by Adam - October 17, 2004

I remember to a time when my mornings were spent in my pajamas eating cheerio's and watching �X-men�. I then remember going to the mall to play the arcade smash The X-men. The X-men were a part of my culture, running home after school so I wouldn't miss wolverine snick'ting his claws. I remember losing that feeling but in Activision's X-Men:Legends for PS2 the thrill has come back.

The next step in Evolution

The game play in XML is on level with some of the best 3rd person beat-em-up rpg's. Imagine Gauntlet Legends with your favorite marvel superheros. At first you learn about your powers and your abilities which help you to survive. You learn comboes and techniques that require time to master. Teaming up with other heroes becomes fun because you can command team member's for simultaneous attacks. There's plenty to do in each level with fun little side things to play with as well. Movements do feel a little unresponsive when assaulted.

Seeing with ruby red visors

Graphically XML is a very cool game. Each character is animated in pretty well detail and everything is Cel shaded. Characters stand out and it give's the game a slight comic book feel. Now I am not a huge fan of Cel shaded games but XML is eye candy on the PS2. The perfomance on the PS2 matched that of a GameCube demo I saw. The lighting, the details, the cutscenes; they all felt like an original cartoon. Teammates following you are a bit buggy at times and this lags the game down slightly. Overall it follows the comic series very well.

More powerful than a scream from banshee

The sound on XML is very appropriate with the style of the game. One liner's are dropped when characters are going to engage in a fight. Rock music alerts you to villians that are nearby. The sound effects of fighting and destruction are on point and in synch with the game. The only real drawback in sound is character voices. Most of the voices are of one actor saying it at different times, which is understandable because of all the characters you can drop and add at any given time. The voices for the videos are on point as well.

Snickt, Your dead.

This game is a blast to play. I never got tired of walking around beating up villians and leveling up in combat. The manipulation of teammates aids you in your quests, combining mutant attacks to do massive damage are sometimes the only way to destroy villians. The single player mode is engaging and rewards you with treasures to unlock such as comic books, multiplayer modes, and new abilities. Instant action in the Danger room is more fun than Gambit can shake a staff at. Being your favorite heroes is some of the best fun you can have.

Or should I call you weapon X?

This game is easily one of my favorites for PS2. I don't normally enjoy these 3rd person Baldur's Gate like rpgs, however, this one is easily one of the best. The ability to improve your character based on items you can find / unlock, finding new items to improve the game, the progression of story lines and intermingling of characters is part of the appeal of X-men. This game has a pretty open ended but progessively linear plot. It is unbelieveably fun to sit around with friends and just see the most damage you can do in one combo.

The End.

XML is an absolutely fantastic game. I strongly suggest a rental or an ownership. You will not be disappointed in your purchase of this game. It is extremely easy and fun to play. Re-living the coolest fights with your favorite X-men makes you feel like a kid watching cartoons again.