
This time around, the X-Men have teamed up with their one-time enemies - the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants - bringing new characters like Magneto, Juggernaut, and Toad under the control of your keyboard or control pad. Like its predecessor, X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse does just that, and produces a great action-RPG that just wouldn't have been the same with any other cast. When done right, that license can be an integral part of the whole experience, bringing all its character, energy, depth, and mythos into a new medium. The first X-Men Legends game proved that, despite so many lackluster licensed titles, a popular franchise can actually be put to good use. The home computer version also offers exclusive additional characters and missions. The PC version of X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse features online co-op play, and competitive Danger Room and Skirmish missions are available to Internet-connected gamers. It seems that past rivalries may be forgotten - at least temporarily - in the face of a universal threat posed by the ancient, megalomaniacal, Egyptian super-mutant known as Apocalypse. In addition to Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and other characters playable in the first Legends, the sequel also lets fans of the series choose lesser-known X-Men, such as the energy-absorbing Bishop, or even the team's nemesis, Magento, and members of his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants such as Toad and Juggernaut. Each of the game's 16 playable characters has ten personalized powers, which can be customized and upgraded with experience and power-ups. Between missions, heroes can rest, recover, and re-supply, at Professor's X academy headquarters, or one of four other game world hubs. Once again, players control small squads of X-Men in a series of action-oriented, combat-intensive missions that lead them through the game's comics-inspired storyline.

Professor Xavier's team of misunderstood mutants battles on in this sequel RPG from Raven and Activision, creators of the original.
