The two men
playing a friendly game of chess were once good friends who shared just one
thing in common: they are among many humans who had evolved into something more
powerful. Unfortunately, the one that now calls himself Magneto (because he
could manipulate metal) does not see eye-to-eye with his wheelchair-bound friend
Professor Charles Xavier that humans could accept these “mutants” in their
society. A war is coming, Magneto tells his once friend, and he intends on
fighting it. Leaning forward, Xavier tells him that he will be there to stop
him. In X-Men: The Official Game, the war Magneto spoke of is coming and the
X-Men step up to the fight on the PC.
Things have
gotten bleaker since the battle depicted in the second film, X-Men United.
The battle against Striker, a man who pushed for a secret government operation
against mutants, has resulted in Magneto pushing his efforts to create an even
bigger army than his original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and the sacrifice Jean
Grey made to save the lives of her friends at Alkali Lake. With the US
government ready to push the Mutant Registration Act, the X-Men find themselves
prepared to meet a new challenge that will eventually lead to the events seen in
the upcoming third movie, X-Men: The Last Stand ready to hit theaters
this month. It also explains a few things that tie-in with the movie such as why
Nightcrawler, the teleporting mutant, won’t stand with the X-Men in their
darkest hour.
The X-Men have
been featured in games before, although the result was a few awful fighting
games and two very phenomenal role-playing games. The Official Game, though, is
an action game with a story that links events that will eventually lead up to
the movie. The game concentrates on three X-Men, their paths of which draw them
into a fight against new and old foes. You’ll take control of Logan who is also
known as Wolverine, a mutant that sports an unbreakable skeleton, razor sharp
claws, an incredible healing factor and quite a temper. Then there’s Bobby Drake
who is known as Iceman for the obvious reason that he can create ice and finally
there’s Kurt Wagner (aka Nightcrawler) whose mutation makes the blue-skinned
Mystique look normal. You’ll also be aided by some familiar faces but I won’t
spoil the various surprises the game throws at gamers.
With a story
penned by long-time X-Men scribe Chris Claremont and a script by Zak Penn, the
story mixes the familiar comic book elements with the style of the movies. The
tale is told through a number of levels that occasionally ask you to pick from
the three heroes available. Depending on who you pick the style of the game
reflects each mutant hero’s abilities and mutant powers. For example, Iceman
forms an icy slide that allows him to move through the environment while
Nightcrawler is known for his blink-and-you-miss-it teleporting as well as
acrobatic combat style. Finally, Wolverine is the bruiser of the three, relying
more on his close-quarter slashing attacks and feral rage. The result is three
different playing styles that make each character as unique as their powers.
Comic book fans
take note, this game covers a pleasantly number of elements that make up much of
the Marvel comics universe including levels that pit you against some very
familiar enemies. You will go up against the likes of the Silver Samurai as well
as the mutant hunting Sentinels. You’ll meet with Magneto, the master of
magnetism as well as replay one of the best fights in X-Men United (Lady
Deathstrike versus or favorite clawed mutant) and even some familiar allies will
lend a hand. Ah, but I won’t spoil some of the best surprises that come in the
form of some impressive boss fights and plot twists.
Using the
keyboard, The Official Game can be a bit unresponsive and while the keyboard
scheme isn’t bad at all, the best way of playing this game is using a good
controller. Using a controller will allow you to access your powers and unleash
better attack combos during battle. As I mentioned above, each mutant has his
own style and powers. Iceman has an Ice Beam and Ice Shield while Wolverine has
a quick, heavy and area attack (for taking on multiple enemies). You’re also
rewarded mutations (called Mutant Evolution in the game) good towards upgrading
your mutant abilities. These upgrades allow you to heal faster or increase your
blocking abilities or strengthen abilities. You can even unlock extra costumes
and Danger Room levels.
Here is the bad
part, the game is linear and doesn’t offer you much of a chance to soak in the
atmosphere like, say, X-Men Legends. What we do get is a better understanding of
the role each character will play in the coming events, including the storyline
that explains Nightcrawler’s actions before we met him in the White House and
why he is a no-show in X-Men: The Last Stand. It’s these moments in the
game that are sure to make you feel like you’re part of the Marvel universe as
well as the universe created in the last two movies.
Visually
speaking, the game looks gorgeous on the PC and even more so depending on your
graphics card. The environments stand out beautifully and the best part is that
the majority of the characters resemble the movies’ actors. Even Lady
Deathstrike looks like the striking Kelly Hu so that’s quite a nice treat. Yet
what really stands out is the fact that the game throws some particularly
dazzling visual effects that make everything from Iceman’s Hailstorm and
Nightcrawler’s Relocation look amazing. Oh, and if you thought the Sentinels
looked frightening in the comics, wait until you see them in this game.
While it’s great
that the characters look like the actors, it’s even better to hear the likes of
Hugh Jackman, Alan Cumming and Shawn Ashmore voice Wolverine, Nightcrawler and
Iceman respectively. You’ll even find Patrick Stewart reprise his role as
Professor Xavier as well a Tyler Mane voicing a returning favorite villain. The
game’s soundtrack is good and the sound effects are handled nicely but it’s
nothing that really stands out.
While it’s not
an incredibly innovative game, X-Men: The Official Game is certainly an
extremely fun action game that not only spins a great tale but also does the
mutant superheroes justice. Straying from the play-the-movie formula, this is a
great tie-in to the upcoming movie and a true homage to the comic book so if
you’re a fan of these kind of mutants you will certainly want to have this game
on your PC.
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Gameplay: 8.5
Much like the
movies and comic book its based on, X-Men is just as action-packed
despite the fact that it only features three X-Men. The battles are handled
excellently and while the keyboard scheme is decent, the game feels a lot better
with a controller in your hand. Add a wonderfully penned story and you have a
great action game.
Graphics: 9.0
This game
certainly pushes your PC’s graphics card, as you’ll see by the flashy visual
effects and solid character models. It’s great to see most of the main
characters look a lot like the movie actors that portray them and even more so
when they’re busy slicing and dicing, sending an icy blast or teleporting into
the fray. Even the animated cutscenes are a treat.
Sound: 8.5
The game’s
musical score is handled well enough although no way in the same league as the
soundtrack found in both films. The highlight here is the fact that the actors
that play them in the movies voice most of the major players. The sound effects
are just Ok, though.
Difficulty:
Medium
Fighting off
waves of goons as Iceman, Wolverine and Nightcrawler isn’t as challenging as
going up against the likes of Lady Deathstrike or the Silver Samurai and add
those pesky Sentinels to the mix and you have a nicely challenging game.
Concept: 8.5
We have
controlled all three mutants before in the X-Men Legends games but not in
a solid action game that isn’t a poorly conceived fighter. There are rewards
aplenty here and the best part is that the story is rich in all the things comic
books fans will love.
Overall: 8.8
Hold on to
your hats, True Believers, X-Men: The Official Game is a solid and fun
action game featuring one of the coolest superhero teams ever. With an excellent
story with plenty of twists and turns and a host of familiar characters, fans
will certainly have a lot to enjoy despite the linear levels. If you love the
X-Men or want enjoy a good action game, this is a PC game you’ll want to play
before heading to the theater.
