Wandering through a dark, whimsical forest in Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved isn't what I expected when my demo began. From the start I thought everything would be bright and colorful. Quickly, I learned that if I wanted to be in a happy place, I'd have to create it by interacting with the world.

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This forest, also known as The Hollow, is one of many interactive discovery realms in Fantasia: Music Evolved. It's inspired by old school fantasy and has a woodcut art style very unlike the snowy Haven level we played through previously . As the player, it's up to you to explore the realms and shoo away static darkness by bringing new sounds to each area.While in The Hollow, you can reach out and touch just about everything. In one instance I came across some mushrooms that sounded like a xylophone. Listening to their sound as I prodded their caps was pleasant, but watching the sound expand and mix as other spores spawned was enchanting. Along with identifying new sounds, you'll need to put them to use in performances to drive back more dark static.During each performance, you act as a conductor to blend memorable songs with new instruments you find to enhance the songs and bring them to life in vibrant ways.At the beginning of each performance level you set the stage for how you want songs to start by moving your hand up, left, or right a few times. Each direction corresponds to a different set of instruments or way to remix the song. If you'd like to play through the original version, choosing the top option let's you do so.In my demo, I chose to try one of my favorite new songs, Lorde's "Royals." I swiped my hands to the left and right towards the instruments I wanted couple times when the song began to set up the beat, then it switched over to a new mode where I was the conductor and had to actively hit the notes by swiping my hands to corresponding with them on screen.The way the notes are designed, you sometimes have to sway your hands in an arc, the same way a conductor moves his or her baton. Each song has different audio and motion design, and even though I predict some gamers won't get super invested in the gestures, Kinect 2.0 is responsive enough that you don't have to go too crazy. But for those who want the full symphonic experience, it's delightful moving and interacting with the notes and I really felt like a conductor once I found my groove.Every so often you'll add in more instruments or remixes to songs using the same method from the beginning of the level. For "Royals" I started with a techno beat, and eventually transitioned to bongos. Listening to my personal version of the song was a treat, as I never thought about all the awesome ways it could potentially sound. I was in charge.There are challenges to perform in each level as well, which mainly revolve around using gestures to open a prism on screen. Once it's unlocked, you're rewarded with a flourish of points, new instruments to choose from, and composition spells that add even more variety to your tracks.Composition spells don't give you any extra points, but they're perfect for playing with the songs in wacky ways. The sound sketcher, tone twister, beat chopper, rhythm painter, and effect sculptor are all free-form tools that allow you manipulate sound and energize the background music of your performance.In multiplayer, two Sorcerer's Apprentices play in a friendly competition to see who can hit the most notes. One conductor is assigned blue notes, while the other has to hit yellow notes. At the start of the song both players get to choose a few instruments and remixes, but as you play through, the conductor who's in the lead gets to choose the instrument during transition sections. This encourages both players to do their best so they can take control of the song.Composition spells are interesting during multiplayer, as you'll bounce your creations back and forth with one another until you're both satisfied with the remix you've created. Working with and against your partner in the same level adds an interesting dynamic.Disney: Fantasia Evolved is a new way to play with and visualize sound. The discovery realms are lush and full of surprises, and while some gamers may not like that you can't create original music, you are in control of generating imaginative, unconventional versions of famous tunes, which feels pretty special. Now that you can play with friends, I'm curious to see the type of tracks folks will come up with.

Leah B. Jackson is both an Associate Editor at IGN and Corgi megafan, and not necessarily in that order. Follow her on Twitter and MyIGN