Mickey Mouse is no stranger to video games. He's starred in several since the NES days, beginning with Capcom's Mickey Mousecapade and continuing through Sega's Illusion adventures for the Genesis (Castle and World of Illusion) and Mickey Mania for multiple platforms. Lately, he hasn't done much, but that's about to change with the forthcoming Epic Mickey for Wii. If you think you know everything there is to know about the legendary Mouse, think again.

That's one angry looking rodent.

In this game, Mickey strolls down a completely different path. After an encounter with the mysterious (and terrifying) Phantom Bolt, Mickey visits the Cartoon Wasteland, a place where all discarded drawings dwell. Here, he runs into its governor of sorts, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. (If the name sounds familiar, you're probably an animation buff. Oswald was one of Walt Disney's first creations). He begrudgingly helps Mickey figure out what he's doing in the Wasteland (Oswald's jealous of Mickey for stealing his spotlight), and how to get back to his own universe before Phantom Bolt does further damage.

Junction Point Studios will handle development, under the leadership of video game veteran Warren Spector. His resume reads like a greatest hits of games, including Wing Commander, Deus Ex, Thief: Deadly Shadows and System Shock. With a name like that attached, you shouldn't dismiss Epic Mickey as just another Disney knock-off.

First up, there's the distinctive presentation. Spector and his team went back to the old-school days of animation to nail down Epic Mickey's style. They drew inspiration from the 1920s, back when the hero got his start in Steamboat Willie. His eyes are solid black (rather than the blue-and-white color they are today), his legs look skinnier and his trademark yellow shoes and red shorts (with white buttons on the front) are intact. That's not to say it's too retro, however. The level designs are contemporary, with hints taken from some of the Mouse's greatest cartoons, including The Haunted Mansion and The Clock Cleaners. You'll also see appearances from several Disney favorites, including Mickey's long-time nemesis, Pete, and even automated versions of his pals, including Donald and Goofy (built with the help of Oswald).

In addition, Mickey carries a huge paintbrush and has access to a small TV and a stopwatch. You'll use the brush to change a negative character into an ally, or erase him or her completely. It also removes items from the environment, although certain actions have repercussions. Take out a specific platform, and you may need to find another way around. On the other hand, remove part of a wall, and there could be a hidden area. As for the TV, it distracts bad guys, in case there's an enemy too tough for Mickey to face. Finally, the stopwatch proves useful for slowing down time, in case you need to avoid an environmental trap or slip away from multiple goons.

The unique and attractive artwork gives Epic Mickey a distinctive and stylized look.

Best of all, you can guide Mickey's attitude throughout the game. You don't necessarily have to help everyone you come across. You can keep to your own selfish ways and pass them on by. However, by doing this, you lose credibility with the residents in the Wasteland, making your journey that much tougher. You can also become a Scrapper, engaging in more fights than usual, which makes enemies more hostile as you face them later on (especially Phantom Bolt's henchmen, known as the Spatters). The best way to go is Hero, where you help everyone, make allies and discover all the hidden goodies that the Cartoon Wasteland has to offer. Again, the choice is yours, and it's superb to have such an option available.

Very little has been seen of Epic Mickey. However, it's great to see a Disney-licensed game that digs beneath the surface while retaining the Mouse's charm. We'll revisit this exciting adventure leading up to its 2010 release.