XMen Legends Impressions...

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:41 pm

Three words...worth every penny.

I am a very happy man. This is the game I've been waiting for since Baldur's Gate. See, I love this type of game, but I've never been into the magic/ D&D stuff. I did get a kick out of Gauntlet Legends, because it didn't take itself too seriously. But all in all, I like the action RPG-beat everything that moves to a pulp kind of game. I also LOVED the Xmen side scroller in the arcades years ago. So here's my take in a nutshell: take the viewpoint and RPG system in BG, couple it with the old side scroll X game, and, voila...XMen Legends.

This game has alot going for it that seems to buck this type of game's stereotype. First of all, the game is LONG-20- 30 hours by all review estimates I've read. 30 hours for a beat em up?! That's alot of death dealing! You start out the game as Wolverine, in New York to save a young mutant girl named Magma. Wolverine starts alone, whipping the snot out of everything in your path. As you level up, you can assign your level points on increasing your stats, earning special moves, and the like. I've just run up on Cyclops, and added him to my team. The game is in isometric 3/4 view, with a rotatable camera to keep the action in front of you. When you go under bridges, etc. the obstacle goes transparent so as not to hinder your view. The moves are pretty doggone fluid, and don't look chopped up like they seem to do in this type of game. Meaning going from one attack to another doesn't seem to stop the feel of fluidity. You have grab moves in your arsenal, and you can unlock team moves, such as Colossus grabbing Wolverine and launching him claws first into a crowd of baddies.
I've just gotten into this game, and I see nothing but good things about it. There is much more to this game than what I've mentioned, such as 15 playable Xmen, the mansion fully explorable, the Danger Room with minigames and sidequests, but I've not yet been able to access these yet, so I'll reserve judgement on those. But if they are half as good as the main quest, I'll be more than happy.

If you're a fan of Baldur's Gate, pick this up. If you like the XMen, it's just icing on an already tasty cake. Good, good stuff...bub...

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:45 pm

Oh man, this sounds fun. Correct me wrong, but this is sort of based on the classic renditions of the X-Men team, right? Like, late 70's early 80's?

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:52 pm

Slumber:
Actually, I think it follows the Ultimate series, but I've read that classic quests are available in the Danger Room, and that classic outfits are unlockable in the main mode. Dude, I'm tellin you, if you like this type of game, it's a no-brainer. OH! I almost forgot: in multiplayer, if all three of your friends decide to leave, they back out, and the AI takes over the characters, like in Brute Force, so you don't have to play two different games. Man, this is fun...

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:53 pm

That's cool... I liked the Ultimate versions a lot, too. But there's not substitute for the Claremont/Byrne days. I'll check this out eventually.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:01 pm

"But there's not substitute for the Claremont/Byrne days."

No doubt. Pretty good voice acting so far, as well. Patrick Stewart, Lou Diamond Phillips, and whoever is voicing Wolvy (I'm guessing Luke Skywalker) are excellent. I've heard some bad ones, but it's the random token bad guys. They sound like car commercial voiceover guys sometimes, but that's ok. Makes you wanna beat em up all the more...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:12 pm

Sounds fun. I love co-op games like Baulders Gate. Just wish this was online since my friends and I are all to grown up and responsible to come over and play games now.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:16 pm

Saw this one at Best Buy tonight and realized I had not heard impressions yet. Thanks for the update Teal.

I was a big X-Men fan in my youth and put up with some bad games (Nintendo X-Men anyone?) just because they had my favorite comic book characters. I'm so out of touch with the current goings-on in the Mutant world (not really since the self-titled X-Men series started) though.

This type of game isn't usually up my alley, but the X-Men factor makes me want to give it a whirl in a rental.

Dave

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:24 pm

Teal, quick question:

This is a tremendously long game by my standards...

Do you think this is a game where you can chip away at it 30 minutes at a time in random gaming sessions, or does it demand longer stretches of play (not the addictive kind where you just can't stop playing) to really accomplish anything?

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:24 pm

"I was a big X-Men fan in my youth and put up with some bad games"

me too, me too, Dave. But take this comfort. Redemption is here. You gotta give it a try.

Spook:
Don't let your grown up status (yeah, right-we're in a video game forum) keep you from this game. It's that good, provided you like the genre. This is a perfect marriage- XMen and beating the stuffing out of endless hordes. Time for the big grin emoticon...

