“Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is the sequel to the Wii exclusive title “Epic Mickey.” However, this game is far more inclusive than its predecessor being available to play on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, and PC.

The game is set after the events of the first game. Wasteland is experiencing strange earthquakes which threaten to tear their world apart when the Mad Doctor (an antagonist in “Epic Mickey”) who says that he has turned over a new leaf and wants to help. Oswald decides to trust the Mad Doctor and gives him a second chance. However, his girlfriend Ortensia does not and calls upon Mickey to come and help them. Now, Mickey and Oswald must work together to save Wasteland.

As one might infer from the plot, the entire game can be played with two players with one person playing as Mickey and the other playing as Oswald. Of course, if the player doesn’t have a second friend to play along the game can be played as a single player. However, the player will have to work with the Oswald AI in order to get through the game. Fortunately, the partner AI is fairly responsive and will either automatically do the action or the player can order the AI to initiate the action. That being said, the AI is not perfect and will occasionally either not do what you want or wander around uselessly.

Two new features added to the game are voice acting and musical numbers. The voice acting is good with Bret Iwan, the current voice of Mickey Mouse, returning to the role. The ever popular Frank Welker is voicing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Cary Elwes is voicing Gremlin Gus who offers advice to the player, and lastly Disney voice veteran Jim Cummings.

While the full voice acting, opposed to the grunts and unintelligible sounds, is certainly a welcome change, it can at times get annoying. For instance there will be times when you might be briefly stuck at various sections in the game. However, if you don’t figure out the puzzle or don’t move through the place fast enough Gus will keep giving you the same hint over and over again. The same can be said of the Oswald AI who will often be talking throughout the entire playthrough.

The musical numbers which were mentioned quite a bit before the game came out are not really musical numbers. There is only one character who sings in this game and that is the Mad Doctor voiced by Dave Wittenberg. In fact, the character doesn’t really talk at all, he just sings.

Another problem in the game is the controls, but this can mainly be applied to the other consoles and is much better on the Wii and PC. While walking, jumping, and attacking work fine on all the consoles, using the paint and thinner attacks on the other consoles that becomes much more difficult.

However, a few problems in a game might be inconvenient throughout a playthrough, but would be worth it if the game’s storyline and characters are good. For example, “Epic Mickey” had a lot of camera issues that could ruin a game for some people, however, since the characters and storyline were good the game was definitely worth playing. Does “Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” do the same? The answer is no. The storyline is rather dull and while it attempts to be a mystery the player solves who the culprit is in no time.

The same can be said of the characters: in the previous game they were colorful and fun, now much less interesting. Throughout the game you are given different quests for various characters and if you complete them that character will get a happy ending at the end of the game. This is again taken from the first game, but whereas in the first game the player felt motivated to help the characters he or she’s grown to love, in this game the player will feel mostly indifferent.

However, there is a ton of old Disney material sprinkled throughout the game that is certain to make every Disney fan feel nostalgic. One example of this is a boss battle against an animatronic Elliot from “Pete’s Dragon” which is also a reference to the light parades done at Disneyland and Disneyworld.

Rating 2.5/5- “Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is a flawed game that doesn’t live up to the magic of the original, but if you are a big Disney fan and you’re playing with a friend the game might be worth checking out.

The article Epic Mickey 2: The Not So Epic Game! appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

For all fans of first-person shooters, this is the month for you! This month, first-person shooter fans are treated to Halo 4 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II. However, that isn’t all gamers get this month: a ton of new games are coming out for the Wii U such as New Super Mario Bros. U and ZombiU, not to mention the stealth-based game Hitman: Absolution and crossover video games such as PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. This month has a bit of everything for a variety of gamers.

Action

(11/6) Halo 4 (Xbox 360)

(11/13) Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)

(11/18) Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)

(11/18) New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U)

(11/20) Hitman: Absolution (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)

(11/18) ZombiU (Wii U)

(11/20) Rise of the Guardians (Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, 3DS)

“Halo 4″ is the first game in a new trilogy of Halo games set four years after the events of Halo 3. The player plays through the entire campaign mode alone or cooperatively either locally or on Xbox Live. In the multiplayer, players customize their own Spartan-IV character and expand their career through games such as War Games, Spartan Ops, Forge, and Theater.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops II” is the ninth game in the Call of Duty series and the sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops. It is the first in the series using future warfare technology and branching storylines driven by the player’s choice. In multiplayer, there is a “Create-A-Class” feature which allows the player to customize their character.

