bit-tech Shopping: Activision X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for Sony PSP

• Action/Adventure
• Role Playing Games (RPG)

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Plethora of characters, engaging combat system, fun, fun, fun.

Weaknesses: Almost too much of a good thing when it comes to the number of characters. Random-drop item system.

Summary: This is the best action game I've tried yet for the PSP. It basically entails forming a squad of x-men and brotherhood mutants to go out and complete missions with the intention of defeating apocalypse. Each mutant (of which there are around 15 playable) has their own lineup of skills and powers faithful to their abilities in the comic books. When characters level up, they are given skill points to improve these abilities as well as stat points to improve basic attributes. This game really reminded me a lot of Diablo. The skill system is pretty similar in that you gain ranks which you then put into the various skills but it's really the fact that equipment during the game is random. Just like in diablo, the items will have abilities based on their name randomly put together based on the difficulty level. So you might get something like 'awesome glove of smiting' (just to make something up) and awesome and smiting would be two keywords to give the item its attributes. It'd be hard, if not impossible, to actually obtain any one item other than through repetition and getting lucky. The battle system involves you controlling 1 of the four mutants who you select to go on the mission, and the AI taking control of the other 3. At any time you can switch back and forth between them to access their unique abilities and each can have four skills hotkeyed for speedy use. The AI is actually better than a lot of others that I've seen in games like this, and will at least keey the characters alive and contributing. You gain xp for the 4 active mutants in your party but all the inactives will gain a portion as well. This means that if you want to maintain a fully balanced team, you will have to swap characters quite often. In addition, there are team bonuses for putting certain mutants together, like only the brotherhood or only new x-men.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: story, gameplay, coop play.

Weaknesses: loading

Summary: If you like XMen games, comics, movies, cartoon, or any XMen related things, you will like this game. It has a great gameplay with an awesome story line. The graphics are good. You can play with your friends if they have the game and PSP for each of them. You can play up to 4 players in coop mode. It's a great hack and slash game. If you like the first XMEN Legends, you should pick this one up.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 6

Strengths: Great play dynamic, fantastic art style, story worth reading

Weaknesses: Load times.

Summary: This is a terrific game for anyone who likes the franchise. If you liked X-men 1 and Ultimate Alliance, this game is definitely for you. Check it out if you get the chance.