What do you get when you mix Okami with Mass Effect and add a dash of Disney?Disney Epic Mickey! That is exactly what you get; a bastard child that may break the mold of the mundane and the arbitrary that has been issuing forth from Disney Interactive’s cake hole. I’m going to be honest here; aside from Kingdom Hearts, Disney Interactive has not done much to garner my attention. With a little tender loving and some fresh ideas this title may just attain that Kingdom Hearts status.
The setting for the game is a little off-putting when you actually stop to think about it. The game takes place in what is called “The Wastelands”; the home for forgotten and probably rejected Disney characters and attractions. Here the player controls Mickey as he molds and alters the world around him utilizing paint and paint thinner.Here is where Disney Interactive actually opened their eyes and followed Bioware’s example within Mass Effect and implemented the familiar facet of gaming these days that actually has your actions produce various results, which often makes the game feel more personal and allows for a higher level of replay value. This coupled with some platforming on the Nintendo Wii definitely pushes this game up to my potential hits list.
However it would not be a Disney product if it does not have product placement. In true Disney spirit, they will be offering a limited edition release of the game that includes a Mickey figurine, a skin for the Wii console, and a faceplate for the wii-mote, all of which however will be in limited supply. The game still has a bit of a ways to go but it has a chance to be something great so keep your eyes peeled for it.
