Disney Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion

 3DS
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 39
  3. Negative: 10 out of 39
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  1. TheBlueBadger
    Nov 29, 2012
    7
    This game really is incredibly charming, and it's clear that the creators were fans of the disney platformers from the good old days. I couldn't help but smile seeing things like Aladdin showing up and stunning an enemy by throwing an apple at him, or the numerous pete shaped enemies and hazards making me think back to that 2 player game starring Mickey and Donald. On top of that, theThis game really is incredibly charming, and it's clear that the creators were fans of the disney platformers from the good old days. I couldn't help but smile seeing things like Aladdin showing up and stunning an enemy by throwing an apple at him, or the numerous pete shaped enemies and hazards making me think back to that 2 player game starring Mickey and Donald. On top of that, the graphics are incredibly nice. The backgrounds are richly detailed and colourful and the sprites are easy on the eyes. People have slammed this game for using 2D sprites, but honestly, the console's 3D works best with that kind of style. Just play Mutant Mudds. I'm glad 2D sprite based gaming lives on in spirit. However, this game is far from perfect. It sadly inherits all the problems I had with Henry Hatsworth and Monster Tale. Mickey walks at a snail's pace and his jump is incredibly floaty. Also, this game's idea of difficulty is giving the enemies way too much health and having them everywhere, surrounded by narrow corridors, usually made of spikes. It's nice and at the same time nostalgic to see the level aesthetics and enemies from Aladdin, but while in that game, it takes one swift, satisfying jump to beat down the bad guys, in here, you'll be jumping on them 4 or 5 times before they finally decide to die. I find that combat tends to get rather repetitive because of this. And while you can upgrade Mickey in the shop, it really doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Plus in a 2D sidescroller that harkens back to days of old, I don't feel like I should be required to grind money and buy abilities. Feels like a waste of time. On the topic of time, another problem I had with this game was the drawing mechanic. It works fine at first, but you really notice how long it takes for your drawings to come to life in the second boss fight (which you might remember if you're a fan of a certain SNES game I've mentioned twice). He destroys the platforms you walk on, and you have to redraw them. The fact that it takes a split second for him to destroy them and a good 3-5 seconds for them to re-appear after you've drawn them makes this mechanic feel really flow breaking. Having said that, it's still a fairly decent game. Tolerate the flaws and you'll really be able to enjoy the lovely visuals and creative callbacks.… Expand
  2. TheQuietGamer
    Apr 14, 2013
    8
    Don't let Mickey's console games distract you from his excellent handheld title, if you do you'll be missing out on a nostalgic and excellent platformer. It truly is an extremely well made and charming game. The graphics are gorgeous and is the perfect example of how the 3DS's 3D effect. This is a game in which you'll play with the 3D effect on the entire time. The soundtrack is alsoDon't let Mickey's console games distract you from his excellent handheld title, if you do you'll be missing out on a nostalgic and excellent platformer. It truly is an extremely well made and charming game. The graphics are gorgeous and is the perfect example of how the 3DS's 3D effect. This is a game in which you'll play with the 3D effect on the entire time. The soundtrack is also fantastic. As far as gameplay it's your typical platformer, but it offers a unique painting mechanic that will help you progress through the game. It also offers a decent challenge near the end. You can also find classic Disney characters like Peter Pan and Goofy hidden in levels, and rescuing them grants you access to side missions. However some of these side missions require to go back through an already to collect an item or find a missing character. You get bonuses for completing these side quests and they help extend the overall length of the game, but I ended up just losing interest in them. It's an awesome platformer that I highly recommend, but it does have some issues. The only issues I had was with the games short length, and the final boss battle. The final boss battle just feels cheap due to an outrageous difficulty spike that came out of nowhere. Despite these minor issues the game is fantastic and nostalgic platformer. So much so in fact that if you own a 3DS this is a must play.… Expand
  3. funkydoodycool
    May 28, 2015
    6
    As a continuation of the series started with Castle of Illusion, this has more than enough to fire all nostalgia for fans of earlier Mickey games. The controls and character handling are identical, and the basic gameplay is also very much the same. The addition of the magic paintbrush (in line with the Wii Epic Mickey titles) is a weak point, adding nothing much to the game and mostlyAs a continuation of the series started with Castle of Illusion, this has more than enough to fire all nostalgia for fans of earlier Mickey games. The controls and character handling are identical, and the basic gameplay is also very much the same. The addition of the magic paintbrush (in line with the Wii Epic Mickey titles) is a weak point, adding nothing much to the game and mostly being completely pointless - the level map on the bottom screen shows where you can use the brush to add or remove platforms or obstacles. This allows for some puzzles, but nothing particularly taxing or interesting.

