Disney Illusion Island
- July 28, 2023
With unrelenting charm, excellent writing and voice work, and an art style that is sure to put a smile on your face, Disney Illusion Island is the magical Mickey Metroidvania you didn’t know you needed.
Disney Illusion Island is a single-player platformer game for Nintendo Switch, where Mickey and friends embark on a quest to save the world. Explore the mysterious Island of Monoth, solve puzzles, and engage in epic boss battles. Play solo or with up to three friends in 4-player couch co-op, with unique character abilities and hand-drawn animation, an orchestrated score, and authentic voice talents.
Nintendo Switch
Reviews
- Disney Illusion Island features stunning visuals and charming animations that capture the essence of classic Disney characters and environments.
- The game is accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages, making it a great choice for family gaming sessions.
- It offers a fun, cooperative multiplayer experience, allowing up to four players to enjoy the adventure together.
- The gameplay can feel overly simplistic and lacks the challenge that more experienced gamers might expect from a Metroidvania title.
- Boss fights are often repetitive and underwhelming, which can detract from the overall experience.
- The game has a relatively short runtime, leaving players wanting more once they get fully engaged.
- graphics22 mentions
- 77 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in Disney's Illusion Island are widely praised for their vibrant and captivating visuals, showcasing detailed environments and smooth character animations that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's stunning art style, which effectively captures the enchanting essence of Disney, making it a visually impressive choice for family gaming. However, some criticism arises regarding the camera angle, which can detract from fully appreciating the beautiful graphics.
“The visuals are a true standout, capturing the vibrant and captivating essence of Disney's enchanting worlds.”
“This accessibility, combined with its stunning visuals and charming characters, makes Disney's Illusion Island an ideal choice for family game nights or for anyone seeking a heartwarming and visually impressive gaming experience in the Disney universe.”
“Phenomenal visuals with vibrant environments and detailed, smooth character animations.”
“I bought this game thinking that Disney wanted to make something fun and enjoyable; however, with the price tag of $39, this game is truly not worth it. I would price this at $10-$15. The graphics are so-so, but the gameplay is really boring. Maybe this was more meant for children under the age of 10.”
“Boring and slow. I gave it 2 stars: 1 for decent control action, 1 for decent graphics.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Disney Illusion Island is characterized as approachable and suitable for players of all skill levels, making it a fun experience in both single-player and multiplayer modes. However, many reviewers note that the mechanics are overly simplistic and the pace can be slow, leading to a somewhat boring experience, particularly for older players. While the game features charming visuals and a well-designed world, its short runtime and basic controls may leave some players wanting more depth.
“Disney Illusion Island is an unmissable experience that is a melting pot of classic Disney charm, metroidvania-lite gameplay, and witty dialogue.”
“[gorgeous art, approachable gameplay, helpful co-op mechanics, accessibility options].”
“[a perfectly crafted equitable experience for players of all ability levels, fun, fast, and varied gameplay, filled to the brim with Disney charm.]”
“I bought this game thinking that Disney wanted to make something fun and enjoyable; however, with the price tag of $39, this game is truly not worth it. I would price this at $10-$15. The graphics are so-so, but the gameplay is really boring. Maybe this was more meant for children under the age of 10.”
“Slow, somewhat boring gameplay.”
“So slow and very basic controls and gameplay.”
- story11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is engaging and humorous, particularly appealing to children, as it follows Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy on a quest to help Toku and his tribe recover stolen magical tombs. While the narrative is enjoyable and features various quests, players may find the puzzles and challenges relatively easy, allowing for a smooth exploration experience. The absence of voiced cutscenes requires some reading, but overall, the storyline remains captivating throughout the gameplay.
“The story is good and engaging for kids and funny.”
“The storyline has been good so far - after several hours in the game there are still items and quests to find and complete.”
“In the story, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy receive a map inviting them to a picnic. When they meet up, they find out it’s not the case, but they decide to follow the map anyway. Toku and his tribe ask for their help to gather three tombs of magic that were stolen from them, and Mickey and his crew decide to help.”
“There are in-game cutscenes, but those are not voiced, so some reading is required. The story involves Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy receiving a map inviting them to a picnic. When they meet up, they find out it’s not the case, but they decide to follow the map anyway. Toku and his tribe ask for their help to gather three tombs of magic that were stolen from them, and Mickey and his crew decide to help.”
“The story feels underdeveloped and relies heavily on genre tropes, making it predictable and unoriginal.”
“The lack of voiced cutscenes detracts from the storytelling experience, requiring players to read through lengthy dialogues.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its whimsical and beautiful soundtrack, which enhances the dreamlike atmosphere and complements the engaging visuals. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that contributes to the overall charm and enjoyment of the game, making it a must-have for fans of Disney and platforming adventures.
“The soundtrack was beautiful, and all the visuals were amazing on the OLED in handheld.”
“I love the atmosphere in this game – the whimsical music, dreamlike land, the characters.”
“All in all, this is a must-own if you like Disney, Mickey and friends, metroidvanias, platforming, great music and visuals, and engaging local co-op.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its engaging and funny story, particularly highlighting the charm of Donald Duck. While some players find the humor appealing and suitable for younger audiences, others note that it may not resonate with everyone and can feel repetitive in single-player mode. Overall, the game's cut scenes and presentation contribute positively to its comedic appeal.
“Great and funny game.”
“The story is good and engaging for kids and funny.”
“Really funny and charming cut scenes, great style and presentation, tight, responsive traversal, good title for younger gamers to play.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Disney's Illusion Island is praised for its emotional appeal, providing a heartwarming journey through a magical world filled with beloved characters. Its accessibility and stunning visuals make it an ideal choice for family game nights, ensuring an engaging experience for players of all ages.
“This enchanting adventure takes players to a magical world filled with beloved Disney characters, offering a heartwarming journey that's both accessible and engaging for all ages.”
“This accessibility, combined with its stunning visuals and charming characters, makes Disney's Illusion Island an ideal choice for family game nights or for anyone seeking a heartwarming and visually impressive gaming experience in the Disney universe.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, with users reporting no crashes or performance issues during gameplay.
“I had 0 crashes and not a single problem while playing the game with performance.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its whimsical music and dreamlike landscapes, creating an enchanting experience that captivates players. The charming characters further enhance this immersive environment, contributing to a delightful overall ambiance.
“I love the atmosphere in this game – the whimsical music, dreamlike land, and the characters.”
Critic Reviews
Disney Illusion Island Review
Disney Illusion Island is an excellent choice for anyone who classes themselves as a gigantic Disney aficionado or anyone looking for a family-friendly game. However, the enchantment of the experience may start to dwindle like a fading dream due to the over-simplistic gameplay.
70%Disney Illusion Island
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
70%Disney Illusion Island Review
Whether you're looking to pick this up and play it with the littles in your life or you're looking to play it for yourself, this is a quick and enjoyable platformer with a lot to offer. It's something that's an enjoyable, laid-back play. However, if you want a challenge you may want to turn to another title.
70%
