X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse

{{Infobox video game

| title = X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse

| image = X-Men Legends II - Rise of Apocalypse Coverart.png

| caption =

| developer = Raven Software{{efn|Beenox developed the Windows port.{{cite web |date=October 19, 2004 |url=https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/marvel-and-activisions-x-men-legends-ii-rise-apocalypse-ships |title=Marvel and Activision's X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse Ships for the PSP(TM) (PlayStation (R) Portable) System |publisher=Activision Blizzard |access-date=October 19, 2004 |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627040556/https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/marvel-and-activisions-x-men-legends-ii-rise-apocalypse-ships |url-status=live }} Vicarious Visions developed the PSP port. Barking Lizards Technologies developed the N-Gage port. Mforma developed the Mobile port.}}

| publisher = Activision

| director = Dan Vondrak

| producer = Matthew Paul

| designer = Keith Fuller

| programmer = {{Unbulleted list|Daniel Edwards|Gil Gribb}}

| artist = Dan Hay

| writer = Robert Love

| composer = Gregor Narholz

| platforms = {{plainlist|

| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 20, 2005}}|PlayStation 2, GameCube, Windows, & Xbox{{vgrelease|NA|September 20, 2005|AU|October 12, 2005|EU|October 14, 2005}}PlayStation Portable
{{vgrelease|NA|October 19, 2005|AU|November 23, 2005|EU|November 25, 2005}}N-Gage
{{vgrelease|EU|October 28, 2005|NA|October 31, 2005}}Mobile
December 19, 2005}}

| engine = Vicarious Visions Alchemy

| genre = Action role-playing

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

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.

The developers intended the game to have a greater sense of scale than its predecessor, with a story where the villains known as the Brotherhood of Mutants would need to ally themselves with the X-Men to defeat a greater threat. Blur Studio created the cinematics. Online multiplayer was also added. Multiplayer on Xbox Live was available to players until April 15, 2010. X-Men Legends II is now playable online again on the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia.{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2023-11-16 |title=Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}}

The game was well received by gaming critics on all platforms. They felt that the inclusion of online play, additional mutant powers, and a larger cast made the game an improvement over its predecessor. Some reviewers were critical of the game's voice acting and felt that the gameplay was repetitive. It sold enough copies to be added to the budget line known as PlayStation 2's Greatest Hits.

Gameplay

Image:X-Men Legends II.jpg]]

X-Men Legends II is an action role-playing game. It unites two Marvel Comics superhero teams, the heroic X-Men and the villainous Brotherhood of Mutants as they together face the mutant supervillain Apocalypse and his minions.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/videos/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-video-interview-1-6129033/ |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=July 5, 2012 |date=July 13, 2004 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Video Interview 1 |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124010734/https://www.gamespot.com/games/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/videos/?subTypeId=x&subId=men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-video-interview-1-6129033 |url-status=live }} Players can choose up to four characters to use at once from a larger roster. Players unlock additional characters as they proceed through the game. Four players can play on one machine cooperatively, and players can join or leave at any time. The game also features online play for up to four players, a first for the series. A new game plus mode is included that allows players to play through the game a second time while retaining all character stats.{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/4vgsyy/x-men-legends-2--rise-of-apocalypse-review |title=X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse Video Review |date=October 9, 2005 |access-date=October 27, 2009 |publisher=GameTrailers |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306182410/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/view/gametrailers-com/107784-GT-Video-Review |url-status=live }}

As characters gain experience points, their mutant superpowers and unique abilities can be upgraded. Items found during gameplay can also be equipped to further enhance a character's abilities. Characters can combine attacks to create a combo, in which two or more players punch or kick a single enemy at the same time.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or6cS4cPUlg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Or6cS4cPUlg |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|publisher=IGN via YouTube |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=June 23, 2011 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse GameCube Interview}}{{cbignore}} The character's special abilities can also be used in the same manner to create a Super Combo which inflicts massive damage on enemies. Each character has several mutant powers that players can assign to controller buttons. The game also features a skirmish mode, which allows players to fight against each other or waves of computer-controlled enemies.

