Legend of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse

The Good
Where platforming elements are concerned there are a few clever puzzles in the levels to break up an otherwise combat heavy game. If you like breezing through levels, this title won't be a problem. The ability to hold some items and use them later is a handy mechanic in the game. This game features not just Mickey, but also Goofy, Donald and Pete, not that they do too much in the game.

The Bad
Graphically this game is unimaginative with little to no backgrounds, just flat colours. The level objects and tiles have no variety, they're just patchworked throughout. Even the cutscenes didn't have attention to detail, so much for presentation. Paired with these ugly graphics are the lackluster music tracks.

Gameplay is no better than the game's audio and graphics. Gone is the thrilling bouncing on enemies and you get bars of wet soap to toss. You fight pretty mediocre enemies including cats, weasel guards, bubblehead snakes and other weird critters. Phantom enemies are only decent opponents. The platforming is badly broken up by a tedious runner stage and a straightforward flying stage. Fighting a dragon, a witch or the Horned King as a final boss is intriguing, but it's an anticlimax that you're fighting Pete instead after that battle with the Dark Sorcerer.

The Bottom Line
This game sadly suffers many of the defects of Fantasia and does not meet the golden highlights of Land of Illusion. It's like a poor adaptation of "The Prince and the Pauper" with crazy mixed up bits and pieces chalked in. If you grew up with both the Castle of Illusion and Land of Illusion games, then this one was never meant for you. Don't let this title dampen your fantasy.