Ultimate Alliance

''Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'' is an action role-playing game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. ''Ultimate Alliance'' is set within the fictional Marvel Universe and features many of the superheroes, supervillains, and supporting characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. It shares many similarities with Raven Software's previous Marvel titles, ''X-Men Legends'' and '' X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse'', in that it allows players to select from its vast cast to create the ultimate superhero team. The game features an original plot in which the heroes of the Marvel Universe must join forces to defeat Doctor Doom and his Masters of Evil and foil their plans for global domination.

The PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions (developed solely by Raven Software) were released on October 24, 2006. Additional versions for PlayStation Portable (ported by Vicarious Visions) and Microsoft Windows (ported by Beenox) were released on the same day, as well as a distinctly different Game Boy Advance version, developed by Barking Lizards Technologies. Shortly thereafter, ''Ultimate Alliance'' was released as a launch title for both the PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles in November 2006, the latter ported by Vicarious Visions; the PlayStation 3 version was one of three launch games for the system (along with '' NBA 07'' and ''Ridge Racer 7'') to run at 1080p resolution.

Upon release, the game was met with largely positive reviews from critics, who praised its simple but entertaining gameplay, and its impressive selection of Marvel characters. A sequel, '' Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2'', was developed for multiple platforms by Vicarious Visions, n-Space and Savage Entertainment and released in 2009. A third game, '' Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order'', was developed by Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch in 2019. ''Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'' was re-released in 2016, ported by Zoë Mode, on Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Gameplay

Consoles, PC and PSP

Like the X-Men Legends series, ''Ultimate Alliance'' is an action role-playing game and retains much of the same gamplay and combat. However, some of the role-playing elements have been simplified. Character powers can still be upgraded as the characters gain experience points, but there are fewer powers compared to ''X-Men Legends II'', and the game now defaults to automatically upgrading them. Character stats are only upgraded automatically.

All of the main versions of the game allow the players to select a team of four characters from a roster of at least 23 playable characters. Some characters from the base roster are not initially available and need to be unlocked, and certain consoles feature additional exclusive characters. Players can create their own superhero teams or recreate famous teams from the comics. Bonuses are also available if forming certain groups (e.g. the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, Marvel Knights, or X-Men).

All versions of the game (except for PSP) feature local multiplayer with up to four players playing at once, and many contain online multiplayer as well. The game has multiple possible endings depending on which optional missions the player completes. Throughout the story, the player can play trivia and collect concept artwork and "simulator discs", which unlock additional comic book missions that take place outside of the story.

Each character also has four alternate costumes that offer different bonuses. The bonuses can also be leveled up using the in-game currency. The initial costume is unlocked from the beginning of the game, while the latter three costumes must be unlocked through specific conditions. Certain costumes change the character's appearance to resemble other characters who have held that mantle in the Marvel Universe, including Iron Man as War Machine, Thor as Beta Ray Bill, Spider-Woman as Spider-Girl and Julia Carpenter from ''Secret Wars'', Ghost Rider as Phantom Rider, and Ms. Marvel as Sharon Ventura.

Console-specific differences

Visually, the versions of the game can be broadly classified into last-gen (PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, and Xbox) and next-gen graphics (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and re-releases). The last-gen graphics are more simplified, lacking complex lighting and using less detailed character models. The next-gen graphics are improved for the more powerful consoles and feature more detailed character models and advanced lighting.

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game feature the base roster of 23 characters, with no additional content. Colossus and Moon Knight are not found in these versions of the game, but it is possible to play as them through a glitch. In August 2007, the PlayStation 2 version was re-released under Sony's Greatest Hits brand; it contained a bonus DVD with a making-of featurette.

The Wii version features the use of the Wii's motion controls for combat. It has no online play. Like the next-gen versions of the game, it includes Colossus and Moon Knight on the roster, as well as the five additional comic book missions.

The PSP version of the game includes 4 additional characters: Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, and Ronin. There are several additional unique features, including six exclusive comic book missions (one of which contains Swordsman), an exclusive prequel mission, and three additional single-player gameplay modes. There is also microphone support (''voice chat'') for online play, as well as online-recordable player statistics.

