Follow the Reader

About

Follow the Reader is a DOS-based interactive story game where you direct Mickey Mouse through a day of simple activities. As the player you choose actions like playing instruments cooking feeding Pluto or reading magazines and a narrator vocalizes each decision as Mickey performs it. The game lets you pause save your choices and later watch Mickey reenact the story without further input. Set almost entirely in Mickey's house the experience focuses on routine tasks social interactions and basic life skills with occasional visits from friends or trips to the park. Released in 1993 by Disney this forgotten title was designed as an educational tool to encourage reading in children. With its limited scope and abrupt bedtime ending it feels more like a prototype than a finished game. Retro DOS enthusiasts and Disney collectors occasionally cite it as a curiosity though its simplistic design and niche audience have kept it largely obscure. The ability to step back and watch Mickey act out your decisions remains a quirky feature ahead of its time.

Storyline

Most of the game takes place in Mickey's house with Mickey being able to play musical instruments, order a pizza, watch TV, read a book or a magazine, cook, eat and drink whatever he has, feed his dog Pluto, as well as plant seeds and water them. He can also take care of his hygiene, write letters to his friends and give them calls. Mickey can invite his friends over to his house or go on a picnic with one of his friends to the park or the beach. The game ends once Mickey goes to bed.