KMC Forums - X-MEN: Legends

X-men legends
This is a short critique of the game x-men legends. The version I have is ps2 and as such this will be about the ps2 version, although I doubt they differ much at all from platform to platform.

Graphics: Cell shading is more a novelty than anything else imo. It can make some games look cool, like XIII, but I just don�t believe it works. The only time it seems to work in this game is when u use the old costumes, it gives a comic book feel to the proceedings. They (activision) might moan about slow frame rates if the graphics were more realistic, but if you�ve seen Return of the King on any system you�ll know that bs. I expect better in the sequel.

Gameplay: One of the areas of the game done almost perfectly. A simple yet effective interface, and almost seamless switch between characters, makes it a joy to play 90% of the time. The AI accounts for the 10% I hated. In some levels the characters I wasn�t controlling just seemed to walk off ledges, it really did my head in, especially on the astral plane when the team�d get separated. That really annoyed me. Enemy AI wasn�t bad but it wasn�t great either.

Lastability: Not much, I finished the game in a few days, which isn�t unusual, but it was after I finished it I found problems. Upon completion I found I had unlocked the boem i.e. Magneto, Mystique, Toad, Blob, Pyro, Avalanche and Havok (Who joins the boem in the game) for use in the danger room(the closest thing to x-men deathmatch). Ergo the problem, having used them all, they�re as good if not better than some of the playable x-men, but there was no option to use them in game (Especially Magneto). The same goes for the X-men themselves. Having got my characters up to high levels, I wanted to replay levels afterwards, but no, there is no option to do that, which really sucks, because it would have improved the game so much. Just imagine, level 40 Magneto, Cyclops, Storm and Havok on New York riot (a level chock full of sentinels), imagine the fun.

The Voices & Sounds: The sound effects for the powers were fine, I had no problems with them whatsoever. The sentinel voices were top notch, as were the brotherhoods, very tas, very cool.
As for the x-men,
Storm � no problem, as long as its 30-year-old storm, not ultimate teenager one
Wolverine � As good as your gonna get imo.
Cyclops � as long as its 18-year-old Scott, not older one, but not the most masculine by a long shot.
Jean � It was ok, coulda been a little better but coulda been lot worse.
Nightcrawler � Fine, no problem
Beast � My favourite of the lot, as long as its 30-year-old Beast, not ultimate teenager one
Professor X � Its Patrick Stewart for crying out loud, no problems at all with it.
Psylocke � A bit too Posh for my liking but ok.
Iceman � Fine, as long as its 18-year-old Bobby, not older one.
Emma Frost � Pretty good.
Jubilee � Good.
Colossus - Bit too old sounding for my liking, sounded like 40 year old or something. And he didn�t say tovarisch (spelling am not sure) once!
Rogue � Okay, it wasn�t bad.
Gambit � Ok, but a little too heavy on the French accent imo.
Magma � Ok I guess.

The Powers: The powers for a lot of characters are really underpowered. Characters who rely on brute strength like Colossus and Rogue are almost redundant (Colossus� sonic clap thing and Rogues ability drain are excellent moves though). Colossus is as far as I know the single strongest Mutant alive, and if this game is based on the Ultimate Universe, then they haven�t done him justice. This is a guy who can wrestle a sentinel for god�s sake, come on, seriously. Rogue also, it�s a bit silly.

Cyclops? Seriously, in every incarnation ive seen him hes been able to take down a sentinel in one shot if he got a good clean shot, but no. I got legend blast (his strongest standard optic blast) and hammer of nimrod (an item u can equip to make u stronger against sentinels) and it was still taking 3 or 4 shots. The creators will use the excuse it makes the game too easy. There is a simple solution, put MORE sentinels in the levels, double the number before, and give them better weapons, and make them faster. That would solve all the problems imo.

Jean is fine, but she has no psychic move that does a lot of damage, like a psychic choke or brain haemorrhage thing, just a move with a bit of ruthlessness and I�d pick her on almost every level, but no, she just lifts them and throws them. Phoenix force? One of the strongest characters (Phoenix) in the marvel universe, and her attack isn�t that great.

Wolverine is great, healing factor, some decent attacking moves, a must for any team.

Storm on a high level is one of the best characters in the game. Her chain lightning can be devastating and when your surrounded nothing gives you breathing room like her tornado attacks. Her cyclone fury special is one of my favourite moves in the game.

Gambit�s card attacks are ok, but his staff slam (I think its called, press r2 and circle for it on ps2) on its highest level is a great move.

Beast is good, if as little slow, but his mutant abilities make up for it, namely his propeller kick and orbital bombardment special.

Jubilee is no slouch in her own right, but falls behind Gambit and Cyclops in the pecking order, a decent back up character

Iceman is bad on low levels, but one of the best when he�s on a high level. H can freeze most enemies opening them up to countless combos, his ice spikes aint great though. His freeze frame special is particularly useful in a tight spot.

Psylocke is not as good as she could be, she�s alright, but I don�t think anyone will pick her unless they have to (and she�s my favourite x-woman in the comics).

Nightcrawler against standard enemies is excellent, his teleport attacks are visually brilliant and very effective. He also has one of my favourite moves, when, if he�s controlled by the cpu, he has the ability to teleport and grab you if you are about to die, very cool.

Emma Frost is more amusing than effective, her fear and command attacks always make me laugh, but in a fight I don�t think she�s the most effective.

Magma has some decent mutant powers, but again is better as a backup character.

Proffesor X on the astral levels only. One word � Badass

My best moment: Starting and finishing the Last section of New York riot with only Cyclops (my little bro got the others killed)

My worst moment: Realising there was so little replay value.

Tell me if I got anything wrong, or post any comments, I�m open to suggestions. big grin