Superhero overload with Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for the PS3

At this point in time, you’ve probably read or heard a thousand and seven-hundred forty three (way to go, Mr. Exaggeration) reviews on Marvel Ultimate Alliance from your friends, relatives, and maybe even from that Captain Planet summoner guy from the comments section. Most of us have a thing or two to say about our favorite superheroes.

This game has been around for quite some time now, and it’s available on a whole lot of platforms. So what’s going to be different this time around in this review? For one thing, I’ve been MIA in the Marvel scene ever since they started mixing things up with parallel dimensions, time shifts, and the whole idea of Jean Grey with her now-dead-now-alive-then-resurrected-after-getting-killed-twice (ad infinitum) plot development. Meh.

Tedious thing, trying to keep track of the story line in the comics, and so, this review is coming from the perspective of someone trying to go back to his roots. I’d want to get in touch with the Marvel universe once again and safe to say, I’m pretty much satisfied with this game (developed by Raven – the same guys responsible for X-Men Legends) as a reintroduction to the Stan Lee club.

Before anything though, let’s get the usual stuff over with first: graphics, controls, the works. This being in the PS3 blog, do know that we’re reviewing the PS3 version here. You can skip this part if you’ve played the game already… or not. This is where I talk about the stuff that you can either directly see, hear, or interact with.

Superheroes in tights – video games and eye candy:

First impression, of course, would have to be the opening cinematic of the game. By god, it’s nothing but a cinematic in every sense. More cinematic than seeing Eric Bana turn green in front of a bathroom sink. Graphics aside, the video pits you right in the thick of things – in media res, as they say – and flip you with all the explosions to get your heart pumping and screaming “C’mon, man! Just let me play already!” But then, of course, exciting as it might be, you definitely wouldn’t want to skip the cinematic. It’s cool like that: 1080p is love.

More of the review – and the eventual conclusion of my return to my superhero fandom roots – behind the “Full Article” link. And we promise: no parallel universes and iffy time lines.

At this point in time, you’ve probably read or heard a thousand and seven-hundred forty three (way to go, Mr. Exaggeration) reviews on Marvel Ultimate Alliance from your friends, relatives, and maybe even from that Captain Planet summoner guy from the comments section. Most of us have a thing or two to say about our favorite superheroes.

This game has been around for quite some time now, and it’s available on a whole lot of platforms. So what’s going to be different this time around in this review? For one thing, I’ve been MIA in the Marvel scene ever since they started mixing things up with parallel dimensions, time shifts, and the whole idea of Jean Grey with her now-dead-now-alive-then-resurrected-after-getting-killed-twice (ad infinitum) plot development. Meh.

Tedious thing, trying to keep track of the story line in the comics, and so, this review is coming from the perspective of someone trying to go back to his roots. I’d want to get in touch with the Marvel universe once again and safe to say, I’m pretty much satisfied with this game (developed by Raven – the same guys responsible for X-Men Legends) as a reintroduction to the Stan Lee club.

Before anything though, let’s get the usual stuff over with first: graphics, controls, the works. This being in the PS3 blog, do know that we’re reviewing the PS3 version here. You can skip this part if you’ve played the game already…or not. This is where I talk about the stuff that you can either directly see, hear, or interact with.

Superheroes in tights – video games and eye candy:

First impression, of course, would have to be the opening cinematic of the game. By god, it’s nothing but a cinematic in every sense. More cinematic than seeing Eric Bana turn green in front of a bathroom sink. Graphics aside, the video pits you right in the thick of things – in media res, as they say – and flip you with all the explosions to get your heart pumping and screaming “C’mon, man! Just let me play already!” But then, of course, exciting as it might be, you definitely wouldn’t want to skip the cinematic. It’s cool like that: 1080p is love.

I know you’ve seen dozens upon dozens of video footage here in QJ: trailers, gameplay vids, character-specific clips, etc. So, I don’t need to stress just how much everything is fun to watch (that’s both cinematics and in-game graphics).

What’s the diff with other versions across the platform ladder? Graphically speaking, it couldn’t get any more obvious. The Cell Processor was made to good use, and you can see proof of it by noticing how all the special effects in the game are rendered. All the explosions, the water and ice, the lighting effects; in the PS2 version, things are blockier and a bit rough on sharp edges – but on the PS3…

Fits as snug as an Infinity Gauntlet:

That’s how I’d describe the controls. They’re pretty basic, with various buttons doing their own thing. One to do a quick punch, another for a smash hit, a third to jump, and so on. Of course, the control scheme is not just plain black and white, because considering this is an action game, there are combinations within combinations.

