Superhero-based videogames have generally carried on a tradition of poor gameplay, shallow storyline, and un-welcomed brevity.  I guess that is what makes Marvel: Ultimate Alliance stand out.  The developers have really focused on delivering a title with multiple Marvel worlds, a very impressive array of playable characters and super villains for boss fights, and a well-designed skill-enhancement mechanic.  Does Marvel: Ultimate Alliance play perfectly?  Certainly not, but it’s still a fun experience for any comic fan or anyone in the mood for some “clobbering-time!”

The game revolves around Dr. Doom and the Masters of Evil, a group of Marvel super villains working together to destroy the world and all that jazz (I wonder if they pay union dues).  Colonel Nick Fury calls on the world’s greatest Marvel superheroes to come to Earth’s aid to defeat the forces of evil.  From the get-go, you are given Wolverine, Captain America, Spider-Man, and Thor.  But in case you are growing tired of the unkempt Logan and his claws, you can eventually create your own alliance from a character selection menu.  In it, you will find legends including the Fantastic Four, Iceman, Ironman, and Elektra (although calling Elektra a legend is like calling Paris Hilton a role-model for young girls).  There are even a few lesser-known characters that Marvel fans will appreciate including Spider-Woman and Deadpool, a badass knife and gun wielding superhero.  Each superhero has an assortment of powers and abilities that are authentic and unique.  Flying characters can fly, characters that can fire long-ranged projectiles can do so, and big characters can use their great strength to aid their teammates.  Team collaboration works very well in this game, each hero with a different set of abilities to be used in different scenarios. 

Marvel: Ulimate Alliance is really an action-RPG that focuses on working together.  Sometimes, superheroes team up on a particular move, such as the Thing throwing Wolverine into an unsuspecting foe like a shot put.  There are elements of pure hack n’ slash which doesn’t really work for a game with such power variety, but the number of abilities a superhero can possess is impressive.  Note that not all powers are available to use at once, you must access them using the D-pad before executing the move.  I felt that more emphasis on combo moves could alleviate the necessity for using the D-pad, but we’ll move on.  One of the best things about Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is how character advancement is done.  When an enemy is killed, the last character to get in a shot gets the points.  However, any health or power orbs that appear are dispersed to the members that need it the most.  Even better, players can level up, gain new powers, and give their powers to other teammates while fighting.  There were many times during the game that Iceman gave us cool icicle swords which really added to the team collaboration.

The artificial intelligence, both for superheroes and super villains, is a mixed bag.  Sometimes, the baddies are flawless in their attacks and do some real damage.  Other times, they don’t put up much of a fight.  Superheroes that are not commanded by real players have a tendency to sit on the sidelines and watch the action unfold.  At one point I was fighting off three of Dr. Doom’s clones by myself while the others looked like they were giving each other pedicures.  Another great thing about Marvel Ultimate Alliance is the number of super villains you will fight.  The boss battles are numerous, featuring well-known characters like Mysterio, Bullseye, and Rhino.  Not all boss fights can be won with simple hack ‘n slashing.  Others require puzzle solving and group teamwork to bring them down.  I’m not much of a fan of puzzles in action videogames because it slows up the momentum in the game.  The puzzles in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance were pretty easy and required little effort to solve.  Although I enjoyed completing them in a timely fashion, other players may feel a little robbed of a good puzzle experience.

The worlds you can explore in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance are vast and completely unique.  There are 17 locales that are all from Marvel comics.  You will fight in ancient Asia, swim the lost city of Atlantis, and maneuver through a space station.  No one location looks the same.  I was disappointed with the linearity of certain levels.  Moving from room to room from hallway to hallway with sporadic fights in between hurt this games appeal.  The camera is also positioned overhead so you’ll experience the entire game from afar.  I understand the importance of getting all characters on the screen at once, but I feel it could have been executed better.  The screen also got cluttered and confusing at times, even on my 42-inch high definition television.

Another great thing about Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is the co-op.  At any point of the game, a buddy of yours can jump on a game controller and take over as one of your teammates.  Up to four people can play and it’s a lot of fun working together with real players.  I compare it to Gauntlet Legends with each person utilizing a unique character for the good of the team.  If a buddy of yours also has the game and a connection to Xbox Live, you can play over the internet as well!

Graphically, Marvel looks pretty good.  The environments are lush and the effects look pretty good.  A lot of time was spent in making the cut scenes look great.  Some of the character models could be improved, however.  HD monitors have a tendency to pick up graphical flaws better than standard ones.  Characters can earn two additional costumes to wear during the game.  Classic uniforms like Wolverine’s yellow spandex look pretty awesome.  The sound doesn’t offer much.  The canned one-liners from the superheroes are way too repetitive and don’t add anything to the game.  The music is pretty good and changes depending on the scenario but the sound effects are subpar.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a fun way to play as your favorite Marvel superhero.  There are some noticeable shortcomings and flaws in the gameplay.  But the team mentality, the array of playable characters and villains, and the system of skill enhancement separates Marvel Ultimate Alliance from other titles currently available.  Plus, having friends play along with you is very enjoyable.  In all, this is a must-have title for comic book fans.  Even RPG fans will the game to be a solid experience worth checking out.

Gameplay: 8.2
A great hack ‘n slash action-RPG videogame, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance’s emphasis on team collaboration works to the games advantage.  The puzzles may be too simple for fan’s looking for brain teasers, the AI needs some work, and there should be more focus on combo moves to execute powers rather than using the D-Pad.  But there is something in the gameplay that just demands to be played.

Graphics: 8.6
The Xbox 360 version costs $10.00 more because of its graphical prowess.  The environments look lush and vibrant with subtle flaws in character models.

Sound: 7.8
Some of the voice acting needs work, mostly the younger characters.  The soundtrack is appropriate for the game’s fast and furious atmosphere.  The sound effects are forgettable.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 8.5
Superheroes working together?  Is there anything cooler?

Multiplayer: 9.0
One of the best parts of the game is playing with buddies on the same console or via Xbox Live.  It is a must-do.

Overall: 8.3
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a fun adventure into the Marvel World.   Certain parts need polishing, sure, including AI and level design.  But anyone craving superhero action should pick this title up immediately.  At the very least, you should rent it.