In 2006, Activision & Raven Software released an action role-playing game titled, “Marvel Ultimate Alliance” featuring Marvel characters Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man Thor and many others. The game earned huge praise and sold a bunch of copies worldwide. Three Years Later, a follow-up known as, “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2” was officially released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It earned mixed to positive reviews. Later re-released in 2016 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Sadly, Activision’s digitally delisted the game along with other Marvel related games due to the publishing rights expired in 2014. The most recent game, “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3” came out in 2018 on Nintendo Switch. However, I don’t own a Switch. I’m a PlayStation guy.
Anyway, Insomniac Games is working on a standalone Wolverine game exclusively for the PlayStation 5. One more thing, Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as the iconic character in the highly anticipated, “Deadpool and Wolverine” set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or MCU for short. It’ll be released on July 26, 2024. Three days after my birthday. As a big fan of Wolverine, I wanna share my thoughts on Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2.
This review contains no SPOILERS. Keep in mind, I’m only reviewing the PS3/Xbox 360 version.
Good & Evil Qualities
Good: Voice Actors all did a superb job for their respective performances.
Graphics vastly improve character models, fluid animation, lighting and environmental locations.
Gameplay/Mechanics
The sequel retains previous elements from the first game and X-Men Legends 1-2, but with new stuff. I’ll bring up some old stuff.
- Fusion Moves replaced Ultimate Attacks. They’re the best part of the game.
- Boss Battles never get old. They really pack a punch like Wolverine deflecting Iron Man’s lasers with his claws spreads multiple lasers at enemies.
- Charge your Fusion Meter beating baddies. Save your Team Attacks for sticky situations like a hoard of foes standing in your way.
- If you earn a high score defeating a specific number of thugs, you get a health token.
- Engaging in a conversation gives you three responses Aggressive, Diplomatic or Defensive.
- Tokens are scattered across various places. Grab one, you’ll get an offensive/defensive boost. Don’t forget to find characters to unlock Thor, Jean Grey & Hulk. You’ll also acquire audio recordings, concept art, simulation discs and dossiers.
- Forming a thematic team of four characters in one like the Fantastic Four, will earn you a boost. Experiment with a variety of individuals.
- Completing certain feats will grant a playable character a new costume.
- Replay Value if you want to go back and earn the other ending. Whether you side with Pro-Registration led by Iron Man or Anti-Registration led by Captain America.
- Level Cap for each character is 60. Spend money upgrading powers and abilities on your favorite characters.
- Test your Marvel knowledge playing a trivia game. Guessing a correct answer earns you XP.
Beating the game unlocks New Game Plus. Think you can beat it on Legendary difficulty?
Story takes elements from comic book storylines “Civil War” and “Secret War.”
Once you side with Iron Man or Captain America at the end, you unlock a secret character.
My personal team gathering four characters in one team are Venom/Mac Gargan, Gambit, Deadpool and my all-time favorite, Wolverine. He’s the best at what he does and what he does isn’t very nice.
Black Panther, Carnage, Cable, Juggernaut & Magneto are DLC characters. Unfortunately, you can’t download them anymore. What a bummer! I never got a chance to download all of them! This is why we can’t have nice things!
As I recall, it took me a week to get both endings.
Stan Lee makes a cameo appearance as a senator. EXCELCIOR!
Evil: The sequel never brought up the first game’s ending. Galactus was supposed to be the main antagonist.
Unlike the first game, you cannot revisit previous locations.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BREATHTAKING!
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is a great game. If you managed to save a physical copy or managed to own it digitally along with DLC characters before they got permanently delisted, you are one lucky person. Who’s ready to see Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman in Deadpool and Wolverine? I know I am! I’m taking the popcorn bucket and collectable cup.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 