Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 429 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Game Cover
Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a solid beat 'em up title that any comic book fan should want to own.
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"Marvel: Ultimate Alliance" is an action RPG that lets players control a team of Marvel superheroes. The game features an original storyline with over 140 characters from the Marvel universe. Players can team up in co-op mode to complete missions, defeat villains, and save the world.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 2
  • Play​station 3
  • PSP
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 429 reviews
story26 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions
  • The game brings back great memories and nostalgia for fans of the original.
  • Includes a wide variety of Marvel characters and locations, providing a fun experience.
  • The gameplay is engaging, with RPG elements that allow for character customization and team building.
  • Controller support is broken, with many users experiencing issues with button mapping and functionality.
  • The game lacks the DLC characters that were available in previous versions, disappointing fans.
  • The price is considered too high for a game that is essentially a port of a decade-old title with minimal updates.
  • story83 mentions

    The story of the game is generally praised for its engaging narrative and strong ties to the Marvel universe, featuring a variety of missions and character-specific storylines that enhance the overall experience. However, some players note flaws such as convoluted plot elements, a lack of replayability due to missable content, and occasional silliness that detracts from the narrative's depth. Overall, while the story serves as a fun backdrop for gameplay, it is often seen as a vehicle for showcasing the diverse roster of Marvel characters rather than a standout feature in its own right.

    • “A great story, with an amazing blend of role-playing and 3D beat-em-ups.”
    • “The story moves along nicely and I'll say that it is a solid nod to the Marvel universe and its deeply developed story.”
    • “The attention to detail in terms of characters' backstories, interactions between characters, locations, and more is incredible.”
    • “The story, although long, is too messed up if you really care about the storyline in such a game.”
    • “You're already being tossed from one unconnected location to the next with only a paper-thin plot to tie them together, and character conversations seem to be ripped straight from Wikipedia.”
    • “The story isn't very special; it's more like an excuse to show many different Marvel characters.”
  • graphics67 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they have not aged well and appear dated compared to modern standards. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and variety in character designs, others criticize the overall quality, describing it as mediocre or reminiscent of early console titles. Despite the graphical shortcomings, the gameplay remains enjoyable for many, with some improvements noted in remastered versions.

    • “The graphics have improved a lot since the Xbox 360, PS3, and the old PC version.”
    • “The graphics, they look better than the version from 2006. The anti-aliasing is working this time, and the lighting is much sharper, with more bloom, besides the new sharper textures and shaders for all the characters looking so much better.”
    • “This game played great (2 player co-op local), looked good (for a remaster of a port of a PS2/Xbox game), and I had no problems with control, controller setup, graphics, object collision, music, or any of the other problems that people have complained about.”
    • “The graphics are also pretty dated considering this was originally a very early Xbox 360 and PS3 game.”
    • “Graphics are acceptable considering the original release year, but compared with modern games they look obviously dated.”
    • “The graphics weren't updated much, if at all, which quite frankly, is disappointing.”
  • gameplay51 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, praised for its fluidity, diverse character roster, and engaging beat-'em-up mechanics reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers. However, some players note that it can become repetitive, especially towards the end, and criticize the dated graphics and occasional technical issues, particularly with controller support. Overall, while the core gameplay remains enjoyable and nostalgic, it shows signs of age and lacks significant updates or improvements from its original release.

    • “The gameplay is tight, the story is engaging, and each character’s powers are interesting.”
    • “The dungeon crawler gameplay has aged well and the ability to create your team of four from among thirty-three playable characters keeps the game diverse.”
    • “The gameplay though is very fun, the references to the Marvel universe are excellent and well handled, the combat feels very fluid with the rapid skill switching and combos, and in every way I think this game is worth playing.”
    • “Gameplay 5/10; it is nice, but many heroes feel underpowered. For more info, just read the online guide on team building.”
    • “I knew the game was 10+ years old going in and wasn't expecting anything too spiffy. The gameplay and graphics are clearly dated and make it very unplayable after you've played better versions of this kind of game.”
    • “With horrendous keyboard and mouse controls, portions of the options menu that flat out don't work, shoddy Xbox 360 controller support, buggy, glitchy, and sometimes outright broken gameplay, this PC port of these decade-old video games is an insult to consumers.”
  • stability25 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in the menus and online features. While some users have noted improvements due to patches and found their gameplay experience relatively smooth, others have described the game as a "buggy mess" that can be frustratingly unplayable, especially regarding controls and options. Overall, while the game can be enjoyable, its stability issues remain a major concern for many players.

