Written By: Carl Doherty
Date: 16 Oct 2009
Punch. Blast. Level up. Repeat.
Ultimate Alliance 2, the latest in Activision’s series of button–bashing Marvel “RPG ‘em ups,” would make for a very interesting study on the change in brain activity over the course of a game. Its single player story mode is capable of invoking such incredibly contrasting responses, ranging from delight to apathy, that it’s almost impossible to summarise in any concise way. So, instead of reviewing the game in a systematic manner, I’ve decided to describe what gamers will get from the game in the first 8 hours or so:
Your first hour with Ultimate Alliance 2 is likely to be a compelling one. From the exhilarating cinematics to the splendid in-game graphics that manage to feel immersive despite the top-down perspective, it’s a polished package that has clearly been crafted with comic fans in mind. You’ll hop between playing Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, as they follow Nick Fury through an attack on Castle Doom, Latveria. Each character feels significantly different; Cap’s shield is controllable while airborne, Spidey is super-agile, Stark is the powerhouse and Logan’s best used in an up-close-and-personal capacity. Comic readers will recognise the ensuing events from the Secret War storyline, and it’s wonderful to see such a plot used in favour of the customary Hollywood movie spin-off.
2-3 hours in, and you’ll suddenly find yourself swamped with a plethora of things to do. Fan favourite characters and plenty more appear to be accessible, but most are still locked out, thus giving you an incentive to keep on playing. After all, who doesn’t want to play as the Hulk or Gambit? Experience points unlock various abilities, providing new angles from which to direct your existing characters. As the events of Secret War begin to foreshadow a superhero Civil War, Ultimate Alliance 2 features so many cameos and tidbits of information that you can’t wait to explore the universe further. You’ll soon be forced to choose a side, gathering heroes to your cause and not only battling such lesser-known enemies as Grim Reaper and Tinkerer but your former friends. There’s even a quiz to challenge your knowledge of the Marvel Universe.
Ultimate Alliance 2, the latest in Activision’s series of button–bashing Marvel “RPG ‘em ups,” would make for a very interesting study on the change in brain activity over the course of a game. Its single player story mode is capable of invoking such incredibly contrasting responses, ranging from delight to apathy, that it’s almost impossible to summarise in any concise way. So, instead of reviewing the game in a systematic manner, I’ve decided to describe what gamers will get from the game in the first 8 hours or so:
Your first hour with Ultimate Alliance 2 is likely to be a compelling one. From the exhilarating cinematics to the splendid in-game graphics that manage to feel immersive despite the top-down perspective, it’s a polished package that has clearly been crafted with comic fans in mind. You’ll hop between playing Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, as they follow Nick Fury through an attack on Castle Doom, Latveria. Each character feels significantly different; Cap’s shield is controllable while airborne, Spidey is super-agile, Stark is the powerhouse and Logan’s best used in an up-close-and-personal capacity. Comic readers will recognise the ensuing events from the Secret War storyline, and it’s wonderful to see such a plot used in favour of the customary Hollywood movie spin-off.
2-3 hours in, and you’ll suddenly find yourself swamped with a plethora of things to do. Fan favourite characters and plenty more appear to be accessible, but most are still locked out, thus giving you an incentive to keep on playing. After all, who doesn’t want to play as the Hulk or Gambit? Experience points unlock various abilities, providing new angles from which to direct your existing characters. As the events of Secret War begin to foreshadow a superhero Civil War, Ultimate Alliance 2 features so many cameos and tidbits of information that you can’t wait to explore the universe further. You’ll soon be forced to choose a side, gathering heroes to your cause and not only battling such lesser-known enemies as Grim Reaper and Tinkerer but your former friends. There’s even a quiz to challenge your knowledge of the Marvel Universe.
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