Marvel Ultimate Alliance

First and foremost, I didn't finish this game so my review of it is pretty shallow. Then again, I guess that should say something about the gameplay. I say this though because there's certainly elements to this game that I missed and can't be taken into account.

This also most likely isn't the fairest review as I was never really into comics, and as much as I keep trying to convince myself otherwise, apparently I'm not that big on RPGs either (or rather just very finicky - I mean I absolutely loved Fallout, Final Fantasy, Fable - maybe I'd like the game better if it started with an F).

When I was younger I think I only had maybe four comic books. A couple issues of Spiderman, a Black Panther, and one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Oddly enough, I still know more than the average "non-comic person" simply because, for awhile, I collected those Marvel trading cards that had the stats and history of each Marvel character. I knew enough from those little cards to fully recognize nearly every character (save for the newer ones) in the X-Men and Spiderman movies.

Even with my lackluster enthusiasm for comic books, I thought the idea behind Ultimate Alliance was pretty rad. Being able to create a team of your favorite characters regardless of time or team affiliation sounded like a blast. And maybe it's here that I reach my first stumbling block. Except for Daredevil, there really aren't any characters that I'm attached to (and Daredevil is locked to begin with); so right off the bat I don't have a connection with my team. The upside of this is that I can freely choose characters based on their skills and abilities and build a team that compliments each other.

So there's the key: although you can easily just use the default team or throw together a bunch of random superheros, you're not going to get much out of Ultimate Alliance if you don't spend a little time getting to know it. And although there are a couple characters that you want to stay away from, typically it really doesn't matter who's on your team because they'll usually do very little to help you and most fights can be won through simple button mashing.

Each character of course has their own unique special powers and most characters have an inherent ability type that lets them heal faster or have immense strength. You'll start the game with two unique powers and unlock more as you progress. The range of special powers is pretty good as well so once your character is powerful enough, you'll be able to do some pretty devastating attacks.

Characters will also gain experience points to be used on upgrading their powers as well as coins that can be collected and spent on additional character upgrades. The experience points are somewhat universal so although the characters you use will level up faster, the ones you don't will advance as well; staying near to your main team. The coins however have to be carefully spent as they'll only affect that character and in some cases, a particular costume. Luckily, coins are about as common as dirt. Break something and coins pop out. (Kind of like the Lego Star Wars game but not nearly as fun.)

All of this is still salvageable if it weren't for the poor gameplay, story, music, and camera. Right away you'll notice that the camera is very restrictive making it difficult to get a good angle on the action. The music and sound is buggy, often cutting out for no reason. Controls are pretty intuitive and easy to handle. It's a simple matter to use a special power or call for back-up. But the gameplay is terribly repetitive, requiring pretty much no thought at all and it's not uncommon to be left wondering what you're supposed to do next. There are elements of the game that feel like an old 8-bit RPG or side scroller. The simple, restricted presentation and limited movement at times feel like you're playing Contra - but without the ultimate coolness that is Contra of course.

And while the story is laughable to begin with, it's presentation makes it harder to sit through. Unless you're a fan of the old-school, 8-bit RPGs. Then it might be nostalgic for you. I couldn't quite get those warm and fuzzy memories going though.

Graphically, Alliance is nothing to write home about. It does the job just fine but there's nothing next-gen about it.

I haven't played any of the other games in this series so I don't know how it compares. My impression is that if you enjoyed those or love the Marvel Universe, chances are you'll get some enjoyment out of this one. For my taste, it just didn't measure up or hold my attention long enough to warrant really getting into it.