X-Men: The Official Game

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.

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.