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse features a central hub that players return to between missions. It is a designated area free from enemies, and its setting changes to coincide with the current act of the game. Here players can view loading screen art, cinematics, and comic book covers acquired during gameplay. Biographies of the X-Men and their enemies can be accessed here. Players can also participate in an X-Men trivia game which awards experience points for correct answers. Additionally, players can access a virtual combat environment known as the Danger Room to play additional missions unlocked during gameplay.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3767 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=September 6, 2005 |first=Daniel |last=Bloodworth |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse preview |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307064605/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3767/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-the-apocalypse-gamecube |url-status=live }}

The mobile phone version of the game is primarily a beat 'em up with role-playing elements. Unlike the console versions, the game plays as a side-scroller in the same vein as the 1992 X-Men arcade game.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/videos/2005/09/23/x-men-legends-2-cell-trailer |publisher=IGN |access-date=July 16, 2012 |date=September 23, 2005 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (mobile) trailer |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726143031/http://www.ign.com/videos/2005/09/23/x-men-legends-2-cell-trailer |url-status=live }} There are five selectable characters, and players upgrade each through experience points earned. Players control one character at a time, and can switch to another at the press of a button.{{Cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/666/666584p1.html |access-date=July 16, 2012 |date=November 14, 2005 |first=Levi |last=Buchanan |title=X-Men Legends II - Wireless Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719045928/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/666/666584p1.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Synopsis

=Setting=

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse takes place some time after the events of X-Men Legends. The mutant supervillain Apocalypse, having witnessed the X-Men's defeat of Magneto remotely, declares that the Age of Apocalypse is nigh. Prior to the game's campaign, he kidnaps Professor X and Polaris for unknown purposes. Locations include a military prison in Greenland, the mutant sanctuary of Genosha, the Savage Land, and Egypt.{{Cite web |publisher=Team Xbox |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=May 13, 2005 |url=http://xboxmovies.teamxbox.com/xbox/1911/XMen-Legends-II-Video-Interview-Dan-Vondrak/ |title=X-Men Legends II Video Interview: Dan Vondrak (Xbox) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905172611/http://xboxmovies.teamxbox.com/xbox/1911/XMen-Legends-II-Video-Interview-Dan-Vondrak |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

=Plot=

The game begins with members of the X-Men (Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine) meeting up with members of the Brotherhood (Magneto, Mystique, and Sabretooth) at a military prison outpost in Greenland to free Professor X, who was captured alongside Polaris. Magneto reveals that his son, Quicksilver, was also captured by Apocalypse.

Upon freeing Xavier, the teams relocate to the mutant haven of Genosha. They find that the island was ravaged by Apocalypse's forces during an intense battle with Magneto’s airships. The teams set out to free the island from Apocalypse’s control. They briefly encounter Mister Sinister, who was experimenting on Genoshan mutants, and fight Grizzly, Lady Deathstrike, and Zealot as they free captive citizens and collect information. To free the island completely, they defeat Abyss, the first of Apocalypse’s Horsemen. Assuming that the need for cooperation has ended, the teams decide to go their separate ways. However, Apocalypse kidnaps Beast from the X-Mansion and destroys it.

Beast manages to point the team in the direction of the Savage Land, a prehistoric preserve in Antarctica. The teams work their way through the Savage Land, defeating Garokk and Sauron, as well as the second Horseman, Mikhail Rasputin. They learn that Apocalypse has gained information from the ancient alien technology to use toward a machine of unknown power.

Apocalypse sets his plans in motion by conquering New York City. The teams work to sabotage Apocalypse’s resources by destroying his army’s cloning facility and disabling his main power plant while defeating Sugar Man. However, Emma Frost is captured before the teams battle the Stepford Cuckoos and the third Horseman, Holocaust. Angel is captured shortly after and is transformed into Archangel, the final Horseman of Apocalypse.

With Apocalypse’s army weakened, the teams begin liberating New York City. They help Nick Fury regain control of the Sentinels from Bastion. Within the city, they defeat Apocalypse’s armies, along with Stryfe and a mind-controlled Deadpool. The teams defeat Archangel at Apocalypse’s tower, where they find Beast, now under the control of Mister Sinister; he kidnaps Sabretooth and escapes with Apocalypse and Mister Sinister to Egypt.

