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Review: X-Men: Children of the Atom |
The world’s most famous superhero team makes its way into the Sega Saturn and like its arcade counterparts delivers some hard hitting fighting game action. One of the greatest things about X-Men: Children of the Atom is the excellent hand drawn animation! Back in the days when Jim Lee used to draw the X-Men its when they X-Men looked best (though I can not complain with Andy Kubert, he does a hell of a job) and this game looks just as impressive. All the characters have lots of detail and exaggerated expressions and moves (check out Cyclops Enormous Eye Beam) so the comic feel and look has been ported perfectly. The power of the Saturn’s 2D engine is easily identified in this game with crystal clear backgrounds; which are really a feast for the eyes. Of course even though the game does have good graphics they are not really ground breaking. Darkstalkers is as good a game as this one as far as graphics are concern.
There are plenty of smacks and explosion sounds to keep the action going for days! Cyclop’s Eye Laser’s SHHHHHZZ sound is just great and Storm’s winds (not to be confused with gas) sound arcade perfect. There is something about Wolverine that is not right, his claws do not “ching and chang” but “slash” when they hit people. If you have watched an anime before you know what Im talking about. The occasionally “Your next Bob” by Wolverine was a nice touch to add to his personality. The thing I personally do not like about X-Men: Children of the Atom is the fact that they did not include the cachy cartoon theme song. If Capcom would have added that song this game would have been amazing! The music however, is alright but nothing to get all excited about.
The Sega Saturn controller handles the game just right. The character’s animation is right on, meaning easy to maneuver the characters around. As far as the combos and moves are concerned, they could not get any easier so putting up some impressive combos will be easily performed. Super jumping and moving your character while in mid air is also a breeze.
This plays basically the same way as Street Fighter Alpha with a few differences that must be noted. The super jumps are definitely one of the coolest ideas to ever grace a fighting game. This mode of fighting is not only perfect for a superhero comic book game, but its also amazingly fun! Air combos are now possible in a great variety of ways. The double jump also plays a great part in this game, the amount of trickery is amazing. There are also a great deal of super powers and Capcom style combos to keep the action satisfactory. The loading is bearable even for a CD so that should not keep you away.
If you were ever a child (you were a child right?) then you probably had a superhero of choice as well as a villain. All X-Men fans need apply, after years of waiting for the 2 player vs X-Men game it has finally hit the Sega Saturn in a perfect arcade translation minus loading. This game is pure fun specially with the great super jumps and air combos. Capcom has finally thought of something new to add to their games.
X-Men: Children of the Atom is one of the greatest games Capcom has done. It beats Street Fighter Alpha by a long run and it totally trashes any of the Darkstalkers games. The game has the options, the moves, and best of all the comic sheer pleasure. Get yourself this brawler.