“Hitman: Absolution” is the fifth game in the series and has been promised to be easier, to make it more accessible to new players, but still retain hardcore aspects. There is an online option. One interesting new feature is “instinct mode,” which allows the player to predict enemy patrol routes.

“Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is the sequel to the original “Epic Mickey,” and is featured on multiple consoles. This time the game has a two player compatibility mode which can be played by the computer or an actual person. An interesting feature added to this game is the musical numbers littered throughout the entire game.

“New Super Mario Bros. U” is the fourth game in the New Super Mario Bros. series, solely featured on the new Wii U. There are two new modes: Challenge Mode and Boost Rush. The Challenge Mode creates challenges such as clearing a level as fast as possible or getting as many 1-UPs in a row without touching the ground. In Burst Mode, the player goes through a scrolling screen level which gets faster as he or she collect coins.

“ZombiU” is one of the Wii U launch titles in which the player is the survivor of a zombie apocalypse in London. “ZombiU” utilizes the new features of the console such as the use of the Wii U GamePad for inventory and unlocking doors. The player only has one life, and when the player dies they become a new character. Players are even able to meet up with their old character as a zombie.

“Rise of the Guardians” is a game based on the animated Dreamworks movie of the same name. The player plays as five characters (Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny, and Jack Frost). It is a drop-in/drop-out cooperative play with up to four people and has a leveling up system.

RPG

(11/11) Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS)

(11/6) Harvest Moon: A New Beginning (3DS)

“Paper Mario: Sticker Star” is the fourth game in the “Paper Mario” series and the first to be available on a portable system. However, this game introduces the concept of stickers, found throughout the game and then used as items or power-ups. Another interesting new feature is the ability to go into “paperization” which allows the player to place stickers in the world and activate certain events.

“Harvest Moon: A New Beginning” is another game added to the Harvest Moon series with an emphasis on customization including the player’s character and form. The player can go on honeymoons and vacations with their family to different places. The players can also create their own furniture and buildings rather than just buying them.

Fighting

(11/1) WWE ‘13 (Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

(11/20) PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (Playstation 3, PlayStation Vita)

“WWE ’13″ is the fifteenth game in the WWE series and uses the Predator Technology 2.0 game engine, which allows for over 300 new moves. A weight detection system lets the game tell which wrestlers would realistically be able to lift others. This game also has the biggest roster of any of the WWE games.

“PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale” is a crossover fighting game in the same vein of Super Smash Bros. where up to four characters battle each other. It features characters from Sony games like “God of War,” “Sly Cooper,” and “Ratchet and Clank,” but also features characters from third-party franchises like Bioshock. The arenas are themed around different PlayStation games.

Racing

(11/6) LittleBigPlanet Karting (PlayStation 3)

(11/20) Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

“LittleBigPlanet Karting” is a racing game based on the LittleBigPlanet series which includes a variety of themed racetracks. The player creates their own Sackboy, karts, and racetracks as well as their own game rules and weapons. The player can even tweak the AI a little if they are having trouble.

“Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed” is the sequel to Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing and has characters from Sonic games as well some other Sega games. A new feature in this game is the ability to transform into sea or air-based vehicles during a race, but it is only performed by going through transformation gates. The game also features a new adventure mode, where players can unlock characters.

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Redmond, U.S.A — Nintendo is unleashing the largest launch-day video game lineup in its history for its new Wii U home console. When Wii U launches in the Americas on Nov. 18, 23 games from Nintendo and its third-party publishing partners will be ready to play as well.

These include Nintendo-published games like  Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Sing Party and  Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, as well as third-party powerhouses like ZombiU  from Ubisoft,  Call of Duty: Black Ops II from Activision Publishing, Inc.,  Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two from Disney Interactive,  EA Sports FIFA Soccer 13 from Electronic Arts and Scribblenauts Unlimited from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

“We’re making sure that Wii U owners will have great games to play from the moment they open the box, and that a steady stream of fun new games is always on the way,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and COO. “We have something for everyone, from new franchises to creative new approaches to familiar favorites.”

The high-definition Wii U system is available in two versions in the Americas, and each comes with a touch-screen Wii U GamePad controller. The Basic Set will be offered in white at a suggested retail price of $299.99 in the United States, while the Deluxe Set, which includes higher storage capacity, additional accessories and  Nintendo Land, will be offered in black at a suggested retail price of $349.99 in the United States.