They learn that Apocalypse's plan is to use Polaris, Quicksilver, Frost, and Sabretooth as part of a machine to fuel an experiment to grant him massive amounts of power. The teams then follow Apocalypse to Egypt where they defeat Mister Sinister while freeing Beast from Sinister's control. After besting the final guard, the Living Monolith, the teams battle Apocalypse and defeat him by stealing the powers from his machine.

In the final cutscene, Magneto and Professor X part once again as adversaries, noting that Apocalypse was defeated but not destroyed. Beast ponders why the machine did not work properly, wondering if sabotage was a factor. As the X-Jet flies away, Sinister is seen on top of the pyramid, laughing, hinting that he sabotaged the machine.

=Playable characters=

X-Men Legends II features 18 playable characters, limited to only six in the mobile version. Several playable characters return from X-Men Legends, and select members of the Brotherhood of Mutants are also playable. Some non-playable X-Men and Brotherhood characters appear during levels. In some instances dialogue throughout the game can be character-to-character specific, depending on the player character's alignment and relationship with the non-player character. The Windows version features two additional playable characters, while the PlayStation Portable features four exclusive characters.

{{multiple image

| width = 175

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Dee Bradley Baker by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg

| image2 = Steve Blum at the Code Gaess Premiere2.jpg

| footer = X-Men Legends II features voice acting from veteran voice talent, including Dee Bradley Baker, who voices Nightcrawler (top), and Steve Blum, who voices Wolverine.

}}

Beast{{efn-lr|name=MobileOnly|Exclusive to mobile version.}}
Bishop
Cable{{efn-lr|name=PSP|Exclusive to PSP version}}
Cannonball{{efn-lr|name=PSP}}
Colossus
Cyclops{{efn-lr|name=Mobile|Playable in the mobile version of the game.}}
Dark Phoenix{{efn-lr|name=PSP}}
Deadpool
Gambit
Iceman
Iron Man
Jean Grey
Juggernaut{{efn-lr|name=Mobile}}
Magneto{{efn-lr|name=Mobile}}
Nightcrawler
Professor X
Pyro{{efn-lr|name=PC|Exclusive to Windows version}}
Rogue
Sabretooth{{efn-lr|name=PC}}
Scarlet Witch
Storm{{efn-lr|name=Mobile}}
Sunfire
Toad
Wolverine{{efn-lr|name=Mobile}}
X-Man{{efn-lr|name=PSP}}

