Here are my impressions of the re-release of the classic Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed available for current gaming consoles. While the original game was exclusively available on the Nintendo Wii, fans can now play the “Rebrushed” version on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Let’s find out how Mickey Mouse copes in this thrilling adventure that takes us through the Wasteland in this 3D platformer.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed details
Platforms: Nintendo Switch / Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S / PlayStation 5
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Developer: Purple Lamp
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Genre: Action
Mode: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone, ages 10 and older)
Curiosity killed the cat…
This is what Mickey Mouse will discover in this inventive and fun action game. Having found that he can cross through his mirror, Disney’s mouse enters the workshop of the wizard Yen Sid. Borrowing his magical brush, he has fun bringing to life whatever he paints. However, Mickey accidentally summons a malevolent creature, and this dark being will chase him all the way home. Mickey will venture into the Wasteland to find this sinister Phantom and make it disappear once and for all.
The powers of Mickey’s magical brush
Mickey Mouse will travel through worlds taken from Disney fairy tales. However, since we’re in Wasteland, a parallel version of the normal world, the theme parks are in pretty rough shape. With the help of the gremlin Gus and the Lucky Rabbit Oswald, Mickey will restore the locations, save his gremlin friends, battle his enemies, and collect iconic items.
The brush can paint objects and fill in missing parts of the scenery or make them disappear with paint thinner. This is integral to the game’s mechanics. For example, you might complete a bridge to cross it, or conversely, erase part of a wall to pass through and access a hidden area. You control the painting with the left and right triggers on the controller. It becomes intuitive, and the puzzles that arise as you progress through the story become increasingly clever. I really enjoyed it.
Each location presents its challenges. The 3D platformer game is well-executed. I recognized the themes from the animated films of my childhood, and that nostalgia definitely hits home. There’s even a museum and a cinema to revisit the animated shorts and play the 2D platform mini-games that are interludes to the main story.
A captivating nostalgic adventure
As I played Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, I felt like I was in a traditional game. Each location is introduced upon arrival, along with the main objective to achieve. By talking to the residents, we receive a list of side missions to complete. However, it’s essential to check our journal regularly to keep track of them. Unlike modern games, the map lacks markers to show where the items are located. There are also no guides to point out the places to visit. As a result, I missed a few. I had completed the task but missed going back to the person who assigned it to me. Once I moved on to the next stage of the adventure, that task was already expired.
The other thing that caught my attention is having to replay the 2D interlude every time we change environments. At one point in the story, we have to go back and forth between Mean Street and the other locations. Gus offers to let us skip and get there directly in exchange for some tickets. I certainly took advantage of that! However, it’s not available in all locations. I enjoyed these different levels from the main game, but after passing through the room with the books and playing cards four times, it started to get on my nerves…
Despite that, I really like my experience with the game. I feel that longtime Disney fans will appreciate it even more with the references scattered throughout, from the places visited to the characters encountered. Many are even in black and white, contrasting with the colorful backgrounds. This blend, in my opinion, makes our journey through the Wasteland even more special.
Does Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed mark the return of this series?
Upon its first release in 2010, Disney Epic Mickey was an exclusive title for the Nintendo Wii. Controlling the paint and thinner sprays with the controller reminds players of what they had to do with the Wiimote. The mechanics have been refined for the current edition on modern consoles. Overall, the game is well-executed. To evoke the old films of the era, the cutscenes seem a bit blurry, and the dialogues are silent. It’s surprising at first.
Not having played it on the Wii, I’m still glad to play Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed on PlayStation 5. The game is beautiful and runs very smoothly. The entire story flows without long loading screens between chapters. Additionally, I really liked the idea of the mini-games in side-scrolling platform mode between each main location. It gives us a moment of respite and a good opportunity to take a break.
| Pros | Cons |
| The immersion in a classic Disney universe that evokes nostalgia | You can feel the age of the game in its interface |
| The mechanics of the magic brush are well-executed | I would have liked to see a modernization of the map for reference |
| The side-scrolling transitional levels allow for a break | When you need to talk to a specific person, you have to remember which city they live in |
| Being able to progress to other levels in exchange for a few bucks to Gus later in the game | The same goes for places to visit that go through another city from Mean Street |
Overall assessment of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Graphics: 3.5/5
Sound: 4.5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 3.25/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5 (70 %)
Younger players may not fully grasp the references tied to the game’s foundations. Nonetheless, older players will surely recall fond memories. We even get access to the original films in the bonus content, which is fantastic! Parents will surely want to watch them with their kids —why not?
Will we see “Rebrushed” versions of the movie sequels as well? Only time will tell! While not perfect, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is generally a good game for both kids and adults, aged 7 to 77.
Purchase Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
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