Not what I X-pected, but still fun for some
On first glance this game is exactly what the critics say, that it's a hastily made page-to-movie-to-game-adaptation. However, there are definitely some sights to behold, especially for any fans of the comics or movies. I will not hide that I have played every X-men adventure game to date, but will try to present a non-biased opinion.
Fun, Frantic Gameplay
As was said before, this is an action game. It is arcady in feel in that there are short levels with a linear path. What it lacks in sheer size it makes up for with number of enemies and objectives.
It is essentially three different games. I would say 'mini-games', but there are enough variations and enough of them that it's too negative of a connotation. I think they hold up against each other, and though I would have to say the Wolvie missions are my favorite, though there are parts I love about all three characters. Where some may say they were random choices, I think they were perfect choices. No one melees better than Wolvie (Not Beast, nor Colossus [and he's in here as an NPC]), no one is a cooler flier than iceman (constantly surfing on his patented Ice-slide), nor is as stealthy yet frantic as nightcrawler (a series player-favorite). If we had many more I think you'd see MORE of this game suffer.
Wolverine: Heavy brawling levels. Button-mashing combos. Expect an arcade quality here as well. Countless enemies with increasingly hurtful weapons teleport in incessantly to quell your mutant rebellion. Once you upgrade your damage and life you will deal some damaging combos. Not an overbearing amount of good combo options, but enough to keep things interesting and let you develop your own strategy for dealing with the spear-mounted taser-wielders. Air attacks and head-but combos are my favorite.
Nightcrawler: These levels are especially frantic, and often involves high-speed assault. Bamf. In almost every level in X-men TOGOTM you will find yourself with 2 main objectives (i.e., save Colussus and disable shields, kill Madrox and stop bombs, freeze leaky pipes and escape plant, kill guards and destroy nexus, you get the point). And in Nightcrawler levels they seem to be the most challenging. The bomb levels are a race against time and Colussus seems to be quite helpless without you. They are, however, a welcome change to bashing and surfing.
Iceman: A separate game in itself, these levels reminds me of a flyer-shooter or a racing game. It involves air-surfing, and precision aiming and shooting. This could have been made into a game itself, if Iceman was popular enough. Very cool concept and quite original I must say. I think Stan Lee would be proud. You do not feel as ice-like and invincible as in Legends, but you feel like an X-man who's just growing into his own solo missions. In fact, the story line states that you are finally getting your dues and starting as an X-man.
This game is an action game with weak rpg elements. The mutations are fun, but are more like something in one of the Lord of the Rings games, where you can replay higher difficulty levels for more upgrade points. The most similar part to the Legends series, never feels as crucial. Mostly upgrades to passive abilities, but welcome and somewhat customizable. Not too much room for diversity because they limit you to only getting up to 3, 4 or 5 before getting to the next series of missions (in other words no one skill can get maxxed out too quickly)
Graphics and Sound
Nothing amazing, but very solid. best Graphics of any X-men game to date. I have to admit I was humming the X-men theme at work since its repeated so much. Decent voice work, nothing to kill the game for me.
Favorite part of the graphics would definitely be the physics system. Not crucial but displays finishing blows quite humorously. Bodies immediately go limp, limbs flailing. Again, not part of the game persay but fun to watch the rag-doll bodies fly after Wolvie lands a killing blow. Nothing more fun than executing a slice-slice-roundhouse combo as two bodies are sent flying with a chin-high arcing kick. For some reason, where other parts where rushed or left out, this has a high amount of detail and care. Also, as in legends, a high amount of environment destructibility. Snikt!
Enjoyable Game for Movie fans
Good: If you are not a fan of the movie, you will probably not like this game. Costumes and characters match very well, and highly detailed. Fun action games, watch your fav x-men do what they do best.
Bad: Presentation and cinematics. By FAR the worst areas of the game. This game takes a big hit from the critics for this. I am not being as judgmental because these parts are basically fluff anyway. They do not make a game fun, that is the gameplay. The 'cinematics' are more like movie stills given flash treatment. Static and downright odd at parts. Some are decent like the Pyro ones with cool elemental effects, but most skippable.
In the gameplay regard I think X-Men TOGOTM succeeds as a fun to play, current gen title. A welcome addition for most fans. Nothing revolutionary, but fresh, original x-men action. If you can get past the fact that its a marketing marvel, you might enjoy sharpening your claws on this until you can pay more to catch it on the big screen. I'm spending, but personally hopeful that money is getting past Activision to my boys at Marvel.