Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Review

Before 2004’s X-Men Legends, the presentation of superhero teamwork was often presented in restrictive side-scrolling brawlers. By using a template more common to action role playing-games, Raven Software was able to elevate Legends beyond the typical 2D tedium; players could alternate between a selection of heroes, which embedded the game with strategic possibilities. The subsequent sequel carefully honed the formula, and garnered a substantial amount of critical and commercial success.

Three years ago, the series expanded its scope from former residents of Professor Xavier’s mansion to a more comprehensive rooster of Stan Lee’s creations with Marvel Ultimate Alliance. The game presented a wonderful tribute to the Marvel universe that shined with an encyclopedic plethora of heroes and villains, which resonated with both comic fans and avid gamers. While the recently released sequel- Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 has shifted developers, few changes have been made to the gameplay. While this reluctance to radically change MUA2’s formula may appease some fans, others may be concerned with the title’s lack of deviation.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2’s narrative is loosely based around the Civil War storyline that ran through a selection of Marvel Comics from 2006-2007. After a heated battle between heroes and villains spills out, creating hundreds of civilian casualties, legislators draft the Superhuman Registration Act, a law requiring all superheroes to register their abilities. Discord erupts, creation two distinct factions: a pro-registration side headed by Iron Man and Mister Fantastic, and an anti-documentation assembly lead by Captain America and Luke Cage.

One of principal changes to MUA2 is the introduction of team-based fusion attacks. As you hammer away on opponents, your team gradually builds fusion power. Once an on-screen meter is charged, the player can release an overwhelming barrage against antagonists. In theory, each duo of superheroes exhibits a distinctive attack, however in function, assaults are either on a specific, targeted location or allow players to sweep the environment clear of enemies. While many of the strikes are imaginative and energetic, others just send duos stomping through the environments. Still, the fusion attacks are indispensable for weakening bosses are creating some breathing room when the tram in encroached by foes.

The game’s other main adjustment is the simplification of the stats system, which will likely divide players. Characters still gain experience for vanquishing adversaries and progressing through the game’s story, but few avenues of character development are presented. Players may encounter medals around the playfield which give an entire team a specific boost, like immunity to electric attacks, or increased physical damage. Gamers more interested in combat, can let the CPU take care of any number crunching for them by having the game autoequip the most potent loadout.

While the game’s hub offers some short alternative challenges, most gamer’s will spend their time fighting within  the game’s opponent-filled corridors, which are all punctuated by a requisite boss battle. The game’s variety of superheroes range from the famous- Spiderman, Hulk, Iron Man to the more obscure- Songbird, Penance and Ms. Marvel. Graphically, the game’s heroes, villains and locations are competently rendered, showing a distinct improvement over the previous game. The game’s framerate stays remarkably stable, only faltering when multiple special attacks are displayed simultaneously.