Summary
- Release Year: 2001
- Genres: Fighting
- Platforms: PlayStation
- Developers: Midway Studios Los Angeles
- Publishers: Activision
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001)
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 is a fighting game developed by Paradox Development and published by Activision for the PlayStation. It was released in North America on May 14, 2001, and in Europe on May 25, 2001. The game is the sequel to X-Men: Mutant Academy, and features many of the same characters and gameplay mechanics.
Gameplay
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 is a 3D fighting game in which players select one of 15 characters to battle against each other in one-on-one matches. The game features a variety of different game modes, including Arcade Mode, Versus Mode, Training Mode, and Survival Mode.
In Arcade Mode, players fight their way through a series of increasingly difficult opponents in order to reach the final boss, Apocalypse. In Versus Mode, players can battle against each other locally or online. Training Mode allows players to practice their moves and combos, while Survival Mode challenges players to defeat as many opponents as possible in a row without losing.
The game’s combat system is based on the three-button layout common to most fighting games. Players can use the light, medium, and heavy attack buttons to perform a variety of different attacks. Each character also has a unique set of special moves that can be performed by inputting specific button combinations.
Characters
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 features a roster of 15 playable characters, including:
- Wolverine
- Cyclops
- Storm
- Jean Grey
- Rogue
- Gambit
- Jubilee
- Colossus
- Nightcrawler
- Psylocke
- Sabretooth
- Magneto
- Mystique
- Apocalypse
Each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and players must learn to use their abilities effectively in order to win matches.
Graphics and Sound
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 features impressive graphics for a PlayStation game. The character models are well-detailed, and the backgrounds are lush and vibrant. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and features a mix of original music and licensed tracks.
Reception
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and roster of characters. However, some critics found the game to be too similar to its predecessor, and felt that it didn’t offer enough new features.
Despite these criticisms, X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game is still considered to be one of the best fighting games on the PlayStation.
Legacy
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 is one of the most popular X-Men fighting games ever released. The game’s success helped to spawn a number of sequels and spin-offs, including X-Men: Next Dimension and X-Men: The Official Game.
The game is also notable for its inclusion of several characters who would later go on to become major stars in the X-Men franchise, such as Psylocke and Jubilee.
Conclusion
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 is a great fighting game that is still enjoyed by fans today. The game features a large roster of characters, fluid gameplay, and impressive graphics. If you’re a fan of fighting games or the X-Men franchise, then you should definitely check out X-Men: Mutant Academy 2.
Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Large roster of characters
- Fluid gameplay
- Impressive graphics
- Great soundtrack
Cons:
- Too similar to its predecessor
- Not enough new features
Review Score
7.5/10
