10.6.2008

With rave reviews flying in from all directions for Marvel's latest feature film "Iron Man", and "Incredible Hulk" slated for a few months' time, I though it might be worth taking a look at something a little more ... interactive. To affect the minutae of stories, character development or even the final outcome, is something that (for the time being at least) is restricted solely to video games.Thankfully there are a few Marvel games out there that do justice to the source material. At the forefront is "Marvel Ultimate Alliance", one of the best Marvel team-ups available (and that includes the comics!). The story is not complex, favouring character sub-plots and episodic action,but there are all the ingredients needed for a successful super-romp: the villainous Dr Doom, long-time foe of the Fantastic Four, has deigned to accept the assistance of some of the world's deadliest super-criminals in a plot to steal godly power and extend his dominion over the whole of the planet. He is accompanied by the Asgardian god Loki, a nemesis of the Avengers, and the indestructible robot Ultron, most recently featured in the "Annihilation Conquest" comic saga. A host of other familiar faces gather for their own ends to rain destruction down upon those that might stop them: the Marvel super-heroes.The fun of this game, which has garnered some very positive reviews, comes from the host of familiar faces. As the player you control a team of four heroes from a huge selection, much in the vein of Marvel's previous video-game hit, "X-Men Legends". Each of those heroes is upgradeable in terms of skills, powers, and familiar RPG attributes such as strength, durability and agility. Several costumes are unlockable, including some neat old-school outfits for favourites like Iron Man, Spider-Man and a whole bunch of the X-Men. Battling enemies during your varied missions and adventures garners experience points to be spent on these attributes, creating an increasingly powerful team. You can mix and match from any of the spectacular, uncanny and amazing heroes: the X-Men, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and solo heroes such as Ghost Rider, Blade, Daredevil, and many others.The developers have ensured that beating up Ultron robots and the Mandarin's terracotta soldiers is especially fun. Characters keep up a certain level of banter throughout, and some cut-scenes are changed depending on the characters you have in your team. Iron Man, for example, might have a few words to say to the Mandarin during their first encounter; when Wolverine comes up against Deadpool, you're treated to some special dialogue. Similarly there are "safe zones" which are you base of operations in each of the game's five Acts, allowing you time to run around Stark Tower or Dr Strange's mansion in safety. Background stories for characters are revealed here, as well as a few interesting details about the ongoing sub-plots.In fact, most of the game's more subtle additions begin to shine in these places. Your army of unlockable heroes soon inhabit the op bases and offer a bit of chit-chat or short, XP-earning missions should you be so inclined. There are places to train your heroes using group or solo VR "combat discs", adding more story (and more currency to buy new skills!), as well as trivia quizzes to earn big bucks. These offer rewarding distractions to the combat-based main content of the game, although you'll never stray from the primary storyline for long. And, if you're lucky enough to own one of the next-gen consoles or a beefed-up PC, some of the graphics are truly spectacular and make the time spent with your chosen heroes a true joy!Available for a bargain price now after a year or so since release, any fan of the comics, the films or just the characters themselves should really pick this up an give it a go - you couldn't possibly be disappointed.8.7 / 10

28.6.2007

I being an rather obsessed gamer when purchased a ps3 need a ps3 game and was being told to get things such as R.O.F.O.M and motorstorm but I wanted a nice fun game and not an in depth first person shooter or a driving game and being a marvel fan decided on getting this but was wary of the price.In the end got it anyway. And I really enjoyed it being a Spiderman and x men fan especially and was happy that I bought it. I found it really good fun the camera view takes a bit of getting used to as does other things but once you get the hang of it its really good and fun. The tilt action I found very annoying and defective at points but this I fear had nothing to do with the game...

1.6.2007

Marvel:Ultimate Alliance is not the most complex game out there,and yes,the graphics are a little disappointing,but this game is far superior to Justice League Heroes.Ultimately,I think it comes down to whether you are a Marvel or DC fanboy.The gameplay mechanics are,overall,pretty simple.Attack,combo,attack generally does the trick.In fact,it reminds me of the TMNT arcade game of the early '90's,so simple is it's style.All in all,pretty dodgy,but what saves it is a couple of cut scenes I would pay money to see at my local multiplex,and an overly complicated storyline that does more than enough to hold the attention.There are various combinations of heroes that deliver special bonuses (the FF

18.2.2013

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is one of the single greatest games I have ever played.The game starts with a dramatic attack on the SHEILD Helicarrier by forces of the dastardly Dr Doom and, within minutes, Cap, Spidey, Wolverine and Thor have come in to save the day. This is what most people would refer to as Classic Marvel Heroism, and the rest of the game doesn't move too far from this dramatic beginning.With references to obscure Marvel Characters, appearances of classic villains and a cast of 20+ heroes, most of whom are available right from the start, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is the Ultimate game for Marvel fans, or, like me, ordinary people who turned into fans due to exposure to an otherworldly object,

