Too often, the developers of Disney Illusion Island would be “making game design solutions for game designers, not for players” and having to start over.
I had been eagerly anticipating Illusion Island because it looked like a Mickey-themed Rayman Legends kinda game. It's not terrible, but it didn't really scratch the itch I wanted and has some weird flaws.
The cutscenes are voiced, but there's considerable dialog that takes place between them that isn't, meaning it's one of those games that I have to sit and read to the kids. Which can be fine, but when making dinner or something it's tough to have these unpredictable, minutes-long text only blocks show up. I guess it's probably too expensive to voice the whole thing?
Aesthetically it doesn't hit the game-art beauty of Rayman or the animation-art fun of the recent Mickey shorts. It just feels like a bunch of platforms hanging in the air. The game makes claims about there being different "biomes" and names for these areas but it really just feels like packs of themed accessories sitting on platforms hanging in the air.
The most annoying flaw is you can't actually change the number of players or difficulty without going back to the main menu. For a 4-player couch co-op game this should be a main feature! People gotta be able to drop in and out!
I’ve made a conversation card game that allows for children and parents, family and friends and colleagues groups to play. It has been absolutely interesting receiving feedback on how children respond to the conversations and questions while playing the game!
Very cool. Our family just got back from Disneyland and this game looks like the perfect way to revisit some of those experiences together. Glad they are making it accessible for all ages, as my 10yo and 6yo are on quite different levels of gaming, and things like Mario Kart can lead to everybody getting frustrated. Here's hoping they have Clarabelle Cow as a playable character, as she was a surprisingly fun character interaction we had at the park.
I'm loving the AV Club style bullets at the end of these.
Congrats on the feature Patrick! Very well deserved.
I had been eagerly anticipating Illusion Island because it looked like a Mickey-themed Rayman Legends kinda game. It's not terrible, but it didn't really scratch the itch I wanted and has some weird flaws.
The cutscenes are voiced, but there's considerable dialog that takes place between them that isn't, meaning it's one of those games that I have to sit and read to the kids. Which can be fine, but when making dinner or something it's tough to have these unpredictable, minutes-long text only blocks show up. I guess it's probably too expensive to voice the whole thing?
Aesthetically it doesn't hit the game-art beauty of Rayman or the animation-art fun of the recent Mickey shorts. It just feels like a bunch of platforms hanging in the air. The game makes claims about there being different "biomes" and names for these areas but it really just feels like packs of themed accessories sitting on platforms hanging in the air.
The most annoying flaw is you can't actually change the number of players or difficulty without going back to the main menu. For a 4-player couch co-op game this should be a main feature! People gotta be able to drop in and out!
I’ve made a conversation card game that allows for children and parents, family and friends and colleagues groups to play. It has been absolutely interesting receiving feedback on how children respond to the conversations and questions while playing the game!
Ah.. Disney. Wonderful corporation. Certainly one of our favourites. ☺
Great read. Can’t wait to try this with my 7 year old!
We love the recent 2D Rayman co-op platformers and this feels very similar to those.
Very cool. Our family just got back from Disneyland and this game looks like the perfect way to revisit some of those experiences together. Glad they are making it accessible for all ages, as my 10yo and 6yo are on quite different levels of gaming, and things like Mario Kart can lead to everybody getting frustrated. Here's hoping they have Clarabelle Cow as a playable character, as she was a surprisingly fun character interaction we had at the park.