Customer Reviews

Marvel Ultimate Alliance

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a fan of Marvel Comics and I truly love the concept and delivery of this game. The graphics are excellent, and it's also one of the first games I've ever seen in true 1080p HD (PS3 version).

The Wii version has a few really strong points, and one very strong drawback. On the plus side, it has two characters that the PS2 version doesn't. It also has relatively great graphics. Though they aren't that of the PS3 version, or even the Xbox 360 version they are still great for what the Wii is working with, and what the gaming world is used to. I'm not much of a graphics snob though. If you are, you'll want to opt for this title on another console.

The sound is excellent! Love the quality. The plotline is also very strong for a comic book platformer. I also think that the simplicity of the button layout for the Wii adds a certain something that the other consoles don't have.

Along the same lines; however, the strongest drawback to the Wii version is also related to it's controller. Playing this game requires you to thrust or shake the Wiimote in various directions. The Wii has a difficult time reading the motions in the heat of battle which becomes very frustrating. For that reason, I regretably reverted back to the PS2 version to complete the game. As much as I love my Wii, and love this game, the Wiimote really complicates this one.

I do believe, if the Wii is your only console, that this game is one of the best titles available for it, I would encourage you to play it first and make sure you can cope with the control system, before opting for the title on the Wii platform. = ) Please don't beat me too much for my opinion!

For those of you who are fans of x-men legends, action RPGs, marvel comics, or all of the above, this game is for you. The gameplay is smooth and pretty much the same quality as its predecessor. The graphics on the wii are about the same as they are on the other platforms for this game, the only obvious difference is the controls are new.

Pros +
Decent story, decent graphics, accurate super powers, 4 player multiplayer
Cons -
Controls are easy, but can be confusing or tedious during battle, character selection is a little limited as far as the massiveness of the marvel universe, would have liked to see more big name characters to play as. Game is a little on the short side, but multiplayer fun makes up for it. Camera movement is annoying. Game can be repetative or boring at times.

The character choice is decent, I would have liked to see more big names like punisher, hulk, cyclops, etc, however there are still plenty of good choices like spider-man, wolverine, iron man, the fantastic 4, captain america, etc.

About the controls, don't give up. There is a different motion that you use for each of your heros 5 powers, there are also 2 buffs and one super move for each character. To do the buffs or the super move, simply hold B and press C or Z to select which buff you want, and then press A while holding B, similar to the x-men legends control scheme. If you want to use one of your 5 special powers, you can do one of two things. First, hold B and do the motion with the wii mote that corresponds with that power. IE: projectiles usually require you to shake the remote or swipe it sideways. Pop up and radial attacks are usually a lifting or lowering motion, and charge moves or continous powers are done by thrusting. There is an explanation on how to do these motions at the beginning of the game. If you find it difficult to pull off the moves, or simply too lazy to do them (as the thrusting motion sometimes is tedious, if you are relaxing on the couch while playing) you can simply hold B and then press C or Z to select a power, then press A while holding B to execute, the same thing you did for buffs.

To attack, block, and throw, you can simply use A to attack, and Z to block and grab, but you can also shake the wii mote to attack, lift to do a pop up, slice to trip, or thrust to knock back. You can also shake the nunchuk instead of pressing Z for anything that requires the use of Z. I will note, the shaking of the nunchuk is annoying, because the slightest movement of the nunchuk registers as a Z button press, so if you are near a door or mission extracton zone and you move the nunchuk, it will automatically execute, the door will open and load a new area, or whatever, essentially wasting time because you weren't ready to advance.

Overall the controls are not that bad, you get used to them, and you can alternatley do anything described above using buttons alone if you don't want to use the motion gameplay, however manually selecting powers takes a little longer to find what you want seeing each hero has several moves. The biggest controller flaw is the nunchuk. Tilting it rotates the camera, and if you are like me I hold the nunchuk in a comfortable position, not necessarily straight up and down, so everytime I relax the camera starts rotating around.

In conclusion, this is a good game if you like Marvel and action rpgs. The controls are decent but annoying, there are some draw backs like camera movement on the nunchuk and the shaking of it in place of Z, other than that it's a decent game for what it is. Good multiplayer or single player, good story, good selection of moves, somewhat easy to get used to after you try out the controls. If you only have a wii, are looking for a multiplayer or overall good game to compliment zelda, this is nice. Don't buy it with high expectations.

Originally, I was hesitant about this game, due to the troubling reviews. However, even with the biggest negatives (re: Wii remote control) the positives overwhelm the negatives and is possibly one of the most addicting games out there. The game allows you the opportunity to play as various Marvel superheroes. Unlike a simple "punch and kick" game, each "power" is specifically designed to match the hero, so that playing with a "Captain America" is a very different experience than playing with "The Thing." However clunky the controls are, the intense action and surprising detail to the game creates an world environment which you will not want to turn off. Having turned on relatives and friends to this game, they have all had the same type of positive experience. Since you have about 20 characters to choose from, plus multiple "mini-games" the game will not get tired and is a wonderful bonding experience.

The more you know and are a fan of Marvel Comics, the greater enjoyment you will get from the game and superb touches. Even without knowledge, it is a fast paced game that you can literally play for hours without wanting to get up to go the bathroom. The downside is that the Wii remote doesn't work 100% and there are numerous attacks that you have to either memorize or relearn in battle. There is a work around. The problem is for certain movements and mini-games it is a stroke of luck to finish. The game shows the potential of what superhero games can be and will be looking forward to the next game.

