Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (XSX) Review

Almost Epic

I never played the original Epic Mickey when it launched in 2010 on the Nintendo Wii, I think I didn’t have a lot of things going on and just didn’t mess with it. But I was always super impressed with Epic Mickey, not as a huge fan of the mouse but more of the great memories I have from playing the older Mickey games. But since I have lived to see the decade of remakes and remasters, yet another has come along in Epic Mickey Rebrushed, but was the team at Purple Lamp able to touch it up enough to rival the original?

After an accident that Mickey caused years ago comes back to haunt him, our hero mouse finds himself literally drug into the Wasteland. This world has been created by Mickey’s carelessness and is now a ruined and forgotten world. Mickey is tasked with helping his new friend Gus, and the other inhabitants of the land to defeat Blot and return their land to its former glory. Mickey’s main tool in this quest is his paint brush and its ability to manipulate and use paint and thinner. Mickey can paint parts of the world to restore bridges or cogs to help him get across platforms, but he can also use thinner to remove parts of the environment. By using thinner on a wall, it will reveal hidden areas or new ways to get to where you need to go.

MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99

Paint and Thinner can also be used on enemies to either melt them away with the thinner or douse them in paint to stop them from attacking you and make them attack FOR you. Enemies will typically come in hordes though so using the paint stream to turn an enemy into an ally will take longer than just bashing them with Mickey’s (and really every 3D platformer hero) combat spin move. The easiest way to defeat enemies though is when they are standing on bridges that can be removed with thinner, sending them pummeling to their demise, either way I enjoyed to combat in Epic Mickey.

One of the standout features of Rebrushed is its stunning graphical overhaul. The colors pop with a vibrancy that captures the whimsical essence of Wasteland, and the enhanced textures make the environments feel alive. The dynamic lighting effects create a rich atmosphere, especially during certain in-game sequences, where shadows dance and colors shift dramatically. The upgrade to 4K resolution and consistent frame rates delivered a smooth experience, making exploration a delight.

However, one of the most significant missed opportunities lies in the lack of voiced characters. While the original game didn’t feature voice acting, I had always just assumed that was due to limitations on the Wii. Rebrushed opts for the same muted approach, relying heavily on text boxes and character animations. This choice detracts from the emotional weight of the story and the personalities of the characters. The vibrant visuals and engaging plot could have been further amplified by fully realized voice performances, adding depth and nuance to character interactions. The absence of dialogue detracts from immersion, leaving players to read through text instead of experiencing the characters’ emotions firsthand. Making this seem even more odd is the fact that the sequel to the original game; Epic Mickey: Power of Two does feature voiced characters.

Epic Mickey: Rebrushed feels like a triumphant return that beautifully blends nostalgia with modern some enhancements. The visuals are captivating, the gameplay is enjoyable, and the heartwarming story still shines. However, the absence of voiced characters feels like a significant missed opportunity, one that could have taken the emotional experience to new heights. Despite this, Rebrushed remains a must-play in a sea of great platformers, inviting players to rediscover the magic of creativity and adventure in Wasteland. Whether you’re revisiting or experiencing it for the first time like I did, Mickey’s artistic journey is one worth taking.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.

Good
  • Great graphical overhaul
  • Heartwarming narrative
  • Fun platforming levels
Bad
  • No voiced characters in 2024
7.5
Good
Written by
Terrence spends his time going where no one has gone before mostly. But when not planning to take over the galaxy, he spends his time raising Chocobo and trying to figure out just how the sarlaac could pull Boba Fett’s ship with its engines firing FULL BLAST into it’s maw with relative ease; yet it struggled with Han Solo who was gripping *checks notes* SAND!