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions initially released with identical content. Both included Colossus and Moon Knight on the roster, as well as five additional comic book missions. On April 26, 2007, Activision released eight additional downloadable characters for the Xbox 360 version via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. This consisted of two packs: A ''Hero Pack'', which included Cyclops, Hawkeye, the Hulk, and Nightcrawler, and a ''Villain Pack'', which included Doctor Doom, Magneto, Sabretooth, and Venom. Both packs were also available in a bundle pack, which added 12 new achievements to the game. In May 2007, the DLC content was bundled with the base Xbox 360 version and released as the ''Gold Edition''. In September 2007, the ''Special Edition'' version was released, which includes all elements of the Gold Edition and a bonus DVD. This was included in the ''Platinum Hits'' list for the Xbox 360. As of December 2009, the DLC was removed from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace by Activision, meaning that the only way to play as the downloadable characters was to purchase the Gold Edition or the Special Edition/Platinum Hits version. The Xbox 360 Games on Demand version bundles the game with all previously downloadable content.

The PC version of the game only contains the base roster of 23 characters, and it lacks the characters and missions that come with the other next-gen versions. The graphics are also customizable; while the graphics are virtually identical to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, the advanced lighting settings can be altered or turned off per the user's preference. The PC version features customizable controls, which includes "intiuitive mouse controls" and support for a gamepad. The missing console-exclusive characters and missions, as well as a large list of custom characters and other modifications, can be obtained from community sites to be used in the game.

The re-released versions of the game on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows via Steam are based on the Xbox 360 version of the game. Initially, these versions only contained the base roster and characters and missions found in the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. On August 30, 2016, an update was released for all three versions which contained the eight downloadable characters and exclusive missions, bringing the re-release more in line with the Xbox 360 Gold Edition.

Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance version of ''Ultimate Alliance'' features significant differences from the other console versions. Most notably, the basic gameplay takes the form of a 2D side-scrolling beat’em up game with minor RPG elements, such as the ability to alter the player characters' stats. The graphics are simplified for this system and the selection of characters has also been reduced. Some additional gameplay modes were added to this version of the game including a S.H.I.E.L.D. Simulator, Time Challenges, Scavenger Hunts, and a Survival mode. Teams for this port consist of three characters and a non-playable fourth character called a "striker", who can be summoned to perform a powerful attack directed toward on-screen enemies.

Plot

The game begins with Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil launching an attack on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier U.N.N. ''Alpha''. Nick Fury sends out a distress call to all available superheroes for assistance. Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor, and Wolverine respond to the call. Along with the other heroes, they save the Helicarrier from the forces led by Scorpion, Bullseye, Winter Soldier, Radioactive Man, and Fin Fang Foom. In the wake of the attack, Nick Fury is given permission to start a task force to confront the Masters of Evil and Iron Man allows them to use Stark Tower as their headquarters.

Fury asks the heroes to investigate an odd message received from Dum Dum Dugan on the Omega Base, a S.H.I.E.L.D. mobile research facility. The team defeats supervillains MODOK, Crimson Dynamo, and Mysterio as well as A.I.M. agents and failed Super Soldier experiments to prevent the Omega Base from crashing into a dam and launching several gamma bombs.

With their mission successful, the heroes travel to Atlantis, where the inhabitants are being mind-controlled by Attuma, who has usurped Namor from his throne. With the help of nano-technology that enables them to breathe and move freely underwater, the heroes fight the mind-controlled Atlanteans, destroy the towers which are guarded by Warlord Krang and Byrrah, rescue Namor, and defeat Attuma and Tiger Shark. After defeating Attuma, the heroes encounter Mandarin, who unleashes the Kraken, which the team defeats by toppling pillars on it.

They then travel to the Valley of Spirits to confront Mandarin in his palace. After his defeat, he reveals that he attempted to take command of the Masters of Evil and, upon failing, left the group. He suggests that the Mandarin they saw in the catacombs was actually Loki, Thor's adoptive brother and the god of mischief.

Upon returning to base, the team learns that Nightcrawler and Jean Grey have been kidnapped. Due to the involvement of mystical forces, Fury has the team relocated to the Sanctum Sanctorum, offered as a temporary headquarters by a grateful Doctor Strange, who they rescued in the Valley of Spirits. Professor X tracks Nightcrawler to Castle Doom, but upon trying to transport the heroes there they are sent to Murderworld by Baron Mordo. After defeating a mind-controlled Jean, Rhino, and Shocker, the heroes battle a large mech, piloted by Arcade.

