In 2010, Nintendo Wii players were given a whimsical Disney platformer game called Epic Mickey. Here, we watched Mickey Mouse venture a magical world with some forgotten Disney characters. It was a thrilling experience that was unfortunately limited to just the Nintendo Wii. Fortunately, that is changing this year.
The folks over at Purple Lamp are bringing out a remake of the game Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. Best of all, the game landed across both current and last-generation console platforms along with the PC. We recently had the chance to interview Jason Mallett, the Game Director at Purple Lamp. During our interview, Jason was able to shed a little more light on what we can expect.
Gameranx: How would you describe Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for someone who might not have played this game when it was initially released?
Jason Mallett: Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed brings the magic of Disney to life in a vibrant 3D platformer. One of the most iconic characters in history, Mickey Mouse, dives into a fantastical world inhabited by characters long forgotten. With the help of a mystical magic brush Mickey has the unique ability to affect the world around him with paint and thinner, helping or hindering the inhabitants of Wasteland.
As Mickey explores this strange world he encounters iconic characters, perhaps the most curious being Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. In a story of epic proportions, Mickey travels between lands based on on Disney stories.
Disney: Epic Mickey was originally envisioned by the legendary Warren Spector and Purple Lamp have breathed new life into this beloved classic; lovingly restoring the original story with new breathtaking visuals and improved gameplay.
It was important to us that a game about history be made available for a new generation.
Gameranx: This game was a Nintendo Wii exclusive, so right out of the gate, were there any obstacles you knew needed to be fixed or design adjustments?
Jason Mallett: First and foremost, it was important to us that the game received a brand-new coat of paint (pun intended…) to really elevate it on to the modern stage. Every single asset needed to be lovingly remade, from 2D concept to 3D asset production and animation, the entire game has been re-built from scratch in Unreal Engine. With the help of the team at Disney Games, we were able to completely rebrush the world of Wasteland without losing its charming and unique aesthetic – with a bit of Purple Lamp flavour for good measure!
We were not only presented with the obstacle of translating the original controls to a twin-stick setup, but also that levels were often designed around a different perspective (one that was a bit more curated). In some cases, positioning or scale of spaces were adjusted to not only enhance the gameplay and reward exploration, but also to help players navigate the otherwise familiar world from a new camera perspective that they could influence more directly.
Gameranx: For veteran fans eager to dive back into this Disney classic, should there be any expectations of new content or features?
Jason Mallett: Veterans will find a newly painted (and thinned) Wasteland to explore, with the beauty of the remade assets giving a completely fresh perspective on an otherwise familiar Wasteland. As they navigate the tight corridors of Slalom, or the open area of Gremlin Village, returning players will be able to experience the world with dual stick controls in a way that feels nostalgic yet modern.
Three new core abilities have been added to further compliment the original move set – Ground Pound adds an element of verticality to enemy encounters, Dash allows Mickey to quickly step away from incoming projectiles and Sprint gives him newfound speed to navigate every occasion.
Along with these new abilities, returning players will find that the critical path remains mostly untouched, but if they dare to explore, they might find some new nooks and crannies with additional collectibles to find. Projector Levels have new routes, interactions and secrets to find. To make sure that players don’t feel they are missing out on anything – all Projector Levels can now be replayed by entering the Cinema in Mean Street! We really wanted these levels to shine like never before, and for that it was important to give players a way to revisit areas inspired by some of their favourite Disney classic animations!
When it comes to the game’s collectable roots, not only did we add a lot more around the world, but the team at Purple Lamp has also curated the best of the hundreds of concept art pieces from the project and added them as collectibles throughout the world. Where the original had 50 concept art collectable and viewable in game, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed has more than three times the collectibles to find!
Whether you are playing the game for the first time in 2024 or experiencing it anew after falling in love in 2010, multiple endings and hidden opportunities cry out to be experienced more than once and Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is the perfect opportunity!
Gameranx: Have motion controls been eliminated, or can we expect them to be on the Nintendo Switch?
Jason Mallett: Modern rendition of motion controls are present on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4!
Gameranx: How has the feedback been since the announcement? It seems like this game would have fans of the original release excited to replay it, as well as an entirely new generation of players?
Jason Mallett: The reception to the game’s announcement has been phenomenal! Everybody here at Purple Lamp watched the announcement live. We couldn’t hold back an overwhelming sense of pride. The response from fans and newly curious players alike has been overwhelming, and we really cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this labour of love.
Gameranx: Can you update us on where you’re at in terms of the development process?
Jason Mallett: We are happy to announce that the game has gone gold! The team is thrilled to continue with the ongoing promotional campaign and eagerly anticipates sharing more of the game in our upcoming beats and, of course, at its release September 24, 2024.
Again, both veteran and newcomers who are interested in picking up Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed can do so on September 24, 2024. When the game drops it will be available for the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and the Nintendo Switch platforms.
