Customer Reviews
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 
2008-06-10
With rave reviews flying in from all directions for Marvel's latest feature film "Iron Man", and "Incredible Hulk" slated for a few months' time, I though it might be worth taking a look at something a little more ... interactive. To affect the minutae of stories, character development or even the final outcome, is something that (for the time being at least) is restricted solely to video games.
Thankfully there are a few Marvel games out there that do justice to the source material. At the forefront is "Marvel Ultimate Alliance", one of the best Marvel team-ups available (and that includes the comics!). The story is not complex, favouring character sub-plots and episodic action, but there are all the ingredients needed for a successful super-romp: the villainous Dr Doom, long-time foe of the Fantastic Four, has deigned to accept the assistance of some of the world's deadliest super-criminals in a plot to steal godly power and extend his dominion over the whole of the planet. He is accompanied by the Asgardian god Loki, a nemesis of the Avengers, and the indestructible robot Ultron, most recently featured in the "Annihilation Conquest" comic saga. A host of other familiar faces gather for their own ends to rain destruction down upon those that might stop them: the Marvel super-heroes.
The fun of this game, which has garnered some very positive reviews, comes from the host of familiar faces. As the player you control a team of four heroes from a huge selection, much in the vein of Marvel's previous video-game hit, "X-Men Legends". Each of those heroes is upgradeable in terms of skills, powers, and familiar RPG attributes such as strength, durability and agility. Several costumes are unlockable, including some neat old-school outfits for favourites like Iron Man, Spider-Man and a whole bunch of the X-Men. Battling enemies during your varied missions and adventures garners experience points to be spent on these attributes, creating an increasingly powerful team. You can mix and match from any of the spectacular, uncanny and amazing heroes: the X-Men, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and solo heroes such as Ghost Rider, Blade, Daredevil, and many others.
The developers have ensured that beating up Ultron robots and the Mandarin's terracotta soldiers is especially fun. Characters keep up a certain level of banter throughout, and some cut-scenes are changed depending on the characters you have in your team. Iron Man, for example, might have a few words to say to the Mandarin during their first encounter; when Wolverine comes up against Deadpool, you're treated to some special dialogue. Similarly there are "safe zones" which are you base of operations in each of the game's five Acts, allowing you time to run around Stark Tower or Dr Strange's mansion in safety. Background stories for characters are revealed here, as well as a few interesting details about the ongoing sub-plots.
In fact, most of the game's more subtle additions begin to shine in these places. Your army of unlockable heroes soon inhabit the op bases and offer a bit of chit-chat or short, XP-earning missions should you be so inclined. There are places to train your heroes using group or solo VR "combat discs", adding more story (and more currency to buy new skills!), as well as trivia quizzes to earn big bucks. These offer rewarding distractions to the combat-based main content of the game, although you'll never stray from the primary storyline for long. And, if you're lucky enough to own one of the next-gen consoles or a beefed-up PC, some of the graphics are truly spectacular and make the time spent with your chosen heroes a true joy!
Available for a bargain price now after a year or so since release, any fan of the comics, the films or just the characters themselves should really pick this up an give it a go - you couldn't possibly be disappointed.
8.7 / 10
X-Men Legends it is not! 
2008-05-09
Okay I've never writtern a review before because I never have felt strongly about something as this.
Let me begin by saying I am a huge fan of comic-books and an ex-comic book artist. So I love comic books and comic book related merchandise.
This game on the other hand is a big let down. If you are a big fan of X-men legends and X-Men legends 2 and are expecting something similar. You are in for a huge dissapointment. The game doesnt offer any of the great aspects that made the other games so addictive.
First off all its hard to see anything you are doing in the game since the color tones are the same and everything is super small.
The maps are very repetitive and everything you do seems like a major chore, which is absolutely unacceptable for any game.
Gone is the great combo system and replaced with a lagging system that rarely picks up on anything.
The Levelup system is similar but still feels lagged and dosent give you quite the same control as X-Men Legends system.
Really there isnt anything I really like about the game and if it didnt involve comic book characters I would throw it away. It is nice to see so many different popular characters but that shouldnt be a selling point for a bad game.
Great Game For Marvel Comics Fans! 
2008-04-02
While I am not the biggest gamer, I have had more fun playing this game than any computer game in recent memory. Someone gave me a code to unlock all of the heroes and it is such a blast making up different foursomes to fight with. I also like little touches.... like being able to select from, usually, three different costumes for each hero to wear. Game play is fairly straightforward as is the storyline. My sons both love it as well.
