Campaign
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse delivers a compelling story that unites the X-Men and the Brotherhood against a common enemy: Apocalypse. The alliance of sworn enemies adds an interesting dynamic, with characters like Wolverine and Magneto forced to work together, leading to some entertaining dialogue and tension-filled moments.
While the overarching story is engaging, Apocalypse himself doesn’t feel as threatening as he should. His presence lacks the same weight that villains like Thanos and the Black Order had in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3. The Four Horsemen—Archangel, Abyss, Holocaust, and Mikhail Rasputin—are formidable, but they could have been given more screen time and development to reinforce their menace.
The game expands on its predecessor by introducing a wider roster of both X-Men and Brotherhood characters, allowing for more varied team compositions. However, it’s disappointing that some iconic characters, such as Psylocke and Nightcrawler, are not playable despite appearing in the game.
Subplots, like the side missions involving secondary characters and hidden lore, add depth to the experience. The RPG elements, such as upgrading abilities and finding hidden collectibles, provide additional layers to the storytelling.
While the narrative doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential, X-Men Legends II still delivers an enjoyable and faithful X-Men experience, packed with fan-favorite characters and a fun, if somewhat predictable, storyline.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Gameplay
The gameplay in X-Men Legends II builds upon its predecessor, refining the action-RPG formula while maintaining its fast-paced, team-based combat. Players control a squad of four mutants, switching between them at will, utilizing their unique powers to battle waves of enemies and solve environmental puzzles.
The combat is satisfying, but it does become repetitive over time. While the addition of new mutant abilities and a larger cast improves variety, the game doesn’t introduce enough innovation to fully distinguish itself from the first X-Men Legends. The hack-and-slash nature of combat, while fun, lacks the depth needed to keep it feeling fresh throughout the entire campaign.
One of the biggest improvements is the inclusion of online multiplayer. Like the first game, local co-op is an absolute blast, allowing up to four players to team up and play through the story together. Online play expands this experience, making it easier for friends to join in from different locations. However, the lack of significant changes to mission structure means that some levels can feel like a grind, particularly in solo play.
Replayability is strong, thanks to multiple playable characters, unlockable heroes, and difficulty settings that encourage experimentation with different team combinations. The game also offers various side quests and hidden areas that add an incentive to revisit past levels.
Despite its lack of major gameplay evolution, X-Men Legends II remains an enjoyable co-op experience that captures the spirit of the X-Men universe, especially when playing with friends.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Production
Visually, X-Men Legends II improves upon its predecessor, though it still shows its age. The cel-shaded art style was impressive at the time, giving the game a comic book aesthetic that fit the X-Men universe. However, while the environments and effects look sharper than in the first game, the visuals have not aged particularly well. Character models can appear stiff, and animations lack fluidity compared to modern action RPGs.
The game’s art direction, however, deserves praise. The variety of locations—from war-torn Genosha to ancient Egyptian temples—keeps the environments fresh and interesting. The cutscenes, while somewhat dated in quality, effectively deliver key story moments and give weight to the narrative.
The sound design is generally strong, with impactful combat effects and ambient sounds that bring the world to life. The voice performances are hit-or-miss; some actors deliver solid portrayals of their characters, while others sound uninspired or inconsistent. Notably, Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Professor X, lending an air of authenticity to the game.
The music, while not particularly memorable, sets the right tone for the game’s action and story beats. It successfully complements the tension and excitement of battles but lacks standout tracks that would elevate the experience further.
Overall, X-Men Legends II delivers solid production values, though it falls short of being a truly polished presentation.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is a worthy sequel that builds upon its predecessor in meaningful ways. While it lacks innovation and Apocalypse could have been more intimidating, the expanded roster, engaging co-op, and enjoyable combat make it a fun experience for X-Men fans. X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse gets 3 out of 5.
Comments
Post a Comment