Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past Review
Price: $2.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.3
App Reviewed on: iPad mini Retina
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In a slightly surprising twist, the mobile game of Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past actually reflects the comic book that inspired the new film. So, staying true to its 90s roots, it comes in the form of a side-scrolling beat-em-up (with just a hint of platforming).
Controlling one of five (soon to be eight) interchangeable characters, players will travel between a futuristic, apocalyptic setting - home to Old Wolverine and what remains of the X-Men - to the time in which the X-Men were in their heyday (albeit still disliked by humans), to prevent the mutant oppression and decimation that will occur unless they change the past.Much like the original 90s smash-hit arcade game X-Men - and it's mobile port in 2011 - Days of Future Past pits players against countless identical goons as they hack-and-slash their way to the occasional big boss fight at the end of each stage. In terms of controls, Days of Future Past works off of a simple button layout - with a backwards and forwards arrow, an attack button, and a jump button. Despite the attack button being able to react to various swipes in the form of special moves, it still boils down to the same tired button-bashing until enemies decide to fall down and dissipate into nothingness. When coupled with the sheer ease of this game, it makes for a painfully drawn-out experience.
GlitchSoft has included bouts of platforming in the hopes of keeping things interesting, with the ability to jump and double-jump allowing players to access new areas and platforms with all kinds of XP goodness - though its more functional rather than a source of entertainment or a challenge. The XP can be redeemed in exchange for upgrades or alternative costumes, which is okay for a bit of a novelty.The cutscenes and character interactions are entertaining, though, guiding players through the story (which could obviously ruin parts of the movie if they've been avoiding all promotional content, so a word of warning to those who don't want to know anything) and introducing various versions of different X-Men.
Days of Future Past is fine as a bit of a warm-up for the movie or an homage to the fan-favorite comic, but otherwise its just too bland of a side-scroller to be anything more.