X2: Wolverine's Revenge

"Everyone wants to be Wolverine!"

I got this game as a gift, thinking it would be a wonderful time playing as the claw-flying, scent-sniffing man himself. It was fun most of the time, but in between... it made me want to rip the metal out of him myself.

Game play: 8/10
This game is an action game with a bit of stealth and a lot of beat'em up. You basically go around, find something with a pulse, beat the snot out of it until the word ''STRIKE!'' appears on your screen. When this happens, you can perform quick, powerful and overall impressive moves, resulting in a lot of dead bodies. If you're a stealth person, you can go that way as well. You can sneak up to a wall, see a guard on the other side, jump out and stab him silently. This will result in a dead body, a lot less commotion, and a dog tag, which, when enough are collected, can get you new STRIKE! moves. Fighting is somewhat repetitive, and, later on, to the point of frustration, as most of your moves will be blocked.

Controls: 7/10
The controls feel right when you're playing as Wolverine, all the buttons fit with the actions. But, the controls are somewhat sluggish. Especially when you try to do things that should make you go ''Wow!'', instead make you go ''TURN DAMMIT!''. Piloting drones and the like is control-throwingly frustrating, and will make you start over a lot, due to dying, because you can't control it.

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics are impressive, right down to the hair on Logan's back. However, there are some things that will make you think of the N64, such as when Wolverine's claws go through an enemy when you turn. When you use your senses, the graphics are just great, the look of the world around you will have you shaking in your boots. It's just cool to see a projection of the possible ways to sneak up on a guard, it will make you say, ''Ah, good idea!''

Sound: 6/10
This game just doesn't hold up here. All the enemies have the same, moaning, dying sound. Considering the amount of enemies you have to face, this just gets plain-out annoying. Also, when you use your senses, which are used quite a bit, the same heart-beat sound is played. All the time. When you get seen, it should speed up, but no, it stays the same.

Final Note
This game is good fun for the most part, kindling for the rest. It's a good, solid game with a few flaws.

Rent or Buy?
If you're a hardcore X man, buy, everyone else, rent it and see how you like it.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/21/03, Updated 04/21/03