Topic: Epic Mickey Sequel Coming to Wii, Is a Musical

[NWR_Neal]

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two will star Mickey and Oswald and feature full voice-acting. Also, it will be a freaking musical.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29592

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is coming to Wii (and Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) this fall, according to the Associated Press.

Like the first game, which came out exclusively for Wii in 2010, the game will be developed by Disney superfan Warren Spector and his Austin-based Junction Point Studios and feature a lot of new hooks. The craziest is the fact that the game will feature original songs, written by Jim Dooley and Mike Himelstein, who wrote music and lyrics for the upcoming movie Dorothy of Oz. In addition, there will be voice acting, with Frank Welker providing the voice of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the misunderstood villain of the first game. It will be the first time Oswald will speak since 1928.

The repeated use of two will also come into play, as the game features drop-in/drop-out co-op, with player one controlling Mickey Mouse and player two controlling Oswald. Mickey will retain his paint and thinner abilities, while Oswald will wield a remote control that alters electricity. Oswald will be controlled by the computer when a second player isn't present.

The game's camera will be improved, with more than 1,000 changes made to the flawed camera system in the original, according to Spector. "We've had a team working on the camera from literally the day we finished the first game. They'll be working on it until the day we ship the second game," he said. "Our goal is that you will not have to touch the manual camera controls even once to play through the main story path of this game."

Epic Mickey 2 will take place in the same Wasteland that was the setting for the first title. Spector teased new locations, such as a more expanded Frontierland, and also said that Mickey will revisit past areas, most of which will be altered by natural disasters that have happened since the first game.

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is set for release this fall on Wii. There was no mention of the rumored 3DS game or anything about a Wii U version.

[red14]

I don't even know what to say to this.

[Ian Sane]

It's an interesting concept and it certainly true to the spirit of Disney BUT I doubt it will go over well.  Too strange of an idea for a videogame

Personally I find musicals hard to watch.  Whenever I'm watching something and a character just bursts into song I feel awkward like I'm observing someone in an embarassing moment but they're not aware of how humiliating it is yet.  It's like when a really drunk person decides to make a speech at a wedding, makes a complete ass of themselves, and makes everyone around them awkward and uncomfortable.

Though the worst is if you're watching something that is normally not associated with a musical and suddenly turns into one.  Animated shows do this a fair bit.  Comedies will have a one-off musical episode.  The transition to a movie can do this as well as South Park demonstrates.  Every time it happens I always wonder why the creators though it was a good idea.  I've never met anyone who likes musicals outside the context of a live play, where it somehow seems acceptable.

Though it is acceptable in animated Disney films.  I expect it.  But something like West Side Story is MST3K territory for me.

[Stogi]

South Park proved that it could be hilarious and entertaining. I mean "Uncle Fucker"...."Uncle Fucker"....

Also, this is perfectly in line with Disney and if they are willing to go out on a limb and put what could be considered one of their strongest aspects into a video game, then I applaud them and hope that it turns out well.

[broodwars]

I don't mind this game being a musical.  I like musicals, if they're done well.  I don't like the thought of this being a musical with new Disney songs, as I haven't liked the songs in an animated Disney musical since probably Tarzan (and Hunchback of Notre Dame before that).  Disney just hasn't been able to write good new songs since the 90s for their animated movies, so I have a feeling this game's music will be just as lame as their Direct To Video movies' soundtracks.

On the flipside, Disney did release The Muppets last year, and that had a very good soundtrack so maybe it's possible the songs in this game won't suck.  But I doubt it.

[Adrock]

It's an interesting concept and it certainly true to the spirit of Disney BUT I doubt it will go over well.  Too strange of an idea for a videogame...

Some of the best games came from strange ideas.

I don't really see this being too crazy. When I first read this news, I imagined something like The Great Mighty Poo boss fight from Conker's Bad Fur Day. That song totally made that boss fight. It wouldn't have been the same without the song. I think Spector is a smart enough designer to know that it would be a bad idea to interrupt the flow of the game just so the characters can sing and dance.

I agree with broodwars though. Disney songs haven't be especially strong in years. The last Disney animated film I saw was Tangled and the music was my only major issue with it. The songs weren't awful but they don't hold the candle to the songs in say, The Little Mermaid.

