Nintendo Wii; �39.99; U; Disney Interactive
It's bizarre that, until now, Walt Disney's most famous creation has never had the high-profile videogaming vehicle that his status as a cartoon megastar demands. Epic Mickey, however, redresses the balance. Disney Interactive drafted in a giant of the games development world to make it: Warren Spector, the man behind System Shock and Deus Ex.What he came up with is essentially a platform game, but with plenty of clever twists that result in unusual and absorbing gameplay.
Mickey has been sucked into Wasteland, a once-sleepy world full of cartoon characters who didn't quite make the grade, but which is now suffering from being eaten away by paint-thinners and invaded by ink-blot monsters. Luckily, Mickey can repaint thinned-out areas, or remove obstacles using his own supply of thinners. This clever mechanic forms the basis of all manner of puzzles, such as painting in gears to get them revolving, then thinning them out once attached platforms reach the correct position; or etching away the covering of a boss-monster's hands until the inner workings shatter. Inkblot enemies can either be dissolved with thinners or bombarded with paint until they join your side. Exploration quests feature prominently, there are plenty of collectibles and each level is followed by a side-scrolling episode in the style of Steamboat Willie.
Walt Disney's first cartoon character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, lurks behind the scenes as a sort of eminence grise, and Epic Mickey is stuffed full of references to forgotten Disney gems ? Spector was let loose in the company's archive and clearly revelled in what he found. Graphically, the game is as good as anything we've seen on the Wii, striking a great balance between cuteness and the odd hint of menace. Epic Mickey is one of those games that will appeal equally to adults and youngsters.
Its only drawback is a somewhat unhelpful camera ? a typical failing for platform games ? although it seems to be at its worst in the earlier stages. Overall, though, Epic Mickey proves satisfyingly original, fun and absorbing ? it's a pleasant, and at times interestingly twisted world in which to immerse yourself. At last, Mickey has a suitably credible means of making an impression on the world of video games.
? Game reviewed on Nintendo Wii
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/nov/25/epic-mickey-review-wii
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