Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Review
Painting the town red
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
Finally coming to PC
Being primarily a PC gamer, I missed the chance at playing Epic Mickey when it launched on the Wii at the end of 2010. I must admit that I was a touch jealous of my console brethren at the time, as I am a huge fan of Disney and in particular, the famous little mouse. So, when the release of the new and improved version was announced, I jumped at the chance of taking control of Mickey and his magical paintbrush in Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed.
For those who didn't play the original, the game starts out with a mischievous Mickey playing around with Yen Sid's (the sorcerer from Fantasia) magic paintbrush. Of course, things go awry, and Mickey ends up creating an ink monster that begins destroying the model world that Yen had created, turning the world into a Wasteland. Players, as Mickey, will then need to restore this wasteland back to its former glory.
Wielding a paintbrush
The game's key feature revolves around the magic paintbrush. When Mickey wields it, he has the ability to draw or erase objects using paint and thinner controlled by the paintbrush. Obstacles can be erased from physical existence with thinner and then restored with paint, or enemies can be befriended by revitalizing them with paint or destroyed completely using the thinner.
The core gameplay of Epic Mickey Rebrushed remains in this revamped version, with players guiding Mickey through open levels filled with puzzles that require creative use of the paintbrush. Whether it's erasing an obstacle to forge a path or painting a wilted flower to revive a forgotten friend, the paintbrush is constantly in play.
Players are primarily guided through the main storyline by Gus, a helpful gremlin (but not like the gremlins from the movie of the same name). As Mickey progresses through the levels, he will be able to rescue other gremlins from captivity. These other gremlins will also be able to guide Mickey and provide assistance from time to time. Some of the gremlins can tinker with machines that enable Mickey to progress.
Lots to discover
Using the paintbrush will use up paint or thinner which must be renewed. Fortunately, destroying any of the destructible items (barrels, statues etc.) will top up the paint and thinner meters. Mickey will also collect special red tickets as he moves throughout each of the locations. These tickets will provide Mickey with a form of currency that he can use to purchase items or request tasks to be completed by certain gremlins.
Indeed, the game has hundreds of collectibles to find - from movie reels to single images. These collectibles encourage further exploration of the locations and will often require Mickey to use the magic paintbrush on areas that may look quite standard. At times, Mickey will find a projector located throughout the locations. These projectors act as a portal to traditional 2D platformer where many of the additional collectibles can be found.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
The most immediate improvement in Rebrushed is the visual overhaul. While the original captured a charming, painterly aesthetic, Rebrushed takes it a step further. Crisper textures and a smoother framerate bring Wasteland to life with a vibrancy that surpasses the Wii version. One of the other criticisms of the original Epic Mickey was its control scheme, particularly the use of motion controls on the Wii. Thankfully, Rebrushed throws those frustrations out the window. Traditional controls reign supreme, allowing players to focus on the joy of exploring Wasteland and wielding Mickey's artistic power. Players can either use a controller or a keyboard and mouse combo to control Mickey and I found either option to be equally effective.
The controls are simple in this 3D puzzle platformer, with each of the main controls pointed out to you in the first section of the game. As Mickey, players can jump, spin (which breaks objects) and use the paintbrush in a couple of ways. The camera follows Mickey around and for the most part places the gamer in the most advantageous position. However, players can adjust the camera angle as they see fit.
Disney delight
Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed is set to be a definitive edition for fans and newcomers alike. With its stunning visuals, improved controls, and the timeless charm of the original, Rebrushed is a delightful adventure for Disney and platforming enthusiasts. The playtime of Rebrushed remains similar to the original, offering roughly 15 hours for the main story and an additional 10 hours for completionists seeking every collectible. If you didn't get the chance to play the original, then Rebrushed is well worth your time. And even if you did play the Wii version, then Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed is the perfect opportunity to head back into the Wasteland and get your artistic side flowing.
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8.6
fun score
Pros
Improved visuals, smooth gameplay experience
Cons
Wii players will be repainting the same scenes