Victorious, the heroes learn that Doctor Doom has used Nightcrawler to access Mephisto's realm, and the team is sent in pursuit. Upon arriving, minions of Mephisto kidnap Jean Grey and Nightcrawler. Mephisto's son Blackheart puts them in separate cages above the Infinity Vortex, stating one must be saved and the other sacrificed before the team can defeat Mephisto. During their battle with Mephisto the sacrificed hero returns, resurrected by Mephisto, but now under his control. As a final effort, the resurrected hero sacrifices their life to defeat Mephisto and allow the team to escape.

Meanwhile, in Asgard, a massive army of Super Soldiers attacks and imprisons the Asgardian gods. The heroes travel to Valhalla to liberate it from its invading force and free Heimdall (who is guarded by Rhino and Shocker), Tyr (who is guarded by Scorpion and Lizard), and Balder (who is guarded by Enchantress and Executioner). Then they fight the Wrecking Crew and undead soldiers unleashed by Hela to open Bifrost Bridge in order for reinforcements to arrive. Looking for Odin in Niffleheim following a fight with Kurse and Ulik, they find his shattered Twilight Sword and learn from Ymir that Doctor Doom and Loki have taken Odin to Raven's Spire. After Loki is seemingly defeated at Raven's Spire, the team frees the Destroyer Armor to use against Doctor Doom. Loki, disguised as Fury, reveals himself and his plot to have the heroes free the armor for nefarious purposes. As heroes defeat Loki and the armor, Doctor Doom appears and reveals that he has stolen Odin's power. He uses it to attempt to eliminate the heroes, but Uatu the Watcher saves them and transports them to the Inhumans' base on the moon.

Uatu reveals that Doom's unrestricted use of Odin's power will eventually destroy the universe and that the only way to defeat him is to acquire a piece of the M'Kraan Crystal and steal the Muonic Inducer from Galactus (who is currently attacking the Skrull homeworld).

The team is sent to the Shi'ar Empire where they fight Deathbird and the Imperial Guard to restore Lilandra Neramani to the throne and gain a portion of the M'Kraan Crystal. After retrieving the crystal, the heroes travel to the Skrull homeworld. With the help of the Silver Surfer, the heroes disable Galactus and steal the Muonic Inducer.

Meanwhile, Doctor Doom conquers Earth, killing, corrupting and creating clones of many of the heroes who attempted but failed to stop him, such as Colossus and Cyclops. In a final effort, the team travels to Latveria to confront Doom. The heroes use the M'Kraan Crystal and Muonic Inducer to weaken Doom. As the heroes weaken Doom, he is blasted by a bolt of lightning sent by a rejuvenated Odin, leaving nothing but his mask behind.

As the heroes meet on the repaired Helicarrier, Fury asks Thor to thank Odin for undoing the damages to which Thor states that Odin is currently busy punishing Doctor Doom and Loki. Fury informs the heroes that the team must disband and asks if S.H.I.E.L.D. can count on them when another threat happens. Captain America assures him that all worlds can count on them.

Meanwhile, Galactus vows revenge on the heroes who stole from him and plans to destroy Earth.

Characters

''Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'' features over 140 Marvel characters, either as playable characters, bosses, or other non-player characters. The primary version of the game developed by Raven Software version features 23 default playable characters, with some systems have additional playable characters not present in other versions. However, the Gameboy Advance version features 10 playable characters and 6 striker characters.

Playable characters

* Black Panther
* Black Widow
* Blade
* Captain America
* Captain Marvel
* Colossus
* Cyclops
* Daredevil
* Deadpool
* Doctor Doom
* Doctor Strange
* Elektra
* Ghost Rider
* Hawkeye
* Human Torch
* Hulk
* Iceman
* Invisible Woman
* Iron Man
* Luke Cage
* Magneto
* Mister Fantastic
* Moon Knight
* Ms. Marvel
* Namor
* Nick Fury
* Nightcrawler
* Jean Grey
* Ronin
* Sabretooth
* Silver Surfer
* Spider-Man
* Spider-Woman
* Storm
* Thing
* Thor
* Venom
* Wolverine

