Disney Epic Mickey preview

The game has actually enjoyed an interesting history, initially intended for all platforms before transforming into a Nintendo Wii exclusive. The responsibility of handling such a long established character would be the undoing of many developers but not so here. “Mickey is an adventurous and rambunctious mouse,” said Warren Spector, creative director and vice president, Junction Point. “I want to bring his personality to the forefront, place him in a daunting world and connect his spirited character with video game players worldwide. Ultimately, each player decides for him- or herself what makes Mickey cool.”

“Having Warren combine creativity and innovation with one of the world’s most famous characters takes Mickey back to his creative roots and allows fans to deepen their engagement with him as a character – especially in video games,” said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Interactive Studios. “In addition to Warren’s lifelong love of cartoons, films and comics, his visionary approach to game design and storytelling will make certain that this heroic tale of discovery and redemption resonates with Disney fans and gamers alike.”

Refreshingly rather than using the history of Mickey and retelling tales, Junction Point has twisted the Disney universe for their own ends. They’ve tackled the eternal cartoon question of where unused or dead characters go. A sorcerer named Yen Sid has created such a world where Disney’s overlooked and long forgotten characters can reside. The sorcerer last seen in 1940’s Fantasia has been very busy. The first arrival in this unique retirement home is Oswald the Lucky Rabbit; first created in 1927 this character is soon dispatched to the land of forgotten characters due to the popularity of Mickey Mouse. His inclusion shows real knowledge of the Disney brand as he was the star of twenty six silent cartoons before Walt could not secure the rights to the character and was forced to create a new star; Mickey Mouse.

As the years go by, Oswald becomes more resentful of Mickey’s success but knows that the mouse will never be a fellow resident. However Mickey is not the most intelligent of Disney creations and upon finding Yen Sid’s map starts a chain reaction of events that propels him into a world where he is very much the outsider. Clumsy is the word, by trying to create his own image on Sid’s map and using paint thinner, Mickey creates the Phantom Blot, a new breed of monster that soon takes over the world and forces Oswald into hiding. That staple Disney ingredient (mirrors) are used to enter and leave this hidden land, and the Phantom Blot soon comes calling for Mickey Mouse.

“The core of this game is the idea of choice and consequence, and how that defines both the character and the player,” says Spector. “By putting the mischievous Mickey in an unfamiliar place and asking him to make choices – to help other cartoon characters or choose his own path – the game forces players to deal with the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, players must ask themselves, ‘What kind of hero am I?’ Each player will come up with a different answer.”

By selecting the Wii for Epic Mickey Mouse, the team plan to make full use of the Wii remote and the ability to wield paint and paint thinner. These tools will enable you to survive an epic journey that will introduce a treasure trove of characters and long forgotten Disney attractions. Your actions will have implications on future events and the game is set up to be more than just a generic Nintendo Wii release. Some of the characters confirmed so far include famous names such as Goofy, Donald Duck and Captain Hook but not in roles you would envisage. Also making up the cast include Hook’s Pirates, Gremlin Gus, Smee and many more from the Disney archives.

“I believe that video games tell stories as deep and as sophisticated as movies, books or any other medium. In Disney Epic Mickey, Mickey Mouse is faced with challenges worthy of a hero, while the players’ actions and their decisions throughout the game alter the gameworld,” said Warren Spector. “We are honored and humbled by the anticipation for Disney Epic Mickey, and we could not be more excited to get the game in people’s hands so that they can experience the thrill of becoming a hero and controlling their own destiny.”

The inclusion of a morality system is interesting in such a release. It will dictate how Mickey Mouse is viewed by residents, what alliances, quests and rewards will become available. Your main weapons of paint and paint thinner are not in endless supply. So you will have to make choices such as painting a bridge or removing an obstacle. Sketching is also an option but this is limited to specific items rather than the open-ended nature seen in Drawn to Life.

On paper Disney Epic Mickey is a rare breed on the Nintendo Wii, a release that pushes the boundaries of the system. An ideal candidate for PlayStation Move it seems we’ll have to dust down our Nintendo Wii to experience this unique world and its delights.