X-Men: Next Dimension

"Worth the time"

X-Men games are a treat sometimes. The stellar action side-scroll games were the first ones I played. And with the release of the first X-Men fighting games in Arcades and on home consoles I followed along and played them as well.

This recent addition to the X-Men game legacy is indeed worthy to join their ranks.

Story

The story is not what your really after in a fighting game at times, but this story is tightly scripted and mixed with the stellar voice acting from such voice acting greats as Jennifer Hale. Also the movie sequences propel the story along nicely. I found more plot in this game than Bloody Roar Primal Fury. So trust me if you’re looking for a story, and are a fan of the comics or just one X-Man, the story will have your attention somewhat.

8/10

Gameplay

My god, the effects with the fighting are intense and spectacular indeed! Executing fighting moves and combos is a cinch to master if your familiar with games like Marvel VS. Capcom. The characters with the ability to fly also add another dimension to game play with their flying capabilities.

The real treat is when you fill up the four energy meters to execute power attacks. But the power meters system in this game is unique due to the fact that you can divert acquired energy to another bar. An example of this in action would be what if you have your level one bar filled, but you want to do a level two super move with someone? Simply press Z and press the corresponding level two energy swap button to switch the energy and viola you have that bar partially filled or completely filled to be used for bashing someone through a wall or building.

Yes I am serious about the wall stuff, like in games like Dead or Alive, Bloody Roar and others. Your environments can cause damage and provide a great show. Phoenix can even telekinetically lift objects laying around in some stages and smack her opponent with them. I have yet to throw anything with other characters but that was a surprise when I did it myself.

Fighting on Asteroid M is a treat as well, as you kick your opponent through window after window till you reach the reactor core, leaping after your opponent dramatically to continue the fight if the fall or falls have not killed them. This game WILL have you dazzled by the effects of bashing people into stuff and through stuff.

The “Matrix” like freeze effects are amazing as well. Rouge for example has a power attack where she speeds up to blazing speeds and gets work done. Her nearly slow motion upper cut special is quite the finisher as well.

10/10

Graphics

X-Men Mutant Academy. That is the first thing I thought when I saw the character roster, I only played the demo for that but the game reminded me of it when I first started playing it. The graphics are beyond that old game, as well as the animation for each character. Powers are interesting to see used. As well as the flashy fighting sequences when both you and a friend are really going at it with really fast characters like Psylocke and Wolverine

If anything the backgrounds actually make you feel like you’re an X-Man there in the midst of battle. From the Xavier Mansion, to a rooftop construction zone. The details come through.

There was only one noticeable glitch and that was a camera accident that was fixed by walking back towards my opponent. Its cause was unknown and I have yet to see it again. And it only happened on one stage.

The environments are Huge on some levels, and you can take the fight from a hallway in the Xavier Mansion, to a study, out the study window, to the garden, from the garden and to the hanger. The graphics will suck you in if you have a thing for well-detailed level design. I must say this game captured the feel and look of the X-Men properly and accurately.

9/10

Sound

Nothing memorable, but what you really want is music that properly highlights your fights. This musical score does that in spades and rarely will hinder your enjoyment but enhance it as it is expected to do.

10/10

Overall/Replay Value

If you’re a fan of fighters, pick this game up and play it to death. You can more than likely get it for twenty dollars if you shop around. And it is not that old to boot either. Also if your bored for a weekend or so and are an expert fighter. Pick it up and play it to death. I am sure one X-man is your fave or would quickly become a favorite as you play this game for a bit.

10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/01/03, Updated 03/01/03