Good game 2008-02-15
Lots of fun. Storyline is creative. You can actually play this without the use of a play book.
Good except for online multiplayer 
2007-11-02
The game looks great and is fun except that I primarily bought it to play online with friends and currently online play has been way to laggy to be doable.
Vast improvement from X-Men Legends II 2007-02-18
Marvel : Ultimate Alliance lets you control the biggest, most powerful Super Hero alliance the world has ever known. Choose from heroes like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade and Elektra, to form and customize a four-member strike force. Then partner, battle and interact with more than 140 characters from the entire Marvel universe. Various actions you take may have an impact on how the story will end. It is an alliance of the ages, undertaking an epic multi-mission quest, with an innovative combat system to enrich this legendary experience.
great for super hero fans 2007-02-18
If you ever wanted to have a game with all your basic superheroes of Marvel this is the one. It is cool when they use their powers. Story line is ok but each charactor doesn't speak in the story lines so that kind of takes away the feel of being in the game. A lot of smash'em and bash'em. Some superheros are hidden and you have to earn the right to play them. I think is a good if you don't want to think too much and just play and live in the story and have fun.
Reviews below in doubt ? 2007-01-21
I don't see how a 3yr old computer or a 9600XT can run this game(... see other reviews) ?
I have a 2yr old computer with a X800XL 256mb card ... card was upgraded after purchase
I believe the minimum card req(... on box) were: Nvidia 7300 and Radeon X1300. Were these cards offered 3yrs ago ? ... is a 9600XT similar to a X1300 ?
Does anyone know the reccomended Sys Req ?
If the past is any indicator, Minimum vs Reccomended Sys Req can be quite different ... I'd like to know, " what it takes to get the most graphically out out the game"
My X800XL doesn't pass the Vertex/Pixel shading requirement ... you need 3.0
I'm not tech savvy, so I'm confused as to how a 9600XT has 3.0 Vertex/Pixel shading OR if a 3yr old computer has/had cards with 3.0 ?
I bought the game based on those reiews.
Guess I'll have to wait till I upgrade my card.
This isn't a review of the game, but a warning on the Sys Req as stated on the box in contrast to several reviews posted below.
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(...I've altered my review)
Someone pointed out(... in a comment) my Nvidia 6800 has Vertex/Pixel Shading 3.0 ?
Why then does the box state 7300 as the minimum requirement.
As for reviewing a game before playing it; I stated I based my purchase on the reviews below.
I think they are inaccurate/false.
I'm not tech savvy, thank you for pointing out my ignorance on the Nvidia 6800(... I'm physically disabled and unable to access that computer - in another room).
A dream come true 2007-01-07
This is probably the most enjoyable game I've played in years. I don't have a console so I only play the PC versions of games and don't play a lot of those - but this is the game that convinced me to buy a gamepad controller for my PC.
If you are a fan of the Marvel universe, or want to be, you will be enthralled by this game. Every character you've ever loved will make an appearance. You'll get to forge your own team and see them perform.
The cinematic cutscenes, between acts, are absolutely fantastic. I so wish they would mag a CGI Avengers movie with those models - Captain America has never looked so real.
The story is written by long time Marvel writer/editor CB Ceybulski (spelling?). This man knows the characters and history of Marvel.
You'll get to visit Marvel locations like a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, Asgard (home of the Norse gods), Hell itself, the moon, a circus, a Chinese palace, and Atlantis.
You'll get to choose from the different costumes the heroes have worn over the years (play Spidey in his black symbiote costume before you see it in Spider-man 3 this summer!)
My only worry is that I'm in Act 4 - so the end can't be that far away. I hope they release an expansion pack!!
My computer is about 3 years old and has had no problem running the game, although you will need about 8GB of hard-drive space to install it.
Fun, addicting, worth every cent 2006-12-25
This is one of the best computer games i've played and i've played quite a lot. The storyline is amazing. It consists of 5 acts which you go to different parts of the earth, even the universe, to battle dr. Doom. The game not only consists of exciting and action packed fighting, your mental skills are challenged with mazes throughout the game and mini games when you battle the many bosses in the game. Even if you arent a marvel fan, you'll still love the feeling of creating your unique arsenal of superheroes to bring justice.
