In “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2,” a battle between
superheroes and the villain Nitro has left hundreds dead, prompting Congress to
pass the Superhuman Registration Act: All beings with unusual powers must
reveal their identities and register with the government, or face capture and
imprisonment.
The super community is split down the middle. Iron Man heads
up the faction that’s legalized and has been put in charge of hunting down the
rebels, led by a disillusioned Captain America.
The player gets to choose which side to join after the first
few levels of the game, which affects which missions will be available, which
famous Marvel characters the player will be able to use and which they’ll fight
against.
“MUA2” plays a heck of a lot like the original.
Players select a team of four superheroes and take them into beat-’em-up combat
with a light RPG flavor. Up to four players can control these heroes, online or
off.
Powers and abilities fall in line with each character’s
nature. Wolverine attacks with his claws and heals over time, Mr. Fantastic
stretches his limbs, the Human Torch throws fire, and so on. Many characters
need to be unlocked, but once they’re available, a player can swap them in and
out of the team at will. Forming specific groups of superhumans, such as the
Fantastic Four, imparts a bonus for that team.
A new combat feature is Fusion attacks. Built up over time
by defeating foes, Fusions allow any two characters to join for a powerful
special move.
In a similar vein to “MUA2” but not as complex,
and aimed at a younger audience is “Marvel Super Hero Squad.” Based
on the cutesy, big-headed line of Marvel toys and the show that goes with them,
this two-player game features several heroes as they try to stop a nefarious
plan by Doctor Doom and his minions.
Much of the game is a straightforward brawler that two
players can participate in. Each hero has a few attacks and combos that employ
button presses and movements of the Wii Remote or Nunchuk.
There is also a four-player battle mode similar to
“Super Smash Bros.” or “Power Stone” — heroes and villains
fight it out in customizable free-for-alls or team matches. The moves here are
slightly different and more varied than in the brawler segments.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Publisher: Activision
System: Microsoft Xbox 360, also for Sony PlayStation 3,
PS2, PSP, Nintendo Wii, DS
Price: $59.99 ($29.99 to $59.99 for other versions)
Age rating: Teen
Marvel Super Hero Squad
Publisher: THQ
System: Nintendo Wii, also for DS, PS2, PSP
Price: $39.99 ($19.99 to $29.99 for other versions)
Age rating: 10-plus
Via McClatchy-Tribune News Service.
