X-Men: Next Dimension

Last updated
X-Men: Next Dimension
X-Men - Next Dimension Coverart.jpg
Developer(s)
Publisher(s) Activision
Platform(s) GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
  • NA: October 22, 2002 (GC, PS2) [1]
  • NA: October 29, 2002 (Xbox) [2]
  • EU: November 22, 2002 (PS2, Xbox) [3]
  • EU: November 29, 2002 (GC)
Genre(s) Versus fighting
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

X-Men: Next Dimension (alternatively titled X-Men: Mutant Academy 3) is a fighting game, released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube video game consoles. It is the third installment in the X-Men: Mutant Academy [4] fighting game series, following X-Men: Mutant Academy and X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 .

Contents

Next Dimension expands upon the concept of the first two games by adding several new characters, 3D maps, and a story mode, which allows the player to fight a series of battles in between short movies that move the plot along. The game's plot serves as a sequel to the events of the comic story "Operation: Zero Tolerance".

Gameplay

X-Men Next: Dimension features characters from both the X-Men and Brotherhood factions of Marvel Comics. Stages are rendered in 3D and characters have full 3D freedom of movement within the fighting plane. X-men next dimension gameplay.jpg
X-Men Next: Dimension features characters from both the X-Men and Brotherhood factions of Marvel Comics. Stages are rendered in 3D and characters have full 3D freedom of movement within the fighting plane.

The gameplay mechanics are tailored to a very gradual learning curve: super attacks are performed by pressing two punch or kick buttons simultaneously, and multi-hit combos can be executed by pressing the punch and kick buttons in a particular order (a feature similar to Darkstalkers' chain combos). The game features an extensive combo system, including normal chains, air juggles, and air launchers. In addition to the basic blocking system, players have various counterattacks available to them that can be executed by simply pressing the counterattack button and a direction on the controller. The counter-attacks are specific to the type of attack the player is countering.

The fighting stages are fully 3D rendered stages with their own layouts. As in Dead or Alive 3 it is possible to knock an opponent to a different part of the stage, which functions as its own individual stage. In the X-Mansion, for example, an opponent can be knocked from the Hangar to the Hallway, then to the outer courtyard where, after the 2nd round, the basketball court opens up, allowing a player to be knocked back into the Hangar.

While in Story Mode, only a limited set of characters are available for each battle; Arcade Mode allows the player to select from any of the playable characters in a series of eight battles. The Two-Player Versus Mode also allows players to choose from any of the unlocked characters. The game also features a Survival Mode, in which a single player is pitted against a never-ending flow of computer-controlled opponents in a test of endurance.

In addition to the standard moves, the player can also access special and super attacks. The special attacks include blasts/beams (some of which can stun an opponent), physical attacks that have special effects (such as moving to one side before hitting) and attack throws. There are several different types of super attacks, and each have four different levels of power.

Many of the attacks and motions in the game are influenced by those available to the player in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. Three of Wolverine's attacks (his level 3 super, his Adamantium attack, and its super) are examples of this.

The GameCube version includes exclusive modes: Team and Practice. The Xbox version features an extra stage and the ability to play as Pyro.

Plot

Narrated by Patrick Stewart (reprising his role as Professor Charles Xavier from the X-Men movies), the game's plot is built around the Prime Sentinels retrieving the head of Bastion, and Bastion's subsequent attempt to wipe out mutant-kind. The game opens with the Prime Sentinels freeing Bastion from S.H.I.E.L.D. imprisonment, then disguising themselves and selling the defense plans of Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters—the X-Men's home and training grounds—to the Brotherhood of Mutants. The game then moves forward to Forge fighting off Mystique and Nightcrawler in a city ravaged by a Prime Sentinel invasion. The graves of Anthony Stark, Warren Worthington III, Peter Parker, and Benjamin Grimm can be seen in the background. This is revealed to be a Danger Room simulation, and the X-Men begin training their adaptivity by fighting opponents who have a tactical advantage.