Development and marketing

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse was announced on October 21, 2004, exactly one month after the release of X-Men Legends.{{Cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/558/558786p1.html |publisher=IGN |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=October 21, 2004 |first=Ed |last=Lewis |title=X-Men Legends 2 Announces |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828203444/http://cube.ign.com/articles/558/558786p1.html |archive-date=August 28, 2007 |df=mdy-all }} It was shown at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) and San Diego Comic-Con in 2005.{{Cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/611/611367p2.html |publisher=IGN |access-date=July 6, 2012 |title=Pre-E3 2005: X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse First Look |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein |date=May 10, 2005 |archive-date=March 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314215630/http://cube.ign.com/articles/611/611367p2.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/previews/x-men-legends-ii_8 |access-date=July 6, 2005 |publisher=1UP.com |title=X-Men Legends II - Children of the atom party at Comicon |author=1UP Staff |date=July 15, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708173736/http://www.1up.com/previews/x-men-legends-ii_8 |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} It was first released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Windows in North America on September 20, 2005,{{Cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=September 20, 2005 |title=Apocalypse is nigh for X-Men Legends II |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/apocalypse-is-nigh-for-x-men-legends-ii-6133907 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029114652/http://www.gamespot.com/news/apocalypse-is-nigh-for-x-men-legends-ii-6133907 |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=GameSpot}} Australia on October 12, 2005,{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Matt |date=September 26, 2005 |title=Updated Australian Release List - 26/09/05 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3129&sid=eb7471f40fd239d4799d6dc23dafbc01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051210160133/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3129&sid=eb7471f40fd239d4799d6dc23dafbc01 |archive-date=December 10, 2005 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=PALGN}} and in Europe on October 14, 2005.{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=October 14, 2005 |title=What's New? (14th October 2005) |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-whatsnew141005 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Eurogamer}} The PlayStation Portable version was released approximately one month later in North America on October 19,{{Cite web |author=Dubin |first=Jayson |date=September 27, 2005 |title=Marvel And Activision's X-Men Legends II: Rise Of Apocalypse Ships For The PSP |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/marvel_and_activision_s_x_men_legends_ii_rise_of_apocalypse_ships_for_the_psp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224204/http://www.gamezone.com/news/marvel_and_activision_s_x_men_legends_ii_rise_of_apocalypse_ships_for_the_psp |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=GameZone}} Australia on November 23,{{Cite web |last=van Leuveren |first=Luke |date=November 21, 2005 |title=Updated Australian Release List - 21/11/05 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3455&sid=7b7984ff736abd9f2b8060f1236324bd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629084929/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3455&sid=7b7984ff736abd9f2b8060f1236324bd |archive-date=June 29, 2006 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=PALGN}} and in Europe on November 25. Developed by Barking Lizards Technologies, a distinct version of the game was released on the first-generation N-Gage handheld platform in Europe on October 28, and in North America on October 31.{{Cite web |url=http://wireless.gamespy.com/n-gage/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-the-apocalypse/ |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=July 6, 2012 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse - N-Gage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214214732/http://wireless.gamespy.com/n-gage/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-the-apocalypse/ |archive-date=December 14, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |title=X-Men Legends II : L'Avenement d'Apocalypse |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/n-gage-ngage/00014818-x-men-legends-ii-l-avenement-d-apocalypse.htm |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Jeuxvideo.com}}{{Cite web |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse |url=http://www.n-gage.com/en-US/games/gamedata/x_men_legends_II.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060425081855/http://www.n-gage.com/en-US/games/gamedata/x_men_legends_II.htm |archive-date=April 25, 2006 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Barking Lizards Technologies}} A mobile phone version developed by Mforma was launched on December 19.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2005 |title=MFORMA Launches X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Mobile Game |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mforma-launches-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-mobile-game-55584207.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234343/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mforma-launches-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-mobile-game-55584207.html |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=PR Newswire}}{{Cite web |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise the Apocalypse |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer|date=March 18, 2006 }} A playable demo was released for the Windows version of the game on November 3.{{Cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2005/11/03/x-men-legends-ii-pc-demo/ |first=Alan |last=Rose |publisher=Joystiq |access-date=July 13, 2012 |title=X-Men Legends II PC demo |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128013901/http://www.joystiq.com/2005/11/03/x-men-legends-ii-pc-demo/ |url-status=live }}

Developer Raven Software sought to expand on the preceding game's scale. As such, characters were given additional powers to choose from. Locations were also made more diverse. "With the environments we tried to create [something] more exotic and organic" stated Dan Vondrak, Project Lead on X-Men Legends II. Locations span from the mutant haven of Genosha, to the Savage Land, to ancient temples in Egypt. Raven Software collaborated directly with Marvel to write the game's story. Man of Action, a group of former Marvel writers who were responsible for the previous game's story, were not involved. The music was composed by Gregor Narholz.{{Cite web |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/595/595027p1.html |title=Gregor Narholz Scores X-Men |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=March 10, 2005 |author=IGN Music |publisher=IGN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815192100/http://music.ign.com/articles/595/595027p1.html |archive-date=August 15, 2007 |df=mdy-all }} Gameplay and story aspects were adjusted to ensure that four players can play continuously, whereas in the previous game certain missions were limited to one player. The CGI cinematics were created by Blur Studio, who would go on to create cinematics for games such as Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/previews/x-men-legends-ii_13 |first=Garnet |last=Lee |access-date=July 6, 2012 |title=X-Men Legends II - First look at the sequel to the surprise smash hit |date=May 18, 2005 |publisher=1UP.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708110158/http://www.1up.com/previews/x-men-legends-ii_13 |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

