X-Men Legends 2

Join the freak show, and immerse yourself in the world of mutants, where an extra face or a triangular head is considered entirely normal.

For this is no ordinary place, and these are no ordinary beings. Humans who've gained special powers through genetic alteration, mutants are the outcasts of society, forced together through their bizarre looks and outlandish abilities. (Rather like the editors of Pocket Gamer…)

These comic book creations may be inherently good (Professor X and his titular X-Men) or generically bad (Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants), but in X-Men Legends 2 such differences have been thrown out of the window. Instead, the two mutant camps have joined up to defeat a common foe in Apocalypse, an uber-mutant bad guy.

With characters like Wolverine and Apocalypse on board, you might well approach X-Men Legends 2 expecting an utterly incredible gaming experience that blows the eyes out the back of your head (hey, then you too could become an X-Man). A game that captures the un-Earthly wonder of the comics and films, even while it drains every ounce of your energy, until just the bare bones of your former pocket gaming self remain (definitely X-Men material).

And, for the die-hard fan, there is some of that on offer. For the rest of us, however, X most certainly does not mark the spot.

In X-Men Legends 2, you take control of one of five mutants, and embark upon a sideways scrolling beat 'em up game. Along the way, numerous monsters will try to stop you, such as Critters and Hellhounds – but each character can fight back with his/her/its own special attack moves that make the most of their mutations.

Wolverine, for instance, has his Combo Claw – with this he gets busy like one of those vegetable slicer gadgets you see advertised on late-night telly. Magneto, the unfortunate bald man, has the Magnetic Splash mutation, enabling him to use his mastery over all things metallic to disarm and destroy.

In order to employ these powers however, you need to press a combination of buttons in the right order. This is easier said than done, and can require up to four buttons being pressed very quickly in succession. It's a trial, and although the outcomes are usually fun to behold, they're not always as effective as you'd hope either.

Dodgy special powers aren't the only problem with X-Men Legends 2. Firstly, the presentation is quite flat. If you're hoping for some Hollywood glamour to have rubbed off on the game, you'll be disappointed (we'll probably have to wait for the official X-Men 3 movie tie-in for that).

The in-game graphics are basic, with unadventurous backgrounds and limited character animations that see enemies chundering across the screen half-heartedly, looking rather nonplussed at their role in such a game, and making mental notes to call their agents.

Perhaps the incredibly long loading times between screens, let alone levels, has taken the sting out of their tail? (Literally – these are mutants remember). The pace is sluggish, and only serves to highlight the game's reliance on repetition. The in-game sound isn't much better either, though not quite as bad as the noise that dogs the menu screen with apparently sadistic pleasure.

X-Men 2 is a sad reflection of the famous comic book. It feels like it has had a bit of money thrown its way, only for the piggy in the middle – the licence – to gobble it all up, leaving a gaping hole in terms of quality and gameplay.

Only true lifelong X-Men fans who'd change their name to Xavier or Logan by deed poll should consider this game. For the rest of us, it's just not enjoyable enough on its own merits.