Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

"Great use of the Marvel license."

INTRODUCTION

Activision released some years ago X-Men legends, a beat'em up with RPG elements, a nice story, 15 playable characters and a lengthy adventure. Of course a sequel was made, now with the enemies as playable characters. Now we have the chance to play in a more expanded scenario of the Marvel universe featuring awesome characters like the fantastic four, Daredevil, Ghost Rider and Spiderman for a total of 22 selectable fighters. While some important Marvel characters are missing like Hulk, Cyclops or Nightcrawler, the line-up is still pretty good.

STORY – 9.0

Dr. Doom made a powerful team with the universe's greatest villains, so Nick Fury recruited an ultimate alliance with the Marvel super heroes. While this may not sound as great as other stories we have heard in videogames, it is a good start for a game with a lot of twists around the marvel universe.

There is a lot to read and hear about comics in this game, like the origins of all the super heroes and the importance of the places where you fight, for example Asgard and Atlantis. There are even some quizzes about Marvel's history.

The dialogue in interesting and sometimes funny, it is really cool to see the heroes threaten the villains and vice versa, by the way, there are tons of those villains in this game.

Definitely a story worthy pf your time, especially if you are interested in learning about the Marvel Universe.

GRAPHICS – 7.8

The variety of locations is great, from Star Tower to Doom's castle; this will keep the game far from repetitive visuals. The characters look good but nothing spectacular. Asides from some explosions and the FMV (which are great) there are no moments in which the visuals will take your breath away.

SOUND - 8

The voice acting is OK, there was actually a casting for this area, but we have seen better, like Fable or KOTOR. Even so the voice acting is understandable and puts you in a mood for a good fight.

The sound effects and music, are also OK, with explosions, punches, blasts, throws and everything is fine, but nothing remarkable.

GAMEPLAY – 8.6

It is a simple button smashing at core, but it has enough elements to make it fun.


To begin with, the game can be played up to 4 player via online or offline with the drop in/drop out system, which means your team can enter and exit the game at any time. There are also cooperative and competitive modes, in the first one you and your people will jus face the AI, in competitive you will not only fight against the computer, but also with your friends (or enemies) so see who achieve more points. Even if you are a solo gamer, the AI will control the other 3 characters and you can switch between them any time and give orders to them (assist me, attack, etc.)

As mentioned above, there is a total of 22 playable characters, of course, each one of them with their one arsenal of super powers that you gain by leveling up by the way(the characters you don't use will be only one level down the others) so there is a lot of variety in gameplay.

After defeating enemies or destroying barrels, you may two things, the first ones can be orbs to raise you energy and mana bar immediately, instead of the potions in X-Men Legends, so you don't have to stop the action in going to the inventory.

The other thing you may get are coins, this you can use to improve your stats and skills.

Gear is also implemented in the game, usually for defeating bosses or hidden.

Each character have 4 different costumes, 3 are locked from the start, you will get them by gaining levels and completing comic missions, these are also locked, you play them by finding hidden CDs, some they are a little hard and have limited amount of time but the prize is worthy because the costumes will not only change the appearance of the characters, but also the abilities you can raise with the money you get.

You can name you team whatever you want, and with the reputation getting higher and higher while you play, you can raise team abilities like synergy. Each time you change a hero of your team you will loose 50 reputation points. Ouch!

The game also features some puzzle elements, they are pretty simple actually, so don't expect to use all of your IQ here.

The challenge in this game is very forgiving, your energy will last a lot, the enemies are not fast or smart, most of them are not even strong so anyone can play this game regardless of age.

REPLAY VALUE – 10

The main game is like 20 hours long, there are 27 comic missions, 22 playable characters, multiplayer modes and some secrets. You will play this for a long time.

FINAL COMMENT

MUA is a great game for fan of beat'em ups and Marvel. With all the content it has, multiplayer modes, excellent story and fun gameplay it is easy to recommend as a buy. The only problems it has are the lack of some characters and that it is not technically great.

THE BEST
-Marvelous story with great use of the Marvel universe
-22 cool playable characters that are enough to satisfy most comics' fans
-Very long
-4 player cooperative and competitive modes via online and offline

THE WORST
-Graphics and sound could be better
-Characters like Hulk and the Punisher are missing.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/03/08, Updated 01/06/08

Game Release: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (US, 10/24/06)