    Graphically and musically this game is utterly fantastic - taking the Disney licence and running with it. Unfortunately, unlike the early Megadrive games this game adds far too much interaction with other characters, in particular Jiminy Cricket interrupts the flow of the game to tell you what to do next. This is a symptom of modern gaming, and I feel it would be better as a straightforward platformer.    … Expand
  4. dragonbillz
    Dec 31, 2012
    9
    I think this game is one of the best side scrolling games out there. The touch controls are well thought out and remember that this is a painting game based on drawing and deleting the artwork. I am addicted to saving the Disney characters and following the story as it unfolds. I think this game is under rated and needs to be acknowledged for what it is, a sequel to the best Disney gameI think this game is one of the best side scrolling games out there. The touch controls are well thought out and remember that this is a painting game based on drawing and deleting the artwork. I am addicted to saving the Disney characters and following the story as it unfolds. I think this game is under rated and needs to be acknowledged for what it is, a sequel to the best Disney game from the 80's Mickey Mouse and the Castle of Illusion. This game is a worthy sequel and I give a special thanks to the creators of this game for taking the risk and releasing this game as a tribute to the original. Thank You for this game.… Expand
  5. Alex_Magno
    Nov 18, 2012
    9
    Great old school 2D action game, for veteran gamers this game will take you back to the beautiful 2d scenarios with a mix of 3d graphics, the music is also awesome, nearly a must have 3ds game
  6. Oceanicus
    Nov 20, 2012
    8
    Great game, however it has its flaws, like the incorporation of the mechanic of having to draw, it feels forced, and after a few times it can get repetitive.
  7. Lordnine
    Dec 18, 2012
    3
    I was really disappointed by this one. There is a good game in there somewhere but it's buried under awful required touchscreen segments and poor implementation of movement/combat mechanics.

    Game developers need to learn that just because you have access to a new tech or control scheme doesn't mean you need to use it. The touchscreen drawing mechanics here take what would otherwise be    I was really disappointed by this one. There is a good game in there somewhere but it's buried under awful required touchscreen segments and poor implementation of movement/combat mechanics.

    Game developers need to learn that just because you have access to a new tech or control scheme doesn't mean you need to use it. The touchscreen drawing mechanics here take what would otherwise be an "OK" (but not great) platformer and turn it into a tedious chore. Gameplay is stalled every time the game forces you to stop and trace the all too detailed outline of an object on the touch screen to progress. This will happen 4-5 times per level and even more if you intend to use any of your special abilities or try to collect everything in the game.

    The final "world" also pushes the difficulty through the roof; not because of logical level progression but because the combat mechanics will screw you. To kill enemies you need to stomp on them, often 3-4 times but doing so makes you bounce high into the air. The last world has you working down through platforms with enemies on each layer. Every time you bounce on one you go flying back up multiple layers and have to dodge spikes with each bounce adding to the tedium.

    Making matters even worse the only reliable way to recover health is to draw a magical chest on the touchscreen. You get health from the chest but not very much and in random quantities. In the later sections of the game I spent upwards of 5 minutes after each combat heavy section drawing the chest over and over just to recover enough health to carry on.    … Expand
  8. partyintheback
    Nov 26, 2012
    9
    Power of Illusion is very much a sequel to Castle of Illusion, which is very obvious within 10 minutes of playing it. Not only does it reference it, it goes even deeper than that, though I'll leave that for you to discover so I don't spoil it for you. Some have expressed that they didn't care for the controls, as they felt floaty to them, but I assure you that they're no different if yourPower of Illusion is very much a sequel to Castle of Illusion, which is very obvious within 10 minutes of playing it. Not only does it reference it, it goes even deeper than that, though I'll leave that for you to discover so I don't spoil it for you. Some have expressed that they didn't care for the controls, as they felt floaty to them, but I assure you that they're no different if your memory of Castle of Illusion is clear. I played through a few levels of Castle of Illusion 2 days ago before writing this review to compare and contrast, and I was shocked by how faithful Power of Illusion is to Castle of Illusion. While yes, you do have the paint and thinner mechanic that wasn't in past Illusion games, everything else about this game is a faithful recreation of the gameplay. Also, this game looks absolutely stunning. The 2D art is phenomenal. The 3D effect shows off each layer of this beautiful world. Power of Illusion's quite the looker. I wish there were more 2D games like this these days.

