We don’t have cable TV (I can hear you gasping), so if my boys – ages 8 and 6 – watch anything on TV, it’s usually on Netflix or a video without commercials. Long gone are the days when we had the Disney Jr. and Nick Jr. channels introducing my boys to the latest and greatest movie releases, games and toys through commercials.
When I mentioned that I would need their help in reviewing Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, I was surprised they knew anything about it, especially since they had never played the original Disney Epic Mickey. They excitedly told me how fun it would be to go on adventures as Mickey and Oswald. Jeez. Never underestimate the tech savvy knowledge of kids and the video game gossip that clearly occurs at recess. Plus, I’ve noticed (proudly) as solid readers, they’ve been frequently perusing the weekly ads in the newspaper and toy catalogs in anticipation of Christmas. They read the ads on the weekend as if they are grown men checking stock prices or scores to last night’s game.
In this game, my boys could play as either Mickey Mouse or Oswald The Lucky Rabbit. Mickey and Oswald find themselves in Wasteland. Mickey has a magical paint brush that uses paint and thinner while Oswald has a remote control that allows him to wield electricity.
What I liked most about the game was that my boys needed to work together as team players to tackle different challenges and their actions had consequences. I could hear my 8 year old coaching my 6 year old on what to do next. As we discussed the possible choices, they learned why they needed to think about their next move before taking action. This idea of teamwork is something two little boys so close in age need to practice, albeit challenging!
When playing this game, play style matters. This means that in wielding his brush, Mickey can use paint to bring things into existence in the world. He can create platforms, boxes and even paint characters so they become friendly. He can also use thinner to remove things from the world. These abilities give a player all sorts of choices. It’s not that any particular choice is right or wrong, but the player gets to decide what defines a hero.
Oswald has his own unique abilities, but most importantly, he has a remote control which gives him the opportunity to reprogram electronics. This remote control can also disable the animatronic enemies of the game. In the same way Mickey can use paint to turn cartoon characters into friends, Oswald can use his remote control to reprogram the animatronics and turn them into friends.
It appears that this game will allow you to get through the entire adventure without using violence, because Mickey can paint the characters to be friendly and Oswald can reprogram the animatronics. I really do like the fact that Disney created this game not only so play style matters, but that in working together, Mickey and Oswald can do things together they can’t do alone.
My boys have to earn their Wii time each week through good behavior at home and school. I’m enjoying the fact that because they like this game so much, they’re working extra hard to earn those minutes to play this game! Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two can help teach children about the value of team work and making wise choices.
Game trailer from Disney Interactive Studios
http://youtu.be/hH9Kx06oO_0
Key features of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two on the Nintendo Wii platform
- Players can play as Oswald in drop-in, dropout two-player co-op mode. The Power of Two will be evident as Oswald participates in Mickey’s adventure every step of the way.
- All in-game characters – most notably Oswald The Lucky Rabbit whose voice will be heard for the first time ever – are fully voiced by the official voice actors of those characters.
- Players will experience Disney’s forgotten characters and attractions in all-new levels and further explore levels from the original Disney Epic Mickey game, but now changed, impacted by world-changing events that have shaken Wasteland apart. New 2D levels based on classic Disney animated films and shorts will offer compelling puzzle-based, platforming gameplay.
- Players enjoy an original game story co-written by award-winning American comic book writer, Marv Wolfman, and Junction Point. The storyline features a variety of new and returning characters that further immerse players in Disney’s rich history while adversaries familiar and new will challenge players.
- Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is the first video game that can be described as a musical, where at various points during the adventure characters will express themselves and advance the plot by bursting into song. All songs feature original Disney-inspired music and lyrics. Players will also hear tunes and instrumentation that change based on their personal choices, which will ultimately allow each individual to conduct their own unique soundtrack.
This article is sponsored by Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two video game.