Either you’re the meticulous type to memorize every single combo you can possibly do (which isn’t altogether that hard – given that you get the gist of the combo strings) or you just wanna go through the game as a brainless hack-and-slash (personally not recommended, but it brings in the fun factor if you want to get your sister to join in), you’d surely have fun.

As for the SIXAXIS, well, it’s a hit-or-miss thing and something I hardly even bothered to master. The controller can be used to issue some critical damage when you time your tilting motions right, but I couldn’t seem to get the power-up to connect. Hand-eye coordination isn’t really my best bet anyways. But for those who have it down pat, it’s a good thing feature to spice up your experience.

Hearing voices in my head:

Although the background music and sound effects really aren’t especially outstanding, what I do have to comment on is the voice cast and their dialogue. The developers did a good job in finding the cast to voice the characters in the game. Wolvy, Spidey, Johnny Storm… I was almost convinced that they had Hugh Jackman, Tobey Maguire, and Chris Evans do their voices respectively.

More than this though, their personalities surface in the little ad lib remarks they make during gameplay. Snide comments from Human Torch, a Russian accent from Colossus; the producers and the cast really put in a lot of effort on this aspect. It made the whole experience feel that much more alive, and yet at the same time, remain true to their comic book roots.

The dialogue is also something worth talking about, too. It doesn’t take a long time for you to realize that having certain heroes on your team will trigger different/additional dialogues during the in-game cutscenes. Sometimes even your lead character (meaning the one you’re currently controlling in the team) will have their own way of talking to other NPCs. Take for example, during one of your first boss encounters, Bullseye would make a remark whether or not Daredevil and Elektra were to be in your party. I also had a kick out of hearing Deadpool asking for some payment if he got those stupid mechanics free from their living quarters where they were locked in.

Because heroes have Capacity Points too:

Action as it might be, there are RPG elements incorporated into Ultimate Alliance. You’ve got experience points and the game’s version of currency to buy equipment. In this case, you learn various abilities and power attacks as you level up. Equipment can also be bought – go, micromanagement! – in the form of various costumes the certain specific hero has appeared in in the comics. As for the specific character customization that you can fully immerse yourself into, you can still automate it to save you the hassle.

Party elements will also play a big role in your experience. Those familiar with the classic Final Fantasy 4-character party with their own job classes to select from might find this exciting. In the same sense that you should balance out your party with a Knight, White Mage, Black Mage, and Dragoon, you might want to balance out your party with fast characters, heavy-hitting characters, long-range attacking characters, et. al.

***

Now that’s done, let’s get on with the whole “going back to the roots” gig I mentioned at the start. As I said, I wanted to reintroduce myself to the Marvel universe. Now don’t go and ask me what “universe” this game is set in, because frankly I have no idea. It could be set in the Justice League universe for all I care. But the way that I ran through the game from my perspective, it served its purpose.

This game will please the comic book fans, no doubt about that. There are a lot of what could be considered as “Easter eggs” in Ultimate Alliance. Certain details from the comics are found here, and sometimes, you’d be awarded for your stock-knowledge of Marvel trivia. Take for example when I ended up teaming Wolvy and Colossus at the same time, I chanced upon discovering the trademark Piotr-throws-Logan combo as seen in the comics and the third Hollywood movie (yep! it’s there in the first scene!).

Your knowledge on classic teams will bring about special bonuses as well. Bring together the Avengers (both Classic Avengers and New) and see what will happen. How about the X-Men team?

There’s virtually millions and billions – Mr. Exaggeration strikes again! – number of character combinations that you can do, and it’s either you can experiment them for yourself or, if you want the easy way out (boo…), just search for some tips on the net. No one’s stopping you except your gamer’s conscience.

While it might be fun for the aficionados, that doesn’t mean to say it isn’t for other people as well. If you have the vaguest knowledge of the Marvel characters, then you can treat this as a fun button-masher. Why not invite your sister in for a mission or two? While I have yet to try the online multiplayer feature (because real comic geeks don’t have friends), for now, I’m in superhero heaven with this game.

I recommend this as a must-have for every PS3 owner – for the U.S., it was a launch title after all. If X-Men Legends got a sequel, then I’m definitely rooting for a second Ultimate Alliance. Now that would be “teh ultimate.”