First look: X-Men: Mutant Academy 2

The original X-Men: Mutant Academy received a reception not unlike the X-Men routinely get in their own world: loved by some, hated by others. Syrox definitely had big shoes to fill, creating an X-Men fighting game right after the license had been passed to them from Capcom--and bringing it to 3D, no less. In the sequel, you'll play as one of 16 X-Men characters as they train against themselves and holographic projections of their worst enemies in the Danger Room. Six new characters (Rogue, Havok, Forge, Nightcrawler, and two others) and six new arenas have been added to the mix, as have multiple new fighting combos and aerial combat. As in the original, you'll be able to unlock extras if you do well, in this case behind-the-scenes looks at the X-Men movie.

Whether you loved or hated the first X-Men: Mutant Academy, you have to admit that it was an admirable first effort. We should have an idea if the developer is building on its previous efforts with the sequel or if it will be a "sophomore slump" after we get a chance to test it out at the upcoming E3 in Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more word on it soon.