Review: Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (PS3)

Platform: PS3 

Developer: Blitz Games 

Publisher: Disney Interactive 

# of Players: 1 - 2 (Co-op) 

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) 

Official Site 

Score: Single Player: D+ (65%)/Co-op B+ (85%) 

Rather than cut and paste my Wii review of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two  from earlier today with a few HD-themed edits, I decided to get a little more creative... to a point. Yup, this is what happens when you stay up to long playing one version of a game after another, folks...

More Epic song? OK, I've got one- 
In HD, Mickey's hot as strong sun
The shadows here? They can't be beat  
with detailed backgrounds that are quite neat.

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two looks great on the PS3, with some gorgeous cartoon colors, more detailed backdrops, better draw distance and some great use of shadows that give areas a lot more life than on the Wii version. It may seem like a small thing, but the care that went into elements such as the bucket-carrying brooms casting shadows on the walls (and yes, recalling the Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence in Fantasia) add to the overall game experience. Granted, lovely shadows and backdrops don't make a great game, but for the most part, the game doesn't disappoint on the visual front...

Review: TRON Evolution

Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC*)

Developer: Propaganda Games

Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios

# of Players: 1 (online 1 - 8)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B-

As licensed movie games go, TRON: Evolution does a pretty good job of bringing gamers into its world as a mostly enjoyable experience that while not a masterpiece, has some pretty cool elements going for it. It's not the usual licensed title that repeats the movie experience, but a bridge between the 1982 original and the new sequel (TRON: Legacy) that you may want to play BEFORE you see the movie. Enjoying the game fully requires a bit of knowledge (and yes, nostalgia) about the original's film's plot and characters, but you can complete it without knowing who's who. However, If you just want a new action game to play and go in cold with no intentions to see either film, the story might seem weak and hard to follow in spots. On the other hand, if you're a fan of the original and have seen (or plan to see) the new film, what's here does a solid job of updating and expanding while making you want more in the process. There's also the kernel of a great MMO experience here, should Disney decide to allow the developer to add to what's here and take the game further in future installments.

WIN FREE STUFF!!! Disney Epic Mickey Swag Up For Grabs!

Well, heeeeeeeere we go again! I'm in the holiday spirit, it is indeed the holidays and that means YOU want FREE stuff, right? From now until the end of the month, I'll be running Friday giveaways of game-related gear, mostly featuring items you won't find in stores. First up, a twofer: I've ONE Disney Epic Mickey Jacket (size XL) and ONE Disney Epic Mickey Oswald the Rabbit T-shirt (size XL, with a Epic Mickey Ears Cloisonne Pin) in need of two good homes!

Batman Arkham City Teaser (Yet Another Long Wait That's Going To Be Worth It)

Well, now we know it's next fall as far as the release date goes. WBIE may be stingy with revealing assets, but heck, that's not going to stop the game from being as good as (or even better than) the original...

Disney Epic Mickey Launch Event Photo Gallery

Hey, I'm no star-chasing paparazzi, folks - just an creaky old gamer with a crappy digital camera. I just point and shoot that crappy camera in the general direction of smiling people and try to get good enough shots to post. Submitted for your approval, perusal or whatever - here are a bunch of pics taken at the Times Square Disney Store during the Epic Mickey launch. I'll also note that Kyle Massey is pretty funny in person and both Warren Spector and Peter David are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, period.

P.S. Jennifer Grey is cute as a button and can probably fit into your coat pocket, but let's not tell her I said that!

Thank You, Good Morning America (Not Really, Though)!

Thank you, Good Morning America... for my day off work!

Having some of your staff walk off with multiple Disney Epic Mickey press gift bags earlier this morning means that I don't have a copy of the game to review today nor the assorted goodies I'd planned to give away as a means to drive much-needed traffic to my blog.

However, being the sole games journalist at the event, I didn't walk away completely empty-handed thanks to a Disney Interactive staffer that handed me a shirt and poster upstairs and made mention about not forgetting to pick up the aforementioned gift bag waiting for me when I left. Meeting Warren Spector, Peter David and a few other folks who worked on the game was pretty special as well.

The Music of TRON Evolution - featuring Daft Punk

DAFT PUNK headlines TRON: Evolution - The Video Game with two key tracks from the upcoming TRON: Legacy film score: "Derezzed" and "The Grid." It's alllmost here, folks. December 7th is just around the corner...

