Marvel sequel provides a fun game, lacks in a comic story
The original “Marvel Ultimate Alliance” was one of the last games I bought for my Xbox. I spent a good deal of time with that game, and I really enjoyed it. When my son got old enough, he and I played the game almost obsessively. To say that I have been looking forward to “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2” is a gross understatement.
Unlike the first game, “Ultimate Alliance 2” is based off of the Civil War story line from the comic books. After a tragedy where a superhuman brawl causes the death of over 100 civilians, the government passes the Superhuman Registration Act.
When this happens, you are forced to choose a side. You can either side with Iron Man and the registration act or with Captain America and the anti-registration forces. This choice will determine what missions you will go on and what heroes you will be able to use through the majority of the game.
You heroes start off with one power each. As you play through the game, you unlock three more. You can also have attributes you can add to in order to strengthen your character. These attributes change depending on which team you choose.
Instead of the overhead view you had in the first game, you now see your characters at a 45-degree angle. The camera is also pushed in here, and this allows for much greater detail for the heroes. That is not the only change in the game.
In the first game, you unlocked new characters by completing in-game missions. Here in the sequel, you have to find objects hidden throughout the game to unlock the special characters. Finding these objects can be time-consuming, but the pay-off is well worth it. The hidden characters are the powerhouses of the Marvel Universe.
While your starting characters are pretty well balanced, the unlockable ones are gods, (in Thor’s case, literally). It becomes much easier to defeat the hordes of enemies sent to fight after you when you have the God of Thunder on your side.
While this game is fun, it also makes itself very accessible for all ages. For example, it actually is impossible to die on “easy” mode, making it perfect to play with your younger children. As the father of a 4-year-old who loves games, I appreciate this feature. Most of the questionable content happens during the cut-screens and while talking to characters in between missions.
You can skip most of this and just head right back into the game, selecting not to view such screens, letting your younger kids play the game without having to spend a lot of time listening to heroes talk.
I do have some problems with the game. Each combination of heroes was supposed to have fusion powers where they combine their powers in unique ways for devastating effects. While the fusion powers do amazing damage to enemies, they really are not that unique. Each hero has three different kinds of fusion powers, and they really don’t change, no matter who you have them teamed up with. I had envisioned more for this feature.
My other problem is with the storyline. The Civil War was a massive storyline in the comics, and the effects of heroes decision are still being felt today, two years after the storyline had ended. Instead of using the events of the Civil War to help set up the next game, Activision decided to “happy ending” the game instead. The third act of the game sets up events where all of the heroes forgive each other and work together for the greater good. It feels forced, and for anyone who read the comics, it is a complete letdown.
“Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2” is a good game. The gameplay is solid, if a bit uninspired, and the few tweaks that Activision has done to the game makes it fun to play through. If you are looking for a simple beat-them-up game, or you or your children are comic book fans, this is a great game to own. If you’re not and you’re looking for a game to help you waste a couple of hours, rent it and enjoy.
James Treacy is a lifelong gamer, across all platforms of the gaming community. His opinion is in no way the opinion of this paper, and is instead offered to give its readers more information on games and trends available in today’s market. To contact him with any questions about the gaming world, e-mail jtreacy@phillynews.com.
Unlike the first game, “Ultimate Alliance 2” is based off of the Civil War story line from the comic books. After a tragedy where a superhuman brawl causes the death of over 100 civilians, the government passes the Superhuman Registration Act.
When this happens, you are forced to choose a side. You can either side with Iron Man and the registration act or with Captain America and the anti-registration forces. This choice will determine what missions you will go on and what heroes you will be able to use through the majority of the game.
You heroes start off with one power each. As you play through the game, you unlock three more. You can also have attributes you can add to in order to strengthen your character. These attributes change depending on which team you choose.
Instead of the overhead view you had in the first game, you now see your characters at a 45-degree angle. The camera is also pushed in here, and this allows for much greater detail for the heroes. That is not the only change in the game.
In the first game, you unlocked new characters by completing in-game missions. Here in the sequel, you have to find objects hidden throughout the game to unlock the special characters. Finding these objects can be time-consuming, but the pay-off is well worth it. The hidden characters are the powerhouses of the Marvel Universe.
While your starting characters are pretty well balanced, the unlockable ones are gods, (in Thor’s case, literally). It becomes much easier to defeat the hordes of enemies sent to fight after you when you have the God of Thunder on your side.
While this game is fun, it also makes itself very accessible for all ages. For example, it actually is impossible to die on “easy” mode, making it perfect to play with your younger children. As the father of a 4-year-old who loves games, I appreciate this feature. Most of the questionable content happens during the cut-screens and while talking to characters in between missions.
You can skip most of this and just head right back into the game, selecting not to view such screens, letting your younger kids play the game without having to spend a lot of time listening to heroes talk.
I do have some problems with the game. Each combination of heroes was supposed to have fusion powers where they combine their powers in unique ways for devastating effects. While the fusion powers do amazing damage to enemies, they really are not that unique. Each hero has three different kinds of fusion powers, and they really don’t change, no matter who you have them teamed up with. I had envisioned more for this feature.
My other problem is with the storyline. The Civil War was a massive storyline in the comics, and the effects of heroes decision are still being felt today, two years after the storyline had ended. Instead of using the events of the Civil War to help set up the next game, Activision decided to “happy ending” the game instead. The third act of the game sets up events where all of the heroes forgive each other and work together for the greater good. It feels forced, and for anyone who read the comics, it is a complete letdown.
“Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2” is a good game. The gameplay is solid, if a bit uninspired, and the few tweaks that Activision has done to the game makes it fun to play through. If you are looking for a simple beat-them-up game, or you or your children are comic book fans, this is a great game to own. If you’re not and you’re looking for a game to help you waste a couple of hours, rent it and enjoy.
James Treacy is a lifelong gamer, across all platforms of the gaming community. His opinion is in no way the opinion of this paper, and is instead offered to give its readers more information on games and trends available in today’s market. To contact him with any questions about the gaming world, e-mail jtreacy@phillynews.com.
