players also find comedic moments in character animations, like Mickey's exaggerated gestures during tutorials, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
“The extra tombstones outside Lonesome Manor are hilarious.”
“I don't know how long it takes for them to notice stuff like this, but the 'just friends' pin says 'firends' in the description, which is pretty funny.”
“(However, Mickey waving his hands wildly during the guardian tutorial is extremely funny.)”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability, featuring multiple endings and a New Game+ mode that enhances the experience. While some players find the replay elements arbitrary, many appreciate the engaging story and setting, contributing to a satisfying playtime of around 12 hours.
“It has really good replayability (it probably took me about 12 hours to finish when not counting restarts) and has a fascinating (and surprisingly creepy) story and setting for a game about Mickey Mouse.”
“Heavy replayability with multiple endings and added New Game + mode.”
“$60 was so worth it; there's so much replayability it's not even funny.”
“The idea is to include replayability and challenge in the game, and some of it pays off for the better, but a large majority of it feels arbitrary.”
“Heavy replayability with multiple endings and an added New Game+ mode.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, yet many still enjoy the overall experience. Some note that significant gameplay changes have improved the grind, making it less burdensome.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“While the gameplay can be a tad tedious at times, there weren't many moments that I wasn't having a good time.”
Critic Reviews
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed review
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a wonderful remake that looks gorgeous in many different ways, with simple yet fun platforming at its core.
80%Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Review
Once upon a time, legendary game director Warren Spector asked Disney to help him make a science fiction game. The house of mouse wasn't interested in his pitch, but it gave him the keys to the forgotten magic kingdom instead. Spector's Junction Point Studios was given unfettered access to archival materials and tasked with spinning a tale focusing on Walt Disney's earliest work. Epic Mickey was admirable as an attempt to bring those formative IPs back into the public interest. Oswald the Rabbit appeared in his first original story since 1928. His lost landscape of unused ideas was an artistic triumph for Spector's team. The game debuted to generally positive critical reception but failed to make the financial impact Disney expected. After a weaker and even less successful sequel, Junction Point was closed and the world of Epic Mickey didn't live happily ever after. Now it's back, in an on-brand Disney reboot dubbed Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. Purple Lamp Games hasn't just given this title a texture polish, it's brought enough mechanical and aesthetic additions to qualify it as a semi-remake. 15 years after its original release, Mickey and Oswald's tale remains a fascinating and flawed adventure. From the outset, the story almost frames the titular mouse as a villain. While Yen Sid is busy working on a model to commemorate the forgotten members of past fables, his magic mirror decides to open up a portal into Mickey's bedroom. The pre-fame mouse proceeds to invade, cause chaos, and unleash a monster called The Blot. Thinking nothing of his catastrophic clumsiness, Mickey returns home to a flourishing career as a brand icon. Much time passes, but eventually the Blot returns and pulls him into a world called The Wasteland. Mickey must use Yen Sid's magic paintbrush to repair this kingdom, defeat The Blot, and figure out why Oswald, ruler of Wasteland, hates him so much. This is a 3D collectathon platformer at heart, but Mickey also wields environment manipulation abilities that contribute to some light puzzling. His magic brush can paint objects into the world around him, while his thinner can remove those same objects. Not everything can be created/erased, but the function of this ability is persistent throughout. As he transitions between areas of the Wasteland, Mickey leaps into projector screens showing his old movies. These 2D sections are the game's highlight, lovingly recreated versions of iconic shorts. Running around in classics like Steamboat Willy, Mickey's Mechanical Man, and Alpine Climbers feels like a precursor to Studio MDHR's Cuphead. Back in the three-dimensional Wasteland, Mickey's brush also serves as a weapon. It's useful for smacking Blot's army into submission and flipping switches throughout the world. His art skills work on enemies too. Thinner is the only thing that can defeat them, and paint can hypnotise them into fighting by your side. Painting missing aspects of the world also adds to a guardian meter. Once filled, you’ll be joined by little sprites that have different effects on enemies once deployed. There's a decent amount of variation to Blot's army, though attack patterns and methods to defeat them don't change. Some larger monsters need a combo of thinner and attacks to down. Later in the game, you'll encounter Slobbers, which require some sneaking to avoid waking them up (complete with little orchestral squeaks from Mickey's feet). Other than that, enemies become a repetitive chore to deal with from mid-game onwards. The combat isn't the only repetitive aspect of Epic Mickey. General exploration and puzzling boils down to the same paint/thin actions throughout your time in Wasteland. Erasing walls to find goodies gets tedious after a while, no matter how pretty the collectible concept art is. There's a nice freedom of choice offered by rescuing Gremlins (no, not that kind) scattered around levels. These little mechanics will solve puzzles for you instantly if you go out of your way to find them. This flexibility extends to longer chain quests in the semi-open world, which can often be fast-tracked by purchasing key items from shops. These shortcuts serve to partially balance out the volume of fetch quests on your way to the next main story level. So what about the fresh coat of paint this Rebrushed edition offers? The most surprising additions here are the improved traversal abilities for Mickey. The original game was made painfully slow by having a locked walking speed. That's now gone and Mickey can sprint (well, jog) as well as dash in both 3D and 2D areas. The side-scrolling levels themselves have been much expanded on, treated more like standalone stages with secrets to uncover. In combat, a ground pound has been added, which helps scatter large groups of enemies and smash clusters of breakable objects to get the goodies inside. Away from the gameplay tweaks, the visual upgrade is nothing short of magical. The work of the design team is pretty much the main selling point of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and at 4K and 60 frames-per-second, its efforts shine. There's a darker edge to this depiction of Disney's creations that came off as murky in the original release. Here, even the grim detritus of Mickeyjunk Mountain, feels vibrant. Back in 2010, Epic Mickey felt like a unique, beautifully designed spin on the traditional platformer. In 2024, Rebrushed presents that same enjoyable, IP-driven experience, alongside meaningful gameplay tweaks and a gorgeous visual upgrade. Its general lack of variety means that it won't challenge the likes of Astro Bot, but Disney and platformer fans alike should give this a look. Epic Mickey is still an enjoyable platformer with impeccable artistic talent driving it. The repetitive combat and exploration remains, but the Rebrushed updates go some way to remedying those shortcomings.
70%Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed review – "A detailed and lovingly made recreation of a 2010s classic"
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed updates a 2010 Wii classic for a new generation, somehow packing in even more nostalgia and twisted Disney references than ever before. An engaging story, gorgeous visuals, and bags of charm make it well worth the wait, despite some technical hitches and gameplay frustrations that detract from its undeniable potential.
70%
