The X-Men's journey from comic book fame to video game glory has been somewhat bumpy, thanks to some inept game publishing from Acclaim (who put them into one of the worst NES games ever made) and some further licensed errors from Activision (we didn't really need X2: Wolverine's Revenge, now, did we?). But at last, they stand at the glory they once held with their Konami arcade game. Last year, Activision released X-Men Legends, an action/RPG hybrid featuring a gaggle of your favorite mutants thrown into a colossal adventure for one or more players. I liked it, even though there were times that the AI got a bit too strugglesome for its own good. There were other issues as well, something I'm sure they would address in the sequel. And now that it's here, I can comfortably say they have.

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is an ideal sequel. It doesn't overload the game with a notion that completely redefines the formula of the first, but it doesn't rely heavily on that same notion either. It's got some sweet additions that make it that much better a product, if not the all-out killer-app that would define comic book games as we know it. Think of it as a new subscription to something you already enjoy- you can't wait to see what it's made of.

In the game, as you can tell from the title, a mighty foe named Apocalypse arrives and wreaks all sorts of havoc. He's taken Professor X prisoner, and that leads the X-Men to go after him. However, his power is unmatched, and they make an unlikely ally in the process. Enter the Brotherhood, an evil gang led by the ferocious Magneto and containing a number of freaks including the tongue-lashing Toad and the damn-near-unstoppable Juggernaut.

The game contains 16 playable characters in all, along with three unlockables that you can earn upon completion. The general gameplay for all these characters is the same, but Raven Software still makes each one feel like they have a style all their own, especially when they're plowing through enemy armadas. Magneto has to be my personal favorite with his skillful metal-throwing abilities, although, I must admit, Juggernaut's right up there with his snowplow-like essence.

And yet, the game's AI will still put up quite a front on your team. You can pack all this power and yet you'll still run into a boss enemy (like Apocalypse himself) who will take a crapload of hits before even showing a remote sign of slowing down. This is where the RPG element comes into play, as you'll have to carefully work your team by deciding players with the D-pad and use tactics to bring down these mighty foes before your energy bar gets mashed down to pea-size levels. This may frustrate some, especially those who found the first X-Men Legends to be mounting in difficulty.

But stick with it, as the gameplay really rewards players this time around. It really feels just as good as the first game did, and Raven has even gone as far as to include an auto-upgrade option. One pain in the first game was having to stop and add upgrade points each time to improve your player. However, with auto-upgrade, it's done for you. Granted, it's random, so some of your powers may not be as overwhelming as others, but it does speed up the pace. Along with defeating enemies, there's bonus icons and goodies to hunt for, which bumps up the replay value.

The game's engine is mostly the same, although I have noticed an improvement in terms of graphics. The characters look a lot more comic book-like now, complete with cel-shading detail and fluid movement. There's also levels that look like they're ripped straight from the pages of Stan Lee's creations, and the game barely slows down at all. My only real nag is that the camera continues to be an obtrusive pain in the neck, something that should've been fixed in the first. Fortunately, it only gets in the way at certain times.

As far as sound, there's nothing really to write home for with the musical score, but it works. The sound effects are your typical range, but they don't seem to annoy either. My respect goes out to Raven, though, for employing some fine voice actors to bring our favorite heroes (and villains) to life. The Patrick Stewart sound-alike is convincing enough, and Wolverine sounds like...well, Wolverine. Bub.

Where X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse manages to shine is through its multiplayer. Off-line, up to four can take part in some tenacious battles, which makes for some fine teamwork. But the genuine surprise lies in Activision's decision to bring the game online, allowing you to team up with friends across the network for fighting. There's the Story Mode, where you can actually upload scenarios you're stuck on for some assistance or choose from ones already in play, and Skirmish Mode, which you can access after getting to Level 16. Skirmish is my favorite, because it's an all-out brawl. And a finer one than Marvel Nemesis could offer, might I add.

Comic book nerds unite! Despite its little flaws here and there, X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is a fine sequel, especially with the new online features and "auto-upgrade" option. It may not wow people who didn't get into the first game, but Legends veterans and comic book fans in general will definitely want to indulge in the carnage, bub.

Our Final ScoreGood

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