Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past Review

By , on May 22, 2014
Last modified 10 years, 6 months ago

Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past
Download on the AppStore
4 out of 5

PROS

  • Fantastic control system
  • Attractive comic book style
  • Good cast of playable characters for fans

CONS

  • Does get repetitive
  • Characters are all quite similar at first

VERDICT

Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past looks and plays like a sharp 16-bit platformer, with a control system that suits the touchscreen down to the ground.


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While clearly released to serve as a tie-in to the impending movie, Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past is styled after the original comic series. As per the books, the assassination of a senator sets into motion events that bring about a dystopian future ruled over by massive robot Sentinels.

You take control of Wolverine first. , who must schnickt his way through thug, goons, mutants, and mechanoids alike. As with classic 2D side-scrollers like Shinobi, you'll be leaping between platforms, executing special movies, and double-jumping like you mutton chops depend upon it.

Everything controls marvellously. The virtual buttons do a strong job of relaying your movement commands, but it is the attack system that really elevates the gameplay. Rather than a selection of attack buttons dotted around the screen, combat is controlled by an intuitive stick / button hybrid that allows you to tap it for a simple punch, or swipe across it in various directions to unleash special attacks.

As you advance through the game you slowly add more X-Men to your squad, all of which have their own unique traits - Colossus possesses a powerful charge punch, and Kitty Pryde can summon dragon which unleashes handy automatic attacks. There are notable differences in movement speed, too, with Colossus stomping around like his shoes are coated in glue, while Shadowcat springs athletically between platforms.

A shared XP bank lets you unlock extra abilities for any character. This begins to boost your mutants powers, and open up new perks. The real core of the action never really changes, though, so even with these powers you will eventually find yourself wanting a break from the action now and then. The levels are broken up by loading screens as it is, but we still felt a little fatigued by the combat after extended plays.

Its not perfect, but Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past is a great interpretation of the classic arcade 2D platformer. Long sessions do become tiring, but this won't stop you wanting to revisit the handsome visuals and meaty combat to fight for the future.

Screenshots

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