Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2

This game was okay, but in the end a bit of a disappointment after the last Marvel alliance game. Perhaps it stems from the fact that at the end of that game Galactus clearly stated he was going to get his revenge on the heroes for what they did to him, well forget it as he plays no part in this game. The only thing connecting this game from that one is the mention of Dr. Doom being still held prisoner by Odin. I was so sad at this as I liked how the story progressed in that game, liked the idea of a sequel revolving around Galactus as a fight at the end with him would be one heck of a final boss battle, something that the previous alliance game and the X-men Legend games never really had. Instead they chose the civil war story from the comics and modified it a bit so that no matter what side you choose you end up on the same page for the last couple of missions. You start out in the game raiding the country of Latveria which is now under the rule of some crazed female who has been making weapons for some of America's more tech savvy super villains. This is followed by a couple of missions that culminates in the civil war as Captain America stands opposed to a new act that requires super heroes to register their identity and work for the government and Iron Man stands with this new initiative and works with the government to round out the rogue heroes. However, a much larger threat looms in the background that will make the civil war seem less important, I will not say what, only that I was disappointed with what it was as I was really hoping for a super villain to be the one behind it all and that turns out not to be the case. So what do we get in the way of heroes this time, you ask? Well you get a lot less of them than in the previous game which kind of sucks. The fighting is basically the same, however a couple of improvements have been made. One, fusion attacks are much better and easier to perform, and two strength is a bit more of a factor this time around. Still overall it was a step down. Also, the makers of this game clearly are not all that well read on the Marvel universe as for some reason Wolverine has his healing factor, but the Hulk does not. I am sorry to say, but the Hulk heals at a much faster rate than Logan and always has. In the movies when Wolverine heals he is doing so at the rate the Hulk does in the comics, Wolverine heals fast, but it is not instantaneous. Also, you read any cards with stats and you will see the Hulk is more durable than Wolverine thus capable of taking more damage. Though during a humorous exchange during the end credits they explain they tried to make it so no hero was significantly stronger than another. I really would prefer them to make them more based on their strengths myself and I am getting rather bored of the four team format. It might be great if you are the type who must play with others, but I usually play games solo and this format gets annoying when the other heroes are not attacking the final boss leaving nearly all the work to the character I am controlling. This game is pretty good though as it is fun making teams to battle through levels, I just wish they could perhaps make a turn based game one day that has more role playing game elements. That will never happen though as these games are generally made by American companies and Americans in general do not like turn based fighting. To me it is more strategic while the combat in this game consists of run up to bad guy and push buttons till dead, but to each his own. Maybe Galactus will come for his revenge in the next edition to this series?

This game has an incredible campaign that with amazing cinematics it also has a big character roster from which to pick from. Decisions affect your gameplay. Just fun all around.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is an exciting sequel in the popular series, bringing numerous improvements while keeping certain aspects unchanged. This game allows players to dive deep into the captivating world of superheroes, retaining familiar elements that appealed to fans of the first installment. While some changes are quite noticeable, others have left players with mixed feelings.

One of the most impressive upgrades is the game's visual aspect. The graphics have become much brighter and more detailed compared to the first game. Heroes look more lively, and the environments feel more realistic, helping players immerse themselves deeper into the atmosphere. The special effects during battles are more dynamic, with every hit or ability being accompanied by impressive visuals, making every fight a true spectacle.

However, it's not just the graphics that have improved - the plot of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 also stands out for its emotional intensity. The central theme of the game is the civil war among superheroes, reflecting the events of the popular "Civil War" comic. This storyline raises serious questions about responsibility, moral choices, and the conflict between freedom and control. The ability to choose sides in the conflict is one of the game's most important features, giving players the feeling of influencing how events unfold. Players can side with the government, which supports the Superhero Registration Act, or join the rebels who oppose it. This approach adds significant replayability to the game, as the different sides of the conflict offer various plot lines and development options.

This variety makes the game interesting not only for one playthrough but also encourages players to return to it to see the other side of the conflict. Moreover, the ability to make choices emphasizes the importance of decision-making and adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay.

However, alongside all the new features, there are a few aspects that might disappoint. One of these aspects is the reduction in the number of heroes and their costumes compared to the first game. For many players, this came as an unpleasant surprise, as one of the main attractions of Marvel Ultimate Alliance was the wide selection of characters and the ability to customize their appearance. The loss of some heroes and the reduction in costume options limit the flexibility in team-building, making players feel their choices are more restricted. Although the available characters are still impressive, many fans miss the options they had grown accustomed to in the first game.

As for the controls and camera, they remain practically unchanged compared to the first game. This might evoke mixed reactions from players. On the one hand, this means that players familiar with the first game will quickly adapt to the controls and won't face issues transitioning to the second installment. However, on the other hand, those who expected significant improvements in these aspects might feel disappointed. This is especially true for the camera, which sometimes causes inconvenience during intense battles, as its angle doesn't always allow clear tracking of all the events happening on the battlefield.

Despite these shortcomings, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 remains a great representative of the superhero game genre. It offers players not only engaging gameplay but also the ability to influence the plot's progression, making it appealing to both comic book fans and newcomers. The story of the superhero civil war adds emotional depth and moral complexity to the game, making it more captivating than standard action games.

Overall, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is an improvement in the superhero game world, appealing to both loyal comic book fans and new players. While the game has some flaws, its strengths - a gripping plot, dynamic gameplay, and visual effects - far outweigh the negatives.