Later on, you also unlock a camera for taking pictures of the famous ‘hidden Mickeys’ cleverly hiding in plain sight in the background.Įven if there are no direct gameplay benefits from it, we appreciated the reward system used here. These usually require a sharp eye to find the hidden pathways leading to them, and you’ll typically have to overcome a slightly tougher-than-usual platforming gauntlet to nab the prize at the end. There are also ‘Tokuns’ which detail the backstories of various characters and enemies and memorabilia pieces that are based on classic cartoons like Steamboat Willie and Thru the Mirror. Glimts are dotted all around the island and act as the ‘coins’ of Illusion Island, and hitting ever-higher thresholds as you collect them will unlock portions of concept art paintings. All Speech Subtitled (Or No Speech In Game).So what’s the point of exploring, then? Well, instead of finding something like missile expansions or a new Charm, all the collectibles here are fun cosmetic trophies that add to the overall charm. All the playable characters have exactly the same moveset everyone has their own tool they use to do something, such as using a fork or a toilet plunger to cling to a wall, but the upgrades across all four characters are functionally identical. There’s no combat to speak of here-even the boss fights are just tougher, self-contained platforming challenges-and the upgrades you get are all ultimately focused on adding to your movement capabilities. It's important to note that despite the huge map and Metroidvania structure, Illusion Island is still firmly focused on platforming antics first and foremost.

As you radiate outwards from the starting areas, you’ll come across more complicated sections that demand advanced techniques, and though the difficulty never gets to the point of being challenging, this is the kind of game that feels like it just keeps getting better as you go on. Though there’s nothing here particularly innovative in terms of the upgrades you get-it’s just standard stuff like a double jump or a ground pound-we were pleased with how well the level design utilizes your expanding kit. Levels seamlessly connect to each other, checkpoints are generously spread all over the place, and after picking out your playable character, you’re let loose on a sprawling, interconnected map rife with collectibles, side paths, and plenty of ability-gated sections that you’ll have to return to later. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Īs for its gameplay, unlike its retro predecessors, Illusion Island is structured like a Metroidvania. Though most of your time with Illusion Island is spent platforming, Dlala Studios did a great job of sprinkling in just enough character interaction to keep things from feeling stale. Donald, for example, always plays the ill-tempered sailor who gets pushed around by the others, while Goofy is just as airheaded as you’d expect and nearly always has his mind on food. You’re given just enough of a show to understand a new plot development or where the group needs to go next, and then the controller is passed back to you so you can start exploring again.Īll four characters in the core cast are just as likeable and distinct as you’d expect, and the interplay between them in brief dialogue sequences with other NPCs is on point. Each of these cutscenes is fully voice-acted and features a perfect blend of action, humor, and movement, yet none of them overstays their welcome.

The narrative feels like the plot of an episode of a cartoon in the best ways, and this is helped tremendously by the handful of animated sequences that could easily be mistaken as snippets from The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse. Though they’re a little skeptical at first, the good-natured group quickly agrees to help out the island’s inhabitants, setting out on an adventure into the dangerous realms of Monoth to get the books back.

The letters they received, supposedly from each other, were actually sent by a rabbit-thing named Toku, who desperately needs the heroes’ help to retrieve three magical books that are crucial to the continued existence of the island. Illusion Island picks up with Mickey and friends arriving on the titular island to have a picnic together, but once they get there they realize that all of them were duped.

Mickey castle of illusion age group