I’m not a huge fan of handheld gaming. Call it bias against the tiny little screen. Or the clunky controls or just possibly my false impression of inferior graphics. I say inferior because I just got a chance to play the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 video game on the PSP and know I’m totally forced to eat crow. After several hours and repeated begging from my son to “give me back my game” I decided to test the game on the xbox 360. I have to admit that this game may just be perfect for a handheld. On the PSP the game is amazing. Even as I found Ultimate Alliance 2 to be a bit average on the 360, I struggled to tear myself away from it on the PSP. This action-rpg definitely picks up where the first edition left off.
The world has changed since we last saw our super friends. The Superhuman Registration Act has now become the law of the land, and the sides are forming. Civil War is brewing with Iron Man leading the pro-registration camp and Captain America championing the anti-registration forces. And with the fate of all mankind in your hands you must chose which side are you on? You experience unique missions and battles depending on the side chosen. And by allowing you to pick your four member team, each with specialized powers, you are able to create an unstoppable force while defending national security or personal liberties.
As you choose your team, you will want to plan carefully. Your team’s powers can be combined or fused to yield devastating effects. And the possibilities are numerous, if not endless. Pick from such favorites as Spider-man, Storm, Thor, Juggernaut, Hulk, and of course Wolverine to name just a few. You can choose between superheroes or villains. And while some characters are available at the start of the game, some will have to be unlocked as the game progresses. Your team will level up as you gain experience making them more powerful. Co-op mode lets you play with up to four friends online or off.
As I said earlier, I really recommend trying this game on a handheld. The game just doesn’t impress on the consoles, but seems to fit nicely on the handheld platforms. And with all the buzz of some other upcoming releases (MW2, anyone) this one is sure to get lost in stampede on the consoles. So whether you’re launching a car to crush your enemies or fusing 1 of over 250 different combos, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 is sure to keep you playing for hours.
Available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PSP, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2
