X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (PSP)

The X-Men series, unlike many movie/comic book licensed games, has been noteworthy for its consistent quality and PSP-owning fans of the series will be pleased to learn that this latest console port is a top-notch addition to the X-Men gaming canon.

That’s right, it is a port from the console versions of the same name, but unlike (too) many PSP ports in the nascent handheld’s short time on this earth, this one actually holds its own against its large-screen siblings. In fact, rather than cut down on a few features, as is the norm, this version even has a few extra levels and characters thrown in. Even the excellent online (infrastructure) mode is intact.

If you’re reading this you’re almost certainly a PSP-owner (and if not, just how bored at work are you?) and, like me, doubtless frustrated by the distinct lack of games to take advantage of the exciting possibilities of the machine’s online capabilities. In a country with a population as sparse as Australia’s this is doubly irritating because the chances of sharing a bus ride with someone even owning a PSP, let alone playing the same game as you, are frankly miniscule. Anyway, the point of this mild rant is that it’s great finally to get your hands on a game that not only features online play, but that has also implemented it so well and with such ease-of-use. Publishers, if I can flatter myself that any are reading this, please take note.

At this point I suppose I should really let you know what the game’s all about. Fundamentally, it’s a role-playing/action hybrid that’s mercifully forgiving for those not given to tweaking their characters’ skills endlessly who would rather just jump into the action. On the other hand, if the RPG deal is your bag you can happily spend all the time in the world fiddling around with your characters’ attributes. As someone not patient enough for the full-on RPG business, the option to have the computer automatically allocate everything is a fantastic addition to the game and lets you concentrate on the more visceral fighting aspects of the game.

I won’t get into the story, but basically you and 3 other X-Men, whom you can alternate control of, are sent on missions in pleasantly varied locations and in pursuit of various ne’er-do-wells. Each X-Man (or X-Woman, if that’s the correct term. Perhaps we should go with X-Person?) has powers unique to him/her/it and at certain points it’s up to you how best to choose which of the X-Men in your team to use to get past the obstacle/puzzle/foe in front of you. In time-honoured videogame fashion these challenges become more, well, challenging as you progress, but the range of powers at your characters’ disposal keeps pace with these fresh onslaughts so the game feels nicely paced.

Much of the game is taken up with two-button combat action, but you’ve also got those freaky X powers at hand, which make it more interesting than the average hack n’ slash action game.

On the negative side, the PSP’s lack of a second analogue stick (why, Sony, when there’s a lovely little space for it?) means that you can’t independently control the camera, which results in some frustrations when you occasionally can’t see what your character is looking at.

However, overall this is a very good port made excellent by the addition of the wonder of online co-op play and extra content exclusive to the PSP. It pulls off the neat trick of keeping both RPG and straight-up action fans happy so is a welcome addition to the slowly improving catalogue of games available on the PSP. Oh, and it’s got Patrick Stewart’s real voice in it. Class.

Overall 4/5

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