As a new mother and a video game enthusiast, I often ponder when and how I can introduce my son to certain games and series. I frequently reminisce about the games I grew up with, like Donkey Kong Country, Mario Kart 64, and Goldeneye, which I played with my mother on the couch, as well as the nights spent playing Diablo on the computer with my father. Nowadays, it’s a bit more difficult to find a split-screen co-op game that is suitable for someone with small hands and a short attention span. And even if you do find one, the chances of both you and your child enjoying the experience equally are quite slim. This is where Disney Illusion Island has the potential to shine.
Recently, I had the opportunity to play about 20 minutes of Disney Illusion Island with the game’s creative director, AJ Grand-Scrutton. Initially, I expected the game to be a simplified version of Cuphead aimed at younger players, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it is more similar to the Metroid series, which I am more familiar with and successful at.
The game starts with the player selecting one of four characters: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, or Donald. Despite their different appearances and animations, each character possesses the same abilities and movement speed. Grand-Scrutton explained that while they aimed to make each character feel unique–for example, Goofy is a bit heavier while Minnie is more airy–the reality is that they all function the same. After choosing characters (the game supports up to four players on the same screen), each player can select their own amount of health points (HP), ranging from one to three, or an invincibility option called “iron heart.” This fantastic feature prevents inexperienced players from becoming frustrated while still allowing skilled platformers to challenge themselves.
I decided to play as Minnie after being captivated by her adorable character design, and followed Grand-Scrutton’s suggestion to start with three HP. I was informed that Minnie was designed with a paper airplane in mind, which is evident in her graceful movement and double-jump ability that involves a paper airplane appearing and carrying her across large gaps. Grand-Scrutton then chose Mickey Mouse, whose movement he described as bouncy and more energetic in comparison.
Although the core of Disney Illusion Island lies in the Metroidvania genre, traditional 2D platforming takes center stage in the gameplay. Combat is absent in Disney Illusion Island, meaning you must rely on jumping, evasion, and acquiring tools and abilities that enhance your mobility to survive. In the part of the game I played, Minnie and the team had just obtained the ability to wall jump. As a result, I had to utilize this skill to explore the area, reach new locations, and collect keys to access the boss arena. Once I gathered all three keys and entered the arena, my proficiency with the wall jump was put to the ultimate test in a multi-phase boss battle that required me to dodge attacks and electric belts while jumping up to a series of buttons that controlled the boss’s power flow.
I found this battle, as well as my overall experience with the game, incredibly satisfying. As someone who is only “okay” at 2D platforming, Disney Illusion Island provided me with a manageable level of challenge that could be adjusted by decreasing my HP or introducing the iron heart option. The game’s difficulty can also be tailored depending on the number of players involved. For instance, the boss battle I encountered would have been easier with two characters on each side of the arena instead of just myself and Mickey. Additionally, characters can perform helpful interactions, such as throwing down a rope to assist teammates struggling to reach a platform or providing a hug to restore one HP. Regardless of the ease or difficulty, the platforming in Illusion Island felt incredibly smooth, without the frustration of repeatedly missing jumps or the need to time wall jumps precisely.
All of these qualities are enhanced by Disney Illusion Island’s style and charm. The game’s art is vibrant and playful, capturing the essence of Disney without being overly derivative of any specific era. There is a classic Steamboat Willie vibe to the character design, coupled with modern-looking environments and a cartoonish aesthetic reminiscent of the platformers I used to play on my 3DS. The game also has a delightful sense of humor, with Donald’s crankiness and complaints eliciting a few laughs from me. Overall, Disney Illusion Island has the potential to be an exceptional family game and a great choice for a game night involving people of different ages and skill levels.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
