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'Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2' is a game for friends

The dramatic storylines and multi-player action will excite gamers.

Published Sept. 25, 2009

Remember on the back of toy boxes, there was sometimes a disclaimer that said, "batteries required?" If "Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2" had a disclaimer, it would read: "friends required."

"Ultimate Alliance 2" is a one to four player beat-'em-up action game with lots of brawn and little brain. Set a year after the first game ends, "Ultimate Alliance 2" immerses the player into a superhero Civil War in which you play on either the anti-Registration side or the pro-Registration side.

"Ultimate Alliance 2" is every comic book fan's dream. Players select a classic hero to play, such as Spider-Man or Captain America, and three more as allies to play on their team. In addition, many Marvel Comics villains make an appearance. Even the hardest of hardcore Marvel fans will be delightfully surprised at who shows up throughout the game.

Where "Ultimate Alliance 2" excels is its co-op play. Grabbing a couple friends together to beat up some bad guys hasn't been this rewarding since the old X-Men arcade games.

Although when friends aren't around, playing by yourself is painfully lackluster. Without friends around to talk and joke with, the game's flaws become much more evident.

The combat is repetitive and requires little skill. Each superhero has four unique special moves in addition to their four basic attacks, but it never takes more than 15 minutes to master a character.

The puzzles of the game are overly simplified and the environments are as bland as a baked potato chip. Vicarious Visions didn't get it all wrong, though.

The plotline of "Ultimate Alliance 2" is engrossing. Due to certain events, all mutants are being asked to register themselves. The Alliance has been ripped into two factions, one led by Iron Man (pro-Registration) and another led by Captain America (anti-Registration). The twisted story actually provokes thought, even if the combat doesn't.

Like many modern games, "Ultimate Alliance 2" relies on the player to choose the character's dialogue options. Depending on the speech path chosen, the team will get various bonuses. In addition to the bonuses, leveling characters and upgrading their skills is addicting. Turning Juggernaut into an all-powerful wrecking ball had me laughing maniacally at the meagerness of my foes.

The game also adds miles with side quests and plenty of unlockables.

The enjoyment of "Ultimate Alliance 2" relies solely on multiplayer cooperative play. The cliché "the more the merrier" rings true, as playing alone is not at all merry. So, if you and your comic-loving, video game-playing friends are looking for a good time, pop a couple brews and kick some superhero ass in "Ultimate Alliance 2."