Vicarious Visions's engine powers Rise of Apocalypse and its predecessor. They were also responsible for the PlayStation Portable version of the game. Karthik Bala, CEO of Vicarious Visions felt strongly that the PSP version should have the same gameplay as the consoles: "One of our main goals [...] was to really bring the depth and detail of the console game over to portable form on the PSP".{{Cite web |url=http://download.gamespotcdn.com/d4/gsc/rpg/xmenlegendsiiriseofapocalypse/169_xml2_di_psp_101105.mpg |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=October 12, 2005 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Developer Interview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517135718/http://download.gamespotcdn.com/d4/gsc/rpg/xmenlegendsiiriseofapocalypse/169_xml2_di_psp_101105.mpg |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} Four new exclusive characters were added to the PSP version along with nine new side missions. The control system had to be modified to accommodate the PSP's fewer buttons. Online play is available on the PSP, both in ad-hoc and infrastructure modes. Bala stated that it was a priority for his team. SuperVillain Studios was brought on to the project to focus on the online component of the game.{{Cite web |url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/988/XMen-Legends-II-Rise-of-Apocalypse/p1/ |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Review (Xbox) |first=Brent |last=Soboleski |date=September 20, 2005 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=TeamXbox |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311171848/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/988/XMen-Legends-II-Rise-of-Apocalypse/p1/ |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} Beenox ported X-Men Legends II to Windows.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| GR = (Xbox) 82.62%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/927388-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html/index.html |publisher=GameRankings |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for Xbox |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123020132/https://www.metacritic.com/game |url-status=live }}
(PSP) 82.57%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/927401-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html |publisher=GameRankings |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PSP |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209015623/https://www.gamerankings.com/psp/927401-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html |url-status=live }}
(PC) 81.40%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/928464-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html |publisher=GameRankings |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PC |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012251/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/928464-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html |url-status=live }}
(GC) 80.83%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/927395-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html/index.html |publisher=GameRankings |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for GameCube |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091534/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/927395-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html/index.html |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 80.71%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/927390-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html |publisher=GameRankings |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PlayStation 2 |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012937/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/927390-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/index.html |url-status=live }}

| MC = (Xbox) 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |publisher=Metacritic |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for Xbox Reviews |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522031352/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse |url-status=live }}
(PSP) 82/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |publisher=Metacritic |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PSP Reviews |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916091114/https://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse |url-status=live }}
(GC) 82/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |publisher=Metacritic |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for GameCube Reviews |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206162337/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 82/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |publisher=Metacritic |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PlayStation 2 Reviews |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029210928/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse |url-status=live }}
(PC) 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |publisher=Metacritic |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for PC Reviews |access-date=October 27, 2009 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919151745/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse |url-status=live }}

| 1UP = A{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii_3 |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=October 31, 2005 |first=Tom |last=Byron |title=X-Men Legends II - X-ellent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709110323/http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii_3 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=December 13, 2005 |first=Greg |last=Stewart |title=X-Men Legends II - Already the PSP has a "Best Superhero Game Ever." |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708092457/http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}
(PC) B+{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii_2 |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=July 6, 2012 |date=November 9, 2005 |author=1UP Staff |title=X-Men Legends II - X-Citing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711195749/http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii_2 |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