During this training session, Juggernaut and the Brotherhood (consisting of Mystique, Toad, and Sabretooth) make their assault on the mansion. Xavier is curious as to the nature of their attack, worrying that it seems "too focused, almost like a distraction" and sends Forge to investigate the grounds. He discovers that the attack was a distraction, and that the grounds are now being patrolled by Prime Sentinels.

After attempting to fight off the Sentinels, Forge is abducted and the Brotherhood retreats. Restrained in the company of Bastion, the seemingly human Sentinel tells Forge he intends to use the man's mutant gift to bring about the extinction of mutants. He steals various weapon designs from Forge's mind, including a powerful weapon capable of stripping a mutant of their powers. In an attempt to throw the X-Men off his scent, He sends the Brotherhood to different locations across the world. The X-Men split up and engage each member in a bid to find Forge and stop the Prime Sentinel. After their defeat, the Brotherhood retreats to find Magneto in the Savage Land, only to find that Magneto has been hunted down by the Sentinels as well and is no longer in control of his fortress. The X-Men, having followed the Brotherhood, also arrive and Magneto charges the Brotherhood to fight them off long enough to convince them to join forces.

With the X-Men and the Brotherhood forming a temporary alliance, the team fights their way through a legion of Sentinels, though not without losses of their own. In the end, Magneto, Wolverine, Juggernaut and Phoenix invade the tower for the final battle with Bastion. Bastion uses Magneto's trans-mat system to transport Juggernaut away from the tower, then escapes to Asteroid M, but he is followed by a piggybacking Wolverine. Wolverine, whose healing factor was disabled by the Sentinels earlier, manages to defeat Bastion. Magneto and Phoenix arrive to help Wolverine, and Magneto prevents a weakened Bastion from escaping again. The two battle, and Magneto is defeated.

When Bastion returns to the central room, he finds Phoenix, who challenges and finally defeats him. The Prime Sentinels are disbanded, and the X-Men and the Brotherhood agree to a temporary cease-fire while the wounded are restored to health. Forge is freed and he reverses the effects of his weapon, restoring everything to normal. With Bastion returned to S.H.I.E.L.D., the X-Men are free to continue training to fight for a better future.

Upon reaching the ending level of Asteroid M, the player has the chance to fight Bastion as three characters: Wolverine, then Magneto, and finally Phoenix. Whether Wolverine defeats Bastion or is defeated himself, the game proceeds to Magneto's fight with Bastion. If Magneto defeats Bastion, the finale video is simply accelerated and Phoenix does not fight Bastion. If Magneto is defeated, Bastion and Phoenix comprise the final fight of the game.

Alternate endings:

Characters

X-Men: Next Dimension features twenty-four playable characters, plus one additional character exclusive to the Xbox version. Nearly every character from Mutant Academy 2 returns, with the exceptions of Professor X and Spider-Man. Many can be unlocked through gameplay in other modes, and alternate costumes for each character are also available. The main costumes for each character are based on the two main X-Men comics at the time, New X-Men and X-Treme X-Men . Of these, two essentially mirror other characters, although still retaining their individuality: Phoenix is essentially similar to the unlockable Dark Phoenix, although the two differ in certain Supers (Phoenix's are more psi-based, while Dark Phoenix takes her powers from the fiery appearance of the Phoenix). Similarly, Betsy and Psylocke are essentially the same character, given that "Betsy" is based on the Betsy Braddock's telepathic incarnation and employs a "psi-blade" emerging from her fist, and "Psylocke" is based on the more recent telekinetically powered version and manifests a fully formed psionic katana in combat. New characters are marked below in bold:

  1. ↑ Xbox only.

