Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

When Activision and Raven Software’s X-Men Legends was released awhile back it was embraced warmly by both fans of the Marvel’s mightiest mutants as well as fans of the role-playing game genre. Therefore, it was no surprise that its sequel, X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse, would be yet another stellar game for the series. Yet as cool as it was to take control of our favorite mutant team as well as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, fans like me wondered what it would be like to include a large number of Marvel Comics characters in one game. Well, we finally get our wish with Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for the Xbox.

The premise behind Ultimate Alliance is the stuff of epic graphic novels or an annual jam-packed with all the things we love about a thick comic filled with different heroes and villains. The game starts with the odd team up of Captain America, Wolverine, Thor and Spider-Man answering a distress call made aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier by Colonel Nick Fury himself. The attack on the airship is but the start of a sinister plot created by Doctor Doom and his assemblage of villains known as the Masters of Evil. While these heroes have fought Doom in the past, this unusual alliance threatens the entire world. This also results in the greatest alliance of superheroes as they band together as one team to fight the forces of evil.

While Ultimate Alliance begins with the Cap, Wolvie, Thor and Spidey, the game allows you to switch characters X-Men Legends-style via a Save Point that allows you to not only save or load a game but also replace a character with another one in the lineup of heroes. The roster of available heroes is nothing to sneeze at considering the fact that it includes all of the members of the Fantastic Four as well as a few members of the Avengers and the interesting choice of Elektra, Deadpool and Ms. Marvel. You can even find classic Spider-Woman among the lineup. Along the way, though you will get the chance to unlock more characters … dozens of them, actually. Soon you will have the option to pick from the likes of Ghost Rider, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer and Blade just to name a few of the many superheroes you can use in this game.

Aside from the drool-worthy roster of characters and the fact that you can mix and match them before and during each mission, you will also be visiting familiar places straight out of any of the pages from various comic books. You will get to explore the depths of Atlantis, visit the mythical realm of Asgard or fight the Skrulls in their own planetary home world. Like any cool crossover series, you will also meet and talk to a number of supporting characters from the Marvel Universe.

While all of this is great, the biggest thrill you’ll get is from the boss fights and there are plenty of those in the game. What’s so good about them, you might ask? Well, like the eclectic roster of superheroes, the bosses are made up of familiar Marvel villains. You will go up against a number of bad guys from various comics like Mysterio, one of Spider-Man’s many archenemies and the likes of Crimson Dynamo, one of Iron Man’s villains. There’s even a battle against massive monsters like Fin Fang Foom and Galactus. Trust me when I say that the boss battles are what you will be looking forward to throughout the game. The main reason the boss battles are the highlight of the game’s combat is that the road to them is paved with repetitive henchman battles.

Combat is mainly button mashing and while you do have to watch your health meter that’s about the extent of the strategy involved in this game. This could have been a huge negative aspect of the game but trust me when I say that each characters’ powers or abilities save the day. Sure, you can continue to slam your fist into the face of the fiftieth thug you encounter but its fun tossing your shield as Cap at a number of bad guys or blasting a Skrull across the screen as Iron Man. Your characters’ powers can be upgraded and you can even boost their powers or abilities via some useful items in the game. The best part is that when you unlock new powers or abilities you can assign them (or Hot-Swap them) to other buttons. You can just as easily switch between characters as well as call up powers in this game.

As an RPG, Ultimate Alliance fares pretty well aside from the simplistic puzzles you’ll encounter in the game. As I mentioned earlier, there are many characters to interact with and some might even give you small tasks to complete for a reward. For example, when you reach your first Hub - the Avengers’ mansion - The Vision will have you seek out an item the Black Widow has in her possession. Secondly, there are a number of collectible items, one of which is S.H.I.E.L.D. Simulator Discs that unlock missions pertaining to certain characters and historic moments in their lives. You can also unlock a host of alternate costumes as well.

Ultimate Alliance is also a good-looking Xbox game, although clearly the Xbox 360 gets a game with sharper visuals that really stand out. Seeing Galactus in the background just isn’t as impressive as it is on the 360, although it’s very hard to complain when the characters look good and the backgrounds are nicely detailed. The visual effects are also good to look at no matter what platform you choose and the cut scenes will just blow you away.

The game’s soundtrack is also a pleasant highlight because it sounds as epic as the game’s storyline itself. The only really bad part about it is that it loops during a level, pausing awkwardly for a second before starting over again. As far as the sound effects are concerned, though, they are wonderfully detailed so you’ll hear enemies falling apart or explosions shatter crates. The voice acting is not bad at all, although certain characters do sound just a bit cheesy.

At last, a game Marvel comics fans can call their own. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is destined to become a fan favorite thanks to its incredible lineup of characters, epic graphic novel-styled story and addictively enjoyable levels. While the action can become a bit repetitive in places, it’s hard not to love a game that tosses a list of favorite villains across the Marvel universe in a battle that feels true to the comics. This is a real Must Have for fans of comics or great action games in general.  

Gameplay: 8.7
There’s something genuinely cool about having Captain America fighting alongside Elektra and ex-villain Deadpool and the game is always filled with great crossover moments in Marvel’s recognizable universe. The action is pure beat-’em-up fare we’ve seen before and each character’s unique abilities and powers just add a lot to the combat. Oh, and the story isn’t bad at all either.

Graphics: 8.0
The Xbox 360 is by far the most gorgeous version of the game but the Xbox version is certainly nothing to dismiss either. The characters look great in action, especially Ghost Rider’s flaming skull head and Johnny Storm’s Human Torch form. Ultimate Alliance displays some great visual effects and some stellar cut scenes. Even the backgrounds look great in this game.

Sound: 7.9
The voice acting is handled decently enough, although Captain America sounds a lot more cornball than expected. Still, the game has some amazingly detailed sound effects and listening to Wolverine tear through thugs with his claws will make you wince. The score is wonderfully cinematic but it has a tendency to loop awkwardly throughout the game.

Difficulty: Medium
You will go up against a number of thugs in this game and many of them will attempt to overpower the heroes with their great number. Some of them are even immune to certain attacks or powers so expect to find different ways of defeating your foes. The real challenge comes from the boss fights, especially when you go up against huge enemies like Fin Fang Foom or Galactus.

Concept: 9.0
The real thrill is having to pick from the assortment of Marvel comic characters like the ultimate comic book crossover (e.g. Fantastic Four’s Sue Storm in a team that includes Ghost Rider and Daredevil) to go up against recognizable villains. Add plenty of unlockable goodies including extra characters, art and comics and we have a game that will please fans.

Multiplayer: 9.0
Ultimate Alliance certainly beats out Justice League Heroes in the co-op multiplayer department since four Marvel superheroes can clobber, smash, claw or burn enemies together both online or offline. The action flows incredibly smooth either way so do share this one with a group of friends.

Overall: 8.8
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for the Xbox delivers an action-packed brawler complete with an impressive number of Marvel’s best characters packed in one disc. There are moments when the button-mashing action gets a bit old but suddenly the game tosses in cool boss battles and some truly unforgettable moments Marvel fans will definitely love.