[MegaByte]

This sounds perfect for the people who actually did enjoy the first game.

[leahsdad]

I don't mind this game being a musical.  I like musicals, if they're done well.  I don't like the thought of this being a musical with new Disney songs, as I haven't liked the songs in an animated Disney musical since probably Tarzan (and Hunchback of Notre Dame before that).  Disney just hasn't been able to write good new songs since the 90s for their animated movies, so I have a feeling this game's music will be just as lame as their Direct To Video movies' soundtracks.

On the flipside, Disney did release The Muppets last year, and that had a very good soundtrack so maybe it's possible the songs in this game won't suck.  But I doubt it.

Yeah, I was never a fan of musicals until I met my wife, who loves them.   So I also like musicals now, though I find that the ones I like (90's Disney movies, my god the Little Mermaid was great, Steven Sondheim, Wicked) are ones my wife isn't crazy about.

With that said, I really DON'T like the idea of a musical/video game hybrid, because either the characters are going to be singing while you're playing (which means you will most likely ignore them while you're doing platforming or painting or something) or it will be a 2 to 5 minutes CUTSCENE.  Not a fan of either option. 

[leahsdad]

The songs weren't awful but they don't hold the candle to the songs in say, The Little Mermaid.

So I also like musicals now, though I find that the ones I like (90's Disney movies, my god the Little Mermaid was great, Steven Sondheim, Wicked) are ones my wife isn't crazy about.

Whoa, that was crazy Adrock.  We both posted about The Little Mermaid at the same time.   Great minds....

[broodwars]

With that said, I really DON'T like the idea of a musical/video game hybrid, because either the characters are going to be singing while you're playing (which means you will most likely ignore them while you're doing platforming or painting or something) or it will be a 2 to 5 minutes CUTSCENE.  Not a fan of either option.

Unfortunately, there's a really horrifying high-profile precedence for this...[link] (watch at your own peril)

Whatever they do with this game, it had better not turn out like that (which, also coincidentally, was Disney attempting new music in a musical sequence of a game).  *shudders*

EDIT: I guess I'm one of the very few people who just don't like The Little Mermaid, though I can acknowledge its importance.

[Adrock]

@leahsdad

It sounds more like you're copying my extreme genius. I already have one doppelgänger on these boards.

In response to your previous post, do you normally ignore music in games? If it's good, it'll stick with you. The characters can sing all they want while I'm playing as long as it doesn't suck.

[Klonoahedgehog]

Wait, wait....WHAT!?

[house3136]

 [font=]For me, the best musicals are ones that don’t seem like musicals.  [/font]This normally happens when the music and singing don’t interrupt the action of the performance; the action still continues along with the music. When the narrative stops for dancing in the street, that’s what becomes annoying to me; and this is only exacerbated while trying to play a game. It will be interesting to see how the gameplay and music will be incorporated together.
[font=]In terms of Disney movies, I started becoming less interested in correlation with the amount of CGI used. I just watched Beauty and the Beast special edition yesterday on Blu-ray, and it was amazing; no CGI needed (obviously there is some re-mastering). In terms of music, when are we going to get the next “Under the Sea”, “A Whole New World”, “Colors of the Wind”, or “Be Our Guest”. Songs that I actually want to remember after seeing the movie. From what I’ve read this game has a massive development team, so I’m sure they won’t disappoint.[/font]
[font=]d[/font]

[broodwars]

[font=]In terms of Disney movies, I started becoming less interested in correlation with the amount of CGI used. I just watched Beauty and the Beast special edition yesterday on Blu-ray, and it was amazing; no CGI needed (obviously there is some re-mastering).[/font]

You obviously haven't seen the Beauty & the Beast Ballroom scene lately, then (despite claiming that you just watched the movie again)?  Most of that sequence is CG, as well as other ones like the Escape from the Cave of Wonders in Aladdin; the Clock Tower fight in Great Mouse Detective; the Stampede and Be Prepared Sequences in Lion King; etc.  I wouldn't be too harsh on Disney for the CG era, especially given the quality of Pixar's work.

