Genesis

X-Men 2: Clone Wars

Take X-Men 1, intensify it by about 5 times and you've got sequel power: X-Men 2, The Clone Wars. The game still doesn't have the greatest animation or music (although it is much improved), but it does have more special effects, great artwork, huge levels and some truly fierce bosses. If you liked the first one, you should be more than happy with this next generation sequel.

No doubt about it, I enjoyed this game heartily. Sega took the license and ran with it, coming up with a game that will have X-Men fans peeing themselves and converting a slew of new comic-book games. Dare we hope for future X-Men games for the Sega CD or 32X? Imagine the possibilities you'd be able to pick from a menu of two dozen X-Men! The game could be huge! Are you listening, Sega?

When it's all said and done, X-Men 2 is likely to help you develop a mutant power of your own -- a mastery of the Sega Genesis control pad.

Still, fans of the X-Men will really enjoy the capabilities of their heroes, though tough boss characters like Apocalypse will challenge intermediate gamers. If platform punchers are your type of game, then join this team. "X" again marks the spot.

It's bigger, it's better, it's bolder, it's spicier! It's the sequel to Sega's old X-Men game and it's awesome. Yes, it's a platform game, but it's a fun and interesting platform game. Novel concept, eh? Run around as Psylocke or the other X-Men and defeat the evil schemes of the bad guys. Thin plot aside, it's an enjoyable ride. Cool new moves for each character and some great animation for these incredible heroes. Great gameplay overall. Make sure you use those mutant powers wisely. (So, when is there gonna be an X-Men movie?)

With no save feature and fairly challenging gameplay, X-Men 2 could have been a very frustrating title. But with eight lives per player and strategically placed health power-ups, the game stays interesting and enjoyable instead of baffling.

Overall there's really not too much to moan about with X-Men 2. People turned off by challenging games need not apply. Everyone else can enjoy a licensed action game that doesn't suck, isn't a pushover, and even uses its source material constructively - a rare breed indeed.

X-Men 2: Clone Wars is pretty much like the first Genesis X-Men game, except there are more characters to choose from, each with diversified attacks. Yet, the game suffers from generic sound effects and other sub-par elements (not to mention that goofy, mandatory introduction stage). Granted, there are several attacks and techniques to master, but the game never seems to come alive, despite a few cool (not to mention huge) bosses and challenging levels.

Although released four years after the first Genesis X-Men, this cartridge managed to atone for many of its predecessor's sins. First, the graphics are MUCH improved. The characters are larger, sharper, and more detailed. The music is menacing, and the sound effects are high quality. The stages are more interesting, including a snow stage in Siberia. Although there's still plenty of jumping, the platforms are larger and much more forgiving. Your special moves are no longer limited, allowing you to be more aggressive. You can choose between Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Beast, Psylocke, and even the evil Magneto(?!). Unlike the first game, you cannot switch characters during a mission. X-Men 2 is a much better game, but it's still very difficult, and there aren't any checkpoints.