| GSpy = (Xbox & PS2) {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/x-men-legends-2/653507p1.html |title=GameSpy: X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (Xbox, PS2) |access-date=April 7, 2014 |publisher=GameSpy |date=September 23, 2005 |first=Steve |last=Steinberg |archive-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313230116/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/x-men-legends-2/653507p1.html |url-status=live }}
{{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/x-men-legends-2/653502p1.html |title=GameSpy: X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (GCN) |access-date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=GameSpy |date=September 23, 2005 |first=Steve |last=Steinberg |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117061914/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/x-men-legends-2/653502p1.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/657760p1.html |title=GameSpy: X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (PC) |access-date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=GameSpy |date=October 11, 2005 |first=Jamie |last=Madigan |archive-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724060023/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/657760p1.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/661351p1.html |title=GameSpy: X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (PSP) |access-date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=GameSpy |date=October 25, 2005 |first=Steve |last=Steinberg |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060849/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/661351p1.html |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 8.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/22/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-2 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse |first=Douglass C. |last=Perry |date=September 21, 2005 |access-date=April 7, 2014 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512031457/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/22/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-2 |url-status=live }}
(PSP) 8.4/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/25/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-the-apocalypse |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse [sic] |first=David |last=Clayman |date=October 25, 2005 |access-date=April 7, 2014 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518011630/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/25/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-the-apocalypse |url-status=live }}
(GC) 8/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/22/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-3 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (GCN) |first=Douglass C. |last=Perry |date=September 21, 2005 |access-date=April 7, 2014 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514074535/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/22/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-3 |url-status=live }}

}}

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse received generally favorable reviews. All platforms hold aggregate scores in the 80–85% range at aggregate review websites GameRankings and Metacritic. Reported scores at Metacritic ranged from 59% to 100% approval. According to the NPD Group, Rise of Apocalypse sold over 63,000 units on the Xbox during the month of its release.{{Cite web |url=http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=388709 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203141642/http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=388709 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |title=NPD Sales October 2005 |publisher=TeamXbox }} It sold enough copies to be added to the budget line known as PlayStation 2's Greatest Hits.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/X-Men+Legends+II%3A+Rise+of+Apocalypse+Greatest+Hits+%26%23151%3B+PRE-OWNED+-+PlayStation+2/8027743.p;jsessionid=8D0567DED08ACD6F38A4165CB387FE76.bbolsp-app01-23?id=1218814647767&skuId=8027743 |publisher=Best Buy |access-date=January 3, 2012 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Greatest Hits — PRE-OWNED - PlayStation 2 |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123020451/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/X-Men+Legends+II%3A+Rise+of+Apocalypse+Greatest+Hits+%26 |url-status=live }} PALGN{{'}}s Jeremy Jastrzab felt that Rise of Apocalypse "caters for X-Men fans and if you can gather three others, you're going to have a great time".{{Cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/3303/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-review/ |access-date=July 16, 2012 |first=Jeremy |last=Jastrzab |website=PALGN |date=November 7, 2005 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101040046/http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/3303/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-review/ |archive-date=January 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} Tom Byron of 1UP.com praised several aspects of the game, and felt that amidst The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Ultimate Spider-Man and Fantastic Four game releases in 2005 X-Men Legends II was the best release from Marvel that year.{{Cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii_4 |publisher=1UP.com |first=Tom |last=Byron |access-date=July 16, 2012 |date=October 11, 2005 |title=X-Men Legends II |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710135548/http://www.1up.com/reviews/x-men-legends-ii_4 |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

Commentary on gameplay was generally positive. G4TV's reviewer lauded the destructible environments, but felt that the gameplay lacked variation. The reviewer from VideoGamer.com noted that the co-operative gameplay was strong, and that the addition of online play "opens the [gameplay] up to a wider range of people".{{Cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps2/xmen_legends_ii/review.html |publisher=VideoGamer.com |author=VideoGamer.com staff |date=October 25, 2005 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Review |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207180619/http://www.videogamer.com/ps2/xmen_legends_ii/review.html |url-status=live }} PALGN{{'}}s Jeremy Jastrzab felt that the game's menus were convoluted and difficult to navigate, and also felt that the game began to drag near the end of the story. The inclusion of additional mutant powers and online gameplay were points of praise. GameSpot's Greg Mueller praised the game's vast cast of characters, destructible environments and unlockable content, but felt that the user interface was awkward. Mueller also felt that the game loaded content far too frequently.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/reviews/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-review-6134086/ |publisher=GameSpot |first=Greg |last=Mueller |access-date=July 16, 2012 |date=September 21, 2005 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Review |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801210222/http://www.gamespot.com/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/reviews/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-review-6134086/ |url-status=live }} GamesRadar's Raymond Padilla had similar complaints about the frequency and length of the game's load times. Padilla praised the addition of online play and the automatic upgrade system.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-review/ |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=July 16, 2012 |date=June 22, 2007 |title=X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse |first=Raymond |last=Padilla |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071041/http://www.gamesradar.com/x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse-review/ |url-status=live }}

