Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, from developer Purple Lamp, has the chance to introduce an entire generation to one of the forgotten classic hits of the Wii era.

“Rebrushed” is a remake of a 2010 Wii exclusive and will be released for various consoles with completely revamped graphics and animations as well as some important gameplay modernizations to bring it up to date in the video game landscape.

Now a game with a modern feel and look, minus some of the issues that plagued the first game, Rebrushed seems like an unexpected, complete, and better version of a classic that deserved far more attention than it originally received.

You can’t blame players for thinking Rebrushed is simply a 2024 game that’s a pure standalone title – that’s how good it looks, both in snapshot and in motion.

The game is a visual feast for the eyes, with its stunningly colorful environments, expressive characters, and deep locations with recognizable themes. Small details like precise shadow work and the inky beauty of most movements and actions are both unique and captivating.

The quirky sound design and the continuous melodies help you delve deeper into the story.

As veterans of the first game may remember, the controls were a bit shaky and the classic The camera is also your enemy, if not the biggest problem ruined the otherwise magical experience.

Those issues are thankfully a thing of the past. The camera doesn’t get in the way as often now and is a background detail, as it should be. And the controls are a bit more grounded, especially because the Wii’s weird motion controls are gone. Otherwise, they’re snappy and responsive.

And that’s a good thing – Rebrushed has completely reworked and rebalanced the movement so that it feels more fluid for the modern day. Mickey can now perform new moves like sprints and ground slams while navigating the world. Given the increased speed at which Mickey moves, it’s also easier to dodge blows from enemies, another point of frustration left over from the original game.

The skills also feel more fluid. Beyond the simple platforming, players still use paint and thinner, the former creating and the latter modifying. The creative approach isn’t as unique and distinct these days, but it looks and feels great, and the in-game puzzles largely hold up.

And do we ever need to talk about those side-running 2D projector stage levels?

These retro levels were controversial in the original game. Now they’ve been expanded with palpable love and made into something of their own. They’re fun to test your skills on when you get the chance.

While it’s a minor thing compared to something as major as a camera overhaul, the user interface (UI) also modernized the Guardian Meter system, which helps players understand their decisions.

The setting and story of Epic Mickey have always been as compelling as can be – one of the most iconic characters in human history making his way through the Wasteland, an area inhabited by some long-forgotten Disney characters, including Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the first creation of Walt Disney himself.

That’s not too much to ask for, so as not to give anything away or increase the fun, but as you’d probably expect from a game featuring the mouse and her friends, it’s a sincere, heartfelt story that leaves an impression.

While this may not be as groundbreaking in 2024, Epic Mickey still offers choices that can also affect the different endings, making it another reason to play the game more than once.

For veterans of the first game, some locations have clearly been redesigned or expanded, including new secrets and areas. Not only has a lot of love and effort gone into this expansion, it also feels like this version has increased the number of collectibles and secrets to discover, which is a good thing.

Keeping with the trend of satisfying fans and increasing replay value, players can replay the amazing side-scrolling projector stage levels in the cinema.

Despite all the modern stuff going on under the hood and on the front, Rebrushed runs very smoothly and there are few to no technical issues.

“Rebrushed” recaptures the magic of the family-friendly original and expands on it in essential ways.

Modern movement making gameplay smoother and the lack of camera issues after all these years were mandatory and refreshing to experience. The thoughtful inclusion of these side-scrolling levels is also a great achievement for the package.

The result is by far the best version of the classic to date. These improvements fit perfectly with the already fantastic idea and story that will stand the test of time.

While Disney films and other media are not always unqualified hits with the global fan base, Reburshed is a film that everyone should see.