A Solid Game, but Nothing Spectacular
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is the sequel to the popular video game, Marvel Ultimate Alliance. MUA 2 is an action RPG that lets you assemble a team or superheroes from the largest cast of Marvel heroes in gaming. The game revolves around you creating and customizing a team of four superheroes that counterbalance one another's weaknesses and strengths. The gameplay revolves around this fact too as you have four playable characters on screen at all times.
The game's story is actually very good, and revolves around a superhero civil war which is created by Congress passing a Superhero Registration Act, which forces superheroes to register their secret identities or become fugitives. This makes for an interesting story, however somewhat flaws the main feature of the game. Like I stated earlier, the game revolves around you creating and customizing a team of your favorite superheroes. However, during the civil war, some superheroes are always assigned to a certain side. For example, Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic are always Pro-Registration and Captain America and Luke Cage are always Anti-Registration. This makes for a very interesting plot, but if you just have to have Iron Man an Captain America on the same team, than you are out of luck. One the postive side however, the civil war adds replay value as most will probably want to play through the game twice, once as each side.
In terms of gameplay, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 plays almost identically to its predecesor. You punch, kick, claw, and generally smash your way through long, linear levels with several boss fights along the way. It is still a good formula, just do not expect anything new. In addition to all the action there is an RPG feature which is actually very interesting and left me wishing there had been more of this implemented throughout the game. This feature allows you to talk to other characters in the central hubs and take an aggresive, diplomatic, or defensive approach in your respones. Each different response type awards a unique bonus.
However, the game does have one other main feature. Since you always have four playable characters on-screen, this allows for single system or online co-op. This adds another dimension to the game and replay value. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is a good game. It is nothing great, but it is certainly not bad. If you know the gameplay (four playable characters onscreen at all times, button mashing, action RPG, etc.) and love it, than even for $60 this is a good pick-up. If you only like the gameplay I suggest renting it first or trying to buy new or used for around $40 or less. If you are unfamilar with the gameplay than I suggest renting the game or the first MUA to see if you like it. All-in-all, if you liked the first MUA, than this is a great game to add to your collection. If you did not like the first MUA, than this will not change your opinion.Read full review