Additionally, since the game allows a "hard" version, even finishing allows you more game play.

I dont know what is up with the first reviewer...this is a great game that uses the wii's innovative controllers to its advantage....and yes, I have played and currently own Marvel Legends.

As far as controls go: the nunchuck is used primarily for moving...the joystick moves the character you currently have selected, and by tilting the nunchuck side to side, you can adjust the camera angle. The Z button is used for blocking and the C for jumping.

The remote is used for combinatation moves and superpowers. The 4 way directional pad allows you to select which of your four current characters you would like to manipulate. I personally find an additional degree of gaming difficulty in aiming precision...you have to be in control and relaxed when using the remote to aim well.

Overall, the path for the games is set, however you are able to wander around as you please. The characters are represented well, although the graphics are nothing to rave about (im using the component cables for 480p resolution)...but then again, i got this game on the wii for the gaming experience...I also own a PS3 60 and opted for the wii version.

All in all, its a fun game, if youre not sure, rent it.

btw...i still believe zelda:TP is the best game for the system at the current time. I would consider Zelda to be 5 stars and the current standard to rate other games...As such, i have given ultimate alliance 4 stars.

Had this game on ps2 and it was great. Got it for the Wii so my friends and I could enjoy hours of mindless fun. Unfortunately all we got was motion sickness and achy arms.

The camera refuses to stop revolving around us as we play. This gives rise to awkward camera angles and the aforementioned motion sickness. Not just to me but to everyone playing and even a couple people just watching.

The control scheme with regards the Wii-mote and the motions needed doesn't feel very well thought out or particularly beneficial to the gameplay as a result of the difficulty in performing the action you actually want. Also with 4 people randomly swinging their arms about, someone's destined to be bruised unless you've got lots of space. Nintendo need to make all games with a standard control scheme, incorporating the classic controller and gamecube controllers, and offer an in game bonus for using the Wii-mote and nunchuk(for this game faster regeneration of power perhaps).

If these flaws aren't corrected in the upcoming version I don't see myself getting it for the Wii as the one advantage they had over other systems (4 players per system without the purchase of an additional peripheral) is now moot.

I had high expectations for this game, but was Ultimately let down. Getting to work with all of the superheroes is great, but since you have four at once, they tend to get in each other's way, and you can become boxed in. It is also not always intuitive as to what your goal is for each level, and it is easy to get lost without a full screen map. I started out at the easy level, just to learn how it all worked, and now I can't change the level without restarting my game: kind of annoying.

I was very concerned about something like this happening when I found out about Nintendo's new control system that would be used for their Wii system. While some games like Elebits and Wii Sports make fantastic use of the sensor-based controls, some games seem like they will inevitably disappoint when distributed for the Wii. The remote/nunchuck controls simply don't translate well for games like this. The different motions that are assigned to attacks don't feel natural--they feel arbitrary. Using these motions over and over when being attacked by large numbers of enemies can also tire one's arm out very quickly. Furthermore, this version of the game does not allow for online gameplay.

When I played this game on my friend's Wii, it took me far too long to get used to the controls. Once I could remember what everything was for, it was evident that many of the motions used for attacks had little to do with what was actually happening on the screen, and it then became apparent to me that they had been "universalized" so much that they really didn't make any sense. Simply put, it doesn't feel worth it to learn the complicated controls. I am a huge fan of the X-Men: Legends games, and I would most likely thoroughly enjoy this game on one of the other two systems. If this is going to be a trend with the non-Nintendo-brand games, then I will probably fork over the extra cash to get an Xbox360 or PS3 so that I can enjoy games meant for more conventional control systems and not have to put up with pointlessly cramping my arm.

the wii controls for this game just really feel like an afterthought, they really don't work well at all. it plays better with the more standard alternate controls. This is basically an isometric brawler, pretty fun using your super powers to beat up dudes for a while, but it quickly becomes repetitive. there are many better games for the wii.

Great for the value. Realistically rendered characters. Elaborated scenes.
My 7-year-old loved it in the beginning, but lost interest shortly after.
Also if you're looking for a game that would increase your child's physical activity level, this is NOT the game. I'd recommend StarWars - really engaging for both adults and children. I have it for a few months now, and my kid is not tired of it yet.

For all the people who had a problem with the controls:
You can also get around shaking the controller and get to all the special moves by holding down B, then cycling through the powers with Z. You then use your selected power by holding B and hitting A. It's actually pretty easy. I wish a lot of the reviewers would have actually read the controller layout on the Options menu. Maybe then they would've had a better experience.

Review:
I really enjoy the Marvel Universe and the story for this game was pretty engaging. My sister-in-law, her husband, and I got hooked on this game. We read the controller layout and practiced our moves in easy areas and didn't really have any controller issues. There were a few quirks with having 3-4 humans playing. You obviously all have to go the same direction, but sometimes one of us would miss a door or the stairs and the rest would have to backtrack a bit, but it didn't happen all that often. You don't have that problem playing solo and it predictably happens less often with just 2 players. I would give the story 4-5 stars, the fun factor of playing with friends 5 stars, the voice acting 4-5 stars, and the graphics 4 stars (though I only have composite cables so I'm only getting 480i). It's not an instant classic for non-Marvel fans though so I gave it 4 stars. When you beat the game, stay around for the credits. There's some funny audio clips of the voice actors playing around as if their characters were the real voice actors.