Disney Illusion Island Reviews
This new Disney platform game is a strangely cynical waste of potential
Families can get more out of this as an entry-level Metroidvania. Still, even as much as the game succeeded in charming me at times with the core characters, it's hard to recommend this to anyone over the many other Nintendo Switch exclusive 2D platformers.
Disney Illusion Island may be striving to be a flashy and exciting 2D Metroidvania experience, but its depth remains one-dimensional. It starts at a snail's pace with its drip-feeding of basic and essential abilities and from there it never really picks up. This is unfortunately thanks to floaty platforming that will disinterest most along with the most uninspired Metroidvania-level design I've seen in some time. Though there are classic and picturesque Disney flourishes aplenty, it's not enough to make the game an enjoyable experience to investigate every nook and cranny for secrets. Be warned, this is an island voyage not all that worth taking.
Disney Illusion Island is a game with a beautiful art style, charming characters, and fantastic audio design. Despite this, it suffers from an identity crisis, and you can never entirely be sure who the game is meant for. With tricky controls, a lack of a unified genre, and bland levels, you may find your money well spent with other 2D platformers. However, if you're a fan of Mickey Mouse and friends, Disney Illusion Island is worth a try for the visuals and nostalgia alone.
Disney Illusion Island looks and sounds incredible and doesn't do much wrong in terms of gameplay. It doesn't really do much to advance the Metroidvania genre, though, and while it's clearly designed to appeal to younger players the convoluted ending and hit-and-miss jokes mean we ended simply enjoying it, rather than loving it.
"Family-friendly platformer lacks the usual Disney charm."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
It is noticed that the producers created the game with family in mind. The challenge is not the most refined, it lacks a good dose of puzzles and that degree of production more careful, evidenced not only by the metroidvania but by titles like Rayman Legends that also operate in the horizontal side scroll. Here the characters move to reach the objectives and overcome the obstacles, dodging the enemies and avoiding the successive traps set on the way. It is therefore a long obstacle course, labyrinthine and accessible. Still with the typical trait and originality of a Disney animation.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While the story and venue fail to leave a strong impression, and the backtracking gameplay gets old fast, the game's successes in animation, platforming mechanics, and end-game content help balance things out.
It doesn’t help just how stubbornly Illusion Island’s gameplay traffics in the familiar. It’s not until the last level that it takes off the training wheels and offers much of a challenge for older audiences, but it’s disappointing that it’s game over just as the campaign is getting a head of steam up. Illusion Island, then, has enough magic to make you wish there was more of it.
An expressive, characterful entry point for metroidvanias.
Disney Illusion Island presents itself as an average game. It doesn't invent the wheel nor does it bring novelties, offering the "bread and butter" done well.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overall though, there’s plenty to like with Illusion Island. This is a fun, vibrant platformer that feels designed to be played in multiplayer with your friends or family. While it’s not going to blow anyone away, this is well worth checking out all the same.
Disney Illusion Island is far from being a bad game. But it's also far from being a great game. The target audience is undoubtedly the family rather than the group of friends. Those taking their first steps into the world of video games will find something charming, enjoyable and at their level. For the others, they'll have to look to the magic of Mickey and his group rather than the challenge the game may represent. Because there isn't any. If the Disney magic works for you, it's still a good buy. For the rest of us, we'll move on to another appeal. Something like Rayman Legends might be a better fit.
Review in French | Read full review
Like with the platforming, the map exploration and Metroidvania mechanics can be a bit too simplistic in execution and mostly tell you where everything is and how to get it. Seasoned platformer fans might find things too easy, but if you can accept that lack of challenge and take Illusion Island for the joyful adventure that it is, then you'll find that it's a good, simple time, with satisfying mechanics, a love for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, and a gorgeous world to explore.
Disney Illusion Island is this bright, bubbly game with a lot of personality, but its design and area execution can bleed together and feel empty.
It may not live up to the Illusion titles for Sega Genesis but what's here is good stuff nonetheless as Disney Illusion Island presents a wondrous game world that can be rather enjoyable to explore. Just don't expect much variety or any sense of challenge.
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.
Disney Illusion Island is both enjoyable and entertaining, but just as the action in the game zips by with slick efficiency, so too is your memory of the time with it going to be breezy. If you’re able to use it as a way to bond with family or friends, then it’s going to have much more value than as a single-player experience. For those playing solo, expect plenty of charm, but given that it has been developed so that the youngest of children can enjoy it, there just isn’t much substance to it.
Disney Illusion Island is a great introduction to the metroidvania genere, but things like a slow pace and a very simple level design, stops it from being a better game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review