26.3.2007

Having been a Marvel fan for many years I watched the development of this game quite closely. But to the game itself. There is an intriguing storyline that raises suspicions about what you are getting into and who you can really trust. some old wounds are opened up and the morals of some of the non-playable characters are in doubt. In short, this is a game that is much more than a simple button mashing beat-em-up (though there is some of that)But some bosses get you to answer some basic science questions and the Visions computer has an entertaining Marvel Trivia Quiz.You can collect sketch book art and find 'discs's for mini side games straight out of specific comics built around individual

1.1.2008

I was an avid reader of Marvel comics when this game came out so i was looking forward to playing as some of my favourite super heroes in one game.The game itself is very good,you start off with four already picked heroes in your team but soon you can change these heroes around for different ones.The controls are very easy to understand,there is not much to controlling one character.I found that the game was still a bit easy even on the highest level of difficulty therefore making the game very easy to complete.The game is still very fun with a load of characters to fight and play as.The simulation discs are fun when you get to pick a team to fight with but when you only fight with one person,you

11.10.2007

If you are a fan of X-Men Legends 1 and 2 then in all likelyhood you will love this game as well. It follows the same format as the X-Men Legends (XML, can't be doing with typing it all the time) game but also suffers from the same problem, in that there is no great encouragement to swap around characters in the team (in fact with the Reputation system there is active encouragement to keep the same team all through out the game). Saying that there is no reason why this game can't be replayed with a different team each time you want to replay it.True this game is your standard XML button masher game and so you will probably benefit from using a decent control pad but if, like me,

14.5.2007

After playing (and loving) the original X-Men Legends game, I had high hopes for this game, as it was also from Raven software. The depth of this game is awesome, with some great touches that will please the comic fans. What lets this game down though is the graphics; how a game can be graphically inferior to a similar one released two years earlier is beyond me, especially as it's from the same studio. Whereas the look of XML was clear, crisp and "comicy", MUL suffers from that soft-edged blurring that seemed to afflict PS2 games in their early days. It feels to me like the developers spent so long cramming in all the neat touches and different superpowers that they forgot to spend any on a decent interface.Overall then,

2.11.2006

Well activision had something going with 140 superheroes in one game. Like many of you comic book fans out there i was crazy with excitement over this game. I pre-ordered it like a month before it came out, today, it arrived. I have now completed the first 3 missions and what can i say. The graphics are the biggest let down, there playstation 1 standard at some points, whcih is really disapointing, but the game play itself is a lot of fun. One of my favourite features is customizing your characters with different powers and costumes (shame the graphics ruin the costumes though). Anyway, depsite the shoddy graphics, i'd still recommend this game to anyone with a love of comics. Dr Strange is in it!!!

5.11.2006

Ive been reading marvel comics etc for years and I'm 40 now .This game had to be brought and to be completely honest I am glad i did .The graphics are excellent and the game itself , even when you go through those annoying times like with most games , you still have to have one more go . Assembing your team is a great idea and you really do have to think who is the best character etc to do the job in hand , so it gives you that kind of managerial theme as well if you get my meaning .. Myself and my youngest son at the moment are absolutely enjoying every minute of this great game and if you have half as much fun as we are then this game is a must for any comic book fan .

9.1.2007

i got this game 4 xmas and it is absolutely fantastic!!! wow gr8 story line and the abilty 2 change characters is just superb!the camera angle is a bit different 2 sum games but it works rly wel with the game. wen u combine certain characters u can sumtimes get special teams e.g. Spider Woman + Ms Marvel + Elektra + Storm = Femme Fatale and u get a +5 damage score or sumthing like that (i cant rly remember). All in all this is a gr8 game with many different ways of playing it. good 4 all ages as u can play it in easy, normal or hard. BUY IT NOW!!!! :)

27.10.2008

Quality. Anyone who enjoys Marvel characters and action RPG games will thoroughly enjoy this. It is simple to play and easy to get involved in and soon, time will evaporate when playing. There is more to it than just simple button bashing, minor tactics are considered when picking your team, deciding which powers to build up and which costume and power-ups you will buy and use.I loved it and have in on every console. Quality.

19.3.2007

this game was brilliant, there is a wide range of characters to choose from, with unlockable constumes, traning simulations, it is great. good game to play if you are bored and want some fun, once you start playing the game its hard to stop, you get so into the story line.great graphics, awesome movie clips as you progress through the games levels and alot of epic boss battles.very very VERY enjoyable game.

24.9.2019

When I was a kid, I had this game on PS2. Got this as a Birthday present and it was great playing the game again! Same ways as the PS2, but had the characters I couldn't play as previously like Daredevil, Silver Surfer and members of the X-Men! Feels good to be playing this game again! As a Marvel fan, I'm glad I got both Marvel Ultimate Alliance games!

13.7.2009

If you like Gauntlet for the PS2 and u love your Marvel Hero's. Who doesn't like them?Then this game is for you great value for money big game that will take some playing to complete.And some great classic characters like Dare Devil etc. Buy it now finish it before September and then get the Marvel Alliance 2 its gonna be awesome

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