Superhero and cartoon characters have become integral parts of the electronic entertainment industry. Around the world, youngsters and guys who can’t get dates spend countless hours in front of their computers and video-game systems.
With this in mind, I salute the melding of pop-culture character and Silicon Valley with a look at some …
Comics plugged in
Activision gives Xbox, PlayStation 2 and Game Cube owners a chance to assemble and take control of Marvel Comic’s most famous mutated superheroes in X-Men Legends ($49.99). Based on the Ultimate X-Men comic book series, the third-person action game immerses teenagers in a universe of colorful heroes and villains, as up to four players choose from 15 Homo Superior species to stop human and mutant madmen out to control the planet.
What’s the story? The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants has freed their leader, the diabolically intelligent Magneto. An unprovoked attack on mutant-kind by a secret Sentinel army compels Magneto to plan his most maniacal scheme yet. He intends to use his mutant superpowers to shroud the Earth in cosmic debris, blotting out the sun and plunging the globe into eternal winter. From this chaos the Brotherhood will emerge to reign supreme over humankind. As the Sentinels continue to wage worldwide mutant genocide, the X-Men must confront Magneto and save the Earth from certain destruction.
Characters’ character: Penned by a powerful collection of X-Men writers (Joe Casey, Steven Seagle and Duncan Rouleau) known as Man of Action , the game combines authentic superhero decision making, a dynamic combat system and vivid, cinematic scenes into one of the most immersive forays ever seen in the X-Men universe.
The compelling action begins immediately after Wolverine chases down Mystique and — with the help of fellow X-Men Cyclops — battles the Blob who has kidnapped Alison Crestmere, better known as the heroine, Magma.
The game requires the correct choice of teammates, maintaining health and energy packs, collecting tech bits, and completing dangerous missions. Additionally, players must explore the famed Xavier Institute and buildings they can destroy in order to succeed. And they must also control famed heroes such as the Beast, Emma Frost, Jubilee and Gambit through the use of a pleasantly uncomplicated controller scheme.
Never have I been so involved as well as exhausted by the action. Just as immense battles with minions of the Brotherhood and Toad concluded, I returned to the X-Mansion to take control of Alison.
After a conversation with Nightcrawler, I was thrown into the holographic simulation arena of the Danger Room to take on a 1970s adventure as Wolverine, Marvel Girl, Cyclops and Nightcrawler battle Sentinels in New York City.
These types of exhilarating experiences never stop as the player works through over three dozen, power unleashing adventures while utilizing all of the heroes mutant powers. The powers include Cyclops’ optic beams, Storm’s summoning lightening bolts and the Iceman’s ability to freeze opponents in their tracks and create chilly bridges.
To add to the game’s authenticity, actor Patrick Stewart, who stars as Professor Xavier in the live action “X-Men” films, reprises his role vocally as the head of the Xavier Institute. Famed thespians such as Armin Shimerman, Ed Asner and Lou Diamond Phillips also add their audio flare.
Parental blood-pressure meter: 120/90, slightly elevated. Sequential-art-loving dads willfawn over the game as their teenager proudly eradicates members of the Acolytes, HORDE, Morlocks and Magnetos’ minions. No blood is ever spilled, but plenty of extreme comic book action pours from the screen that looks ripped from any of today’s monthly mutant comics.
What if I feel like reading a book? Marvel Comics’ monthly title, Ultimate X-Men ($2.25 each) continues to be one of the most popular books on comic book store shelves due, in part, to gorgeous art by Andy Kubert.
Fans of the game looking for a further immersion into Legends will also want to grab Brady Games’ Official Strategy Guide ($14.99). The guide offers an excellent breakdown of characters and their powers, plenty of hints from the actual game developers, awesome artwork and walk-throughs of every level.
What’s it worth? I thought Activision’s Spider-Man 2 game was great, but the company has managed to top itself in the superhero gaming genre. Easily the most authentic and enjoyable X-Men game to date, Legends proves that when great care is taken — and passion demonstrated in creating a popular sequential art universe — excellence will follow.
Pop bytes
A brief review of game titles that didn’t have time to get fully plugged in.
GI Joe: Valor vs. Venom from Paramount Home Entertainment (for DVD-enabled computers and home entertainment centers, rated PG, $19.99). Hasbro’s famed soldier of the past 40 years continues to assault the digital video world with his second animated feature. Lovers of overly detailed computer-generated animation will really enjoy the disc, which relays a 77-minute story of the evil Cobra Commander trying to combine civilians with the genes of animals to produce a super army.
Of course, when one of GI Joe’s top leaders, General Hawk, is kidnapped by Cobra, its up to the likes of Duke, Scarlett and Heavy Duty to rescue him and stamp out Cobra’s plan.
Among the bonuses on the disc: an extremely helpful tutorial of Wizard of the Coast’s GI Joe trading card game, a video game pitting Snake Eyes against Venomous Maximus’ Cobra Shock Troops (enhanced by a comic book art presentation) and access to a Web site featuring active sequential art stories.
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