|
What Choice did I have?
Warren Spector, the Creative Director of “Epic Mickey,” spoke a lot about “Mickey’s” choice based gameplay before the game’s release. However the choices the player has to make do not feel very permanent or affecting, at least not until the very last few minutes of the game. Mickey Mouse will be the hero in the end no matter what choices the player makes. The problem with becoming the hero in the end no matter what is that there is no real obligation to act in a particular manner and there is barely any sense of consequence.
The only time I felt my choices had any real impact on the game is when I freed trapped goblins. As the player travels the levels he or she will hear a light tapping sound (like someone tapping on glass). This sound indicates there is a goblin trapped in a cage and he is tapping to get Mickey’s attention. Freeing these goblins (by breaking the cages using Mickey’s spin attack) can lead to these goblins helping Mickey out. For example, freed goblins my destroy enemies, activate machines that Mickey would have to activate on his own, break machines that need breaking, etc. The choice to free these goblins has real gameplay significance and if one hears that light tapping it is almost always worthwhile to try and find the source.
A Puzzling Problem
The use of paint and thinner feels very fresh and exciting in the first few levels and puzzles of the game. However the same types of puzzles are recycled in almost every level. For example, I lost count of how many times I had to paint in or erase some gear in some machine Mickey either has to repair or destroy (this type of puzzle appears in almost every level). The puzzles that were fresh and new at the start end up feeling stale by the end.
Who’s the Boss?
Some of the best parts of “Epic Mickey” are the boss battles. The boss fights are fun, frantic, challenging, and use the paint and thinner mechanics well. For example there is one section of the game where a whole level is a kind of boss fight. Mickey is climbing through three towers of a castle that are slowly being destroyed by one particular boss. Some camera issues arise but altogether the level is expertly designed and having the boss smash through walls, crumbling the towers around Mickey, is… Epic.
“Epic Mickey” is a great game held back by unpolished fundamentals. It does not matter how gorgeous a game is, if the controls do not work then the game is not fun. At times “Epic Mickey” shines with brilliance but after that brilliance fades one can expect another frustrating moment due to the game’s camera. Furthermore it seems that “Epic Mickey” has painted itself into a corner. On the one hand it seems the game is geared towards kids, the silly cut scenes and fun narrative all suggest a kid’s game. Yet I feel some kids will have trouble with the difficult platforming and combat. Adults on the other hand will curse at the camera and toss the controller in frustration. So it becomes difficult to recommend “Epic Mickey” to anyone. If you are willing to put up with an incredibly frustrating camera and problematic combat in order to experience a rich world and entertaining story then give “Epic Mickey” a try. Or if you are a gamer with young children and want an engaging gaming experience that both you and your child can enjoy then play this game; just be ready for some infuriatingly frustrating moments.
|
|
- Wonderful game world to explore
- Unique paint based gameplay
- Great visuals and sound
|
|
- Terrible camera
- Frustrating combat
- Choice based gameplay is not that interesting
|
| Quote: "If you are willing to put up with an incredibly frustrating camera and problematic combat in order to experience a rich world and entertaining story then give “Epic Mickey” a try. " |
Reviewed by James Farrington | 12.08.10 |
|
Similar Games: Kirby's Epic Yarn (8.8) | Super Mario Galaxy 2 (9.6) |
