If the inimitable Walt Disney were alive today, Epic Mickey 2 might be the videogame to spring forth from the inkwells of his imagination. Lavishly designed and unapologetically chipper, it contains a darkness at its center that, much like Disney’s earliest shorts, is tempered by cartoon animals and cute animation. In celebrating those same cartoons — and even some more recent efforts like TRON — Epic Mickey 2 is a loving tribute to Disney history.
The original Epic Mickey was a Wii exclusive, but you don’t need to have played it to enjoy this direct sequel, which is once again an action/platformer/RPG hybrid. An intro movie outlines last game’s story while acquainting you with the colorful cast of characters, including the two playable leads, Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. In Power of Two, a mysterious earthquake has leveled Wasteland, the toon paradise that Mickey saved in the first game, prompting our hero’s return with magical paintbrush in hand. Is the showtune-singing Mad Doctor (did we mention this game’s also a musical?) responsible for the devastation, despite his offers of help? In finding the truth, you’ll control Mickey, armed with a brush that lets him paint in or thin out select objects and environments. Oswald — who can fly short distances and wields a remote control that crackles with electricity — is handled by the A.I., or by a second player in drop-in/drop-out co-op play.
The only thing standing between Mickey and a beatdown is thinner.While delightful on the whole, Epic Mickey 2 has a few basic design issues that make its world less than magical. For example, the right thumbstick largely works well as a way to aim your bush (replacing the Wiimote in the first game), but its range of onscreen motion is sometimes oddly limited, as when the game abruptly switches from third-person 3D to side-scrolling 2D, or when the camera perspective restricts movement. Meanwhile, the A.I.-controlled Oswald has too much of a mind of his own sometimes, and we wish the game allowed us to switch between characters whenever Oswald gets lost or doesn’t do what we want. And quests given by the denizens of Wasteland can be maddeningly vague; it’s a shame the non-interactive map is so basic that it’s practically useless.
But stick with Epic Mickey 2 and you’ll be rewarded by a level design and style that bring the “epic.” It’s one of those perfectly imperfect games you’ll grow to love, even with its annoyances.
Dipping yourself in invisible ink lets you sneak around unnoticed. Don't move too quickly, or it'll slide right off.PUBLISHER: Disney Interactive • DEVELOPER: Junction Point • ESRB: Everyone • MULTIPLAYER: 2 in split-screen mode • ACHIEVEMENTS: Generous • COST: $60 • RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2012
+ An intense love of Disney nostalgia permeates every level.
+ Fun two-player co-op makes you work together as a team.
– The controls and camera need work; A.I.-controlled Oswald can be temperamental.
? Is anything more adorably creepy than animatronic Goofy with his metal skeleton exposed?
