Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

Ultimate Alliance is back and
while some grievances remain
it far surpasses its predecessor

Synopsis:

     Enlisted by S.H.E.I.L.D. commander Nick Fury, four of Marvel's most popular heroes are sent to Latveria, former ruling place of Dr. Doom now governed by prime minister Lucia Von Bardas, to investigate Fury's suspicion that Von Bardas has been funding super villains and sending them to the US. After learning that Fury's hunch was right the heroes destroy Von Bardas's castle, destroying her research and seemingly crushing the corrupt prime minister in the rubble. All's quiet until a year later when Von Bardas returns to take revenge on America for what was done to her, her vendetta is quickly foiled but not before she does a sizable chunk of damage to New York. Learning that the Latverian strike force was not sanctioned by the US government, talks begin in the senate about limiting superbeings ability to run amuck by forcing all American superhumans to register with good old Uncle Sam. The final straw takes place when a scuffle escalates in a Connecticut neighborhood, killing over 600 innocent residents and forcing congress to pass the Superhuman Registration Act. With the act in place, heroes are given two options: register with the US government, or be considered a criminal. 

     Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is Activision's second crack at a decent superhero game, featuring up to 28 playable characters, surpassing both its predecessor and any competition to have been mustered from the DC universe. While technically UA2 is a sequel, players wont have the play the first game to understand what's going on. If anything, playing the first game, which ended with Galactus setting his sites on earth, will only confuse players as to why the heroes are fighting each other rather than repelling Galactus, who doesn't make an appearance throughout the entire sequel. 

     Based loosely off the Marvel Civil War storyline, UA2 will have players eventually choosing which side they wish to join: Iron Man's fight to force all superhumans to register, or Captain America's rebellion to protect the rights of super powered beings. Packed with cameo's, comic book references, and uber-corny Spiderman jokes, UA2 is a game any fan of Marvel will want to get their hands on.

Developers definitely took their time
with graphics, which is sure to make
players and fans alike very  happy.

Appearance:

     Like most console games, UA2's graphics are directly related to the television its being played on. HDTV owners will have nothing bad to say about the in-game graphics, while those playing on a tube-style television might beg to differ. Still, players will appreciate the time and detail spent on superheroes and their costumes. While experiencing the close-up dialogs players will take a few seconds to admire their character's detail before responding to a question. Like its predecessor, players will be able to unlock alternate costumes for their characters, only this time around its only one alternate per hero. Still, as the old saying goes, its better to have two highly detailed costumes than five sloppy ones.

Captain America's forces preparing
for what turns out to be a trap

     Despite the game's detail, the storyline rather conveniently hides some of the shortcuts taken by developers. Both factions have identical looking robots and soldiers, only with different color schemes. This is glossed over quickly by the mention that many S.H.E.I.L.D. units have defected over to Captain America's side, calling themselves the White Star in honor of Cap's shield. While it is likely that the turncoat troops would keep most of their original armor and weapons, its still noticeable if not confusing when fighting a room full of soldiers that look exactly the same as the ones fighting alongside the heroes.

     UA2 features only a handful of cinematics, none of which as impressive as the in-game graphics. Aside from wondering why Tony Stark's hands are as big as his head, players will also wonder why Vicarious Visions didn't just opt to have the whole game done with the in-game graphics engine, rather than waste time on the phony and sloppy looking cinematics. 

     New to UA2 are the mission briefing cut-scenes, short three to four minute scenes getting players up to speed on their next destination and new mission objectives. Narrated by different heroes from each respective faction, the mission briefings begin to be seen as a reward for completing a mission more than anything else. Players will find themselves looking forward to the next briefing cut-scene all because of how well they've been made. 

Game Play:

Characters such as the Green Goblin
and Venom aren't available right
away, but rather become unlocked
as the story continues

     Like its prequel, UA2 is an action-adventure RPG featuring a mostly top down view and the ability to have up to four cooperative players at the same time. Those heroes not being controlled by a player will fight along side the others, attempting to lend their talents to help take down bad guys but ultimately not doing a very good job of it. Computer-controlled heroes make a better human shield than a human wrecking ball. 

     Being an RPG, players will be able to level up their heroes through experience gained from defeating foes. Once leveled up, a hero will regain full health and energy and will receive a talent point to either spend on new abilities, or increase the strength of existing ones. Players will also receive credits as they traverse through the game which can be spent on upgrading heroes' passive abilities. Each hero starts out with two passive abilities, while two more become unlocked after choosing which faction to join. Each faction unlocks two different abilities, encouraging players to play through the game again to increase the full potential of their characters.

     Deciding to throw out the ability to equip items all-together, developers have added a new award system. After defeating bosses or completing required achievements, players will have the ability to pick up award bonuses. Only three bonuses can be in use at a time, while the others can be sold for more credits. Award bonuses range from added frost resistance to high critical hit percentage. After completing the game the first time, players have the ability to traverse back through on high levels of difficulty to obtain new rewards and further level up their heroes. 

Thor and Human Torch seen combining
their powers to better take out foes.
At first, its cool but after seeing it 50
times, gamers might lose interest.

     While many changes have been made to this newer version of UA, developers left untweaked the one thing that needed the most revamping: gameplay. Once a player finds a hero ability they like, almost all of UA2 can then be completed by pressing the same two buttons. Although shielded foes must be made vulnerable before they can take any damage, its a simple matter of mashing the "X" or "square" button then zapping them with your favorite super power to take them down. One of the biggest boasts the Activision made while developing UA2 was the ability to combine two heroes' powers into one gigantic attack. At first, this can be somewhat enjoyable, but after seeing the same power over and over, it loses its appeal. By the end of the game power combinations have about the same appeal as the "bomb" ability on space invaders: it can't be used all the time and it pretty much destroys anyone on screen.

Don't Change a Thing:

     Developers of UA2 have created a game admirers of any Marvel series are bound to love. With the ability to parade around as a superhuman bulldozer, fans are going to find that this game is a dream come true. As an added bonus for fans, developers have included a cameo of the master of comics himself. Stan Lee appears as a senator in need of assistance during a terrorist assault on DC. After rescuing him, players are treated to a small conversation with Lee. Seeing a digitalized Stan Lee's face and hearing his voice is more than enough to make any comic-geek smile if not wet himself on the spot. those who aren't fans of Marvel will still appreciate the well-made mission briefings and detail to character design. Both add to the game and allow players to forgive some of the shortcuts taken during development. 

Should Have Spent More Time On:

     While it would have required revamping the game, and possibly the game engine, entirely, Activision could have put an end to the button mashing and brought players a game that requires thought and finesse. Also, developers would have done well to throw out their attempted cinematics entirely and narrate the entire game through dialog and cut-scenes. While they are vital to the story line, the graphics in UA2's cinematics are laughable, and a staunch opposite to both the detailed movies of its predecessor and the detailed graphics during gameplay.

Just how Homo:

Developers must have thought it
necessary to include a bulge in
Juggernaut's uniform. We're not
complaining.

     With the option of choosing some of Marvel's hunkiest heroes, gaymers might be able to live out some of their more G-rated superhero fantasies. Activision has done a smashing job of making sure the three dimensional characters in the game resemble their 2-D comic book selves, bulging muscles and all. 

Own it or Rent it:

     Rent it. While it is most certainly a must-play for any fan of Marvel, UA2's monotonous gameplay also makes it the kind of game most players will beat and never touch again. Activision's ingenious idea of having players choose sides doesn't hold up when players play through a second time only to realize the both factions' missions involve the same exact levels, only with different objectives. While most gamers will anxiously await the arrival of a third UA, this installment is ultimately not worth the money.