Epic Mickey 2

[Nester the Lark]

According to GoNintendo, the Wii U version does not support Remote+Nunchuck controls in single-player mode, but I don't see that mentioned in the article it's citing. Hopefully that's just a mistake.

It also mentions multiple costumes for each character, like a firefighter outfit, that alters the characters' abilities. Perhaps this is a nod to Capcom's Mickey games?

[Volray]

Yeah, it's not mentioned in the original article.

It's mentioned in the other Nintendojo article about Epic Mickey 2. Which also mentions that the game doesn't support Off-TV play either.

Yeah, I was planning on getting the Wii U version, but I guess I'll just get the PS3 version now.

[Nester the Lark]

Seems kinda ridiculous not to include an option for Remote+Nunchuck controls in the Wii U version. That's what the game was designed around in the first place!

I'll likely be getting the regular Wii version, myself, because I don't plan to get a Wii U anytime soon, and good controls are more important to me than screen resolution.

Also, I'll be a nerd and still point out that the Wii version is the "true" version, and the others are just ports.

[Da Robot]

Reviews are being released for EM2 and EM: PoI . . .

. . . oh boy, they are not good . . . Hard to believe that they screwed up more than the first game. (At least they fixed the camera apparantly)

www.metacritic.com/game/wii/disney-epic-mickey-2-the-power-of-two

www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/disney-epic-mickey-the-power-of-illusion


Destructoid's review of EM: PoI states that the team behind it (Dreamrift) has less than a year to make the game and had to cut content to make the game (suggested to be an entire world/section based on Alice in Wonderland)

Also if your going to buy EM2, it's reviews indicate that it's better to play co-op as Oswald's AI is . . . poor.


The original EM was puposely rushed out for Christmas 2010 and it obviously appears the same has happened here. Which it quite sad to see such a "big" franchise/s get screwed over again with a inferior product just to increase potential christmas sales from customers who don't know any better, instead of delaying and making a higher quality product.

"A bad game is bad forever, while a delayed game is eventually good." - Shigeru Miyamoto

[The Qu]

For the record, the game is quite good if you look past the (IMO minor) complaints. Literally the only complaints I have is Os' AI isn't just bad, it's bizarre and the game is quite glitchy. But excluding a single apocalyptic glitch I've gotten, that isn't so bad.

[Nester the Lark]

Unfortunately, after poor sales of Epic Mickey 2, Disney has shut down Junction Point Studios.

It's kinda shocking that after the original game sold 1.3 million units by the end of 2010 (impressive for a 3rd party Wii exclusive), the sequel sold only about 270,000 in a similar time frame, despite being available on four different platforms. I suppose I'm partially guilty since I have yet to get around to picking up the sequel myself.

It's also confirmed that Warren Specter will not continue working for Disney, so we'll probably never see that DuckTales game he wanted to work on.

[Arcadenik]

That's a shame. I liked the original but I haven't gotten the time to play the sequel yet. It is in my room collecting dust.

[Da Robot]

Sad to hear what's happened, even Warren Spector left Disney apparantly.

And a recent update to the sale figures, 529,000 units sold over November and December of 2012 in the United States. And also additonal 166,000 units of EM: PoI sold as well.

The only game Disney is focusing on now is Disney Infinity.


On a slightly related note, Junction Point is the 2nd developer game developer based in Austin, Texas to get shut this month (Vigil Games creators of Darksiders, due to THQ going bankrupt)

Thankfully Austin has a few established developers there who happened to be hiring such as Nintendo's Retro Studios who hired a few Vigil staff while Crytek (Crysis) opened up a new studio there and hired the rest of their Vigils staff, so maybe the same might happen to some of JP employees looking for new work there.


EDIT: Another thing I forgot to mention, at least the EM series as a whole brought a whole lot of attention to the character of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

How many of you ever heard of him before 2010? I know I didn't.

[Nester the Lark]

Those numbers are probably more accurate since they come directly from NPD. Still, it's pretty pathetic compared with the original game. At least people can't blame its failure on the Wii.

I think I had heard of Oswald before Epic Mickey, but it was nothing more than obscure trivia that I had forgotten. I hope we get to see more of him.

I also loved the design they used for Mickey in the EM games. It's very classic, and cooler looking than the more traditional modern version. I'll be sad if it disappears.

---

EDIT: Warren Specter has posted an open letter on his Facebook page:

Yes, it's true. The Junction Point journey is over. To all those who've asked, or want to ask, I'm sad but excited for the future.

JPS had a good eight year run. I got to work with some amazing people on some amazing projects. I've had some of the most magical times of my life, fulfilling several life-long dreams. I've gotten to know Disney fans and Disney cast members, gotten hands on with Disney's history, walked where Walt walked... "Magical" really is the only word.

But now it's time to... (Man, I almost said, "now it's time to say goodbye to all our fa-mi-ly..." Which would have led me right to "M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E!"). Let's just say, now it's time to move on to the next adventure. I honestly don't know what that will be yet, so don't ask. (And while we're on the subject of asking, if you're a journalist, don't bother - all press inquiries go to Brian Nelson and Carrie Davis over at Disney.)

Anyway, whatever you think of me, or Junction Point, or Disney or the Disney Epic Mickey games - yes, I know we polarized people! - I'll always look back on the last eight years with nothing but pride. Rarely have I worked with a team more dedicated or harder working. Never have I been part of a game - of anything, really - that touched people at as deep or personal a level as the Epic Mickey games. That's priceless.

I said to myself as Junction Point embarked on the Epic Mickey journey that, worst case, we'd be "a footnote in Disney history." Looking back on it, I think we did far better than that. With Mickey Mouse as our hero, we introduced a mainstream audience to some cool "core game" concepts... and, most especially, we restored Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to a place of prominence.

WE did that.

Junction Point.

I'll always be grateful to Disney for that opportunity, to the folks who helped out along the way in Glendale, on the studio lot in Burbank, at the parks in Anaheim and Orlando and Paris, at Disney offices around the world and at Pixar. (You know who you are!) I'm grateful to the Disney fans, bloggers and historians who embraced me, the team and our work - that was huge. And, most especially, I'll always be grateful to the folks – the family – at Junction Point who did all the real work.

I'll see all of you in the future!

And, really, press inquiries go to Brian and Carrie!

[Nester the Lark]

Epic bump!

Here's some interesting news. According to Disney illustrator Pat Block, if Epic Mickey 2 had been successful, Disney planned to follow it up with an "Epic Donald" game. He was selling his concept art for it on eBay, and you can see it here.

Looks like it would've been the closest Warren Spector could get to making that DuckTales game.