It was inevitable that members of the biggest superhero collective in history, the Marvel Universe, would feature in video games. In recent years particularly, developer Raven Software has produced two excellent X-Men Legends titles followed by Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, a one-of-a-kind cooperative action RPG experience amassing 20+ iconic characters that was well-received by next-gen gamers in 2006. It was equally inevitable therefore that a second helping of melee madness would later materialise. Courtesy of Activision, in partnership with Vicarious Visions, Spiderman, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and more return to subdue the forces of evil in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.

Borrowing elements from acclaimed comic book sagas Secret War and Civil war, M:UA2 begins with Captain America, Iron Man, Spiderman and Wolverine, as they embark on an unsanctioned mission organised by S.H.E.I.L.D. Colonel Nick Fury. Their objective is to infiltrate the fictitious country of Latveria and arrest its elected Prime Minister Lucia von Bardas, who is guilty of supplying dangerous technologies to the malevolent Tinkerer. When Bardas launches an attack on New York as a means of retaliating, Congress implements a Superhero Registration Act to place the spandex-adorned do-gooders all under government control, revoking their civil liberties for the protection of the general public. After the legislation is officially passed, conflicting views within the Marvel community triggers its divide into Pro-registration (lead by Iron Man) and Anti-registration (lead by Capt. America) factions. Whom players opt to side with will directly shape the narrative, affecting the missions they’ll undertake and rivals they’ll be pitted against.

Those familiar with M:UA will notice that the sequel’s gameplay follows a similar formula. You and three apt AI superbuddies (who can be seamlessly replaced by online or offline friends via a drop-in/drop-out system) are tasked with button-bashing through each environment, collecting various coloured orbs, XP and ability items along the way, and completing a number of straightforward tasks before encountering a boss-like nemesis. Defeat him (or her), and you’ll advance to the next mission. While this sounds a bit tedious, the game’s intuitive combat mechanics and customisation options make the whole ordeal quite enjoyable.

Players can assemble a ‘dream team’ of their choosing from 24 revered Marvel heroes, heroines and villains that gradually unlock as the campaign progresses, each with a range of light and heavy combos at their disposal, as well as a handful of signature moves true to their comic book counterparts; think Iron Man’s repulsor blasts, Spiderman’s web slinging and Iceman’s freeze rays. But what really makes M:UA2 stand out from its predecessor are the all-new Fusion Powers. Pummelling a significant number of goons will allow you to unleash a devastating assault by combing the abilities of two active team members. These can be concentrated on a specific target, guided through a group of enemies, or used to wipe-out every opposing force on screen. Explosions boom, electricity surges, fire engulfs, and it’s all splendid to watch.

Vicarious Visions’ title isn’t all brawn and fancy pyrotechnics though. Players will encounter an assortment of power-endowed eccentrics who will want to discuss the situation at hand. Their banter can be responded to with an Aggressive, Diplomatic or Defensive remark – whichever might be appropriate to the context of each interactive dialogue. Sadly, one’s choices make little difference to the relationships you forge, but being able to shape your protagonist’s discourse to compliment their persona is a nice touch.

Another opportunity to rest those blistering thumbs is presented in the form of a Trivia mode. Marvel die-hards can flex their intellectual muscles by entering into a seemingly endless session of multiple-choice questions, earning valuable XP for every right answer. Yes, it is somewhat ‘geeky’, but it’s also oddly addictive. I found it almost impossible to suppress the smug grin that swept across my face when I first answered a string of questions correctly.

Regrettably, as every superhero has a sinister opposite, each of M:UA2’s triumphs is matched by a failure. For one, large brawls get incredibly confusing. The game’s graphical accomplishments are exemplary, yet with so much going on at once it can be difficult to identify friend from foe. Thankfully your teammates are invulnerable to your accidental onslaughts, but don’t be surprised if an opportunist henchman catches you unawares with a blow to the facemask while you’re inadvertently trying to cave Daredevil’s head in.

Moreover, the elevated viewing perspective is infuriating at times. Camera positions can be so disorienting in fact that you’ll often find yourself swinging at thin air until you manually manoeuvre the viewing angle to a more convenient position. Timing a quick jiggle of the right analogue stick in-between pressing enough buttons to save you from a beating is rather tricky. And those innovative Fusions mentioned earlier? Apparently there are 276 unique attacks to perform involving different participants. However, given the sheer frequency at which you’ll need to execute them, it will soon become apparent that what you’re actually seeing are the same ten or so Fusion templates repeated with subtle variations.

If you can put these annoyances to one side, leading four of your all-time favourite superheroes through numerous challenging scenarios, battering bad guys with adamantium claws, enormous tongues and fiery projectiles, is tremendous fun. Granted, there is not a lot on offer in the way of mental stimulation but, with two blockbuster plot lines to play through, plus a Magneto-tude of concept art, alternative costumes, movie clips and Team Boosts to earn and collect, there’s plenty of longevity to be had here. Fans of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and newcomers alike will be satisfied with Vicarious Visions’ efforts, but there is definitely room for improvement – something to be considered by Activision should an Ultimate Alliance 3 be on Gambit’s cards.

8/10

Filed under: Games, M, Review