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Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
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| Developer(s) | Raven Software (PS2, Xbox, PS3, Xbox 360) Vicarious Visions (PSP, Wii) Beenox Studios (PC) Barking Lizards Technologies (Game Boy Advance) |
| Publisher(s) | Activision |
| Engine | Vicarious Visions Alchemy |
| Platform(s) | PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, Xbox 360, Game Boy Advance, Wii |
| Release date(s) | Xbox NA October 24, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Action RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T, E10+ (GBA) |
| Media | CD, BD-ROM, DVD-ROM, UMD, GBA flash cartridge,Wii Optical Disc |
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game released in 2006. It is set within the fictional Marvel Universe and features many of the superheroes, supervillains, and supporting characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.
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The heroes must work together to stop master villain Dr. Doom, and the group of super-villains known as the Masters of Evil who plan to conquer the world.
The missions cover a range of various locations from the Marvel universe: the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier U.N.N. Alpha; Stark Tower; S.H.I.E.L.D. Omega Base; Atlantis; Mandarin's palace; Arcade's amusement park Murderworld; Mephisto's realm; Valhalla; the Bifrost bridge; Asgard; Niffleheim; Attilan; a Shi'ar space vessel; a Skrull planet and Castle Doom in Latveria.
Players can select teams of four from a range of more than twenty-two playable characters (although some characters are not initially available and need to be unlocked), allowing them to create their own superhero teams or recreate famous teams from the publications. Bonuses are also available if forming certain groups (e.g. the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Marvel Knights). The game also has alternative endings, dictated by the number of optional missions the player completes. Also included are trivia, artwork and "simulator discs", which unlock non-story related missions for characters. Each character also has a variety of costumes that offer different advantages.
The game is available through several gaming systems.
"Marvel: Ultimate Alliance" has been altered for the Game Boy Advance port and has become a side-scrolling fighting game with minor RPG elements, such as the ability to alter your characters' stats. The graphics are simplified for this system and the selection of characters has also been reduced. Some additional gameplay modes were added into this version of the game including a S.H.I.E.L.D. Simulator, Time Challenges, Scavenger Hunts, and a Survival mode. Teams for this port consist of three characters and a striker, a non-playable fourth character who can be summoned to perform a powerful attack directed toward on-screen enemies.
Playable characters include Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iceman, Blade, Captain America, Deadpool, Elektra, Ms. Marvel, Thor, & The Thing. Special characters included in the game are Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Iron Man, Dark Phoenix, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Vision.
The PC version is customizable, and many characters and their skins can be obtained from modding sites for play within the game[1]. The PC version's graphics vary depending on the customization of a user's settings. The PC version also features "intuitive mouse controls" [2] and works with a gamepad. A number of custom characters (for example Iron Fist, War Machine, and Punisher) are also available.
The PSP version features simplified graphics, different characters, and extra features including the four exclusive playable Marvel characters Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye and Ronin. Other things unique to this version are 6 exclusive comic book missions including one which contained Swordsman, an exclusive prequel mission, and three exclusive single-player gameplay modes. Added features include online play, microphone support (voice chat) and online-recordable player statistics.
The Wii version has a few features unique to its version including specific motion-sensitive controls for normal moves, motion-sensitive controlled special attacks (which are unique for each character), and access to any special move at any time. In this version contains no online play but has a normal multiplayer mode in which up to four players may play at once. It also features the characters Moon Knight and Colossus.
The Xbox 360 version and the Playstation 3 version are virtually identical, with no major differences.
Activision released 8 additional downloadable characters on the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Marketplace on April 26, 2007 in a set of packs: a hero and villain pack, both costing 500 Microsoft points each. However, if desired, the user may download both in a bundle pack, slightly reducing the overall cost of both separate for 800 Microsoft points. Four heroes are included, being Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Hawkeye, and the Hulk. There are also four villains - Magneto, Sabretooth, Venom, and Victor Von Doom. [3]
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance: Gold Edition was released for the Xbox 360 on May 22, 2007. [4] It has all eight downloadable heroes and villains that were originally available only on the Xbox 360 through download on Xbox Live. It also includes 12 new Xbox LIVE achievements and exclusive character costumes.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance: Special Edition (Platinum Hits) was released for the Xbox 360 on September 25, 2007. [5] The feature set includes all of the Gold Edition extras and a bonus DVD.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance was also released as a companion with Forza 2 in specially marked Xbox 360 consoles in 2007. This release contains a copy of the initially released version of the game.
On August 19, 2007, a Special Edition Greatest Hits version was released for the PlayStation 2, including the game in its original form and a "bonus" DVD containing a making-of featurette.
The Xbox version of the game has no changes from the standard PS2 edition, however, a community-based modification has been released which adds Colossus, Moon Knight, Gambit and Angel to the game. [6]
| Initial Playable Characters | ||||
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| All Systems (* Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 only) | GBA Only (~as Special Strikers) | |||
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| Unlock Characters | ||||
| All Systems | PSP Only | Downloadable for Xbox 360 | GBA Only (~as Special Strikers) | |
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† Alternate skin for previous character.
A sequel to Marvel Ultimate Alliance was announced by Activision on February 8, 2008. There is no launch date at present time.
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