Disney Phantasm Island isn’t technically a Mickey Mouse solo journey, because it options Goofy, Donald Duck, and Minnie Mouse, too. However after almost a decade with out a correct Mickey Mouse platformer within the vein of well-liked video games like Fortress of Phantasm or Epic Mickey: Energy of Phantasm, we’ve lastly acquired the subsequent smartest thing: Disney Phantasm Island, a colourful and glorious platformer impressed by previous Mickey video games that options each his pals and new characters.
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Out on July 28 completely on Nintendo Swap, Disney Phantasm Island is a 2D co-op or solo platformer that’s visually impressed by the trendy Mickey shorts, however isn’t immediately related to them. As an alternative, as Phantasm Island’s inventive director defined to Kotaku in a preview earlier this 12 months, the sport takes inspiration from each period of the well-known mouse.
And the brand new characters you meet—a mixture of plant-based and animal-inspired of us—want the assistance of iconic characters Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Minnie to rescue vital, island-saving tomes from nasty thieves. (Don’t fear who you decide, all of them play the identical.) After choosing one of many basic Disney characters, what follows is a platforming journey by means of a big, maze-like map spreading throughout a number of biomes which can be stuffed with secrets and techniques, collectibles, and sure, Hidden Mickeys.
No preventing, however numerous leaping!
Because the title implies, Disney Phantasm Island is impressed by among the most beloved outdated Mickey video games, lots of which had the phrase phantasm of their titles. However not like these video games, which had been conventional platformers with fight parts, Phantasm Island ditches fight fully and as a substitute focuses on extremely tight and fluid platforming. You received’t be leaping on prime of enemies or selecting up power-ups to shoot balls of fireside or goo at baddies. Whereas this may sound like an odd selection for a recreation that’s Metroidvania-like in each different sense, it really works splendidly in Phantasm Island.
An enormous motive why the dearth of fight by no means bothered me throughout my playthrough was as a result of Disney Phantasm Island by no means obtained uninteresting. Each forty or so minutes I obtained a brand new potential that allow me discover extra of the map, or I took on some huge platforming problem or squared off in opposition to boss enemies—which don’t function preventing, however as a substitute depend on puzzles. One boss had me swing round particular factors utilizing my grapple potential. Finally, after I dodged all of the threats and activated each swing level, the enemy was knocked down and Mickey was in a position to make use of magic to show them into stone.
Disney / Nintendo
Disney Phantasm Island virtually appears anxious that you just’ll get uninterested in it and cease enjoying, so it’s continuously attempting to maintain your consideration, both by means of powers, collectibles, jokes, or foolish characters. This mixture of selection and approachability appears good for youths and adults alike.
Fortunately, the in-game map makes all of this content material manageable. It’s straightforward to make use of and masses quick, letting you rapidly see the place you’re and the place it’s essential go. It additionally reveals all of the stuff you haven’t collected or paths you continue to must unlock. With out this map, Phantasm Island may really feel like a chore to play. With it, the sport could be very onerous to place down. I’d examine it and suppose, “Properly, I simply must go over there and I’ll get some extra collectibles to unlock a well being improve” and instantly one other 30 minutes had handed and I had not stopped enjoying. (This occurred to me not less than a number of instances.)
A platformer for everybody (who owns a Swap)
What may even assist children (and adults with restricted schedules) get pleasure from Disney Phantasm Island is the best way it step by step turns into tougher, however by no means will get too onerous. So long as I took my time or didn’t get distracted by the beautiful artwork, I might keep away from most baddies and traps. And after I did die, I by no means felt like the sport had screwed me over due to its splendidly snappy, responsive platforming controls and rock-solid efficiency when docked or performed in handheld mode. Plus, deaths received’t price you or your co-op companions a lot progress due to an ample quantity of checkpoints all through the world.
When you crave platformers that aren’t brutal nightmares bent on making you throw your controller in frustration, it is best to play Phantasm Island. And for many who do need a bit extra problem, you possibly can tweak how a lot harm Mickey and pals can take earlier than dying. When you decrease this quantity, you’ll add a bit extra spice to Disney’s newest recreation.
Screenshot: Disney
My solely main grievance with Disney Phantasm Island is its Nintendo Swap exclusivity. I can solely think about how beautiful the colourful, cartoonish artwork and characters would look in 4K, maybe working at 120fps. Plus, it could let much more folks play this improbable Disney platformer. However, the dev has given no hints about porting the sport to extra platforms sooner or later, which is a disgrace.
Regardless, when you personal a Swap (and primarily based on the gross sales of that machine, you most likely do) I’d suggest testing Disney Phantasm Island. Even non-Disney adults will benefit from the snappy motion, low-stakes gameplay, beautiful visuals and co-op shenanigans. And in case you are a Disney grownup, nicely, you most likely already purchased this recreation and have it put in in your Swap. Excellent news: You might be in for a deal with.