Reception

Much like X-Men: Mutant Academy and unlike X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 , X-Men: Next Dimension received mixed or average reviews. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 61.79% and 61 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version; [6] [9] 59.30% and 56 out of 100 for the Xbox version; [7] [10] and 62.62% and 63 out of 100 for the GameCube version. [5] [8] Some critics and fans said Next Dimension is the best game in the Mutant Academy franchise. Others criticized the GameCube and Xbox versions for its inspiration from Dead or Alive 3 . Despite the criticism, many praised all versions for its improved gameplay, new characters, and excellent 3D environments.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colossus (character)</span> Fictional character

Colossus is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyro (Marvel Comics)</span> Marvel Comics character

Pyro is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brotherhood of Mutants</span> Fictional team by Marvel Comics

The Brotherhood of Mutants is a fictional group of mutants appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Brotherhood are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toad (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics

Toad is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The X-Men #4.

<i>Ultimate X-Men</i> Comic book series

Ultimate X-Men is a superhero comic book series, which was published by Marvel Comics, from 2001 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running X-Men comic book franchise as part of the Ultimate Marvel imprint. The Ultimate X-Men exist alongside other revamped Marvel characters in Ultimate Marvel titles including Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four and The Ultimates.

<i>X-Men Legends</i> 2004 video game

X-Men Legends is an action role-playing video game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. It was released on the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles in 2004. Barking Lizards Technologies developed the N-Gage port of the game, which was released in early 2005. Players can play as one of fifteen X-Men characters, with the ability to switch between four computer- or human-controlled characters at any time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Sentinel</span> Fictional comic book androids

Prime Sentinels are an advanced type of fictional Sentinel appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are depicted as a humans-turned-cyborgs that uses nanotechnology from the "Days of Future Past" alternate future. Like the original Sentinels, they are typically depicted as antagonists to the X-Men.

<i>X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse</i> 2005 video game

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is an action role-playing game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. It is the follow-up to 2004's X-Men Legends. It was released in September 2005 for the GameCube, Windows, N-Gage, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox. It is set after the events of X-Men Legends and features the mutant supervillain Apocalypse as the primary antagonist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X-Mansion</span> Fictional mansion in the X-Men comics

X-Mansion and Xavier Institute are the common names for a mansion and research institute appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The mansion is depicted as the private estate of Charles Francis Xavier and serves as the base of operations and training site of the X-Men. It is also the location of an accredited private school for mutant children, teenagers, and sometimes older aged mutants, the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, formerly the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. The X-Mansion is also the worldwide headquarters of the X-Corporation.

<i>X2: Wolverines Revenge</i> 2003 video game

X2: Wolverine's Revenge is an action beat 'em up video game based on Marvel Comics character Wolverine, a member of the mutant team X-Men, developed by British game developer GenePool Software and published by Activision for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox with the former developed by Warthog Games alongside GenePool and ported to Windows by LTI Gray Matter. It was released on April 15, 2003, to coincide with the release of the film X2. The Game Boy Advance version developed by Vicarious Visions was re-released on a Twin Pack cartridge and bundled with Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace in 2005.

<i>X-Men: The Official Game</i> 2006 video game

X-Men: The Official Game is a 2006 beat 'em up video game developed by Z-Axis and published by Activision. It is a tie-in to X-Men: The Last Stand. The game covers the events between the films X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand, specifically following the characters of Logan, Iceman, and Nightcrawler. It also bridges the gap between the two films, explaining why Nightcrawler is not present for The Last Stand, and also introduces new foes for the game, such as HYDRA. The game uses several voice actors from the X-Men film series including Hugh Jackman, Alan Cumming, Shawn Ashmore, Patrick Stewart, Tyler Mane, and Eric Dane.

<i>Operation: Zero Tolerance</i> Marvel Comics storyline

"Operation: Zero Tolerance" was a crossover storyline that ran through Marvel Comics' X-Men related titles during 1997. The story followed from the "Onslaught Saga" and focused on individuals, including Bastion and Henry Peter Gyrich, within the United States government and their attempts to use their positions to hunt and kill all mutants across the country. Within the story, the program is known as "Operation: Zero Tolerance".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggernaut (character)</span> Marvel Comics character

Juggernaut is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #12 as an adversary of the eponymous superhero team. Since then, he has come into conflict with other heroes, primarily Spider-Man and the Hulk.

Magneto, a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, has been included in almost every media adaptation of the X-Men franchise, including films, television series and video games.

