It wasn’t too long ago that the heroes of a Marvel comic book series known as the X-Men have found themselves up on the big screen.  And although seeing these mutant superheroes (all of them endowed with neat super powers) was the main attraction of the film, there’s no denying the fact that the real star of the film was a mutant named Logan, AKA Wolverine.  Now, with the sequel X2: X-Men United about to hit theaters everywhere, you can most definitely count on a game being released as well.  X2: Wolverine’s Revenge, a solo Wolverine adventure that can be found on multiple consoles as well as the Game Boy Advance, puts you in control of everyone’s favorite mutant.     

First thing, I must make one thing very clear.  While the console version of the game uses most of the same characters, the GBA version features a different story as well as offering some unique new abilities not seen in the other version.  In fact, the game is so unlike the console version that this is like a new game altogether despite the fact that the games share similar box covers.

The story follows Logan, a mutant with the ability of rapid healing, keen animal scent and sight--he could also pop claws out of the back of his hands.  Then, as part of a secret military operation, an unwilling Logan’s skeleton and claws were laced with the most powerful and unbreakable metal known as adamantium.  Unable to recall his past because of this torturous experiment, Wolverine finds himself searching the Canadian wilderness for clues of his past life only to find himself face-to-face with his nemesis Sabretooth.  Logan soon finds out that Sabretooth, as well as some other agents of evil, have come to steal and then use the secretive Weapon X technology to build an army of super-soldiers.  It is your job as Wolverine to put an end to this plan.

The game’s eight episodes (divided into twenty levels) takes you through various locations such as the Weapon X facility, Mt. Arakawa in Japan and even Xavier Institute.  You basically move around the 2D background brawling or hacking and slashing at mercenary foes that not only come armed but can also put up quite a fistfight.  Wolverine’s abilities are put to good use throughout the game and he has a number of moves such as dive attacks and even sliding.  Most of these moves are seen in the console version but there are many tricks exclusive to the GBA version such as ceiling cling or wall cling. 

His powers also play a big role in the game.  Sheath your claws and Wolverine’s healing factor kicks in and restores his health by pressing the B button.  Slash away and you go into a Feral Rage that makes your attacks even more powerful--although when it runs out, a dazed Logan can become an easy target.  Wolverine can also stalk his prey, but somehow this feature just doesn’t work.  Often times, and without really making any sense at all, a guard will somehow see right through the crate you’re hiding behind and sound the alarm.  And when the alarm sound, be prepared to take on a wave of well-armed guards.

The level design is actually done quite excellently and each level brings something different.  At one point, the game has you chasing Sabretooth without tipping him off that you’re on his trail.  In another mission (and this one is straight from the film itself) you’re defending Xavier’s Institute from special-ops mercenaries sent to attack the school and the young mutants inside.  The main attraction, though, just happens to be the boss fights that pit Wolverine against known bad guys like Omega Red, Magneto, Pyro and Sabretooth.  Each boss fight is unique in its own way and action fans will enjoy the challenge.  My only one complaint is that although the action is raw and entertaining, the game is really short.  You’ll zip through this one quickly and it will leave you craving more.

Visually, Wolverine’s Revenge does a magnificent job of showcasing some pretty gorgeous details in both the games’ comic book styled cut scenes and during the action.  The X-Men hero moves around fluidly and you can make out his features rather too well.  Backgrounds are filled with nice details whether you’re out in the Canadian wilderness or in the sterile confines of the secret military installation.  While all of this is fantastic, the most unique visual feature just happens to be the moment when Wolverine is discovered by the mercenaries.  The camera zooms away, giving you a good view of your surroundings and zooms back in when you make your attack.  Not only does this work, but it also goes to show you that the Game Boy Advance is capable of doing a lot more than we anticipated.

Sound-wise, the game features a really great soundtrack that can be found throughout the game’s many cut scenes as well as during the action.  Since it is a GBA game, the score doesn’t feature a plethora of different tunes, but it does change in various dramatic points in the game.  The sound effects, though, are the sound’s true highlights.  You’ll be wishing the Game Boy Advance’s speakers were just a bit bigger to hear the slashing sounds of Wolverine’s claws or the way crates shatter.  While you’ll hear a repetitive cycle of painful cries from the defeated foes, the sound is still satisfying to hear.

While it’s nothing more than a hack and slash action game, X2: Wolverine’s Revenge is surprisingly fun to play and fans of both the films and the comics will simply love it.  Like last year’s Spider-Man game (by Activision as well), this game makes great use of the Marvel license without being just another rushed product that coincides with the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster film.  This game is also nothing like the console version, bringing a fresh new story and a better assortment of villains to the mix.  It’s short, yes, but it’s still a very entertaining and satisfying adventure.

Gameplay: 7.8
Control-wise, Wolverine’s Revenge manages to keep things tight and responsive enough that you concentrate on the 2D action at hand.  Wolverine can jump and slash his way through foes and crates but he can also perform a number of extra tricks such as scaling walls with his claws as well as stalk his enemies.  Slash enough times and our hero can go into a Feral Rage that causes even more damage.  The fun thing about this game is that the game cleverly adds different challenging objectives to the mix of hack and slash fun.  

The game also offers four cartridge slots in case you want to save your favorite episode or share the game with a friend.

Graphics: 8.0
A visual treat from the very start, the game’s feel is totally comic book inspired with Wolverine looking more like the comic book version rather than the film’s version--although the movie costume is intact.  Cut scenes are composed of comic book panels that tell the story more vividly than the dialogue itself.  During the game, the backgrounds are actually neatly detailed, as are the characters.  You can make out Wolverine’s claws when he unsheathes them and instantly recognize (for those of you who have seen the movies or read the comics) familiar characters, like Mystique, before they are even formally introduced.  This is just one great-looking GBA game.

Sound: 7.8
Wolverine’s Revenge features a pretty great original soundtrack that plays during the action as well as the cut scenes.  While the score does a nice job of immersing you into the action, it’s the sound effects that add an extra punctuation.  The sound of Wolverine’s claws sheathing and unsheathing still has that neat menacing sound to it and listening to the hero tear through the enemies as they cry out in pain is oddly enjoyable even if it is repetitive.  During cut scenes, certain panels come complete with sound effects such as Sabretooth’s grim laughter or Wolverine’s growl.

Difficulty: Medium
Slashing your way through the hordes of mercenaries could be fairly easy, even the ones that are armed.  The game’s true challenge comes with the boss fights that are actually fair yet challenging.  There are also moments in the game where you have to use stealth, a feature that is not done very well.  You’ll find yourself failing the stealth parts too many times and suffer the penalty of fighting waves of extra enemies.

Concept: 8.0
There have been a small number of games featuring Wolverine (think back in the days of the NES) as the protagonist but none of them really captured the essence of the character . . . until now.  Most of Wolverine’s signature abilities are present in this game and are put to good use throughout the game (such as the character’s violent feral rages and scent tracking).  Still the best thing about this game is that it has you interacting with known characters such as Mystique, Pyro and Professor Xavier.   It also features a different story than the one found in the console version and some bonuses such as the Danger Rooms feature.

Overall: 8.0
While it’s relatively short and not incredibly deep, X2: Wolverine’s Revenge is a highly entertaining romp worthy of the much-loved X-Man.  With gorgeous visuals and tight controls, gamers and fans will enjoy taking Wolverine through familiar surrounding and interacting with plenty of Marvel characters throughout the game.  If you’re a fan of the vicious Wolverine or enjoy a thrilling action game on your Game Boy Advance, buy this one right away.