Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (2013 video game)

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is a 2013 2.5D platform game developed by Sega Studios Australia and published by Sega. The game is a remake of the original 1990 Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive video game of the same name, which was the first title in the Illusion series of Mickey Mouse video games. The game was released on PlayStation 3, Windows and Xbox 360, in September 2013,[2] and later for iOS, Windows Phone, Android and OS X.[1]

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Developer(s)Sega Studios Australia
Publisher(s)Sega[a]
Composer(s)Shigenori Kamiya, Grant Kirkhope (arranger and additional music)
SeriesIllusion
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, iOS, Windows Phone, Android, OS X
Release
September 3, 2013
  • PlayStation 3
    • NA: September 3, 2013
    • WW: September 4, 2013
    Windows, Xbox 360
    September 4, 2013
    iOS
    November 21, 2013
    Windows Phone
    May 27, 2014
    Android
    June 18, 2014
    OS X
    July 24, 2014
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

Following the same style of gameplay as the original Mega Drive/Genesis title, presented in high-definition 3D graphics, the game is largely played as a side-scrolling platformer like its predecessor, although some sections allow Mickey Mouse to move in multiple directions, such as puzzle segments. Mickey's main offensive ability is his bounce attack, which he can use to bounce on enemies and reach higher areas. He can also collect projectiles which he can throw at long distance enemies. Levels are re-envisioned versions of the original game's levels now separated into three acts, featuring new layouts, puzzles and enemies, as well as enhanced boss fights. The castle itself, which was merely a transition in the original game, can now be fully explored, with new areas opened up by collecting numerous gems littered around each level. Throughout the game, players can find playing cards and chilli peppers that can be used to unlock various outfits for Mickey.[3]

Plot

As in the 1990 original, the game casts players in the role of Mickey Mouse who must fight his way through the Castle of Illusion to rescue Minnie Mouse from the evil witch Mizrabel who wants to steal her youth and beauty.

Obstacles include enchanted forests, rebellious toys and mazes of living books.[4]

Development and release

The Castle of Illusion remake was teased by Sega in April 2013[5] and was announced later that month.[6] The game was developed by Sega Studios Australia, their last game before the studio was shut down,[7] under the supervision of the original game's director, Emiko Yamamoto.[8][9] The game features a remastered soundtrack arranged by Grant Kirkhope, as well as an option to listen to the original soundtrack composed by Shigenori Kamiya.[10] The game also features full voice acting for Mickey, as well as narration by Richard McGonagle.[3] Both Mickey's and the Narrator's scripts were written by Dean Wilkinson. From September 2016 up until March 2017, the game was delisted from the Steam, Xbox Live and PlayStation Network stores.[11][12]

Players who pre-ordered the game on PlayStation Network were able to download the original Genesis game, as well as a theme and custom avatars.[13]

Reception

The iOS version received "favorable" reviews, while the PC and console versions received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[14][15][17] IGN praised the Xbox 360 version's presentation while critiquing its slippery controls and a short length.[24] Joystiq called the PlayStation 3 version "both a great remake and a showcase for the key elements that make a great platformer".[27] GameSpot praised the Xbox 360 version's fun platforming while lamenting unskippable cutscenes.[21] Official Xbox Magazine called the same console version "a fun update to yesteryear's classic, but also a solid platformer in its own right".[29]

References

  1. ^ a b Kubba, Sinan (July 22, 2014). "Disney's Castle of Illusion lowers the bridge for Mac this week". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  2. ^ Kellie (August 16, 2013). "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse Gets Release Date, Price, and Pre-Order Special". SEGA Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Turi, Tim (July 29, 2013). "Test Chamber – Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  4. ^ "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". Disney LOL. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  5. ^ Karmali, Luke (April 12, 2013). "Is SEGA Teasing a Castle of Illusion Remake?". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Kellie (April 15, 2013). "Announcing Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". SEGA Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Phillips, Tom (April 5, 2013). "Sega to shut down Medieval 2: Total War developer Sega Studios Australia". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Narcisse, Evan (April 15, 2013). "HD Re-Make of Castle of Illusion Mickey Mouse Game Coming This Summer". Kotaku. G/O Media. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  9. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (April 15, 2013). "Castle of Illusion remake unveiled for PSN, XBLA and PC". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Ponce, Tony (May 2, 2013). "Banjo-Kazooie composer is doing Castle of Illusion's OST". Destructoid. Gamurs. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  11. ^ Futter, Mike (August 30, 2016). "[Update] Castle Of Illusion Now Backwards Compatible On Xbox One, To Be Delisted On September 2". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  12. ^ Madan, Asher (March 31, 2017). "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse's remake returns to the Xbox Store after delisting". MSPowerUser. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  13. ^ Cook, Dave (August 16, 2013). "Castle of Illusion remake releasing Sept 4, pre-orders include Mega Drive original". VG247. Gamer Network. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Disney Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Disney Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  16. ^ "Disney Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  17. ^ a b "Disney Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  18. ^ a b c Oertel, Mathias (September 4, 2013). "Test: Castle of Illusion". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  19. ^ Gibson, Ellie (September 3, 2013). "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse review (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Turi, Tim (September 3, 2013). "Castle of Illusion Review (PS3, X360)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  21. ^ a b Albert, Brian (September 3, 2013). "Disney Castle of Illusion HD [sic] Review (X360)". GameSpot. Fandom. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  22. ^ Oxford, David (November 25, 2013). "Castle of Illusion Review (iOS)". Gamezebo. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  23. ^ Gaines, Grant E. (September 5, 2013). "Review: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (X360)". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Cobbett, Richard (September 3, 2013). "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse HD Review (Xbox 360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  25. ^ Jihem (November 25, 2013). "Test: Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse (iOS)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Jihem (September 5, 2013). "Test: Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse (PC, PS3, 360)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Cowan, Danny (September 3, 2013). "Castle of Illusion review: Once upon a mouse (PS3)". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  28. ^ "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK. Future plc. December 2013. p. 94.
  29. ^ a b Hoffman, Chris (September 3, 2013). "Castle of Illusion review". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  30. ^ McFerran, Damien (November 25, 2013). "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (iOS)". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  31. ^ Kollar, Philip (September 3, 2013). "Castle of Illusion review: mouse in the mirror (X360)". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  32. ^ Carter, Chris (November 26, 2013). "'Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse' Review – iOS is a Worthy House for this Mouse". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  33. ^ Nichols, Scott (November 26, 2013). "Mobile reviews: 'The Shivah', 'Castle of Illusion', more". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  34. ^ Nichols, Scott (September 3, 2013). "'Castle of Illusion' review (360): HD revival is classic Disney magic". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  35. ^ Hargreaves, Roger (September 3, 2013). "Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse review – Disney HD (X360)". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved October 29, 2022.

Notes

  1. ^ Published by Disney Mobile for iOS/Android/Windows 8/Windows Phone, and by Feral Interactive for OS X.[1]