FROM: It Came from Disney! Published Tuesdays
Epic Mickey: Beaten!
I grew up on Space Invaders. I understood that game. I've tried modern video games, but I take so long to decide what to do that something always comes along to kill me. Now here's Jessica Clawson, who just beat the pixels out of Epic Mickey. So jealous...
When 'Epic' is in a game title, could the game itself be anything but?
That is what I wanted to know when I received Epic Mickey for Wii. I had been looking forward to this game for months; the previews and concept art had me so excited and anxious to play.
Clumsy Mickey
The storyline is simple: Mickey broke into the sorcerer Yensid's room and was looking around when he saw a world called Wasteland populated by forgotten Disney characters and ruled by Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. 
Mickey accidently leaked some paint and thinner into the world, causing a giant villain called the Blot to form and destroy the areas of Wasteland. Mickey is then brought into the world himself in order to fix what he has done.
In the game, you fight different blot minions throughout worlds that resemble sections of Disneyland, such as Mean Street (Main Street), Bog Easy (New Orleans Square) and Ostown (Mickey's Toontown). There are also missions that, when completed, help the Wasteland residents.
Moral Mickey
But this is not your ordinary play-through-the-levels game: it has morals! There are different paths you must take in the game to achieve certain endings. How you defeat large bosses and react to certain events are reflected in how the game ends.
For example, if you use thinner more often and take the negative routes, the ending will be different than if you had used paint to defeat bosses. I really liked how my different choices were mirrored by game events.
Mentor Mickey
There are also pins and other items to collect as you go through the game. The mini levels between worlds are reminiscent of old Disney cartoons and movies, but can be tricky!
Here's a tip about lives in the game: they are unlimited, and when you die, you come back at your last save point with the same amount of health and sketches that you had when you were saved.
And here's a tip about the final boss: the process to 
defeat him is long and drawn out, but it is not truly difficult; just be patient, follow each step, and it will be over before you know it.
Beaten Mickey
The game, of course, isn't perfect. A few of the graphics and camera angles could have used a bit more attention. In some parts of the game, you enter what I like to call 'Mario Mode', meaning that you can only look sideways at Mickey, and you're unable to see in any other direction. Sometimes this means that you are jumping to a ledge blindly, which can be very frustrating.
Even though I'm an amateur gamer, I was able to master Epic Mickey, no problem, and if you're prepared to put in the time, so can you. It's a fun game with puzzles and action suitable for the whole family!
Epic Mickey is stocked a-plenty at your local Best Buy or GameStop. You can also order it online from those stores or from Amazon.
More: IT CAME FROM DISNEY!