Disney Epic Mickey: The Mouse Takes Center Stage as a Paint Brush Wielding Hero on the Wii

While the ears are always recognizable, Mickey himself is rarely seen as a main character in the modern age of media. That is, until now. After a long and worthwhile wait, the iconic mouse arrives on the Nintendo Wii in an entertaining title for gamers of all ages.

Although Mickey isn't a stranger to gaming, in Disney Epic Mickey, gamers take control of the world's most famous mouse in an adventure like no other, all while exposing a different side of the mouse that has remained unseen. Set in an ink and paper controlled cartoon theme-park like world of forgotten and discarded art, called Wasteland, Mickey Mouse must right his wrong doing, and bring order to a world riddled with despair.

In Disney Epic Mickey, the story is catapulted forward by both gameplay and cinematics. At the game's start, players quickly learn that after accidentally damaging the twisted world of Wasteland with paints and thinners, the Phantom Ink Blot released by Mickey himself must be stopped. While dealing with his own remorse from the problem, players guide Mickey through the twisted world while stumbling across a cast of archived cartoon characters who didn't quite make the cut as household names themselves.

Playing in a world mixed of 3D, platforming, and 2D side scrolling, players embark on quests as Mickey. Controlling his artistic skills with an arsenal of paints and thinners (while guided by Wasteland's Gremlin Gus and armed with sorcerer Yen Sid's brush), gamers progress through the game by making moral choices, forming alliances, battling through challenges, and conquering boss levels in effort repair Wasteland's areas that need artistic help. By doing so successfully, Mickey affords the trust of Oswald, a neglected character once jealous of Mickey's rise to fame.

The visuals of the game are outstanding, and the concept behind the gameplay is highly unique. Where the game does find some immediate awkwardness, however, is in control and camera. The controls can be cumbersome, but with some correct and conditioned timing of moves, they can ultimately be understood and adapted to. Camera angles aren't the end of the world, but are sometimes not helpful. When possible, the camera can be readjusted with the push of a button, or with a little character movement.

All-in-all, Disney Epic Mickey is a great and entertaining game to play that offers something a little different with a character we all love.

Disney Epic Mickey was designed by Warren Spector, a respected veteran in the industry. Composer James Dooley is credited for the game's soundtrack. Built upon Emergent Game Technologies' Gamebryo Engine, the game was developed by Junction Point Studios, with 2D cinematics created by Powerhouse Animation Studios, Inc. Published by Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Epic Mickey is ESRB rated E for Everyone. The Disney Epic Mickey Collector's Edition includes special packaging, a special behind-the-scenes DVD, a limited edition Mickey Mouse vinyl figure, and skins for the Wii console and remote.