Wii U owners who connect their systems to the Internet also unlock a vast array of features to enhance their gaming, social and entertainment experiences.

This includes features such as Nintendo eShop, which allows users to buy and download games directly to their systems, and Miiverse, an online gaming community that lets players interact in new ways and share playing tips. Wii U owners in the United States and Canada will also have access to Nintendo TVii, which lets users access multiple sources of entertainment through a convenient GamePad interface.
Below is a list of upcoming Wii U games for launch day and beyond.

505 Games
Funky Barn -  Launch Window*

2K Sports
NBA 2K13 -  Launch Window

Activision Publishing
Call of Duty: Black Ops II -  Nov. 18
Skylanders Giants -  Nov. 18
Transformers Prime -  Nov. 18
Wipeout 3 -  Nov. 18
007 Legends -  Launch Window
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013 -  Launch Window
Rapala Pro Bass Fishing -  Launch Window

Broken Rules
Chasing Aurora -  November

Pwnee Studios
Cloudberry Kingdom -  November

D3Publisher
Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game – Launch Window
Ben 10 Omniverse – Launch Window
Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade – Launch Window

Disney Interactive
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two -  Nov. 18

Electronic Arts
EA Sports FIFA Soccer 13 -  Nov. 18
Madden NFL 13 -  November
Mass Effect 3 -  Launch Window

Frozenbyte
Trine 2: Director’s Cut -  November

Gaijin Games
Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien - January

WayForward
Mighty Switch Force HD - November

Namco Bandai Games America
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition - Nov. 18
Tank! Tank! Tank! – November

Nintendo
New Super Mario Bros. U - Nov. 18
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge - Nov. 18
Nintendo Land - Nov. 18
Sing Party - Nov. 18
Game & Wario - Launch Window
Lego City: Undercover - Launch Window
Pikmin 3 - Launch Window
Wii Fit U - Launch Window
The Wonderful 101 - Launch Window

SEGA
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nov. 18
Aliens: Colonial Marines - Launch Window

Shin’en
Nano Assault Neo - November

Tecmo Koei America Corporation
Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper - Nov. 18

THQ
Darksiders II - Nov. 18
Jeopardy!  - Launch Window
Wheel of Fortune – Launch Window

Tomorrow Corporation
Little Inferno - November

Two Tribes
Toki Tori 2 - November

Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed III - Nov. 18
ESPN Sports Connection - Nov. 18
Just Dance 4 - Nov. 18
Rabbids Land - Nov. 18
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 - Nov. 18
ZombiU - Nov. 18
Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth -  Launch Window
Rayman Legends - Launch Window

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Scribblenauts Unlimited - Nov. 18
Game Party Champions - Nov. 18
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition - Nov. 18

Launch window is defined as the period beginning Nov. 18, 2012, and ending March 31, 2013. Broadband Internet access is required for online features. For more information, go to http://support.nintendo.com. Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu.

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.

Image Courtesy of  Pop Culture Geek

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Industry luminary Warren Spector and Disney Interactive’s Junction Point are showcasing a never-before-seen area of “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” for Penny Arcade Expo attendees at the Disney Interactive booth North Hall #642 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle this weekend.

Attendees will explore Fort Wasteland, an area of the video game based on the historic Frontierland that opened with Disneyland  Park in July 1955 and has delighted generations of visitors with forgotten attractions such as the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland and Fort Wilderness on Tom Sawyer Island.

Additionally, attendees that come by the Disney Interactive booth will have the opportunity to receive a sketch from a Disney Character Sketch Artist, giveaways and more.

The “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” video game returns Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Wasteland, an alternate world filled with more than 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions.  But for the first time, Mickey and Oswald will join forces as true partners – Mickey with the magical paint brush that allows him to wield paint and thinner, and Oswald with a powerful remote control that allows him to command electricity.

This new co-op play further enhances the idea that “PlayStyle Matters” – a unique approach to gameplay pioneered by Warren Spector where players tackle challenges the way they want to in order to explore a variety of possibilities and storylines, but always with consequences for their chosen actions.

Development for “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” for the Wii system from Nintendo, Xbox 360  video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system is being led by Disney Interactive’s Junction Point.

Supporting the latest technology, the game will also feature full support for the PlayStation Move motion controller. “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held systemis under development by critically-acclaimed developer DreamRift, in collaboration with Junction Point.

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