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:29 pm

"Do you think this is a game where you can chip away at it 30 minutes at a time in random gaming sessions, or does it demand longer stretches of play"

Dave:
In a word, yes, you can play short sessions. There are checkpoints in the levels where you can save and change up your team, that so far have been in about 10 minute staggers. Easy to jump in and out of. The team switching dynamic is cool too, as certain situations call for certain mutants, and you can switch control to any in your party at any time just by pressing the appropriate direction on the Dpad.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:33 pm

Thanks Teal, sounds like a winner that I'll definitely have to rent.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:59 am

This game has been on my wish list for months. Right now I'm torn between this and SW:Battlefront. Unitlk I get a new job, money is tight, so I'm limiting myself to just one.

I have read that there is a skirmish-type mode where you can just pick teams and go at it. Can you choose from villians as well? Are there multiple sites to fight in? This sounds like it could add a lot to the replayability of the game, but I haven't seen a lot of details about it.

My second inquiry os about the style of game. I LOVE Dyanasty Warriors, but never got much into RPGs. I also am a big comics fan, so the X-men are a definite draw. Is this similar to the DW style of action w/ a bit of strategy mixed in?

Thanks for any impressions guys. I rented Battlefront last night, but X-men was not out yet. So far SW is a blast (oops, unintentional pun there), but I wonder if I will tire of it after a week. It almost feels like a great $30 games, but I'm not sure about $50.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 11:21 am

"I have read that there is a skirmish-type mode where you can just pick teams and go at it. Can you choose from villians as well? Are there multiple sites to fight in? This sounds like it could add a lot to the replayability of the game, but I haven't seen a lot of details about it."

matthew:
There aren't a lot of details about it because it's not a main mode, but yes, there is a skirmish mode, and villians are selectable. You must go into the Danger Room in the mansion to access it, and the characters must be unlocked in the main mode, but it's there. The Danger Room will load up different environs to fight in as well.

"My second inquiry os about the style of game. I LOVE Dyanasty Warriors, but never got much into RPGs. I also am a big comics fan, so the X-men are a definite draw. Is this similar to the DW style of action w/ a bit of strategy mixed in? "

Think Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Gauntlet Legends, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, or TMNT. Yeah, it's an RPG, but it's not the "choose spell cast and wait your turn" kind of RPG. Your guys level up, and you can increase abilities and such, but you're really just going around beating the snot out of anyone who gets in the way. You heal by picking up health canisters and pressing the black button to heal up.
It can be classified as a mindless beat-em-up, but I hesitate to use that description because of the conotation that it's short and easy. Not true on either front. It's long, with a story written by Xmen comic writers which is so far very good. The difficulty is just right. You'll not get too frustrated, but you won't breeze through it either.

For XMen fans this is a must. There are several homages to classic XMen characters and stories, and the mansion must be seen to be believed. They nailed it, right down to Cerebro and the XJet hanger. You speak with many of the mutants while in the mansion, and they got the attitudes and inclinations of people like Bobby Drake (Iceman) down pat. You can find hidden comic books in the levels, and...you know what? Just get it. It's by far the best XMen game I've ever played, including the classic two screen sidescroller, if for nothing else than this has a story and alot of depth. I consider myself a casual XMen fan ( I don't read comic books, dont' know all the background of the XMen, but I thought the movies rocked, and my son likes the cartoon) but hardcore fans will be through the roof, I suspect.

...sorry about the drool on your screen...

NovaStar · Post by **NovaStar** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:51 am

I totally agree teal, this game is off the freakin hook!! I am an ardent x-men comic book fan, I go way back (there is a trivia computer upstairs in the mansion that allows you to answer questions and receive experience points for correct answers) I mean, I am speechless as to how good a job the producers of this game have done. It is not just mindless beat em all the time, some areas require strategy, and careful choosing of your team. Oh, they actually have Iceman's ice track in the game, you know, where he shoots ice in front of him and rides the ice!! And Storm and Rogue actually fly!! I am really digging this game.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:52 am

I heartily agree, Nova. I've logged some more time into the game, and here's what I'm finding out. There are places and situations that only certain Xmen can access or create a way for. For instance, last night I was playing, and came across just such an area. There is a chasm that must be crossed, and no way to cross it, it seems. I've used Iceman before to construct an ice bridge to cross things, so I select him, and...nothing. It won't work. So I sit there and think for a bit, "who else has the ability to get us over there?" Then I remember that Nightcrawler teleports, so I give it a try. Bingo! He goes to the other side alone just to pick up an item, and then I teleport him back.
I say all that to say that you need to know the basics of each XMan, their abilities and all, so that you can solve certain puzzles. The game doesn't tell you who to use. That's cool because it causes you to think. There goes the "mindless" part of the beat em up. The story has gotten insanely cool. The XMen sound so far exactly like what you'd expect them to, and their dialogue is on par with their character.
So far, I have access to Woverine, Cyclops, Rogue, Storm, Nightcrawler, Magma, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Beast, and Gambit. There are 15 total, I believe, so there's plenty of gaming yet to be had.
This game is so good on so many levels. I'm into it further than when I first gushed about it, and I'm still gushing...the honeymoon hasn't ended.