[house3136]

 To be clear Broodwars, I wrote this before I read your comment. I will admit I was wrong, but there is no need for condescension. In addition to my first statement, I realize Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast both used some CGI. What I meant was the hand-drawn animation looks superior to me, and the movies didn’t need CGI to look exceptional. I agree those movies wouldn’t be as memorable without the special effects; it’s just unfortunate that computer-rendered graphics have effectively killed one of the most beautiful art forms of this last century. Also, I did watch Beauty and the Beast yesterday, regardless. I also enjoy Pixar, and recognize their exceptional work in this area. I could talk for an hour about realistic hair fibers mixed with unrealistic skin textures because it looks too real that is looks fake (Toy Story 3). Of course, let’s all get back to Nintendo now, sorry for the divergence.

[Chocobo_Rider]

I just hope the fanbase that made a sequel possible gets the same game (in SD) as on the other platforms.  If they slap together some insulting imatation of the "real" game it would not be cool.  ... especially since those are usually followed by observations like "see? it sold worse on Wii so we couldn't put much effort in."

I know I'm jumping straight to Bitter-town, but it's just happened too many times before.

I honestly would rather an equal game come out for PS3/60 and Wii U and skip the Wii all together unless it is going to be the same game merely upscaled for the HD consoles.

[motang]

I know I have bad allergies today, so someone clarify this for me. Did I read that right, a musical?

[Fatty The Hutt]

The repeated use of two will also come into play, as the game features drop-in/drop-out co-op, with player one controlling Mickey Mouse and player two controlling Oswald. Mickey will retain his paint and thinner abilities, while Oswald will wield a remote control that alters electricity. Oswald will be controlled by the computer when a second player isn't present.

They are fools if they do not implement the ability for players to switch between characters. If I am playing solo, I want the choice to play as either Oswald or Mickey and be able to switch on the fly. Dear Warren, see the Lego games for what I am talking about.
 
Other than that, game ideas sound great. looking forward to purchasing. Hope there's a WiiU version.

[leahsdad]

@leahsdad

It sounds more like you're copying my extreme genius. I already have one doppelgänger on these boards.

In response to your previous post, do you normally ignore music in games? If it's good, it'll stick with you. The characters can sing all they want while I'm playing as long as it doesn't suck.

Heh heh...

I love music in games.   In recent memory, SMG2, Pilotwings Resort, all the Skyward Sword songs except for the last one you get at the Volcano....I love it.   But those are background songs that meld with the action that you're performing in a really beautiful way--the complement and accentuate the experience, adding an aesthetic or even emotional component that wouldn't be there otherwise.   But with musicals, with singing, will it work the same way music did in these games, or will it be like "Eyes on You" in FF8?   I really hope it is NOT like FF8.  It's a nice song, but seriously, when that came on, it was sandwich time for me. 

And I don't want to completely write off recent Disney stuff....the songs in Tangled seem nice, or at least, the first 15 minutes before my daughter got so scared by the witch that we had to leave the theater. 

[Ian Sane]

The more I think about it, what I'm really concerned about is how it will be done.  How often do you play a videogame where they're trying to do some "dramatic" scene but the lip sync is poor or the movements are awkward and the whole thing comes across as embarassing?  It is really easy for this idea to be done very poorly and then it will be a total groanfest to sit through.  For this to work it has to be done REALLY well.

[NWR_insanolord]

It's a fairly huge risk, and they'll have a hell of a time pulling it off, but I can't help but admire their ambition. I'm not really interested (largely because it takes an awful lot for me to get excited about a non-handheld game these days), but I really hope this turns out well.

[MegaByte]

Those rumors about all the hundreds of people working on this worldwide suddenly make more sense.

[Seacor]

I am both very surprised and disappointed that there is no Wii U version.  I was hoping they would have been developing the game ground up for the Wii U platform and then port down to the other consoles.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I am both very surprised and disappointed that there is no Wii U version.  I was hoping they would have been developing the game ground up for the Wii U platform and then port down to the other consoles.

If there is a Wii U version it's likely they are not allowed to announce it yet.
if you don't hear about it in a little over a week (FY2011 ends), then wait till E3.

[NWR_insanolord]

I am both very surprised and disappointed that there is no Wii U version.  I was hoping they would have been developing the game ground up for the Wii U platform and then port down to the other consoles.

If there is a Wii U version it's likely they are not allowed to announce it yet.
if you don't hear about it in a little over a week (FY2011 ends), then wait till E3.

Either that, or they figure doing both Wii and Wii U versions would splinter the user base.