Reviewers have high marks on the game's cast of characters, but were divided in their opinions of the choice of voice actors. GameTrailers's reviewer disliked that several famous X-Men and Brotherhood characters were not playable, but appeared only as side characters. They also cited issues with voice acting and a convoluted story. Unlike the critic from GameTrailers, G4's reviewer praised the overall story, and further praised the selection of characters for the cast.{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505135106/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52877/XMen_Legends_II_Rise_of_Apocalypse_Review.html |archive-date=May 5, 2007 |publisher=G4TV |access-date=July 6, 2012 |title=G4 - Feature - X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Review |url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52877/XMen_Legends_II_Rise_of_Apocalypse_Review.html}} Greg Mueller of GameSpot also praised the game's vast cast of characters.

Critics were split on their assessment of the game's visuals. The reviewer from GameTrailers noted that the game's visuals had improved greatly, citing the effects, environments and cinematics as some of the largest upgrades. Inversely GamesRadar's Raymond Padilla felt that the game's graphics felt dated. Steve Steinberg of GameSpy conceded that while the visuals were generally improved over the game's predecessor, it still lacked in quality and variation. Steinberg stated that the characters now felt like "a part of the environments, as opposed to cut-outs floating on top of it". He noted that even with the improvements the players may lose their character amidst the environment, causing confusion.

The success of the X-Men Legends series led Raven Software, Marvel, and Activision to create the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, which was released on several consoles, handheld devices and Microsoft Windows in 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/gamecube/927395-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for GameCube |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=September 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920142445/https://www.gamefaqs.com/gamecube/927395-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/932588-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for PlayStation 2 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130726/https://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/932588-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps3/932589-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for PlayStation 3 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008181613/https://www.gamefaqs.com/ps3/932589-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/xbox/927388-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for Xbox |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921000401/https://www.gamefaqs.com/xbox/927388-x-men-legends-ii-rise-of-apocalypse/data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/xbox360/932586-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for Xbox 360 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211040531/http://www.gamefaqs.com/xbox360/932586-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |url-status=live }} Barking Lizards, Vicarious Visions and Beenox handled the ports for different platforms.{{cite web |url=http://www.beenox.com/en/games |title=Beenox games |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=Beenox |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213011835/http://www.beenox.com/en/games |archive-date=December 13, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/gba/932968-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for GameBoy Advance |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130635/https://www.gamefaqs.com/gba/932968-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/932590-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for PSP |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008180342/https://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/932590-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/932591-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Information for Wii |access-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008230919/https://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/932591-marvel-ultimate-alliance/data |url-status=live }} Marvel: Ultimate Alliance was followed by Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, jointly developed by Vicarious Visions, n-Space and Savage Entertainment. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 was released on several consoles and handhelds in the fall of 2009. Vicarious Visions developed the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions,{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14233937/marvel-ultimate-alliance-2/videos/sdcc09_marvel2_trl_jeangrey_72109.htmljsessionid=2mocrxufxaj1q |title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 PlayStation 3 Trailer - SDCC09: Jean Grey Vignette |access-date=July 22, 2009 |publisher=IGN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726144236/http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14233937/marvel-ultimate-alliance-2/videos/sdcc09_marvel2_trl_jeangrey_72109.htmljsessionid=2mocrxufxaj1q |archive-date=July 26, 2009 }} while n-Space developed the Nintendo DS, PSP PS2 and Wii versions.{{Cite web |url=http://www.n-space.com/MUA2_Diary.html |title=MUA2 Diary |publisher=n-Space |access-date=January 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927224502/http://www.n-space.com/MUA2_Diary.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} Savage Entertainment ported the version developed by n-Space to the PSP.{{cite web | url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/marvel-ultimate-alliance-2/ | title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 | access-date=January 3, 2011 | publisher=GameSpy | archive-date=August 12, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812043340/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/marvel-ultimate-alliance-2/ | url-status=live }}