Split/Second Skids Onto PSP

I didn't even realize this was coming out until I got the trailer in my inbox, so here you go - now you're as surprised as I am! I'll see about snagging a review copy and get back to you with some impressions. It certainly looks amazing, though!

Disney Epic Mickey To Get Disney Epic Times Square Launch

All the game needs now is Mayor Mike Bloomberg proclaiming November 30th 2010 Disney Epic Mickey Day or something like that. This party's going to be huge, no doubt - hope the weather's nice and bright on launch day and there's some Disney Epic Coffee for those Disney Epic Tired Parental Units who've gotten their Disney Epic Kids out of bed and into the Disney Epic Spirit of things that early in the AM. Info below the jump.

Disney Epic Mickey Intro (Complete Version)

If this doesn't get you completely psyched for the game, you're clearly in need of a pop culture injection, a glass of nostalgia juice and a brand new funny bone. I'd say this one's even worth buying a Wii for if you still haven't made the plunge...

Disney Epic Mickey Behind the Scenes Video: Oh, The Places You'll Go...

Here's another Epic Mickey video, this time showing off the twisted take on Disneyland found in the upcoming Wii exclusive.

TRON Evolution TV Trailer

It's almost here and looking pretty darn cool, that's for sure. Propaganda's got the chops, the gameplay is tight and thrilling and all it needs are a ton of fans who can appreciate all the hard work that's gone into the project to hop on board and enjoy the ride they've created. Back with more video in a bit...

Epic Mickey Behind the Scenes Video: Characters!

Whoops/ had this one queued up to post but it got lost in the shuffle duing a few updates. Ah well. Nice video anyway. Check it out!

Disney Epic Mickey Behind the Scenes Video: Characters!

Artistically, Junction Point is right on the money, as you'll see in this great Epic Mickey video preview. The Wii has a surefire winner this holiday season, that's for sure...

TRON Evolution - Beyond The Code (Or: A Little History Lesson...)

Whether you're a TRON fan since the original movie release (and the subsequent games of assorted quality) looking for more info or a total newcomer wondering why your dad, uncle and his balding buddies are acting all dorky about the upcoming film and game, this video should assist somewhat in learning you a few things about the series - enjoy!

TRON: Evolution Battle Grids Gameplay Trailer

While the Wii version of TRON: Evolution has a more cartoon-like look to its customizable character models, the multi-player focus should help this one garner it's own share of fans (provided the gameplay is as solid and addictive as this brief glimpse shows). I guess we shall see come December 7, 2010...

TRON: Evolution Multiplayer Preview Video

Multiplayer disc battles or light cycle races, anyone? As long as the game is fluid and actually fun to play, I can see this being a staple as well as a nice change of pace from the usual FPS for some core gamers.

Update: Tron Evolution Hands-On (NYCC)

Wow. The last time I played a build of Tron Evolution, the game looked Ok, but definitely needed a bit more visual polish. In the time since, Propaganda Games has indeed buffed up the game to a super-shiny finish, adding reflective surfaces, tons of detail along with a bit of motion blur and depth of field effects. The light cycle portion I tried at NYCC from a good part into the game was fiercely challenging, but focused and very fun to play. Between the tons of stuff dropping from the skies and the many jumps and cures along the roadway, expect to feel that adrenaline pumping away as you try and make it to the next checkpoint.

Also tightened up were the parkour-based platform sections and the fast-paced combat. The same layer of visual shine exists in these stages and the already tight action areas feel even more fluid. Interestingly enough, Disney only had the game and Epic Mickey playable on one station each, making it the smallest game-related booth at NYCC. The rest of the Disney booth was set up for books and a few films, which was surprising 9well, at least to me). Both games definitely had crowds gathering around to ogle or try them out. Not as HUGE crowds as the Capcom, Square Enix, Rockstar or Sega booth, but still...

Overall, this is yet another licensed game that's going to surprise those who think ALL movie-based games stink. I say those ladies and germs that fall into that particularly negative camp just need to play more good licensed games. Anyway, short and sweet update this time. back later with more on the game shortly.

TRON: Evolution PAX Gameplay Footage

Nice update here with a bit more polish to the game world and movement. So far, so good...

TRON: Evolution Video Overview

So, what can you expect from Propaganda Games' upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 action game? Well, click on that PLAY button and find out. It's looking better and better with each update, huh?