Disney’s “Where’s My Mickey?” is a fun new game for mobile users

Noe Valladolid

11 years ago

Disney has just released a fantastic game for smartphone and
tablet systems titled “Where’s My Mickey?” The game is the spiritual
successor to the wildly popular and highly successful “Where’s My Water?“
series. Technically this is the third major iteration of the game.
“Where’s My Perry?” introduced new physics and motion elements to the
water-puzzle genre. The new title introduces other gameplay elements that are
also unique to the genre, this time featuring Mickey Mouse as the central
character.

The visual style of the game is very stylistic. Mickey is
pie-eyed yet in color, he is drawn with strong shapes and sharp angles yet
never loses his personality. The look and stages featured in the game are
inspired by the new Mickey Mouse cartoons produced by Paul Rudish. These
cartoons will be featured on the Disney Channel starting June 28th.

While none of the actual game levels are based on the
cartoons, there are many parallels that can be drawn between them. The first
stage in the game, “When life gives you lemons …,” features Mickey
setting up a beachfront lemonade stand on a hot summer day. This stage is
reminiscent of the boardwalk adventures of Mickey and Donald Duck from the
“No Service” episode of the cartoon.

The stages all have an introductory animation and ending
animation that helps tell the story of why Mickey is in desperate need of
water. There are plenty of funny visuals and sound effects to keep players
entertained through the various puzzles.

In case you’ve never played any of the “Where’s
my…” titles, let me try to describe the basic gameplay elements. Each
stage is made up of single screen levels, there are 20 levels for each stage.
“Where’s My Mickey?” is made up of three stages, each with a central
theme. There are also bonus puzzles that can be unlocked by thorough players.

In each stage water has to get from point A to Point B.
Gravity takes care of most of the moving as players try to dig paths through
“dirt” on the screen using their finger. There is usually only one
correct way to get the water to its destination. Players are rewarded with
points for the amount of water that reaches the finish as well as how quickly
they did it. If not enough water reaches the end or if it falls off of the
screen, then the level has to be restarted. The solutions for each stage are
never a straight line.

Players are encouraged to pick up 3 little cartoon stars
along the way for bonus points. There are also hidden collectables buried in
the earth that players are encouraged to find. These collectables are hidden by
a mischievous Pluto. Players that find all of the hidden objects are rewarded
with bonus levels and other surprises.

“Where’s My Mickey?” introduces several new
elements to the genre. There is wind and clouds in various stages of the game.
Players cannot control the wind or the clouds in the main stages but both work
together to help solve puzzles. Wind pushes clouds and clouds can be used like
a reservoir for water. Players can fill a cloud with water and let the wind
blow the cloud over a gap or obstacle, players can then squeeze the cloud and
ring the water out. There are also plants on several stages. Water can be used
to make plants grow. Plants can create barriers to hold water back or even
bridges to carry it.

There is also a new element that acts like lava and can burn
down plants and turn water into acid. The red liquid is called “Fizz”
and requires its own strategy to use. An expansion pack featuring Goofy is
available for 99 cents. The stages called “Van Goofy” and “Ship Wrecked!” actually
reverse the gameplay from “Where’s my Mickey?” They have players
trying to get Fizz to Mickey while avoiding water. The additional challenges
are easily worth the modest price. Those that have larger devices like the iPad
or Windows Surface can get the game plus the XL levels which take advantage of
the extra screen real estate.

Disney has created a fun game with a solid challenge for
both beginning and advanced players. It is a perfect game for short increments,
like while waiting for a turkey leg at The Magic
Kingdom, but also has enough depth
for gaming marathons. I cannot recommend this game enough for mobile users.