Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

"An Execution"

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance comes from a long line of beat-em-ups, notably the X-Men Legends series, and this new installment is another in the series.

To begin, the graphics vary. The terrain through which you travel has detail and colour. The characters have a number of sprites, creating a level of animation for all motions. As for special attacks, the visuals are similar, and uses the graphics processing of the console. Many of the graphics are typical of what you might expect from a gaming system.

M:UA also features audio I've yet to hear on this hand-held. Ranging from midi music to "dungeon" music, the music can be compared to the game's mood and scenery, for better or worse. The sound effects follow suit, as they have a particular level of quality and quantity.

Of course, in any game of this sort, gameplay is the key. Ambiguously, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a member of its genre. This game features a number of characters, whose similarities and differences in fighting styles, strategies, and special attacks and abilities are open to debate and consideration. The game features a method of switching between Wolverine's attacking and Spiderman's attacking.

The leveling system has certainly changed since the first RPGs, as there is a level of customization based on a Reputation system. Emphasis can be put on things like strength. Combined with the number of characters, the level of strategy and customization is measurable. The developers created a system with as much balance as one might expect, with characters who can be balanced.

Similarly, the game's enemies are tailored to provide a general range of challenge, alternately being weaker or stronger than you (especially if you put it on Hard mode). Bosses can require strategy or use of abilities, and can all be beaten.

The game's controls have a job to do. The game responds to controls, the setup uses the Gameboy buttons, and the menu system features text and pictures.

Suffice to say, this game is a beat-em-up. Luckily, the length is not too long or short, much to my liking, and can be replayed without buying a new cart.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 11/27/06