Development and marketing

Most versions of ''Ultimate Alliance'' were developed using Vicarious Visions' Alchemy engine, which was purchased from the now-defunct Intrinsic Graphics in May 2003. Raven Software developed the primary version of the game on the PS2, PS3, Xbox and Xbox 360. Vicarious Visions simultaneously ported the game to the PSP, and later to the Wii to coincide with its launch, and Beenox ported the game to Windows. During early development, ''Ultimate Alliance'' used cel-shading technology, similar to Raven's previous Marvel Comics games, ''X-Men Legends'' and '' X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse''; however, this was dropped at some point during development. Barking Lizards Technologies used their Whiptail engine to develop the GBA version independently. The game was originally known as ''Marvel Legends'', and had an internal working title of ''Marvel Comics RPG''. At one point, Link from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series and Samus Aran from the ''Metroid'' series were planned to be playable characters for the Wii version; however, both characters were removed prior to release. These also led a GameCube port to be cancelled, due to the developers using a modified build running on PlayStation 2 hardware to showcase the characters. The music for the game was composed by Mark Griskey, Chance Thomas and Cris Velasco. Over 50 minutes of music was composed by the trio, including gameplay and cutscene tracks.

''Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'' was first released on October 24, 2006 in North America. Regional releases followed throughout 2006 and 2007. The standard edition of ''Ultimate Alliance'' was also released as a companion with ''Forza Motorsport 2'' in specially marked Xbox 360 consoles in 2007. The Gold Edition of the game was released on May 22, 2007 exclusively for the Xbox 360. This version included the two DLC packs available at the time. A 2016 version was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on July 26, 2016. In July 2018, the remaster of the game, along with the re-released sequel, were removed due to licensing issues from Activision. The game is currently not available to buy and download from either console or PC marketplaces, unless the user already bought the game.

Reception and awards

Reviews for Raven and Vicarious Visions' version of ''Marvel Ultimate Alliance'' received generally favorable reviews from critics. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions received 78% and 82% at GameRankings, and 78/100 and 82/100 at Metacritic, respectively. The Windows version received an 83% at GameRankings and 82/100 at Metacritic. GameRankings' scores for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii and Xbox versions were 82%, 82%, 74%, and 83%, while Metacritic scored those same consoles 81/100, 81/100, 73/100 and 83/100, respectively.

Several reviewers praised the character cast, with ''1UP.com'' Scott Sharkey stating "even if your favorite character isn't playable, there's a good chance they'll show up at some point through the course of the story as an NPC". ''GameSpot'' Ryan Davis applauded the Xbox 360's graphics, saying that it "features a lot of great lighting, particle, and bump-mapping effects absent from the other versions". He went on to comment: "Even without those advanced graphical effects, the PC and Xbox versions still look pretty sharp". ''Game Informer'' thought the game improved upon the "excellent X-Men Legends games from which it was born", giving the game a 9.25/10.

The Game Boy Advance version received the poorest reception. ''GameSpot'' thought poorly of the game, calling "uninteresting and sloppy", and rating the game a 2.5/10 "terrible". ''IGN'' also disliked the game, giving it a 2.0/10. Reviewer Chris Adams stated: "Everything is awful. From sprites to backgrounds to effects, it shames the Marvel license". ''Gamer 2.0'' gave the game an 8.1/10, however, citing a large number of bonus missions and unlockables as incentive to play.

Sequel and reboot

A sequel to ''Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'' was announced by Activision on February 8, 2008. It was released in North America on September 15, 2009, and follows closely the events of the ''Civil War'' storyline: an explosion in Stamford, Connecticut caused by Nitro prompts a Superhuman Registration Act.''Civil War'' #1–7 (July 2006 – January 2007) In the game, players are able to choose between the Pro-Registration side, headed by Iron Man, or the Anti-Registration side, headed by Captain America up to the point where the heroes end up uniting against a new common enemy called The Fold.

'' Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order'' was announced at The Game Awards on December 6, 2018. The game was developed by Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja and published by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch on July 19, 2019. The game is a reboot of the series, set in a different continuity from the first two games, and involves a team of heroes uniting to prevent Thanos and the Black Order from collecting the Infinity Stones.

Notes

References

External links

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