X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse [PS2]

When the X-Men go on a mission they hit hard, they strike at multiple objectives, and they work together (well...sometimes). This time around, they're in the mix with the Brotherhood against Apocalypse, with an even bigger roster of characters, more costumes-and subtle combinations of them that make for small differences that laymen may miss, but fans will appreciate.

Accordingly, the much-awaited X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (slated for release on September 20), has every major console gaming platform in the crosshairs, including the PC and an October PSP version (N-Gage is also currently listed on Activision's web site), and finally takes its bad mutant self into the realm of online multiplayer action.

Magneto, Wolverine, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Storm, Rogue, Bishop, Juggernaut, Colossus, Sunfire, even Jubilee-they're all here, for a total of at least 16. (And, yes: even less, ahem, popular characters like Jubilee will have a minimum of ten powers, which might help lift them off some of those "Lamest X-Men Ever" lists.) Currently-announced environments and levels include the Perimeter Platforms, Weapon X Facility and Sanctuary hub levels, Madri Temple, Infinite Factory, the brand-new Insect Tunnels, and the sprawling, open Egypt levels.

With a character list like this, a big part of the fun is working in little neato extras and incidental color for the fans. For example, there's a sizeable selection of character and costume combos: assemble a party of characters with team- and era-compatible costumes, and a minor-but still notable-health-bar bonus results. It's nothing that will hugely rock the core experience off its axis, but it's a great touch. Similar background-effect mechanics will be peppered throughout the game for the alert player to discover.

Speaking of mechanics, the base gameplay is quite simply an improvement-or rather, a series of them-on that offered in the previous X-Men Legends. It's a bash-and-slasher, with lots of great visual effects, multiple environmental 'hubs,' and more RPG character-boosting elements (plus the ability to play as the Brotherhood alongside the traditional X-Men!).

A new auto-leveling system is also in place for online play, aimed at streamlining each player's character-modding in the course of online games (because there's nothing quite like waiting for remote players to get their nerd on, slowly and meticulously tweaking their stats while others wait). Of course, no AI system will satisfy all players... but there are some obvious character and stat progressions that will keep party-based play rolling with minimal problems.

Further, the personality aspect of the game will also be increased. Nobody with an investment in their favorite characters wants bland, generic presentation; Rise of Apocalypse boosts the literal 'character' factor, with specific interactions between the various principals. Non-player characters will greet characters of friendly affiliation accordingly, and may actively diss those of enemy alliance. Similarly, active characters will sound off with snarky exchanges, even in the midst of combat. It won't infringe effects or information a player needs to receive to conquer the game, but promises to enhance the overall experience.

In-game 'vendors,' too, have a new outlook on life (or at least, business). Available items will be vastly expanded and, more to the point, updated at random. When something cool hits the shelves, will you have a chance to get it again anytime in the near future? Do you feel lucky, punk?

AI shows improvement, in both the friendly and enemy camps, with team-members better able to take care of themselves than in the previous game. When you're in some long-fought boss battle (between ten and twenty, trust us, very long minutes) against the likes of Archangel, and it's starting to become less a matter of who wins than who doesn't, you know, lose, it's good to know that AI allies can actually be relied upon to unleash their powers without being micromanaged.

Sequels don't always deliver, but X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is looking to be a promising, online-enabled powerhouse of detail and destruction following a predecessor that already got good grades (and time off for good behavior). The geekily-enhanced RPG elements might seem a little intimidating for casual gamers at first blush, but the auto-streamlining elements will surely blunt such criticisms for those who don't want all that fuss. What's left is an improved package of AI, visuals, details and multiplayer, aimed at both the hardcore and the casual alike. We'll get our Adamantium claws into a full review when the game ships on September 20th.