Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is what the 2010 original game should have been, giving the game the camera and controls it actually deserves.
The year is 2010, and Disney decides it needs to give its beloved mascot a new image, one that allows everyone to see a new side to Mickey Mouse – an adventurous side that shows just how courageous he can be, with a smidge of jovial mischief in the mix. The result is Epic Mickey, one of my favorite ever platformers. It burst onto the scene as a Nintendo Wii exclusive, full of life and charm, but it certainly had its issues. Namely the camera, which is a real pain to control.
However, the story at the heart of Epic Mickey is what I love most about it. There’s a lot of heart here, something that Epic Mickey: Rebrushed demonstrates once again thanks to the lovingly crafted remake from Purple Lamp. Still, I already know the narrative and characters, and I already loved the world before heading into this Switch platformer – it’s the aforementioned camera problems I wanted to know more about.
Luckily for me, I can say that the camera is a pleasure to control in Rebrushed, throwing my previous qualms with the 2010 title out the window. Now, in all fairness to the original, as a Nintendo Wii game, the camera and controls were never going to be as smooth as what you get with other consoles from that era (the PS3 and Xbox 360). Luckily, Purple Lamp clearly understood the assignment, demolishing those issues.
Besides the camera, it’s now so much easier to both aim and use the brush, with the left trigger allowing you to paint while the right trigger is for thinner. The distinction here is really helpful, and being able to carefully control where you aim the brush with the analog stick is a godsend. Also, if you prefer the nostalgic feel of gyro controls, you can use that with the Switch version, too – and, while it’s not for me, there’s a distinct improvement here.
For those unfamiliar with Epic Mickey, you need to use a magic paintbrush to navigate the world. Essentially, your ‘ol pal Mickey spilled some paint thinner across a world created by Yen Sid, and it has had some catastrophic results, destroying a land designed to be a loving home to forgotten Disney characters like Clarabelle and Oswald the Rabbit, the latter of which is a very important figure in the Wasteland.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see Mickey’s accidental destruction first-hand, but you can right the wrongs by restoring the world around you with paint, though sometimes it’s thinner you need to use, particularly during battles against the blotted. Combat consists of either using thinner to defeat your enemies or turning them to your side through the use of paint. If you do choose to recruit them, they can then help you fight your other foes.
Epic Mickey affords you some freedom in how you approach boss fights, with the Clock Tower battle being your first experience – you can restore it with paint or tear it down with thinner. Naturally, I used thinner because I’m a chaotic person like that. You get a different upgrade to either your paint or thinner, depending on what you do.
You can also make various decisions when helping the citizens throughout the Wasteland, and your pal Gus might judge you for it. One example is needing to drop a safe with a security guard below it. You can either drop the safe on top of him or take some extra steps to get him out of the way. I chose the former; I haven’t got time for niceness all the time. I guess I’m more inclined to go with Mickey’s mischievous side.
However, while I appreciate the ability to make different decisions, I have to say that beyond Gus disapproving, there aren’t really any serious consequences to your actions, which puts a bit of a damper on the freedom you have – then again, I suppose it’d be hard to top the result of Mickey spilling paint thinner everywhere. All the same, I personally think if you’re going to include decisions such as whether or not you drop a safe on someone’s head, there should be more ramifications than a judgmental look and the opportunity to avoid a boss fight or two.
No matter where you go in the Wasteland, the chances are you’ll encounter some sort of moral dilemma, but you can rest easy knowing that you can be a naughty little mouse as much as you like. But how do you get to these different locations? To reach places like Mean Street and Mickeyjunk Mountain, you need to traverse 2D levels by going through projector screens that take you into classic Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Rabbit cartoons, such as Steamboat Willie and Trolley Troubles.
The level design is unbelievably charming, showing once more why Epic Mickey is one of the best Disney games you can play. The platforming in these areas is so satisfying, and the game further encourages exploration through the inclusion of collectible film. Gathering enough film rewards you with different cartoons to enjoy at the theater on Mean Street, which is a lovely bonus. Beyond the platforming segments through the projector screens, you also get to experience fun 3D platforming in the main areas, often needing to get creative with your brush to find your way through. Yet again, some exploration goes a long way in retrieving collectibles, of which there are more in Rebrushed than in the original game.
As I mentioned earlier, while the platforming, world, characters, and improved camera and controls are lovely, the true heart of Epic Mickey is its story. Your journey with Mickey begins with him being sucked into the Wasteland following his rather unfortunate accident with the paint thinner, introducing you to your plucky sidekick Gus, the leader of the Gremlins. And yes, there are many other Gremlins for you to rescue, and it’s worth doing to reach new areas and parts of a level you’d otherwise miss.
Together, you, Gus, and eventually, Oswald must travel all across the Wasteland to right Mickey’s wrongs. It’s a special story that holds a special place in my heart, and as Rebrush shows me, it forever will. It reinvigorates my love of Disney, reminding me of the good old days long before I was even born. Disney is timeless, as are its original cartoons and characters.
Watching Mickey and Oswald come together for the first time to restore this painted haven for forgotten characters is both heartwarming and bittersweet. Watching Mickey’s reaction to various interactions with characters like Clarabelle leaves me with a tinge of sadness, as I feel just as melancholy about these forlorn figures as Mickey does. After all, the mouse got lucky. He’s the face of Disney. But there are many other characters that haven’t had the chance to shine in a long time.
While I have nothing but praise for the narrative, levels, world, and character design, there’s a drawback on Nintendo Switch in the form of frame drops. However, while it can happen at any time during your adventure, it isn’t a frequent occurrence. Still, I’ll take a little dip in frame rates in exchange for the improved camera and controls Purple Lamp delivers in Epic Mickey: Rebrushed.
Whether you’re a fan of the original game or new to the series, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a must-play for Disney and platforming fans alike, offering a seamless experience through improved cameras and controls while maintaining that charming story that reminds you of the original Disney characters that helped propel Mickey Mouse to stardom.