Marvel Ultimate Alliance Review

Yes, this is a very old game. But with the second Avengers movie out, and a lack of games to accompany it (thankfully this means no shovelware), I thought this would be a good game to review. IT does have a large selection of Avengers to choose from. Some that haven't even been given a movie or TV series yet. There's also the Fantastic Four, Daredevil (Netflix series), and Electra, just to name a few.

Besides having what might be the biggest cast of playable characters in a video game, the cameos using NPCs are astonishing. Balder, Black Bolt, Wyatt Wingfoot. Aunt May and Willie the mailman even mentioned, but not not actually shown. The people at Raven, Activision, and Beenox, among others, did far more research into characters that would bring players into the Marvel Universe, than any other game to date, with the exception of the DCU free-to-play MMO.

Between the Xbox (original), Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, and the PS3, I've beeten the game 13 times, and have a 14th started. Why throw that into the review? Because I was still finding new things in the game the last time I played. And when it comes to hunting for hidden items in a game, I'm usually pretty damned good at it. I don't always get 100% of the items, but I get close, and without using a cheat book.

The character detail is amazing, although I recommend using the older consoles if you want to see better graphics. The 360 and PS3 have this weird texture over the costumes that makes them look like action figures. The older systems actually look more realistic. Other than that, I can't find any major difference between the systems.

If you have a 360, the extra price for the Platinum (comes with extra characters and a behind the scenes DVD) or Gold edition (same characters, but no DVD) is worth it. Activision lost its licensing to use several of the characters in the game. As such, you can't buy the extra characters any longer. This also applies to the sequel. You also get a few more training room missions with either of these versions.

The game play is extremely fluid, and lets you fine tune not just the character's abilities, but his/her bonuses as well. Each suit that you unlock gives you a new look (except for the Surfer), and a set of variables that you can augment. These may include health bonuses, damage bonuses, or extra energy for your powers, to name a few.

The glitching is extremely minor. For instance, if you switch characters, the computer will reassign the powers you mapped out. For instance, your Hulk ground pound may be replaced with his hand clap. I've also discovered a few places that you should never go. While exploring the snow covered mountains of Asgard, do not fly up to the peaks. Not only will your character become stuck there, it will die. There are a few places like this, so just try not to go off road.

There is also a way to break Hell. When in Mephisto's realm, there are a few areas that are supposed to have an endless amount of demons to fight. All you have to do is fight for about five minutes, and they slow their spawning. Go back to the previous area, and they start again, but in smaller numbers. After about half an hour, all of the demons stop spawning, except the one by the save point.

This game truly is the best super hero game there is. Yes, I have played the firdt two Arkham games, and enjoyed them. But that game gives you one character (with some DLC for Catwoman and Robin in the second). This game gives you dozens of characters, and multiple teams to use as well. Remember the New Fantastic Four? Spider-Man thought the FF were gone for good, so he had Joe Fixit (Grey Hulk), Ghost Rider, and Wolverine fill in for two issues. They're in there. The Defenders, X-Men, and even an option to create your own team. All Arkham gives you is a batarang.

If you get a chance to play this, take the opportunity. It's one of those rare games that gets all of the important stuff right.