This is a list of all media appearances of the Marvel Comics character Cyclops.

This is a list of all media appearances of the Marvel Comics character Storm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X-Men in other media</span> Overview of X-Men in other media

The X-Men are a fictional superhero team created by Marvel Comics that appear in comic books and other forms of media.

<i>X-Men: Destiny</i> 2011 video game

X-Men: Destiny is an action role-playing video game based on the X-Men comic book series. It was developed by Silicon Knights. Written by Mike Carey, the writer of the X-Men: Legacy comic book series, it was published and released by Activision for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 consoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betsy Braddock in other media</span> Appearances of Marvel Comics character

The Marvel Comics character Betsy Braddock has made many appearances in media other than comic books, including television, films, and video games. She has been voiced by Grey DeLisle, Heather Doerksen, and Tasha Simm in animation, and by Laura Bailey, Kimberly Brooks, Catherine Disher, Melissa Disney, Kim Mai Guest, Erica Lindbeck, Jane Luk, Masasa Moyo, and April Stewart in video games. In the X-Men film series, she was portrayed by Meiling Melançon and Olivia Munn.

References

  1. ↑ "Activision ships X-Men: Next Dimension - News". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  2. ↑ "X-Men: Next Dimension - Xbox - GameSpy". xbox.gamespy.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  3. ↑ "What's New?". Eurogamer.net. 2002-11-22. Archived from the original on 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  4. 1 2 Dunham, Jeremy (2002-10-21). "X-Men: Next Dimension (PS2)". IGN. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  5. 1 2 "X-Men: Next Dimension for GameCube". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  6. 1 2 "X-Men: Next Dimension for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  7. 1 2 "X-Men: Next Dimension for Xbox". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  8. 1 2 "X-Men: Next Dimension Critic Reviews for GameCube". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  9. 1 2 "X-Men: Next Dimension Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  10. 1 2 "X-Men: Next Dimension Critic Reviews for Xbox". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  11. ↑ EGM Staff (January 2003). "X-Men: Next Dimension (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 163. p. 194.
  12. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (2003-01-13). "X-Men: Next Dimension Review (PS2)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  13. ↑ Barber, Chet (December 2002). "X-Men: Next Dimension (PS2)". Game Informer . No. 116. p. 118. Archived from the original on 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  14. ↑ Barber, Chet (January 2003). "X-Men: Next Dimension (GC)". Game Informer. No. 117. p. 102. Archived from the original on 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  15. ↑ Dodson, Joe (November 2002). "X-Men: Next Dimension - Playstation 2 Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on 2002-11-24. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  16. ↑ Dodson, Joe (November 2002). "X-Men: Next Dimension Review (GC)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on 2015-09-12. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  17. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (2002-11-06). "X-Men: Next Dimension Review (Xbox)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  18. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (2002-10-25). "X-Men: Next Dimension Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  19. ↑ Pavlacka, Adam (2002-12-21). "GameSpy: X-Men: Next Dimension (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  20. ↑ Pavlacka, Adam (2002-12-21). "GameSpy: X-Men: Next Dimension (GCN)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2005-12-01. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  21. ↑ Pavlacka, Adam (2002-12-21). "GameSpy: X-Men: Next Dimension (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2005-02-09. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  22. ↑ Knutson, Michael (2002-10-26). "X-Men: Next Dimension - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  23. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (2002-10-28). "X-Men: Next Dimension - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  24. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (2002-11-13). "X-Men: Next Dimension - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  25. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (2002-10-23). "X-Men: Next Dimension (GCN)". IGN. Archived from the original on 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  26. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (2002-11-01). "X-Men: Next Dimension Review (Xbox)". IGN. Archived from the original on 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  27. ↑ "X-Men: Next Dimension". Nintendo Power . Vol. 163. December 2002. p. 220.
  28. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (January 2003). "X-Men: Next Dimension". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . p. 136. Archived from the original on 2004-06-26. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  29. ↑ "X-Men: Next Dimension". Official Xbox Magazine . February 2003. p. 78.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.