    • “Sound is okay, mechanics are working, no glitches just yet.”
    • “Besides that, it's great and runs great.”
    • “My time thus far has been bug-free aside from an issue of the game thinking I had 2 controllers plugged in due to using DS4Windows when it wasn't necessary, as the game works with PS4 controllers with no extra programs running.”
    • “I finally get to play, and they truly are buggy messes, so thanks for the disappointment.”
    • “This port really disappointed me; first off, going through the options is annoyingly buggy for no reason.”
    • “With horrendous keyboard and mouse controls, portions of the options menu that flat out don't work, shoddy Xbox 360 controller support, buggy, glitchy, and sometimes outright broken gameplay, this PC port of these decade-old video games is an insult to consumers.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's performance is generally smooth with no major issues reported, achieving over 60 fps at 4K resolution. However, some users noted poor graphics quality and subpar voice acting, which detracts from the experience. While the optimization for PC is solid, concerns about the game's dated visuals and minor control issues persist, leading to mixed feelings about its overall value.

    • “So, if your main concern was the PC performance, then have no fear.”
    • “Never had any controller or gameplay problems, everything runs smoothly!”
    • “Although considering the price tag and the horrid optimizations, I'd say not.”
    • “Poor and dated graphics, phoned-in voice performances, over 140 characters, and bland generic gameplay.”
    • “The engine is DX11 64-bit optimized and getting 60+ fps at 4K, but it seems to cap at 120Hz in 1440p.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its varied character line-ups, special dialogue options, and smart gameplay variations that prevent monotony. With extensive optional content, secrets, and unlockables, players can enjoy numerous hours of gameplay, further enhanced by downloadable content. Overall, it reflects a strong commitment to engaging players through its replayable elements.

    • “Plus you do occasionally get special dialogue for certain scenes if you have certain characters on your team, plus the many possible line-ups add a lot of replayability.”
    • “MUA plays great, is great, and with all the DLC, replayability is very high.”
    • “While it's aged relatively well, I'd expect it to be far more playable on basic hardware than it is.”
    • “With smart variations to the gameplay to keep the standard beat-'em-up formula from getting stale, hours of optional content, secrets, and unlockables, and near limitless replayability, every inch of the game was a testament to Raven's love and care for the modern mythology of Marvel.”
    • “Even though keyboard commands pop up, it is infinitely better than the default controller mapping and vastly more playable.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious and confusing, particularly with poor controls on keyboard and mouse. Players feel that the lack of random gear stats diminishes the excitement of loot grinding, making the experience less rewarding.

    • “The controls are awful and I found them confusing and tedious on keyboard and mouse.”
    • “I don't believe gear stats are random, so there's no real loot grinding for perfect stats.”
    • “In which case, you must play the one that started it all; 2 sucked, 3 is half MCU and grindy.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is perceived as exploitative, with users feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality and support, particularly highlighting ongoing technical issues that remain unaddressed for an extended period.

    • “Almost two years and Activision hasn't been able to fix all the issues with this cash grab. It doesn't recognize the Steam controller as a regular (Xbox) controller no matter what I try.”
    • “Since it's been so long since the last update, I'm just going to go ahead and guess that this is just a shameless cash grab.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is generally considered underwhelming, with some reviewers noting it as one of the few positive aspects amidst a lackluster overall experience. While the gameplay and graphics received praise, the soundtrack did not leave a strong impression.

    • “This game played great (2 player co-op local), looked good (for a remaster of a port of a PS2/Xbox game), and I had no problems with control, controller setup (which by default matched the original game), graphics, object collision, music, or any of the other problems that people have complained about.”
    • “The soundtrack leaves much to be desired; to be honest, this is the only positive thing about this game.”
    • “The music in this game is forgettable and does not enhance the overall experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its nostalgic charm and adventurous, obscure level design, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate how this unique ambiance complements the squad gameplay and mechanics, creating a cohesive and engaging adventure.

    • “The atmosphere of the game is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're part of a grand adventure filled with nostalgia and exploration.”
    • “I love the adventurous and obscure feeling that the level design creates; it truly enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The combination of the atmospheric level design and squad gameplay mechanics makes this game a unique and enjoyable experience.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I expected from a game of this genre.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player, making exploration feel tedious.”
    • “The environments are visually appealing, but the atmosphere is undermined by repetitive sound design and a lack of dynamic elements.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its unintentional absurdity, which complements the comic book adaptation style effectively.

    • “The ridiculousness adds an unintentional layer of humor that fits perfectly in a comic book adaptation.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud throughout the game.”
    • “The humor is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users express a sense of disappointment and emotional impact regarding the absence of console characters in the portable version, highlighting a feeling of loss associated with the exclusive DLC.

    • “While I didn't even know the portables had exclusive DLC, it was kind of heart-breaking to hear that the console characters were missing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

62% average critic score

Buy Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
13hMain story
37hCompletionist
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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