    As you can see by my review, I really enjoyed Power of Illusion. I can understand if someone doesn't like the pain & thinner portions since those weren't in past Illusion games, but I think it's unfair to pan an overwhelmingly enjoyable game just because of one thing you didn't like. Open your mind, heart, and go on a trip with Mickey. Give it a chance.    … Expand
  9. wukongxiang
    Dec 3, 2012
    2
    Quite disappointed in the game play for this game, the controls were easy yet for overall storyline this one dropped the ball. A total of 3 bosses were provided and this game can easily be beaten with 100% in less then 8 hours. The artwork kept with the classic Disney theme, but for a game that cost over $40, the game play should of been a lot longer.
  10. smeargle05
    Jun 7, 2015
    7
    This is a wonderful looking game with beautiful and fluid sprite animation. The platforming is reminiscent of early Disney platformers such as Castle of Illusion and Duck Tales. The levels are colorful and the with a variety of worlds from various Disney franchises, however, the fetch quests can become tedious after repeating the same level over and over. The game introduces the drawingThis is a wonderful looking game with beautiful and fluid sprite animation. The platforming is reminiscent of early Disney platformers such as Castle of Illusion and Duck Tales. The levels are colorful and the with a variety of worlds from various Disney franchises, however, the fetch quests can become tedious after repeating the same level over and over. The game introduces the drawing mechanic but it feels unnecessary despite being on the 3DS as it can detract from the gameplay after needing to erase an obstacle and redraw/recolor it again. It would have been better if it were replaced with a different puzzle mechanic or utilized in a far better and more fluid way that does not feel invasive in the platforming.… Expand
  11. EpicLadySponge
    Jul 13, 2016
    6
    Epic Mickey never manages to become a success on handheld systems. Hey, at least it tried because if it didn't, that would be mighty embarrassing, right?
  12. mefzeldernx
    Feb 19, 2018
    7
    En esta nueva aventura 2D, Mickey se incursiona en los mundos de los clásicos de Disney para liberar a los personajes atrapados por la magia de Maléfica. Un lindo crossover de personajes, ideal para chicos.
    El juego es muy sencillo, es un plataformas 2D y añade la mecánica del pincel de Epic Mickey. Podemos pintar o borrar ciertos objetos para proseguir con el recorrido y obtener ítem    En esta nueva aventura 2D, Mickey se incursiona en los mundos de los clásicos de Disney para liberar a los personajes atrapados por la magia de Maléfica. Un lindo crossover de personajes, ideal para chicos.
    El juego es muy sencillo, es un plataformas 2D y añade la mecánica del pincel de Epic Mickey. Podemos pintar o borrar ciertos objetos para proseguir con el recorrido y obtener ítem ocultos.
    En general es un buen juego, no es sobresaliente pero entretiene y tiene muy buena apariencia. Gran opción para 3DS.    … Expand
  13. jjmelior
    Dec 2, 2022
    0
    I hate when developers force me to watch a 10-minute long intro that is not skippable. That should be punishable.
    The same thing happens when you die and you have to restart the level. You have to go through a level cutscene and click through a few dozen of dialog scenes.
    I want to play a game and not waste my time watching the same intros and cutscenes for the rest of my life!

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best 3DS Game of 2012
19
#19 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
18
#18 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
  1. The Digital Fix
    Feb 25, 2013
    60
    A beautifully crafted game on the surface but is ultimately crippled by its core gameplay mechanics and short length.
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  2. Universo Nintendo
    Jan 28, 2013
    75
    You will get a bitter taste in your mouth of wanting more.
    Read full review
  3. Hyper Magazine
    Jan 24, 2013
    80
    Polished, thoughtful, and joyful. [Feb 2013, p.79]
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