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 \  /--MEN LEGENDS II-----------------------------------------------------
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A.01:  Review
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X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is proof of the old adage, bigger is 
not always better. Compared to XML1, XML2 has more mutants with more powers 
fighting through bigger areas against bigger bosses. About the only thing 
that's really an improvement; however, are the bigger bosses.

Raven Software tweaked the graphics--at least you can count the fingers on 
the hands of the characters during cutscenes--but the locales tend to be 
annoyingly similar. And, the more you play, the more you realize a lot of 
the "extras" added to the game are just filler. More collecting X number of 
items. More long, meandering hallways built by Frank Lloyd Wright's insane 
twin filled with cannon fodder that must be disposed of using the even 
greater number of powers at your disposal, which leads to lots and lots of 
reading and experimenting and calculating...and other complexity.

Admittedly, there are some nice touches. There's a bit more variety in the 
powers now, especially with Xtremes. The bosses are even more fearsome and 
even some of the early bosses can lay waste your entire team a few times 
before you figure them out. The story is pretty good and will hold your 
interest, though it will be tried many times as you slink your way through 
yet more mindless filler.

Overall, this game rates about the same as the first. For every 
improvement, there's a disappointment. Still, in the end, this is one of 
the best superhero titles as well as one of the best action RPGs to come 
down the pike this year.