NovaStar · Post by **NovaStar** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:29 am

I haven't gotten as far as you yet, but yeah, when I first used Iceman to go across the chasm in the Haarp campaign, I was amazed at how the game creates situations for you to have to think. Question, I am currently in the Morlock mission, how do you defeat them? I mean they are tough, I haven't found Gambit yet but I think I am close but I keep getting my team wiped out. Also, is the part where you need to use Kurt, before or after the Morlock mission, I don't want to miss anything.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:39 am

"Question, I am currently in the Morlock mission, how do you defeat them? I mean they are tough"

Yes, they are! Just think about your team. I took in all muscle the first time in, and got wasted right away. So I took in Jean Grey, Storm, Kurt, and Wolverine. Jean would put mind control on them, Storm had them whirling around in a vortex, and Kurt bounces around hitting them from all sides. Normally, I stayed with Wolverine, powered up his attack with the R trigger thing, and started waylaying into them. I lost a couple of guys throughout the mission, but just went back and revived them later.
If you haven't experienced them already, a little bit into the Morlocks, there are some who revive fallen enemies over and over. You need to find and deal with them first. Iceman is a good team member too for slowing enemies down, and is ESSENTIAL in the mission following...you'll see what I mean.

"is the part where you need to use Kurt, before or after the Morlock mission, I don't want to miss anything."

It is in the Morlock mission where you'll first need to utilize Kurt...you'll see it...

NovaStar · Post by **NovaStar** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:59 am

Okay, how do you get Jean to use her mind control? Currently, I have her with the energy protect shield and the mind bolt (I don't know if that is the actual name) But yeah, I can't beat these guys at all, and it seems that they come at you from all sides!! On top of that one some of them turn invisible!!! Man, I love this game! Teal, are you looking forward to the sequel already? Because I sure am.

Also, thanks for the Kurt info, am I going to need him before or after I find Gambit?

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 12:10 pm

"Okay, how do you get Jean to use her mind control?"

Mind Bolt might be the word I'm looking for, I'm not sure. What it does is to confuse and daze whoever it connects with for a time. There's a little circle that appears over their heads when they're hit. Just stuns em for a couple of seconds...Iceman may be a better choice, though, if you've upgraded his freeze attack. It REALLY slows them down.

"Also, thanks for the Kurt info, am I going to need him before or after I find Gambit?"

Finding Gambit ends the level, so...before. You can't miss it. BTW, is there a confirmed sequel?

NovaStar · Post by **NovaStar** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 12:34 pm

No, I haven't heard of a sequel, I am just hoping they do one.

I hope the part you are referring to isn't that manhole thing (a couple of morlocks came up out of it). I used storm and she sealed it closed with a lightning attack.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:00 pm

"I hope the part you are referring to isn't that manhole thing"

nope. It's after that. Oh, and you can also use cyclops on the manhole

......boy, that didn't sound right...

NovaStar · Post by **NovaStar** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:57 pm

LOL!! Yeah, that didn't sound right. O.k I will play tonight when I get home and attempt to get to the point that you are referring to. Whoever is an X-Men fan and does not own this game is truly missing out!!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:04 am

Thought I'd check in and see how you guys still feel about this game. Is it still earning some PT in your gaming rotation?

I read somewhere that Game Crazy stores have it for $35 this week as part of their MVP deal. I have about that much credit there, so I'm thinking about checking this game out. I can always sell it in a week or two and get nearly all my money back I figure.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:43 am

"Thought I'd check in and see how you guys still feel about this game. Is it still earning some PT in your gaming rotation?"

Dave:
It still gets nearly a daily play from me. I'm still digging it quite a lot. The story has turned in to one of the best I've seen. You can tell that a lot of effort went in to crafting the storyline and the characters. I've really had to start thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of the characters before going into battle, and selecting the right team for the job. There are branching paths, where you can do certain missions in any order you see fit, and good grief, the game is long. Long in this case is a VERY good thing.

I've gotten my money's worth out of this puppy, that's for sure. It's definitely not your average beat em up. Anyone who is a fan of the XMen should pick this up sight unseen. It's that good...

...that answer your question?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:04 am

Thanks teal, I will probably stop by Game Crazy to see if they have any copies and if it really is at that price. If so, I'll probably get it--I am finding that I need a change of pace game from my exclusively sports gaming lately. Maybe this one will do the trick.